200+ Legendary Paris Is Burning Quotes That Still Resonate Today

The 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, directed by Jennie Livingston, remains a seminal text in both queer culture and pop culture. Set in the underground ballroom scene of New York City, the film highlights the resilience and creativity of nonbinary, trans, and POC pioneers who shaped a unique lexicon still celebrated today. 

From RuPaul’s Drag Race to Pose and even the Real Housewives franchises, the influences of this vibrant culture have been adopted and sometimes coopted by the mainstream. It’s a story about survival, artistry, and the rise of icons who shone like incandescent stars, making this film as relevant now as it was 30-plus years ago.

Iconic Paris Is Burning Quotes That Shaped Ballroom Culture 🏆 

The ballroom scene in Paris Is Burning gave birth to some of the most influential quotes in queer history. These quotes continue to inspire, empower, and shape the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting struggles, dreams, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Watching Paris Is Burning feels like stepping into a ballroom, a space where the poor and marginalized found their voices and created a culture that commands a spotlight even in straight spaces. The controversies surrounding the film don’t overshadow its zippiest quotes or its role in shaping Legendary expressions of identity.

• “If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high, hooray for you.” — Dorian Corey
• “Legendary is not just a word; it’s an achievement earned through years of perseverance and dedication.” — Emcee Junior Labeija
• “Reading is fundamental, darling.” — Dorian Corey
• “You own everything! Everything is yours!” — Emcee Junior Labeija
• “This is what we call realness, baby.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “Why you all gagging so?” — Pepper Labeija
• “It’s not about how high you can fly; it’s about how you land.” — Dorian Corey
• “Banjee Girl Realness is about owning your confidence.” — Pepper Labeija
• “Hooray for you if you can get to the top, but you gotta learn to keep it together.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “You can’t be weak in this world. You’ve got to rise above it.” — Dorian Corey
• “The underground ballroom scene is where we fight for visibility.” — Emcee Junior Labeija
• “If you can’t take the shade, get out of the ballroom.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “Realness is more than just about looking good; it’s about feeling good in your skin.” — Dorian Corey
• “Don’t let them ever tell you you can’t be who you are.” — Pepper Labeija
• “You are not alone in this fight for acceptance.” — Emcee Junior Labeija
• “It’s the guts it takes to be yourself that make you legendary.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “In the ballroom, everything is about self–expression.” — Pepper Labeija
• “Realness isn’t something you can fake. You either have it or you don’t.” — Dorian Corey
• “I am the queen, and I am here to slay.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “The ballroom scene is where we create our own rules.” — Emcee Junior Labeija

Paris Is Burning and the Art of Throwing Shade💃

One of the most famous aspects of Paris Is Burning is its unique take on throwing shade. The ballroom scene perfected the art of witty and biting critiques, delivering them with style and flair.

• “If you don’t know how to read, then you don’t belong in this world.” — Dorian Corey
• “I was born with shade in my veins.” — Pepper Labeija
• “That’s not shade, honey, that’s a full–on hurricane!” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “Shading isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how you make them feel.” — Dorian Corey
• “Honey, I’m not throwing shade, I’m throwing a whole storm.” — Emcee Junior Labeija
• “To shade someone, you’ve got to make them believe it.” — Pepper Labeija
• “Shade is an art form, and it’s one I’ve mastered.” — Dorian Corey
• “When you throw shade, you’re not just insulting someone—you’re teaching them a lesson.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “Don’t come for me unless you can handle the shade.” — Emcee Junior Labeija
• “If you can’t throw shade, then you don’t know how to survive in this world.” — Pepper Labeija
• “My shade is sharp enough to cut diamonds, darling.” — Dorian Corey
• “You think you can handle this shade?” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “You need to master the art of throwing shade before you step into my world.” — Emcee Junior Labeija
• “Throwing shade is not about being mean; it’s about showing who’s really in charge.” — Pepper Labeija
• “Shade is not a joke. It’s a statement.” — Dorian Corey
• “I throw shade like a hurricane, but I never lose my grace.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “It’s not just about talking; it’s about how you deliver the shade.” — Pepper Labeija
• “In my world, if you can’t throw shade, you’re not going to last.” — Emcee Junior Labeija
• “Shade is about control and knowing how to take it all the way.” — Dorian Corey
• “I don’t throw shade, darling—I throw truths.” — Venus Xtravaganza

The Power of Paris Is Burning: Quotes from the Trans Community🌈 

The trans community has been at the heart of the ballroom culture seen in Paris Is Burning. Through iconic quotes, we see their resilience, strength, and struggle for recognition in a world that often rejected them.

• “Are you going through some kind of psychological change in your life? You just can’t take it.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “I don’t need to explain myself to anyone. I am who I am.” — Dorian Corey
• “You can’t hide your true self forever; it will come out.” — Pepper Labeija
• “The world will always tell you that you’re not enough, but you’ve got to show them that you are.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “When I made the decision to transition, I took a leap that only a few could understand.” — Dorian Corey
• “It’s about showing the world that even in its darkest corners, we still have our light.” — Pepper Labeija
• “We do this for the community. It’s bigger than us.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “You’re not just trans, you’re a fighter.” — Dorian Corey
• “Even if you don’t fit into the mold, you can still be beautiful.” — Pepper Labeija
• “The moment you decide to be yourself, that’s when you really start living.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “We may be different, but that’s what makes us powerful.” — Dorian Corey
• “The world doesn’t accept us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t accept each other.” — Pepper Labeija
• “You may not get the acceptance you deserve, but you’ll find strength within.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “What I do in this world isn’t about glamour, it’s about survival.” — Dorian Corey
• “The struggle doesn’t stop just because you made it out of the street.” — Pepper Labeija
• “Be proud of who you are because no one else will be.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “We face challenges every day, but we fight back with pride.” — Dorian Corey
• “This isn’t about fame. It’s about being seen.” — Pepper Labeija
• “We fight for visibility, not just acceptance.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “You don’t have to conform to be loved. You are enough.” — Dorian Corey

The Legacy of Paris Is Burning: Defining Queer Culture 👑 

Paris Is Burning continues to shape queer culture today, with its iconic lines and fearless portrayals of the LGBTQ+ experience. These quotes have become a permanent part of the queer lexicon. As someone who has seen its impact firsthand, the scenes in the film continue to inspire and educate about queer history, proving that the fire of this culture, though rooted in struggles, burns brightly in general society.

• “It’s not about being perfect; it’s about living your truth.” — Dorian Corey
• “The ballroom scene gives you the confidence you need to face the world.” — Pepper Labeija
• “Everyone is looking for their place in this world. The ballroom is where you can find yours.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “Realness isn’t something you can just put on. It’s about owning your soul.” — Dorian Corey
• “We love each other because we understand the struggle.” — Pepper Labeija
• “The ballroom is not just a place to walk, it’s a place to live.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “You can try to break me, but you’ll never take away my spirit.” — Dorian Corey
• “The world isn’t ready for our boldness, but we don’t care.” — Pepper Labeija
• “Every step in the ballroom is a statement of who you are.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “The ballroom is where we can truly be ourselves.” — Dorian Corey
• “You can be who you want to be as long as you believe in yourself.” — Pepper Labeija
• “The LGBTQ+ community is strong because we’re all fighting for the same thing: respect.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “We may not have the world’s approval, but we have each other.” — Dorian Corey
• “It’s not about the fame, it’s about being seen for who you really are.” — Pepper Labeija
• “Life is too short to hide who you are. Live loudly.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “You’ll never fit into their world. But you can create your own.” — Dorian Corey
• “You don’t need to be accepted by the world. You just need to accept yourself.” — Pepper Labeija
• “We make our own rules in the ballroom.” — Venus Xtravaganza
• “It’s all about confidence and letting the world know you’re here.” — Dorian Corey
• “In the end, all we have is love and respect.” — Pepper Labeija
  
  

Legendary Quotes from Dorian Corey: Wisdom with a Sharp Edge💫 

Dorian Corey, a prominent figure in Paris Is Burning, is known for delivering some of the sharpest and most iconic quotes. Her wisdom often comes with a layer of condescension, making her one of the most memorable characters in the documentary.

• “If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high, hooray for you.”
• “Reading is fundamental, darling.”
• “If you can’t accept yourself, you can’t accept anyone else.”
• “The world does not revolve around you, honey.”
• “Cutting a bitch is an art, and I’m the Picasso of it.”
• “You can be whoever you want, but not if you can’t own it.”
• “Honey, psychological change takes a lifetime.”
• “I don’t have time to be playing with you.”
• “Everything is yours, if you’re bold enough to take it.”
• “I’m not a queen, I’m an icon.”
• “This is the real world, sugar. Wake up.”
• “If they don’t like you, move on. There’s always another ball.”
• “Reading isn’t just words; it’s a performance.”
• “Why pretend to be something you’re not?”
• “You have to gag them with Realness.”
• “I didn’t come here to play—I came to win.”
• “Throwing shade is an art form; not everyone gets it.”
• “The ballroom scene made me who I am today.”
• “Some people are legendary, and some just wish they were.”
• “What’s the point of pretending if you can’t even live your truth?”

Iconic Venus Xtravaganza Quotes: The True Voice of the Struggle🌟

Venus Xtravaganza is remembered as one of the most tragic figures in Paris Is Burning, but her legacy lives on through her unforgettable words. A trans woman who fought for survival, her quotes shed light on the challenges faced by the trans community.

• “Are you going through some kind of psychological change in your life?”
• “You’re like an overgrown orangutan!” (A powerful quote from her monologue.)
• “I want to live my life with freedom.”
• “The world will never understand the pain of being trans.”
• “I’ve been through hell, but I’ll make it out alive.”
• “Being a trans woman in this world isn’t easy, but it’s my truth.”
• “I can’t wait for the day when I can walk in my skin freely.”
• “Every day I fight just to be seen, just to be real.”
• “You’ll never see me as I am, only as I present myself.”
• “They say I’m a drag queen, but I’m just trying to survive.”
• “I’m not a character; I’m a woman living her truth.”
• “You can never stop me from living my dreams.”
• “I’m just a girl trying to make her way through a world that doesn’t accept her.”
• “Sex work was my only option to survive.”
• “I will never stop fighting for my rights as a trans person.”
• “You don’t have to love me, but you will respect me.”
• “The struggle is real, but so is my will to keep going.”
• “There’s nothing more powerful than a woman who knows who she is.”
• “You don’t have to be perfect, just real.”
• “I will always fight for my identity.”
  

Pedro’s Bold and Fierce Perspective: A Man of Passion and Power💥 

Pedro, another remarkable figure in Paris Is Burning, is remembered for his raw passion and fierce attitude. His words encapsulate the struggle of navigating the world as a gay person, while also demanding respect and embracing individuality.

• “You have to have guts to be yourself in this world.”
• “I don’t care what they think of me; I’m here to make my own mark.”
• “The ballroom is the only place where you can truly be free.”
• “If you’re not living your truth, you’re already failing.”
• “I don’t need anyone’s validation but my own.”
• “Being gay in this world isn’t easy, but it makes you stronger.”
• “When I step into the room, everyone knows it.”
• “I don’t just compete in the ball, I dominate it.”
• “The only person I compete against is myself.”
• “You think you know me, but you don’t even understand the depth of my power.”
• “I show you what it means to own your space.”
• “Everything you say or do is a reflection of who you are.”
• “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being real.”
• “There’s no space for fear in my world.”
• “I’d rather fail big than succeed small.”
• “The most powerful thing I own is my confidence.”
• “When I speak, people listen. That’s my power.”
• “You can’t put a price on my essence.”
• “This is my game, and I play by my rules.”
• “I live for the drama, because that’s where realness is made.”

Emcee Junior Labeija: The Voice of a Movement🎤 

Emcee Junior Labeija is a key figure in Paris Is Burning, known for his inspiring presence and leadership in the ballroom. His quotes demonstrate how one can lead and inspire others through passion, strength, and a relentless pursuit of realness.

• “I’m not just leading the ball; I’m leading a movement.”
• “Realness doesn’t have a set formula; it’s all about who you are.”
• “The world is yours, but you have to take it.”
• “You’ll never see me bow down to anyone. I run the roost.”
• “If you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the ballroom.”
• “My style is my message.”
• “You’re not just competing with others; you’re competing with yourself.”
• “The ball isn’t just about fashion; it’s about survival.”
• “Every time I step on that stage, I’m making a statement.”
• “You either bring it, or you get left behind.”
• “Don’t let anyone dim your shine.”
• “Guts and courage are all you need to succeed.”
• “There’s no other option but to win.”
• “Power is knowing you can never be defeated.”
• “I don’t have time for mediocrity.”
• “Everyone can be a queen, but only a few can be an icon.”
• “I’m always in control of my narrative.”
• “Don’t shrink yourself to fit into anyone’s idea of who you should be.”
• “This is about legacy, not just today.”
• “You have to be unrehearsed, raw, and ready to dominate.”

The Impact of Paris Is Burning on Modern Drag Culture💥

Paris Is Burning is more than just a documentary; it’s a cultural touchstone that paved the way for the modern drag scene. Today’s queens owe much of their influence to the bold, groundbreaking figures who pioneered the ballroom world, whose words still resonate with the next generation.

• “Drag Race wouldn’t be possible without the foundation laid by Paris Is Burning.”
• “Every drag queen today owes something to the ballroom community.”
• “Realness is the foundation of modern drag. No one does it better.”
• “The guts it took to be visible in those days created the space we have today.”
• “You can’t have drag without the legendary foundation of ballroom.”
• “The ballroom scene gave birth to drag queens, but now they rule the world.”
• “I’m not just a performer; I’m a movement.”
• “Drag queens are the embodiment of everything this world wasn’t ready for.”
• “You think drag queens today don’t know realness? Think again.”
• “Modern drag is the result of breaking barriers, not just wearing a wig.”
• “I walk into the club, and I’m already a star.”
• “No one can take away what we’ve built in the drag community.”
• “Ballroom queens set the standard; Drag Race is just the mainstream version.”
• “We’re not just queens; we’re game-changers.”
• “Drag today is about pushing boundaries, and that’s what Paris Is Burning did.”
• “Legacy is built on truth—and that’s what we carry forward.”
• “You don’t have to fit in—you have to make your own space.”
• “If you want to make a name in drag, it’s all about taking risks.”
• “Don’t just imitate—innovate.”
• “The guts to be yourself is the realness we celebrate.”
  

The phrase “Category Is” has become a staple in modern culture, originating from the ballroom community portrayed in Paris Is Burning. It’s a celebration of creativity and identity, with categories like “Luscious Body”, “Schoolboy Realness”, and “Butch Queen First Time in Drags”. Whether you’re at brunch shouting “bottomless mimosas” or recovering from a wild night with “Pedialyte Realness”, the influence of this term is everywhere. The film immortalized these categories, showing how the ballroom scene provided an outlet for marginalized voices to shine.

Watching Paris Is Burning reveals how much the ballroom lexicon has shaped modern expressions, often adopted into pop culture. While the “Legendary” status in the ballroom world signifies great accomplishments, it’s now used loosely to describe everything from pop stars like Normani to quirky delights like Taco Bell nacho fries. Yet, the fact that it endures in contemporary language, even lending its name to HBO Max’s three-season competition reality series, is a testament to the film’s legacy.