'Drag Race' Superstar Peppermint has Fairy-Tale Wedding on 'Survival of the Thickest'

The Netflix/A24 comedy series "Survival of the Thickest" gets many things right. First the series, co-created by Michelle Buteau and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel based on Buteau's collection of essays of the same name, is one of the few shows that celebrates body positivity. It stars Buteau as a plus-size Black woman navigating a break-up and a career in the fashion industry by being comfortable in her own skin. It is also critical of an industry so concerned with demonizing those who are plus-size.

Second, it is one of the queerest-friendly shows now streaming, embracing the struggles those in the community face while celebrating their inclusiveness. Buteau, a gay ally, cast trans superstar Peppermint, "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 9 contestant, in a supporting role where she plays a restaurant owner where she plays a version of herself (named Peppermint). On "RuPaul's Drag Race," Peppermint was the first trans-identified contestant and the season's "lipsynch assassin," who finished as a runner-up. Since then she appeared on Broadway in the Go-Go's musical "Head Over Heels," released two studio albums, and appeared on such television shows as "Pose," "Schmigadoon!," and "Harlem;" And on film in "Fire Island" and "The Bitch Who Stole Christmas." She also is a leading advocate for trans rights having be named the ACLU's first Artist Ambassador for Trans Justice.

But playing a variation of yourself on a fictionalized series has certain advantages. In Peppermint's case it gave her the opportunity to marry her high school sweetheart Harrison (Dan Amboyer) in a lavish ceremony.

"Since we were so close in high school, we were able to pick up where we left off," Peppermint explains to People. "The first time, we were just platonic. Since I've blossomed and bloomed into myself and into my authenticity, he's looking at me with a different eye and he's like, 'Wow.' And we got engaged in between seasons."

On the show, the couple walked down the aisle at Pratt House on New York City's Upper East Side with Peppermint's pals Marley (Tasha Smith) and Khalil (Tone Bell) watching on and bestie Mavis (Michelle Buteau) standing by her side as a bridesmaid.

Amboyer says Harrison and Peppermint's connection feels "like a little oasis of safety and love." "We really have fun together," he continues. "Peppermint's the easiest person to love."

The House of Balenciaga participated in the wedding, too, with a performance during the reception that also took place at Pratt House.

"To bring in real ballroom dancers was authentic," Amboyer, who married his husband in 2017, says. "This opportunity to connect with my community, the LGBTQIA community was so meaningful to me. We're bringing authentic stories and authentic people, and maybe some stories that a lot of America hasn't had a personal connection with in some way. This is letting them be a part of that. I love that about the wedding. It was such a joyous celebration."

But don't expect the real-life Peppermint to be married anytime soon.

"I'm not partnered, and weddings and marriage were never really a part of my plan," Peppermint, 45, tells People. "I'm a New York girl, I'm a career girl and I'm focused on that. Also being a part of the queer community, there's times where marriage is dangled in front of our face and taken away. There've been many times in my life where I just said, that's not a reality for me. That was literally what society was saying. So it's complex for me."