Brooklyn — In studio B, clothes racks lined the left wall, and photo concepts were taped to the right wall in parts that weren’t covered by mirrors. In the center of the room, tables were filled with an array of accessories, showcasing exquisite Brandon Blackwood bags, shimmering gold jewelry, and sleek midnight-black Zoulette sunglasses. The back wall acted as the main source of light, with huge square windows that offered breathtaking views of the bustling neighborhood of Brooklyn.

On the set in Studio A, the atmosphere was charged with the captivating essence of love, fierceness, and beauty exuding from the House of Miyake-Mugler. The palpable chemistry and seamless synchronicity among its members served as a testament to the distinctiveness of this house, setting it apart from any other. Whether together or individually, they effortlessly captivated the camera, radiating self-assurance, brilliant smiles, and an unmistakable sense of unity. Witnessing their genuine connection and the ease with which they interacted with one another, it became clear why Rihanna held them all in such high regard. Their shared sense of security and genuine camaraderie was truly a sight to behold. 

“Seeing my house win was absolutely amazing. Like watching that with Rihanna, like we’re at her house and we’re watching Legendary, and me being able to say, Hey, those are my kids, and she knows them, was so rewarding! Working with Rihanna is a major thing. I introduced her to ballroom. She was the first celebrity to give $10,000 to the face category at the Porcelain Ball, which is the Mugler Ball. She’s done so many amazing things for ballroom, like she let me produce the Super Bowl spot that was based on ballroom,” said Yusef Miyake-Mugler, the overall father of the House of Miyake-Mugler.

The definition of family is interpreted differently based on the experiences and circumstances of an individual. For people in the Queer community, the family looks different. A lot of Queer people’s stories and traumas include them being discarded and unaccepted by their biological families. It’s hard for simple-minded people to understand the complexities of embracing authenticity when it comes to self-expression. Simple-mindedness is a symptom that even people who are supposed to have unconditional love for their family endure. But when Queer people congregate and share their experiences, a chosen family—one that bonds over shared trauma, chemistry, and a love for freedom—emerges like a phoenix from the ashes. 

“Family to me means togetherness, involvement, power, and strength. Love, support, and just knowing that you have a lot of people around you that can support you by any means necessary. We have a lot of personalities in the house, but we come together for cookouts, gatherings, and practices, and we love going to BBQs together,” said Emely Miyake-Mugler, aka The Empress. 

“We support each other by making sure no one falls by the wayside, as much as possible. We are all pretty creative; we have a team that does hair, makeup, etcetera, and for ballroom, we have someone that does effects. Off the floor, we are there through phone calls and text messages to make sure there’s someone to listen and offer emotional support,” said Exotic Miyake-Mugler, the overall mother of the House of Miyake-Mugler.

We’ve seen examples of this in shows like “Pose,” where house mothers take in new children, incorporate them into Queer society, and wrap them in love to make them feel confident about themselves and the path they’re treading toward success. While TV and film have notes of realism, they can never quite grasp the reality of what it means to create, endure, and have a love for a chosen family. In reality, the House of Miyake-Mugler is an essential example of how a chosen family fosters love in all corners of the country and breeds success from the insurmountable support and strength they offer one another. 

“The bond that keeps this family together is communication; sometimes we have bad days, sometimes we have good days. It’s not always smooth sailing. But we have to share those experiences, talk about them, and get to the root of anything so nothing gets misconstrued. Some people don’t even know what it’s like to have a real friend—to have someone be truthful and honest with them—so we hold ourselves to being real with each other,” Yusef Miyake-Mugler said.

We support each other a lot in this house. And we try to support each other not only on the floor but off the floor,” Saint Miyake-Mugler said, “so we’re always showing up to each other’s graduations and celebrations. We like to embrace each other off the floor because we believe that builds the foundation when we’re on the floor.”

There were 11 house members present — the pioneer, David Miyake-Mugler; the overall father, Yusef Miyake-Mugler; the overall mother, Exotic Miyake-Mugler; and Lolita Miyake-Mugler; Antonio Miyake-Mugler; Saint Miyake-Mugler; Zenta Miyake-Mugler; Egypt Miyake-Mugler; Emely Miyake-Mugler; Denim Miyake-Mugler; Jodi Miyake-Mugler

Speaking with each house member individually helped me grasp the bond and connection they have all created through real love and support. In a series of shots, the House of Miyake-Mugler encapsulated the same energy they use to reign victorious in the ballroom scene, serving face and creativity to bolster their collective attractiveness on camera. Their synchronicity with bodily gestures and emotes produced ensnaring, captivating images captured by photographer and Forbes 30 Under 30 2023 honoree Flo Ngala.

There is not a family comparable to the legendary House of Miyake-Mugler. Their chemistry and unbreakable bond make them unique in their ability to show up for one another in a way even blood families lack. On the ballroom floor and in the mundane world, the members of the House of Miyake-Mugler are there for each other and extend an unconditional love that is inspiring, uplifting, and genuine. Success will continue to find this group of angels, and blessings will extend to every member of this house on every coast. Fortune favors the bold, and with the love they have for each other, the House of Miyake-Mugler will continue to bring all their dreams to fruition effortlessly.

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