“DRAG IS THE RESISTANCE!” RUPAUL’S DRAGCON LA RETURNS WITH A SPLASH AFTER A TWO YEAR HIATUS, WELCOMES 50,000 ATTENDEES AND 150 DRAG QUEENS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
RuPaul and World of Wonder present the world’s largest, family-friendly celebration of drag culture at the Los Angeles Convention Center
Tickets for RuPaul’s DragCon UK, taking place January 6-8, 2023, are ON SALE NOW, breaking day one ticket sales records
[Los Angeles, CA – May 15, 2022] Emmy ® Award-winners RuPaul and World of Wonder (“RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Million Dollar Listing,” “Wojnarowicz: F**k You F****t F**ker,” “Explant,” “Catch and Kill: The Podcast Tapes”) hosted the tenth annual RuPaul’s DragCon at the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend. The drag and pop culture extravaganza welcomed 50,000 attendees, with over 150 the world’s top drag queens mixing and mingling with fans of all ages and backgrounds.
Said RuPaul: “The return of DragCon LA exceeded my wildest expectations. To our dazzling queens, our amazing vendors, and each and every one of our beautiful attendees, thank you for 3 dragalicious days of love, light and laughter. It takes a village, people! The celebration continues later this week as ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7’ makes its global debut on Friday, May 20.”
Said World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato: “At this time in our herstory where we have spent so many months isolated from one another, we are especially delighted to bring our tribe together again to celebrate life and love at RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2022. Drag is the resistance! We thank the talented queens and gorgeous attendees of all ages and walks of life who joined us from all over the globe. Cheers with a House of Love cocktail and see you for RuPaul’s DragCon UK in January!”
Created by RuPaul and World of Wonder Productions, RuPaul’s DragCon is a family-friendly event welcoming attendees from around the world to kiki with their favorite drag queens and pop culture stars in a creative, inclusive and accessible environment. RuPaul himself DJ’ed two dance party sets for all attendees to enjoy. House of Love cocktails and mocktails officially launched, with attendees and queens alike enjoying the beverages throughout the weekend. The House of Love-sponsored Main Stage included live runway performances, a kids’ fashion show, fan competitions and makeovers, and electrifying performances by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars The Frock Destroyers and rocker Adore Delano, among others. Other happenings on the convention show floor included fan signings, the ever-popular Kids’ Zone, and over 350 exhibitor booths offering everything from interactive fan experiences, exclusive merch, beauty products, apparel, art and more.
The three day event also included extensively curated panels, reuniting select casts for the franchise including “Bring Back My Girls,” an original WOW Presents Plus series of exclusive DragCon panel conversations with the casts of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 12), RuPaul’s Drag Race vs. The World, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (Seasons 1 & 2), RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Canada’s Drag Race (Seasons 1 & 2) and Drag Race Holland (Seasons 1 & 2), hosted by TV personality and LGBTQ+ activist Ts Madison.
World of Wonder made major franchise announcements out of the convention, including the news that “Drag Race Philippines” will premiere exclusively on WOW Presents Plus on August 18, 2022 with “Drag Race” alum Jiggly Caliente serving as the first confirmed member of the judges panel. Jiggly herself announced the news from the Main Stage. World of Wonder also announced a full lineup of original programming coming to WOW Presents Plus in 2022. This slate includes reality dating show starring “Drag Race”’ star Miss Vanjie, “Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love” presented by House of Love, and second seasons of fan-favorites “All The Queens Men” and the previously announced season two of competition series “Painted with Raven.”
The convention featured Queens and other celebrity talent for performances, meet and greets, panels and more, including: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Willow Pill, Jinkx Monsoon, Monét X Change, Raja, Shea Couleé, The Vivienne, Trinity the Tuck, Kornbread The Snack Jeté, Priyanka, Kita Mean, Lawrence Chaney, Symone, Kylie Sonique Love, Carmen Farala, Icesis Couture, Aquaria, Mariah Balenciaga, Alaska, Tammie Brown, Kim Chi, Heidi N Closet, Eureka O’Hara, Gigi Goode, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Kameron Michaels, Naomi Smalls, Pandora Boxx, Ariel Versace, Blu Hydrangea, Kahmora Hall, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Scarlet Envy, Nicky Doll, Vivacious, Dusty Ray Bottoms, Baga Chipz, Shuga Cain, Sasha Velour, the United Kingdolls, the Frock Destroyers, and more. Additional notable attendees include June Diane Raphael, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ts Madison, Cheyenne Jackson, Julia Butters, Lisa Loeb, Adam Shankman, and Daniel Franzese, and World of Wonder co-founders & DragCon co-creators Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.
DragCon also featured a robust lineup of special guest stars. Across the WOW Podcast Network, celebrities joined live recordings; Daniel Franzese (“Mean Girls’) joined It Do Take Nerd. “Drag Race” judge Carson Kressley got in on the action as well and sat down for the WOW Presents Plus: Fashion Photo Ruview panel. Cast members from upcoming feature film “Fire Island” including Joel Kim Booster and Matt Rogers, with drag queens Jan and Yuhua Hamasaki chatted with Variety’s Marc Malkin about what fans can expect from the film.
On Sunday, World of Wonder’s WOWIE Awards took place to honor the very best in artistry, activism, entertainment, and more. This year’s nominees feature the trailblazers, innovators, and legendary icons that made us go “WOW” in 2022. A full winners list is below.
Hot off the heels of DragCon LA, World of Wonder also announced that tickets are also now on sale for DragCon UK 2023. The gag-worthy three-day spectacle, which will take place from Friday, January 6th to Sunday, January 8th 2023, will see ExCeL London play host and once again feature extraordinary Drag Queens from all over the world. For more information and to buy tickets and VIP experience passes to RuPaul’s DragCon UK at ExCeL London visit: https://uk.rupaulsdragcon.com/
About World of Wonder:
World of Wonder (WOW) has reshaped international pop culture, earning 28 Emmys, inspiring two Oscars, creating global network WOW Presents Plus across 190 territories, and bringing drag culture to the world stage via RuPaul’s Drag Race and DragCon. WOW’s pioneering television portfolio includes other smash-hit franchises like Million Dollar Listing. Their film division WOW Docs produces groundbreaking documentaries including Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures, Party Monster, and The Eyes of Tammy Faye. WOW also operates YouTube channel WOWPresents, music label World of Wonder Records, the WOW Podcast Network, and year-round international live events. Co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato have been profiled in Variety’s Reality TV Impact Report. Honors for their trailblazing work include the IDA Pioneer Award, Realscreen’s Global 100 list, and the OUT 100. Most recently, World of Wonder was ranked #2 among film and TV powerhouses in Fast Company’s World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies.
###
Highlights from RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2022 include:
Convention highlights:
- RuPaul presided over the official ribbon cutting alongside the Queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 7; Jinkx Monsoon, Monét X Change, Raja, Shea Couleé, The Vivienne, and Trinity the Tuck.
- RuPaul said: “The family is back together again, and we’re looking good too!”
- World of Wonder announced new titles and airdates for a lineup of WOW Presents Plus Original programming. The Emmy-winning production company announced Vanjie: 24 Hours or Love presented by House of Love will premiere June 9th, and also shared a first look at season two of both All The Queens Men and Painted with Raven.
- Jiggly Caliente announced she will be joining the judges panel for Drag Race Philippines and played a first look at the series on the Main Stage. World of Wonder also announced that the series premiere will be August 18, 2022 on WOW Presents Plus, that the series will have a corresponding Untucked and shared a first look at the Filipino Werk Room.
- The Queen’s Walk showcased the 100+ fabulous queens in attendance including the recently crowned champion Willow Pill, Kylie Sonique Love, Symone, Gottmik, Aquaria, Alaska, Art Simone, Carmen Farala, Adore Delano, The Vivienne, Eureka, Jimbo, and Latrice Royale and more sashaying down the pink carpet in front of thousands of adoring fans.
- RuPaul DJed a midday set on Friday and Saturday for all convention attendees from the DragCon mainstage sponsored by House of Love cocktails and mocktails.
- The iconic Golden Girls kitchen comes to life on the DragCon floor with Pandora Boxx, Tempest DuJour, Mrs. Kasha Davis and Kennedy Davenport attending the convention dressed as the infamous group of roommates on Sunday.
- The Frock Destroyers (aka Blu Hydrangea, Baga Chips & Divina De Campo) closed out the first day of the convention, performing for all DragCon LA attendees on the House of Love mainstage.
- Adore Delano performed to thousands of screaming fans. The mainstage also saw performances from an iconic group of queens including Alaska, Jimbo, Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Cheryl Hole, Priyanka and BRATPACK (aka Gia Metric, Synthia Kiss & Kendall Gender)
- Comedians Joel Kim Booster and Matt Rogers joined a panel conversation on their upcoming film Fire Island Diaries moderated by Variety’s Marc Malkin.
- Casts from across the Drag Race franchise, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Holland reunited in panel conversations hosted by Ts Madison. These panels were filmed LIVE and will be released as a WOW Presents Plus original series, Bring Back My Girls.
- WOW Presents Plus hosted a special conversation with the cast of Binge Queens. Rock M Sakura and Heidi N Closet talked with Brittany Broski about their favorite moments of the show, Drag Race trivia, Drag Race iconic moments, and other binge-worthy shows they’ve been watching.
- Drag Queen Story Hour returned to the popular Kids’ Zone. Pint-sized attendees strutted their stuff down the mainstage runway during the Kids’ Fashion Show: Presented by the LA Public Library.
- Popular fashion brands connected with the attendees at DragCon through live activations, with Mo Heart crafting a custom jacket live with JOANN on the House of Love mainstage, and Singer hosting fashion-focused panels.
- Beauty brands once again reigned across the DragCon floor, Anastasia Beverly Hills hosted an Exploring Beauty Panel; Drag Race’s Trixie Mattel, Kim Chi and Mo Heart brought their personal makeup lines (Trixie Cosmetics, Kim Chi Chic Beauty, and Mo Beauty) to the show floor, sponsor PRETTYLITTLETHING brought a glamorous booth to the show floor
- World of Wonder hosted the WOWies from the House of Love mainstage.
- English fashion designer Daphne Guinness, director and choreographer Adam Shankman, singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb and her daughter danced along with the crowd during RuPaul’s DJ set on Saturday afternoon.
WOWIE AWARDS 2022 // Winner’s List
Breakout Stars of 2022 *ALL WINNERS*
- Lil Nas X
- Bowen Yang
- Krysta Rodriguez
- Kylie Sonique Love
- Andy Ridings
- Blu Hydrangea
- Jaymes Mansfield
Best YouTube Channel
- Patrick Starrr
Best Twitter
- Lemon
Worst Online Presence
- Ben Shapiro
Best Instagram
- Krystal Versace
Best Viral Moment
- Ts Madison “Puerto Rican”
Resistor of the Year
- Brita
Best Album
- RuPaul – MAMARU
Best New Artist
- Ocean Kelly
Fiercest Party People
- House of Avalon
Best Ally
- Jessica Chastain
Best Podcast
- Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers – Las Culturistas
WOWlebrity on the rise
- Painted with Raven cast
Best Comedian
- Loni Love
Best Beauty Line Award
- Trixie Cosmetics
Best Beauty Guru Award
- Gottmik
Hottest Hottie Award
- Daniel Franzese
Best Red Carpet Look
- Symone – Met Gala
Best Book Award
- Lawrence Chaney – (Drag) Queen of Scots
Biggest Drag Race Superfan
- Ariana Grande
Best TV Moment
- RuPaul and Symone on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Best TikTok Award
- Kim Chi
Best Documentary Award
- Explant
Rest in Power
- SOPHIE
- Michael K. Williams
- Larry Flynt
- Willie Garson
- Sarah Harding
- Queen of Brooklyn
- Cicely Tyson
- Halyna Hutchins
- Cloris Leachman
- Mugler
- André Leon Talley
- Patrick Demarchelier
- Taylor Hawkins
- Traci Braxton
- Annie Flanders
- Manfred Thierry Mugler
- Louie Anderson
- Gilbert Gottfried
