Crystal LaBeija (? - 1982), originally known as Crystal LaAsia, was a Manhattan drag queen who founded the House of LaBeija in 1977. The House of LaBeija is often credited as having started 'house' culture for drag queens. After Crystal's death from liver failure in 1982, Pepper LaBeija became the second 'mother' of The House of LaBeija. Kia LaBeija is the current 'mother' of the House of LaBeija. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia