On Texas Time: Harper Watters
In 2014, the venerable Houston Ballet dancer Harper Watters received a pair of six-inch pink heels as a joke gift from a friend leaving the company. Having already amassed a sizable online following with videos showcasing his technical abilities, Watters, who’s been with Houston Ballet since 2011, saw the shoes as an opportunity to do something a little different. The result? A now viral video of him and fellow dancer Rhys Kosakowski, clad in heels, strutting and twirling on a treadmill—all set to Fergie’s 2006 hit “Fergalicious.”
The 27-year-old parlayed that moment of digital fame into a popular YouTube series called The Pre-Show, offering that trademark sass and humor along with a glimpse into the backstage action of America’s fourth-largest ballet company. Now, he’s leveraging his platform in the dance world to become an outspoken advocate for queer and marginalized communities. This summer, Watters modeled for Ralph Lauren’s Pride capsule collection as well as MAC’s Love Me lipstick collection—flying to NYC to attend the historic World Pride parade commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The glitz and glamour have been appealing, but Watters says he’s still first and foremost a dancer, and Houston is still home.