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2023 Rupaul DragCon, Day 1
Los Angeles, CA USA 12 May 2023
Bring Back My Girls UK Seasons 3 and 4 during filming of Bring Back My Girls UK Seasons 3 and 4 during the 2023 Rupaul DragCon, Day 1, held at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, Friday, May 12, 20223
Photo by Jennifer Graylock-Graylock.com
917-519-7666
2023 Rupaul DragCon, Day 1
Los Angeles, CA USA 12 May 2023
Bring Back My Girls UK Seasons 3 and 4 during filming of Bring Back My Girls UK Seasons 3 and 4 during the 2023 Rupaul DragCon, Day 1, held at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, Friday, May 12, 20223
Photo by Jennifer Graylock-Graylock.com
917-519-7666
So much happened at this year’s RuPaul’s DragCon that it warranted its very own post! Queens from every international franchise met with the show’s fans at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 13 and 14.
Mama Ru kicked off the festivities with a ribbon cutting featuring queens, including season 15 winner Sasha Colby; All Stars 8’s Jimbo, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Darienne Lake, and Heidi N Closet; Drag Race UK season 2 winner Lawrence Cheney and Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka and then the queens served fierce looks as they walked the event’s pink carpet.
Day one of the event also featured RuPaul DJing a smashing midday set for all convention attendees from the DragCon Mainstage and Priyanka wowing the crowds in an iconic performance with the Teletubbies. The casts of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 6, Drag Race UK seasons 3 and 4, and Canada’s Drag Race S3 reunited in panel conversations hosted by Ts Madison.
These panels were filmed live and will be released as season 2 of the WOW Presents Plus original series, Bring Back My Girls. In addition, World of Wonder’s Fenton Bailey joined Alec Mapa for a special panel about Bailey’s newly released book “ScreenAge.” Together, they talked about how the age of television is giving queer people positive visibility in a way that has never been done before.
We celebrated the 2023 WOWIE Awards at RuPaul’s DragCon LA, honoring the best of the best trailblazers in artistry, activism, entertain(t)ment, and so much more.
This year’s WOWIEs was hosted by Ts Madison, with extra special performances by Marina Summers and Sasha Colby.
- Best Instagram: Gigi Goode
- Best TikTok: Sugar and Spice
- Best Twitter: Miss Fiercalicious
- Best YouTube Channel: Rock M. Sakura
Dazzling highlights included:
- RuPaul presided over the official ribbon cutting alongside 30 dazzling RuPaul’s Drag Race stars including S15 winner Sasha Colby; All Stars 8’s Jimbo, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Darienne Lake, and Heidi N Closet; Drag Race UK S2 winner Lawrence Cheney; Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka and more.
- Lolita Banana and Valentina revealed they will host the upcoming series “Drag Race Mexico” on the Mainstage in front of a crowd of thousands.
- World of Wonder announced new titles and airdates for a lineup of WOW Presents Plus Original programming. The Emmy-winning production company announced “AVALON TV,” “Keeping Up With Krystal Versace,” “After Shave With Danny Beard,” “Bring Back My Girls” Season 2, “Sissy That Psyche,” and the return of “Tongue Thai’d” Season 2. Full announcement HERE.
- The Queen’s Walk at the House of Love Mainstage showcased 120+ fabulous queens in attendance including the recently crowned champion Sasha Colby, Sugar & Spice, Jaida Essence Hall, Lawrence Chaney, Kim Chi, Priyanka, Jimbo, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Jiggly Caliente, Gottmik, Victoria Scone, Kornbread The Snack Jeté, Blu Hydrangea and more sashaying down the pink carpet in front of thousands of adoring fans.
- RuPaul DJed a smashing midday set for all convention attendees from the DragCon Mainstage.
- Priyanka wowed crowds in an iconic performance with the Teletubbies
- The casts of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars S6, Drag Race UK (S3 & S4), and Canada’s Drag Race S3 reunited in panel conversations hosted by Ts Madison. These panels were filmed LIVE and will be released as S2 of WOW Presents Plus original series, Bring Back My Girls.
- Attendees getting excited at having a first look at the diva-fied classic board game MONOPOLY®: RuPaul’s Drag Race.
- Fenton Bailey joined Alec Mapa for a special panel about Bailey’s newly released book “ScreenAge.” Together, they talked about how the age of television is giving queer people positive visibility in a way that has never been done before.
Throughout the weekend, the ACLU had a presence at the convention to raise awareness and donations for the first-of-its-kind Drag Defense Fund, encouraging fans to donate and support.
As drag performers face increasing threats and censorship, World of Wonder recently created the fund with a donation from MTV and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to support the ACLU’s LGBTQ rights work. Coming out of the weekend, the fund has reached nearly $1.4M, thanks in part to the $40,000 raised during the two day convention. At the ceremonious ribbon cutting to open the convention, Ru encouraged attendees to “celebrate the healing power of drag” and donate to the cause.
RuPaul said: “This weekend, our tribe came together for the most joyful and spectacular RuPaul’s DragCon ever. Once again, our talented queens from around the world showed us what love, light and courage look like.”
World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato said: “Love, kindness and fun is what DragCon is all about. Thank you to the beautiful attendees and dazzling queens who joined us. It is a joy and a privilege to be a part of creating a space where all are welcome.”
Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato during the 2023 Rupaul DragCon, Day 1, held at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, Friday, May 12, 20223
Photo by Jennifer Graylock-Graylock.com
917-519-7666
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 and inclusive environment. The drag and pop culture extravaganza is the world’s largest celebration of drag culture that brings all the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to tens of thousands of attendees, with 150 of the world’s top drag queens from 12 countries mixing and mingling with fans of all backgrounds.
RuPaul himself DJ’ed two dance party sets for all attendees to enjoy. The Main Stage included live runway performances, a fashion show, fan competitions and makeovers, and electrifying performances by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” starsMrs. Kasha Davis, Victoria Scone, Rita Baga among others. Other happenings on the convention show floor included fan signings, the ever-popular Kids’ Zone sponsored by the Teletubbies (who also gave iconic performances throughout the weekend), and over 200 exhibitor booths offering everything from interactive fan experiences, exclusive merch, beauty products, apparel, art and more.
The event also included fan-favorite panels, reuniting select casts for the franchise. WOW Presents Plus original series “Bring Back My Girls” returned for a second year, bringing audiences these exclusive DragCon panel conversations with the casts of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars S6, Drag Race UK (S3 & S4), and Canada’s Drag Race S3 hosted by TV personality and LGBTQ+ activist Ts Madison.
Bring Back My Girls UK Seasons 3 and 4 during filming of Bring Back My Girls UK Seasons 3 and 4 during the 2023 Rupaul DragCon, Day 1, held at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, Friday, May 12, 20223
Photo by Jennifer Graylock-Graylock.com
917-519-7666
World of Wonder made major franchise announcements out of the convention, including the news that “Drag Race Mexico” will be hosted by beloved queens Lolita Banana and Valentina. The queens themselves announced the news from the Main Stage. World of Wonder also announced a full lineup of original programming coming to WOW Presents Plus in 2023. This slate includes a series following LA’s hottest creative collective, The House Of Avalon, “AVALON TV,” “Keeping Up With Krystal Versace,” “After Shave With Danny Beard,” “Bring Back My Girls” Season 2, “Sissy That Psyche,” and the return of “Tongue Thai’d” Season 2.
The convention featured Queens and other celebrity talent for performances, meet and greets, panels and more, including: RuPaul, S15 winner Sasha Colby, Yvie Oddly, Lala Ri, Salina EsTitties, Jimbo, Alaska, Pangina Heals, Jaida Essence Hall, Heidi N Closet, Sugar & Spice, Priyanka, Alexis Michelle, Baga Chipz, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Daya Betty, Kandy Muse, Lolita Banana, Gisèle Lullaby, Mo Heart, and more.
On Saturday evening, 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 2023. A full winners list is available HERE.
World of Wonder looks forward to bringing DragCon back to Los Angeles and the UK in 2024 with tickets on sale soon.
On the first day of DragCon LA, Emmy-award winning media company World of Wonder announced air dates and new titles coming soon to their owned and operated SVOD service, WOW Presents Plus. Included in this lineup is “AVALON TV,” “Keeping Up With Krystal Versace,” “After Shave With Danny Beard,” “Bring Back My Girls” Season 2, “Sissy That Psyche,” and the return of “Tongue Thai’d” Season 2.
All series will come to WOW Presents Plus later this year. More about the upcoming series is below:
KEEPING UP WITH KRYSTAL VERSACE (Coming this Summer)
In “Keeping Up with Krystal Versace,” the “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” Season 3 winner prepares for her solo show with her drag family made up of UK legends. As Krystal manages a hectic tour and her evolving brand, creating “The Next World” tour with her standard for perfection may be too much for her and her family to handle!
AFTER SHAVE WITH DANNY BEARD (Coming this Fall)
Mustache you a question, and DON’T shave it for later! “The After Shave with Danny Beard” is a super secret new series where hilarious winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” Season 4, Danny Beard, and special guests sit down to spill all the tea on Drag Race. Danny brings their one of a kind sense of humor and insight as a crowned queen towards these revealing and gag-worthy interviews.
AVALON TV (Premieres October 9th)
“AVALON TV” is an off-the-wall, over-the-top, and under-the-wig series that takes you inside the brains of LA’s hottest creative collective, The House Of Avalon. Whether it’s fashion, nightlife, drag, art, comedy, or media – this chosen family is creating one iconic pop culture moment after another, and skyrocketing to success by their own set of rules.Marko, Hunter, Symone, Grant, Caleb, Gigi Goode, and Riley star in this genre bending series filled with real life drama, pranks, parties, and celebrity guests galore.
BRING BACK MY GIRLS S2 (Premieres October 24th)
For a second year, host Ts Madison is bringing back the casts of your favorite “RuPaul’s Drag Race” iterations in front of a live audience at DragCon LA. Queens from the US, UK, Canada, Philippines, and more reunite to spill the tea on their seasons and update fans on where they are now! The queens face-off with their fans in a live Q&A where there are laughs, fights, nostalgia, insider stories, tears, and even some never before heard confessions. This season will reunite the casts of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 14, “Canada’s Drag Race: Canada Vs. The World,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” Season 3 and Season 4, “RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” Season 2, “Drag Race Philippines” Season 1 and “Canada’s Drag Race” Season 3.
SISSY THAT PSYCHE (Premieres November 6th)
In “Sissy That Psyche,” best squirrel-friends D’Vaugn Neville, David Brandyn, and Dr. Matthew Brinkley give a play-by-play breakdown of legendary Drag Race meltdowns. Tune in on November 6th as they reveal the best strategies to navigate conflict with guests and callers who find themselves in similar situations.
TONGUE THAI’D S2 (Premieres December 4th)
Pangina Heals, star of “Drag Race Thailand” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Vs The World,” takes us on a food tour of Thai Town in Hollywood, CA. In this sophomore season, she challenges her superstar guests to amp up the spice, from one dish to the next, as they spill secrets over a meal of Thai delicacies.
These titles and more World of Wonder original films and series make up the latest and greatest wig-snatching programming coming to WOW Presents Plus in 2023, including recently announced iterations of the Emmy-nominated “RuPaul’s Drag Race” global franchise “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” Season 8 (excluding the US), “Drag Race Mexico,” “Drag Race France” Season 2, “RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” Season 3, “Drag Race Philippines” Season 2 along with “Drag Race Philippines: Untucked,” “Drag Race Brasil,” “Drag Race Germany,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” Season 5, and “Drag Race Italia.”
Launch the gallery above to see some highlights from RuPaul’s DragCon 2023!
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