Hugo Jean Pierre Bardin^{[citation needed]} (born June 30, 1991),^{[citation needed]} known professionally asPaloma, is a Frenchdrag performer, singer, director and screenwriter. She is best known for winning the first season ofDrag Race France.

Hugo Bardin was born on June 30, 1991.^[1][2] He took his first theater lessons at the age of four, which gave rise to his desire to work in this field. After thebaccalaureate, which he obtained inClermont-Ferrand, his hometown, he continued his studies atCours Florent, in Paris. During this time, he exercised several professions in the field of theatre, in particular an actor, but also a director or awigmaker.^[3]

Bardin's first experience as adrag queen dates back to 2008, in a staging of the play titledNur eine Scheibe Brot byRainer Werner Fassbinder, performed at the Comédie de Clermont-Ferrand.^[4] However, Bardin did not immediately continue in the field of drag performance professionally, instead favoring his career as an actor. During this period, Bardin felt compelled to "be more masculine," to obtain better success in his auditions.^[5] Conversely, performing in drag offered him an opportunity to "be whoever I want, kind of like a superhero," which ultimately inspired Bardin to pursue drag more seriously.

In 2018, Bardin debuted the character of Paloma. The Spanish-sounding first name was inspired by the cinema ofPedro Almodóvar and recallsPaloma Picasso.^[5]

In 2022, Paloma's eponymous short film, directed by herself, and was released at festivals.^[6] On June 2, 2022, it was announced that she was one of the ten candidates participating in the first season ofDrag Race France. At the end of the finale, she won againstSoa de Muse andLa Grande Dame.^[7]

In 2024, Bardin served on the jury for theQueer Palm award at the2024 Cannes Film Festival.^[8]