Cowboy hat-wearing RuPaul opens DragCon LA 2024 with ceremonial pink ribbon cutting [VIDEO]
RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2024 has officially begun! Earlier today, the cowboy hat-wearing RuPaul Charles opened the festivities at the Los Angeles Convention Center with the ceremonial cutting of the pink ribbon. “Fabulous! Have a good time. I love you,” the Queen of Drag told his adoring crowd while still holding the enormous pink scissors. RuPaul’s co-producer and co-judge Michelle Visage stood beside him, and they were flanked by dozens of drag queens from the American version of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” plus many other worldwide installments. Watch the ribbon cutting video below:
#DragCon LA 2024 is officially OPEN!! pic.twitter.com/vC36ZjOcEP
— aehdy #TeamEvaLeQueen (@dragreines) July 19, 2024
Once again, the convention’s festivities are presented by World of Wonder Productions and its co-founders, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. This year’s theme is the “hottest ever” … and we’re assuming that refers to the sizzling talent that’ll be on-hand rather than the California weather.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 16 is flying high after receiving eight Emmy nominations earlier this week: Best Competition Program, Best Reality Host, Best Casting, Best Choreography, Best Directing, Best Picture Editing, Best Production Design and Best Sound Mixing. In addition, “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked” earned a pair of bids for Best Unstructured Reality Program and Best Picture Editing.
Attendees of RuPaul’s DragCon LA will experience signings, meet and greets, photo opps, mainstage performances, a DJ set with RuPaul (Friday only), 300 unique vendors for shopping and merchandise, and more. Judges Michelle Visage and Ts Madison will appear, as well as “pit crew” model Bruno Alcantara and celebs like Daniel Franzese and Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho.
This year’s convention will allow fans to get a peek behind the TV curtain, as there will be LIVE tapings of WOW Presents Plus original series such as “Bring Back My Girls,” “Live From the Pink Carpet with Michelle Visage,” “Hey Qween” and “Touch Ups with Raven.”
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Nearly 200 “Drag Race” queens from the worldwide franchise will attend RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2024, including the following from the American version: Adore Delano, Alaska, Alexis Mateo, Amanda Tori Meating, Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Aquaria, Aura Mayari, Bianca Del Rio, Crystal Methyd, Dawn, Eureka, Geneva Karr, Gottmik, Heidi N Closet, Hershii LiqCour-Jete, Jaida Essence Hall, Jan, Joey Jay, Kennedy Davenport, Kerri Colby, Kim Chi, LaLa Ri, Loosey Laduca, Luxx Noir London, Madame LaQueer, Maddy Morphosis, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Manila Luzon, Mariah Balenciaga, Mayhem Miller, Megami, Mhi’Ya Iman Le’Paige, Milk, Mirage Amuro, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Mo Heart, Morphine Love Dion, Naomi Smalls, Nicole Paige Brooks, Nymphia Wind, Ongina, Pandora Boxx, Phoenix, Plane Jane, Plasma, Plastique Tiara, Q, Ra’Jah O’Hara, Raja, Robin Fierce, Rock M Sakura, Roxxxy Andrews, Salina Estitties, Sapphira Cristal, Scarlet Envy, Shea Coulee, Trinity K. Bonet, Trinity The Tuck, Vanessa Vanjie, Xunami Muse and Yvie Oddly.
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place at 8:45 a.m. on July 19, followed soon after by the iconic “Queens Walk” on the pink carpet at 10:30 a.m. Special note: the contestants from the most recent Sweet Sixteen season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will reunite for a must-see panel on July 20 at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets are still available for RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2024 for both Friday and Saturday, so be sure to purchase yours right here.
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