RUPAUL’S DRAGCON UK sashayed back to London this weekend for the second year, welcoming thousands of delighted fans, over 150 extraordinary drag queens and celebrity fans including Chloe Burrows, Duncan James, Louisa Harland and Samira Mighty to its new home of ExCeL London.
On Friday, RuPaul’s Drag Race host and Emmy® Award-winner, RuPaul, ceremoniously cut the coveted pink ribbon with Michelle Visage and queens from across the global franchise by his side, ringing in the “Ru year” and the hotly awaited three-day extravaganza in style.
Created by RuPaul and World of Wonder Productions, RUPAUL’S DRAGCON UK, returned bigger and fiercer than ever before.
The infamous Queens Walk on Friday saw visitors cheer on the arrival of over 150 queens from across the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise, who made their grand entrance by strutting down the legendary pink carpet. Queens showcasing their fierce lewks included Lawrence Chaney (UK S2 winner), Krystal Versace (UK S3 winner), Blu Hydrangea (UK vs the World winner) and the newly crowned winner of Season 4, Danny Beard.
RUPAUL’S DRAGCON UK also featured gag-worthy performances from an array of queens, including one of the UK’s fiercest girl groups the Frock Destroyers, as well as meet and greet opportunities, not-to-be-missed panels and much more.
The Main Stage, sponsored by WOW Presents Plus, featured two sickening DJ sets by RuPaul as well iconic performances by Drag Race fan-favourites including: Black Peppa, Choriza May, Drag Syndrome, Elektra Fence, Ella Vaday, Estrella Xtravaganza, Elliott with 2 Ts, the Frock Destroyers, Ginny Lemon, Heidi N Closet, Ivana Vamp, Joey Jay, Jonbers Blonde, Jorgeous, Kaos, La Big Bertha, Lova Ladiva, Luquisha Lubamba, Miss Abby OMG, Nicky Doll, Océane Aqua-Black, Patty Pam-Pam, Pixie Polite, Pupi Poisson, Reggy B, River Medway, Sum Ting Wong, The Countess, Tina Burner, Utica Queen and Vivaldi. While the dedicated Kids Zone sponsored by WildBrain’s Teletubbies provided fun for the whole family throughout the three-day celebrations, allowing kids (and kids at heart) to meet and greet the Teletubbies.
Beauty lovers enjoyed a sponsored Anastasia Beverly Hills Makeup competition judged by RuPaul’s very own make-up artist Raven, president of ABH Norvina and Season 1 winner of BBC Three’s Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star Ellis Atlantis, while on Saturday, Audible hosted an exclusive panel with Fenton Bailey – Executive Producer of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Co-Founder of World of Wonder and author of ScreenAge: How TV Shaped Our Reality from Tammy Faye to RuPaul’s Drag Race (Ebury Press). In conversation with Graham Norton, Fenton discussed topics from his literary debut, as well as all things Drag Race.
Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, Co-Founders of World of Wonder, said: “We are so excited that DragCon UK is back. Huge thanks to the more than 150 queens from the Drag Race Universe who participated, and to everyone who came out to see them. A special shout out to the legendary and iconic Teletubbies who are reminders of the spirit of love and inclusiveness that DragCon represents.
It was great to be able to celebrate the new year and new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 in person, and we look forward to serving up more fresh originals on WOW Presents Plus until we see each other again.”
