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Generation VOGUE

LEIOMY MALDONADO is known as the “Wonder Woman of Vogue” for a reason. A title bestowed upon her by Icon Gorgeous Jack Gucci, one of ballroom’s most influential figures and a bit of a name maker, the name refers to her innovation on the floor—most notably, her 360-degree, gravity defying spin into the air before landing on her back with a leg extended, or in a “dip.” But this summer, with her competition days largely behind her, Maldonado, along with fellow icon and “King of Vogue” Dashaun Wesley, is helping to usher in some of the scene’s newest talents via the debut season of HBO Max’s Legendary.

The new show, which premiered on the streaming service in May, features eight houses competing head-to-head in a smattering of categories where the winner will be given a historic $100,000 prize. Contestants are required to show face, to pump down the runway, and turn out more than a few awe-inspiring looks. And they are expected to vogue, many of them borrowing from the vogue fem dramatics, sometimes “wild child” style, that both Maldonado and Wesley have helped to

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