World of Wonder, after recently receiving 10 Emmy Nominations, hosted the annual RuPaul's DragCon at the Los Angeles Convention Center on July 19 and 20. Tens of thousands of fans joined hundreds of Drag Queens and Drag content creators and vendors to celebrate Drag and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Stephen Day
RuPaul, renowned Drag Queen and creator of the worldwide sensation RuPaul's Drag Race, said "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."
Stephen Day
Known as the "Met Gala" of drag, queens from all over the world came together to showcase their best looks, meet and greet fans, film new content for the Drag Race franchise and Walk the "Pink Carpet." You can catch our slideshow of all the queens on the carpet over on YouTube. This year's convention featured live tapings of multiple original series. The iconic Queens Walk was live-streamed from the convention's Pink Carpet on WOW Presents Plus with host Michelle Visage as she spoke with fan favorite queens Plastique, Marina Summers, Sapphira, Plane Jane, Kween Kong and more on their runway looks.
Stephen Day
RuPaul himself DJ'ed a dance party set on the Main Stage for all attendees to enjoy. The Main Stage also included live runway performances, a fashion show, a fan-led lipsync competition, and electrifying performances by "RuPaul's Drag Race" stars. After the convention was over, 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 2024.
Stephen Day
Drag Queens weren't the only ones on hand to show off their favorite looks as many fans came dressed in their best drag to take photos and mingle among the crowds.
Stephen Day
Many of the queens had fans lined up waiting for their opportunity to chat with their favorite queen and get photos together and buy merchandise. Several of the queens we spoke with expressed their love of getting to meet the fans, and encourage their own drag journeys, as well as being a support for those in the community who are navigating their own coming out journeys.
Adrian Taylor
Adrian Taylor
Drag content creators were on hand to create content with the queens and fans, such as comedian Jonny McGovern and his sidekick, drag diva Lady Red Couture from Hey Qween! who produced an episode on the convention floor during day two of the convention.
Stephen Day
World of Wonder also took the opportunity to bring the fans in for tapings of "Bring Back My Girls" where host TS Madison collects all the queens from past seasons of Drag Race to reunite and spill all the tea from their season and hash out lingering grudges. The queens has all sorts of tea to spill, but in the end, hugs and love were the story of the day.
Stephen Day
Hot off the heels of DragCon LA, tickets are also now on sale for DragCon UK 2025. The event from January 10-11, 2025 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 the UK DragCon Website
