"Legendary"
Photo: Warner Media Group

"Legendary" Photo: Warner Media Group

FASHION

HBO Max Launch Includes Underground Ballroom Competition ‘Legendary’

Along with the May 27 launch of its HBO Max streaming bundle, Warner Media Group also unveiled its new television program “Legendary,” a reality competition based on the fantastic world of underground ballroom culture. The nine-episode series showcases the performance and fashion talents of eight teams—also known as houses—who are judged on choreography in the voguing style of dance and extraordinary costuming to complement their work on the catwalk.

Executive produced by a team that includes David Collins, Rob Eric and Michael Williams, all of whom worked on the Emmy Award-winning team for “Queer Eye,” "Legendary" features a judging panel that comprises entertainer Megan Thee Stallion, ballroom icon Leiomy Maldonado, actor Jameela Jamil, stylist Law Roach and underground-ballroom music icon DJ MikeQ. Leading the show as master of ceremonies is New York City underground-ballroom scene veteran Dashaun Wesley.

On the show, which launched May 27, house teams that include five performers each are led by their designated parent, as the contestants compete for the “Legendary” trophy and a cash prize. The show’s creative direction and costume design was led by Diplomacy Worldwide creative director Eric Archibald and Johnny Wujek—Katy Perry’s costume designer. With their creative team, the designers created more than 350 costumes to bring the vision of each house to life, ensuring to pay homage to the roots of underground-ballroom culture.