Memorial Day weekend marked the 5th Annual RuPaul’s DragCon LA. Thousands of fans flooded the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 24-26th ready to meet their favorite queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race and to share some special moments during the dozens of informative and entertaining panels. Fans from all ages and walks of life, from over 44 countries, visited Los Angeles and turned out looks on the legendary pink carpet.
While on the Pink Carpet this weekend, I spoke with Fenton Bailey, World of Wonder co-founder who was excited to see DragCon with its largest attendance to date.
Some of the highlights from DragCon LA included live performances on the TikTok-sponsored main stage by Adore Delano, Love Connie, and Mark Kanemura.
RuPaul also graced the main stage with two DJ sets where fans took over the runway and showed their sickening moves and death drops.
For the first time this year, DragCon also had a go-kart drag racing, talent signings, and more than 50 instagrammable moments from sitting on the set of RuPaul’s new show, to hanging out at Club 96, or walking into the Werkroom. Over 350 exhibitor booths had fans gagging over their merch celebrating drag and queer culture.
Attending DragCon is like attending a pride festival but with more wigs and glitter! It’s sensory-overload and can leave a heavy dent on your pocketbook, but it is a convention like no other and the foundation is pure love.
RuPaul said:
Five years in, RuPaul’s DragCon has become the most inclusive party on earth – a safe place to laugh, dance and celebrate every color of the rainbow. Thank you to our sponsors, vendors, and the queendom that make all of this possible.
Past winners and contestants from Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race walked the pink carpet as the inaugural celebration prior to the ribbon cutting that marked the official start of DragCon LA.
Here are some of the wig-snatching panels that took place during DragCon LA 2019:
The Official RuPaul’s Drag Race Podcast
Hosted by John Polly, this panel kicked off the DragCon weekend on the main stage welcoming stand-outs from Season 11, Nina West, Rajah O’Hara, Shuga Cain, Scarlet Envy, and Soju. During the panel the queens shared about some unseen information about Season 11 and spilled the T on what really went down on Drag Race. Scarlet and Rajah even had an authentic Come to Jesus moment and authentically squashed all the on-camera drama between them this season. Oh, and Darienne Lake was there too!
Comedy Queens: Seriously Funny
This panel featuring funny ladies Pandora Boxx, Nina West, Deven Green, Meatball, and Kelly Mantle had the audience ROFL. The queens shared their comedy inspirations and stories on how they became the funny ladies they are now.
UNHhhh
Trixie and Katya took the stage for a live panel on their hit World of Wonder show UNHhhh. Katya walked in with a severed arm as a clutch and Trixie with a bow the size of her head. The dynamic duo talked about the ins and outs of the show and shared with fans some of the secrets that make the show what it is. Trixie and Katya answered audience questions in the way that only they can. The queens also pulled Jeff and Ron onto the stage. The UNHhhh editors who are responsible for bringing the memorable graphics on the green screen show to life received cheers from fans.
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Alyssa’s Secret
After waiting almost an hour and a half for Alyssa Edwards, the room erupted with enthusiasm as the dancing queen waltzed into the room followed by her entourage, the Haus of Edwards. Alyssa sat in all her glory and talked about the success of her Netflix show Dancing Queen and gave insight to fans who asked her about acceptance and finding one’s place on this earth. Alyssa gave some of her loudest tongue pops and shared what her favorite Alyssa memes are…here’s her favorite
Fashion Photo Ruview
Drag Race Winners Raja (Season 3) and Aquaria (Season 10) teamed up for a live panel of Fashion Photo Ruview. The fashionistas sat down in front of an excited audience to read and dissect the looks from this year’s Met Gala (which Aquaria walked as the first drag queen ever!) Raja and Aquaria gave their TOOTs and BOOTs to some of the most iconic and memorable fashions from the night.
RuTalk with Nicole Byer
On the final day of DragCon LA, Mother Ru sat down with actress and comedian Nicole Byer. The talk was hilarious, but also got very personal about Nicole’s life struggling with identity and dating issues. RuPaul served some inspiring wisdom talking about how to dominate your inner saboteur and live your best life.
Put on your reading glasses and take a look at RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2019:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx_CiSWpKOH/
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DragCon was created by RuPaul and World of Wonder Productions and is the first and only convention of its kinds in the world. RuPaul’s DragCon NY will take place for the third year in a row September 6th-8th. DragCon LA will return for its 6th year May 1-3, 2020.
