Sheldon Orlando McIntosh, known professionally as Tynomi Banks, is a Canadian drag queen. A staple of Toronto's queer nightlife scene since the 2010s, Tynomi Banks performed in drag for over a decade before competing on the first season of the reality competition television series Canada's Drag Race (2020) and later the second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World (2024).
Early life Born in Canada and raised in Pickering, Ontario, McIntosh later attended Durham College, studying public relations.
Career A staple of Toronto's queer nightlife scene, Tynomi Banks has performed in the entertainment industry as a drag queen at bars, festivals, and events for over a decade. In 2018, during Pride Toronto, she was selected to participate in a marketing campaign for Crest and curated Spotify's playlist for the gay pride event. Tynomi Banks was a trophy bearer during the 7th Canadian Screen Awards in 2019. She appeared in Joseph Amenta's short film Flood, which premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. Tynomi Banks was a spokesperson for the Spanish jewelry company Carrera y Carrera, as of 2020. In February 2021, Tynomi Banks released a Black Lives Matter-themed clothing line. In June 2021, she performed as a part of the Drive ’N Queens Summer Series.
Television and music
In 2019, Tynomi Banks appeared in the second season of the documentary series Canada's a Drag. The following year, she competed on the first season of the reality competition television series Canada's Drag Race, based on the American series RuPaul's Drag Race. One of the more popular contestants entering the competition, Tynomi Banks was eliminated during the fourth episode after placing in the bottom and lip syncing for her life three weeks in a row. Although no official Miss Congeniality was named in-show for the season, she won an informal poll of the queens in post-elimination interviews with the entertainment website PopBuzz. In 2021, Tynomi Banks appeared in an advertisement for the online financial management platform Wealthsimple, which premiered during the Canadian broadcast of Super Bowl LV.Mikelle Street, "Watch 'Canada's Drag Race's Tynomi Banks in WealthSimple Super Bowl Ad" . Out, February 8, 2021. She competed on the second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World, which aired in 2024.
Banks signed to Wax Records, and released her debut single "Die for Love" in 2024."Drag superstar Tynomi Banks on her debut single and friendship with Nelly Furtado". Global News, June 27, 2024. In the same year she appeared as a guest vocalist on "Save Your Breath", a song from Nelly Furtado's new album 7.Sam Damshenas, "Drag Race: Tynomi Banks on her Canada vs the World exit and Nelly Furtado collab". Gay Times, August 7, 2024.
Personal life McIntosh is Black Canadian and queer, and is based in Toronto. His drag artistry is inspired by Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, and Grace Jones, and he is known for impersonating Beyoncé and Whitney Houston. He has spoken to the media about his Jamaican heritage and how it influences his drag and performance style.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 2015 You Are Free Lolita 2017 Cherry Cola Dancing Queen 2019 Flood Tynomi 2020Jump, DarlingJacqueline O'Nasty
Television Year Title Role Notes 2012 Degrassi: The Next Generation Drag Queen Episode "Viva Las Vegas, Pt. 2" 2019Canada's a Drag (season 2)Herself 2020Canada's Drag Race (season 1)Contestant (9th place)2024 Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World (season 2) Contestant (7th place)
Web series Year Title Role Notes 2018Queens of NetflixHerselfEpisode: "Chewing Gum" 2022Bring Back My GirlsHerself
Music videos Year Title Artist 2013 "Lost Kitten" METRIC
Discography Title Year Album "Not Sorry Aboot It" (with the cast of Canada's Drag Race, season 1) 2020 "Iconic (Drag Reveal Session)" (Leah Allyce Canali feat. Tynomi Banks) "Save Your Breath" (Nelly Furtado feat. Williane 108, Charmie, Taborah Johnson and Tynomi Banks) 2024 7 (Nelly Furtado) Sam Damshenas, "Drag Race: Tynomi Banks on her Canada vs the World exit and Nelly Furtado collab". Gay Times, August 7, 2024. "Die for Love"
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