Brian McCook

Brian Joseph McCook, born May 1, 1982, is an American drag performer, comedian, actor, author, and podcaster best known by his stage persona Katya Zamolodchikova. McCook rose to international prominence on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race, winning Miss Congeniality, and later placed as a runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 2. Celebrated for his absurd humor and Russian-inspired drag persona, McCook has built a prominent career across web series, podcasts, published books, and live tours.

Early Life and Drag Beginnings

Born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, McCook grew up in a Catholic household and developed an early interest in performance art. He graduated from Marlborough High School in 2001, briefly attended Boston University, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in video and performance art from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. During his time at MassArt, McCook began experimenting with drag. In 2006, he created Katya Zamolodchikova, drawing inspiration from Russian culture, gymnast Elena Zamolodchikova, and comedians like Tracey Ullman and Maria Bamford.

Television and Content Creation

McCook gained widespread television recognition in 2015 on RuPaul's Drag Race. His unique comedic style made him a standout contestant, leading to a fifth-place finish and the fan-voted Miss Congeniality award. After competing on All Stars 2 in 2016, McCook teamed up with fellow drag performer Trixie Mattel to launch the World of Wonder web series UNHhhh. Their popular dynamic spawned Viceland's The Trixie & Katya Show and Netflix's YouTube reaction series I Like to Watch.

Podcasting and Other Projects

In addition to video series, McCook co-hosts the comedy podcast The Bald and the Beautiful alongside Trixie Mattel, discussing entertainment, culture, and personal stories. The duo co-authored two New York Times bestsellers: Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood in 2020 and Working Girls in 2022. McCook also released his debut music EP, Vampire Fitness, in 2020 and has headlined major comedy tours across North America, Europe, and Australia.