Day Two of RuPaul’s DragCon LA was like, a marathon. But like a super gay marathon filled with snacks and fun and icons and gin.
I got up bright and early and threw on my best ‘I’m-relaxed-and-hip-but-still-dressed-for-the-moment’ look. It’s like, a Picasso jacket with a solid color shirt under with real pointy boots and my hair kinda teased up. This is what you clicked on this article for, right?
This was an action-packed day. Bam, there’s Michelle Visage signing autographs, bam there’s Vanessa Vanjie Mateo laughing like a sailor, bam there’s the PrEP cosplay guy.
The day started with the crowned queen runway. All ya favorites were on that carpet, Y’all. Bebe looked stunning in Blue. Sharon Needles was as haunting as ever, Alaska looked like a fabulous fashion-forward martian.
Trixie stole the show, though, riding in a barbie truck wielding a scepter, smiling ear-to-ear. This bitch, I love her.
Trixie Mattel / Movi Inc for World of Wonder
I kicked the day off by meeting some queens, cause lessbehonest, it’s thrilling. Monique Heart, the heart of Season 10, was divine in white, taking Vegas chapel inspired photos at her booth. It’s because of her I answer any and all questions with ‘twirling.’
I moved over to Asia Ohara’s stunning booth, unable to speak. Her setup was very ‘Remember the Time,’ and I was playing Eddie Murphy. I told her she smelled nice, she didn’t respond, I still don’t know how to feel.
Me n’ Monique Heart
Billy Eichner, Alaska and Peppermint hosted Glam Up the Midterms, part game show, part political rally. Eichner riled the crowd up, imploring them to vote en masse this year. He’s one of my favorite comedians, I’ve watched every episode of everything he’s done, and he’s uniquely qualified to make voting out a racist, cruel party sound fun and funny.
My favorite moment of the panel was when Alaska named Shangela’s elimination in All Stars 3 as the most unjust elimination in the show’s history. Cause you know what, she’s right.
I made it just in time to the Season 3 reunited panel. This was the season of grueling sewing challenges, Boogers vs. Heathers, Shangela’s return. Iconic, to say the least.
It was beautiful to see them all back together. Their season was high drama, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from the love-fest in that room.
‘Standing around eating crappy food, El Pollo loco, bitch,” recalled Manila Luzon. ‘It changed all of our lives for the better.”
Mariah Balenciaga pointed out that queens who are on the show now show up with their brand mapped out. She said she misses the old, unfiltered days of the show.
‘Everybody’s walking in trying to create a catchphrase,’ she said.
True.
Aja and Raja / Movi Inc for World of Wonder
I caught the Fashion Photo Ruview panel with Aja and Raja, two of my favorites. I’ve smoked cigarettes with Raja outside The Lash. This is who I am now, I take small interactions with the queens and turn them into life-changing articles.
Both queens tooted and booted looks from the red carpet at the official Drag Race premiere event.
What a hoot. I love both queens attention to detail when praising or dragging an outfit. Like I don’t even think about ankle straps or gloves or the volume of a queens hair, but hearing Raja and Aja talk about these things ups my drag IQ. I really appreciate it.
I headed back into the war room aka the showroom floor, ready to meet more queens.
Mayhem Miller made my day with her bright personality and poppin afro wig. She’s just like she is on the show – friendly as hell, supportive, and like, radiant. It’s tough to not stare. Relevant sidebar, I cried actual tears when she was eliminated.
Kennedy Davenport mesmerized me with her cheeky naked photo, which is now hanging up in my room. She a pinup, officially.
She was funny as hell, eating cheezits as I walked up. She’s my favorite lip syncer in the show’s history, and I’m so glad she got another moment to THRIVE via All Stars 3. Love huh.
1-10 how creepy do I look / Me and the one true queen, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo.
Vanessa was the last queen I met that day, and goddamnit, I love her. She joked with me, cracked up with the people working her both, thanked me for coming.
Like everyone else, I was broken-hearted when she got cut first. I was so into her from the first confessional. Her iconic backward-walking exit from the show has made her an international star, and I’m so proud to see it. I get worked up thinking about it.
Day Two twirled to a close, and I let out a contented sigh. Really never thought I’d get to experience this.
