Trixie Mattel is part Ojibwe by ethnicity and comes from a Native American family in Crivitz, Wisconsin.

Trixie Mattel studied at the Peck School of the Arts in the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he received a BFA in musical theatre.

Trixie Mattel first performed in drag at LaCage NiteClub in Milwaukee, becoming a regular performer in Milwaukee’s drag scene. He attended beauty school in 2014 before withdrawing to participate in RuPaul’s Drag Race.

In October 2015, Trixie Mattel guest-starred in a special edition of WOWPresents’ Fashion Photo Review with fellow season seven contestant Katya Zamolodchikova.

In 2015, Trixie Mattel competed on the seventh season of the drag competition RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Trixie Mattel’s comedy special, Trixie Mattel: One Night Only (2020) was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Television Award.

Trixie Mattel appears as a judge on the competition series Queen of the Universe (2021–present). Trixie Mattel starred in and produced the limited docuseries Trixie Motel.

Trixie Mattel is the founder and CEO of Trixie Cosmetics, a cosmetics brand she launched in 2019.