‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Emmy FYC event reunites Season 16 queens for special performance of ‘Power’

Seven of the iconic queens from Season 16 of MTV’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” reunited on Monday, June 10 at an Emmy FYC event held at the Culver City Julian Dixon Library. Dawn, Mhi’Ya Iman Le’Paige, Morphine Love Dion, Q, Plane Jane, Sapphira Cristál and winner Nymphia Wind delivered a live performance of the inspirational song “Power” and then sat for a Q&A alongside executive producer Tom Campbell, senior producer/judge Michelle Visage and choreographer Jamal Sims, moderated by Variety’s Marc Malkin.

The funk-rock anthem “Power” debuted in the 10th episode, “Werq the World,” which aired March 8, 2024. Many viewers considered that group performance to be a highlight of this Sweet Sixteen season, with its important message during an election year being that we all collectively “have the power.”

It was announced during the panel that, in partnership with World of Wonder, MTV and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund had just surpassed $2 million. The organization has been instrumental in bringing attention to the anti-LGBTQ attacks that have been sweeping the nation in recent years.

After the Q&A, the queens visited “RuPaul’s Rainbow Book Bus,” the colorful school bus that has been crossing the nation delivering free reading materials and banned books to citizens. Viewers of “Drag Race” know how integral books and knowledge are to the community, particularly youngsters, with the quote “Reading Is Fundamental” being a big part of the show.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” has won 29 Emmy Awards over the years, including five for Best Competition Series and eight for RuPaul Charles as host. “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” Season 9 is currently streaming on Paramount+.

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Here are some notable quotes from the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 16 Emmy FYC panel:

“I can’t believe we’re doing drag in the middle of the day…at a library…in Culver City!” -Michelle Visage

“Drag Race is a miraculous tree that grew from a crack in the sidewalk.” -Tom Campbell

“You are only as good as your weakest link.” -Jamal Sims

“Getting critiqued is part of this business. There is no 11th place, get better.” -Michelle Visage

“The mother in me wants the queens to see their full potential.” -Michelle Visage

“The reason that this show has any relevance today is because of the queens. They teach us.” -Tom Campbell

“I think a lot of the time we think about mental health as some melancholy thing. Even chaotic goobers struggle with mental health.” -Dawn

“I came to ‘Drag Race’ thinking I was a star, I left knowing I was one.” -Dawn

“Mhi’Ya is the best performer in Miami. Sending her home was an honor.” -Morphine Love Dion

“I wanted to represent my country. Growing up you don’t see a lot of good Asian representation. I wanted to be a good role model for them.” -Nymphia

“If Nymphia represented the Taiwanese people, I represented the rotted bitches.” -Plane Jane

“Reading is a part of drag culture and a part of queer culture.” -Plane Jane

“If you’re queer and are HIV positive you almost have two coming outs.” -Q

“Put your dreams out there and they will come to you. Say it out loud. Make it known.” -Sapphira Cristál

“For me, this show is more than a television. It’s giving queer voices a massive platform. We hear from voices from around the world where it’s illegal to be queer. This show is about the tenacity of love.” -Michelle Visage

“Manifesting girls like me with depression and anxiety to know there is a place for us.” -Mhi’Ya Iman Le’Paige

“The show inspired me to come out of the closet. It inspired me to do more to change my life.” -Plane Jane

“I want to keep seeing the girls thriving since we went on this crazy journey together.” -Q

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