| Lil' Poundcake | |
|---|---|
| RuPaul's Drag Race character | |
| First appearance |
|
| Created by | |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Gertrude Poundcakenstein |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Drag performer |
Gertrude Poundcakenstein, known professionally asLil' Poundcake, is a fictionalcharacter created by Americandrag performersAlaska Thunderfuck andLineysha Sparx. Lil' Poundcake made her first television appearance in the episode "Draggle Rock" on thefifth season (2013) of the American television seriesRuPaul's Drag Race. The character has made subsequent appearances within theDrag Race franchise, and Alaska has referenced Lil' Poundcake in other works.[1]
Lil' Poundcake is the stage name of the fictional character Gertrude Poundcakenstein.[2] She was described as a "deranged and angry"beauty pageant "competitor from hell" when she was originally created bydrag performersAlaska Thunderfuck (or simply Alaska) andLineysha Sparx during a challenge on the third episode ("Draggle Rock") of thefifth season (2013) of the American television seriesRuPaul's Drag Race.[3][4]Xtra Magazine described Lil' Poundcake as a "snide, bratty little child" and noted that Alaska "writes a pitch-perfect story of a precocious young dick-pig who loves riding dirty and regularly screams 'you're not my [dad] and you never will be!'"[5][6]
Lil' Poundcake wears a pink dress and a has frown painted on her face.[2] According toScreen Rant, Lil' Poundcake is "Alaska's alter ego that has become as loved as the queen, herself. This character costume involves heavy white makeup and dark eye makeup with a bright fuchsia gown ensemble."[7]
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Lil' Poundcake has been referenced repeatedly in theDrag Race franchise. Alaska dressed as Lil' Poundcake on thesecond season (2016) ofRuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.[8] In theeighth season (2023) ofRuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, the contestants appeared in atrue crime spoof titled "Forensic Queens: Wha-Ha-Happened to Lil' Poundcake?".[9] The original Lil' Poundcake doll is kept in theUntucked lounge.[10] A large version of Lil' Poundcake appeared in the first episode ("Squirrel Games") of theseventeenth season (2025) ofRuPaul's Drag Race in which, during aSquid Game-inspired challenge, Lil' Poundcake throws pies at contestants.[11]
In 2016, Alaska released her second studio albumPoundcake. The album's title and the song "Puppet" refer to character. The album was promoted by a music video for thelead single "Puppet".[12] The music video, directed by Santiago Felipe, shows Lil' Poundcake "pulling a Wall Street heist with her cohorts and spitting some hilariously foul lyrics"; according toBillboard magazine's Patrick Crowley, "After losing a beauty pageant of sorts, a crazed Gertrude Poundcakenstein goes on a crime spree. Joined by her sidekicks, Juicy Liu and Chocolate Puddin, she robs a bank and wreaks havoc on Lower Manhattan."[13] Adam Salandra ofLogo TV'sNewNowNext wrote, "When the puppet with daddy issues loses a beauty pageant to Baby Thunder Thighs in the video, she also loses her mind, transforming into an evil version of Lil' Poundcake before our very eyes. With a freshly painted mug and revenge on her mind, she sets out on a crime spree with tragic results."[12]
Alaska also supported the album with her Poundcake World Tour, arock music show featuringJackie Beat as an opening act.[14]Billboard included "Puppet" in a 2019 list of the 20 best songs byDrag Race contestants, stating: "A deliriously upbeat, catchy hook pairs well with the unrepentantly filthy (and hysterical) lyrics on this standout track ... She has a number of excellent songs, but the Lil' Poundcake-inspired 'Puppet' is undeniable."[15]
In 2017, Alaska released a commercial for her Lil' Poundcakeplush doll,[16] featuringDrag Race contestantsJiggly Caliente andRaja.[17][18]Chappell Roan has worn an outfit inspired by Lil' Poundcake.[19]
