‘House on Fire’ Stars Yusef and A.J. Break Down the Power of Ballroom

On the heels of applications like Pose and Legendary comes the most recent collection that paperwork the world of ballroom. Introduced by the manufacturing firm behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, House on Fire follows the Home of Miyake-Mugler as viewers witness 9 members of the home as they steadiness the pressures of competitors and surviving the dynamics throughout the household. The primary season illuminated the breathtaking world of ballroom tradition by means of the glory of docufollow actuality tv.

Within the first season of Home on Hearth, viewers watched as the daddy of the home, Yusef Mugler, managed to maintain his youngsters in verify as A.J. Boardraye tried to develop into a member of the legendary home. All through the eight-episode arc, A.J. discovered the laborious approach that changing into a Mugler just isn’t as straightforward as one would assume. And impressing Yusef takes much more than expertise. It is all about respect. A.J. and Yusef joined me at RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2024 to debate the spectacular season.

Ballroom Tradition Was Explored Like By no means Earlier than

With the ability to deliver their lives to the world has been one thing particular for each Yusef and A.J. However to additionally pair it with the world of ballroom, that is the place the magic of Home on Hearth Season 1 got here in. As A.J. identified, “It was an entryway, so people who find themselves occupied with ballroom and need to do it will probably see the journey and see the way it goes.” Yusef acknowledged, “This was a needed second for the tradition, for the group, particularly ballroom. It was one thing that has been pushed down and what higher home than to deliver to the forefront than the Home of Miyake-Muglar!”

Whereas a number of people got the highlight all through the course of the season, Home on Hearth showcased the dynamics of the person relationships and the way their place within the Home of Miyake-Muglar affected the larger image of the season’s arc. For Yusef and A.J., their storylines did intertwine very often. “It is household. It is friendship. We combat, after which we love on one another after which combat once more,” Yusef stated earlier than joking, “You already know, we’ll most likely combat after this interview. However we’ll stroll out holding palms as a result of that is my brother.” Yusef famous that what Home on Hearth displayed was realness at its finest. The significance of chosen household was on the forefront of the collection, one thing Yusef was very blissful viewers have been capable of see. On chosen household, he famous, “It is no completely different than having blood family members. Brothers and sisters from one other mom.”

Viewers Had been Introduction to the Home of Miyake-Muglar

Viewers of the collection noticed that New York Metropolis grew to become an additional character, serving because the backdrop. As they each put it, “New York is Ballroom.” The origins and historical past of the scene centered inside the best metropolis on the earth. Whereas reveals like The Real Housewives like to ship their casts on unique getaways, Yusef famous that for his or her first season, they have been staying put in NYC. “Our first season, we have been like, we will not go anyplace. All the pieces has to occur proper right here in New York Metropolis and maintain it genuine as doable. That’s the mom. That’s the hub of ballroom.”

This season, A.J. served because the viewer’s vantage into the world of ballroom as his story centered on his journey getting into the Home of Miyake-Muglar. It isn’t as straightforward as simply saying you need to be part of the household. There may be work that have to be put in. There’s an initiation, guidelines, and protocols to observe. And if you happen to stray from these, it might severely alter your probabilities of becoming a member of the household. Earlier than A.J. might even share his ideas on what his expertise was like, Yusef reminded him, “Ballroom just isn’t a stroll within the park.”

“There was quite a bit I needed to study, however I used to be up for it. And I made it on the finish,” A.J. stated. In a while in our chat, the ethical of the season, for A.J. a minimum of, is “keep out of Femme Queen’s enterprise.” It was a messy second that concerned a wild sport of phone. Yusef got here to A.J.’s protection and stated, “That is not ballroom although. Ballroom is a spot the place you’ll be able to come as you’re and be artistic. Be all of the issues. And once you go away, you allow all of it on the ground. And you’ve got a household. Or not.”

Yusef and A.J. Had been Gagged at What They Noticed on Display screen

As a lot love as there was within the season, A.J. and Yusef famous that Home on Hearth definitely wasn’t briefly provide of drama! They have been very happy to debate the gaggiest moments of the season. A.J. talked about for him it was when Roz Mugler, Lorenzo, and Andre have been speaking about him outdoors of him. Or when the ladies have been speaking about him outdoors of him. For sure, A.J. wasn’t thrilled to know that his identify continued to come back up! However hey, that is what occurs once you’re one of many breakout stars of the season! For Yusef, he was not thrilled when he noticed Brooklyn inform A.J. what to not inform him. As followers are conscious, Yusef and Brooklyn did not all the time have the strongest bond in the course of the season, as Brooklyn typically examined the bounds of respect and authority. “I felt like an actual guardian. Is that this what my youngsters do behind my again? I used to be so mortified. I by no means thought I’d really feel like a father. Lock her up in her room!” Yusef stated, “These are the gaggiest moments since you actually get to see what’s taking place once you’re not round.” The season closed out with Yusef’s large birthday celebration the place he threw a really aggressive mock ball. They each famous that there’s all the time time to apply and sharpen their abilities. And Yusef even threw a little bit dagger A.J.’s approach reminding him a mock ball is the place you apply, not a kiki ball. A reference to a second that nearly prevented A.J. from becoming a member of the home.

For a lot of viewers, this was certainly one of their first, if not the primary, introductions to ballroom. So what do A.J. and Yusef hope viewers received out of watching Home on Hearth? A.J. stated, “Ballroom is a selected household. I hope that they received the expertise that, though it may be a little bit messy, they received to see the balls and the battles. And the way intense and the way folks put their time, love, and power into it their craft.” A.J. echoed that, “Ballroom just isn’t a stroll within the park. It takes a number of years to actually develop into that lady and be that famous person.” Yusef famous, “Everybody had their very own notion of it. Our home is not a simple home to get into. I feel, my purpose, our purpose, we hope that we’re educating folks on what the tradition is and persons are ballroom and are like, ‘that is completely not what I believed.'”

For the reason that season has ended, Yusef remains to be working laborious and touring the world. He is hoping for a Season 2 as he feels that the present is one thing so needed. The world wants it. A.J. needs folks to observe, remark, repost to assist deliver them a second season. He’s prepared for folks to see his subsequent journey in ballroom, now that he’s formally a member of the Home of Miyake-Muglar! Fingers crossed the subsequent a part of their story is shared on display screen!

All episodes of Home on Hearth can be found to stream on WOW Presents Plus. Stream on WOW Presents Plus