Story by Anna Dória
Los Angeles, CA – July 20, 2024 – This past weekend, the Los Angeles Convention Center was the place to be for anyone with a love for glitz, glamour, and all things drag. World of Wonder’s annual RuPaul’s DragCon was nothing short of spectacular, coinciding perfectly with the announcement of 10 fresh Emmy® nominations for “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Over 200 fabulous queens from around the world sashayed into the spotlight, drawing in tens of thousands of eager fans ready to celebrate the art of drag.
RuPaul’s DragCon, often declared the “Met Gala of drag,” is the ultimate celebration of drag culture. This year, it smashed records with a huge reunion of queens from the global “Drag Race” franchise. From star-studded meet-and-greets to electrifying performances, insightful panel discussions, and exclusive merch that fans couldn’t get enough of, the event was a drag lover’s paradise.
A Celebration of Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent
In his opening remarks, RuPaul emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “History is being made at RuPaul’s DragCon LA as a record-breaking number of Drag Race queens from around the world have united to share their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. The outpouring of love from their fans has been truly overwhelming. At moments like this, I am reminded of the power of community, creativity, and the freedom of expression.”
World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato echoed these sentiments, praising the role of drag queens as “global freedom fighters” and “the marines of the LGBTQ+ community.” They highlighted the event’s mission to bring together queens and fans from around the world in a celebration of life, love, and artistry.
Unforgettable Moments and Performances
The convention was a feast for the senses, featuring everything from live tapings of WOW Presents Plus original series to electrifying performances by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars. Fans were treated to a spectacular Queens Walk, live-streamed from the convention’s Pink Carpet, with host Michelle Visage speaking with fan-favorite queens such as Plastique, Marina Summers, and Kween Kong.
Award-winning makeup artist Raven filmed new episodes of her series “Touch Ups with Raven” with special guests, while Jonny McGovern hosted live tapings of “Hey Qween!” These episodes are set to premiere on WOW Presents Plus later this year.
Attendees also enjoyed a dance party DJ’ed by the one and only RuPaul, live runway performances, fashion shows, and a fan-led lip-sync competition. The convention floor buzzed with energy as over 200 exhibitor booths showcased exclusive merchandise, beauty products, apparel, and interactive fan experiences.
Writer’s personal experience as a 12-year-long fan of the franchise
As a young Brazilian woman, I’ve always felt fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive queer community since high school. My journey as an admirer of drag art began in 2012, thanks to my best friend who introduced me to the whimsical world of RuPaul’s Drag Race. For us, the show was a breath of fresh air in a global landscape where drag was rarely and inaccurately represented on TV. RuPaul, with his trailblazing spirit, offered us a glimpse of a vibrant, affirming world that felt both exhilarating and validating.
Attending DragCon was like stepping into a fantastical realm akin to a dream trip to Walt Disney World. For a dedicated fan like me, who has been chasing RuGirls and their dazzling performances across Brazil since 2014, the experience was surreal. Seeing so many of my beloved queens all in one place—each with their own uniquely decorated booths and some performing at a non-stop rhythm—was a dream come true that exceeded anything I had imagined a decade ago when this world was revealed to me.
The highlight of DragCon, in my conception, was witnessing the performances of queens from Brazil’s Drag Race cast. These incredible artists, many of whom grew up with RuPaul as their beacon and faced challenges in marginalized communities, were finally given their moment to shine on a global stage. Watching the crowd embrace Brazilian performers with such enthusiasm was profoundly moving. It was a testament to their undeniable charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. I was especially touched by an emotional video from the mother of Organza, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Brazil, who expressed her pride in seeing her child’s artistry celebrated on an international platform. Seeing these performers achieve the recognition they’ve always deserved was nothing short of heartwarming.
