Mexico City Newscaster Delivers News in Drag on New Show

A bright wig, stunning outfit, and flawless makeup transform journalist Guillermo Barraza into Amanda Drag, the host of Mexico's first drag news program fighting for visibility and change.

"La Verdrag" airs on Canal Once in Mexico City, bringing investigative reporting and interviews that spotlight LGBTQ+ celebrities and everyday community members. The show's tagline captures its mission perfectly: a news program "where minorities turn into a majority."

Barraza faces real dangers for this work. Mexico has the second-highest death rate in the world for journalists, and threatening messages flood their inbox daily. But the Amanda Drag persona provides an unexpected shield and source of courage.

"There are many things that Guillermo wouldn't do or say that Amanda wouldn't think twice about," Barraza told LGBTQ Nation. The character creates freedom to speak truth without fear.

For Mexico's queer community, which faces constant harassment and prejudice, the show offers something rare: representation on mainstream television. Every broadcast validates experiences that too often go unheard.

The Ripple Effect

The program does more than inform viewers. It creates a platform where LGBTQ+ voices take center stage, normalizing diverse identities in a country where visibility can be dangerous.

"In this country, no one is safe," Barraza explained. "The more visible you are, the more you want to fight for change, the more you put a target on your own chest."

Despite the risks, Barraza continues broadcasting. The decision to keep showing up, keep reporting, and keep speaking out sends a powerful message: fear doesn't get the final word.

Through Amanda Drag, Barraza has discovered that sometimes putting on a costume lets you take off the mask and be your most authentic, fearless self.