Meet Ada
Photo: Julián P. Ledezma
Adam Sanders, better known as his drag persona, Ada Vox, is an accomplished vocalist, songwriter, and drag queen who found success and pushed boundaries as a contestant on the hit singing competition series American Idol. Ada finished as runner-up on Queen of the Universe, streaming now on Paramount+.
When Idol’s “search for a superstar” stopped in his hometown of San Antonio for their Season 12 auditions in 2012, Adam auditioned with "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Etta James. All four judges said "yes,” and Adam moved on to the next round of the competition. Although he was eliminated before the semifinals, this was just the start for Adam.
Adam later made his thirteenth attempt auditioning in 2017, this time in drag. As Ada Vox, she sang "House of the Rising Sun,” making it to Hollywood for Season 16 of the show, earning a “yes” from all three judges. Ada was the first drag performer to advance to the show’s finals, making the Top 10 of her season.
Ada’s remarkable performances weren’t the only factors of her legacy on Idol—her voice for LGBTQ+ representation in media reverberates to this day. Joining the ranks of queer Idol contestants before her, Ada’s uniquely glittery, dynamic presence sparked conversations about American households’ readiness to see a drag performer on a mainstream television program.
After making the Top 10, Ada told NewNowNext, “I know that I am here standing for something that is so much bigger than just myself.”
Throughout her season, Ada sang renditions of Queen, Nina Simone, Elton John, and Idina Menzel hits, returning for a finale performance of “Lady Marmalade” with Patti LaBelle.
“The biggest voice I have ever heard.”
— Luke Bryan
Ada’s Idol fanbase, dubbed #Voxies, voiced their support alongside drag notables Willam, Latrice Royale, Courtney Act, and RuPaul, who tweeted, “Sashay, you slay!” Hal Rubenstein, best-selling author and founding editor of InStyle, had this to say:
“...[Ada is] a Latina drag queen with a rafter-shaking voice of stratospheric range who is far and away the most formidable talent the show has introduced since Jennifer Hudson.”
— Hal Rubenstein
With a powerful voice influenced by the likes of Selena Quintanilla, Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin, Ada has continued stunning crowds in her live performances, on tour, and as a frequent Pride festival headliner. Ada cultivates a resounding sense of self-love, acceptance, and community in everything she does, lending her voice to numerous fundraisers and charity events including the Human Rights Campaign, San Antonio AIDS Foundation, and as a guest performer for LipSync Idol, benefiting the WINGS Foundation.
Ada has sustained a dedicated fanbase, living by the phrase, “Do what you love for the people that love what you do.” Ada has posted various cover songs on YouTube to an enthusiastic response, including “Shallow” from A Star Is Born. She strongly believes in the power of music and community.
“Whether we’re crying on the dance floor or screaming girl-power anthems in sold-out arenas, we can all come together celebrating life in music’s universal language!”
“A true talent.”
— Jennifer Holiday
Ada was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where she currently lives with her husband, dog, and four cats. Ada has released three singles, “Because of You,” “Tea Time,” and “Burn.”
Ada is thrilled to join the cast of “high heels, high octaves, [and] high competition” performers vying for the crown of “Ultimate Queen of the Universe” in World of Wonder’s Queen of the Universe, streaming now on Paramount+.
