Nashom Benjamin

Nashom Benjamin Wooden (October 9, 1969 – March 23, 2020) was a prominent American performer known for his vibrant contributions to the New York nightlife and music scene. He gained recognition as a member of the electronic dance music trio The Ones and dazzled audiences as a drag queen under the persona Mona Foot.

Wooden emerged in the mid-1980s as a Club Kid, immersing himself in the city's dynamic nightlife. By 1989, he was managing the men's fashion department at Patricia Field's boutique, where he refined his drag persona with help from his friend, drag icon Lady Bunny. An early influence in his life was RuPaul, who mentored him in makeup application and shared the stage with him in the off-Broadway production My Pet Homo. As Mona Foot, Wooden hosted the popular drag competition "Mona Foot's Star Search" at Barracuda, a venue that The New York Times suggested may have inspired RuPaul's Drag Race.

In 1997, he transitioned into bartending and DJing at The Cock, a celebrated gay bar. His film debut came in 1999 with a role in the comedy-drama Flawless. As part of The Ones, he co-wrote and performed the hit "Flawless," which climbed to #4 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in 2001. Wooden gradually stepped back from performances, with his final appearance as Mona Foot at Wigstock in 2018.

Despite being HIV-positive, Wooden managed to maintain an undetectable viral load. He passed away on March 23, 2020, at the age of 50, due to complications related to a suspected COVID-19 infection, leaving behind a legacy celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community. He was laid to rest at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.