Lina Lecaro
RuPaul’s DragCon 2022 is now in the “herstory” books, but we haven’t quite recovered from the extra-sensory explosion of charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent yet. With three full days of dragtastic amusements this year — from stage shows to panel discussions to meet n’ greets to vendors and colorful merchandise– the wiggy wonderland’s return to the L.A. Convention Center this past Friday-Sunday marked a bodacious comeback.
We spoke with Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey –the masterminds behind RuPaul’s Drag Race and the convention– at the event, and they were obviously excited to be back after the pandemic forced them to cancel the past two years. Talking about the show’s impact on culture and how the convention aims to expand upon the exposure it provides drag performers, Barbato noted, “Drag as an art form has been ignored in the mainstream media for so long. I think people are starved for it and the show is unlike all the other competitive reality shows in that it’s about the platform, not just the win,” he said, adding, “it launches careers. ”
More careers than ever. There were long lines for photo ops everywhere one looked at the event, with each queen creating a colorful backdrop to sell merch and connect with fans. As Drag Race and DragCon expands with international TV programming and live events, they are also focused on their streaming network (WOW Presents Plus), film production (their work on The Eyes of Tammy Faye helped Jessica Chastain nab the Oscar) and even lifestyle products– their latest is a colorful new canned cocktail called House of Love. Barbato, Bailey and their long time friend and partner RuPaul have created a bonafide empire based on creativity, community and queer inclusion, which is needed now more than ever.
“Ru says a lot of things, but one thing that he says that has a lot of meaning is, ‘every time I bat my eyelashes, it’s a political act,'” shares Bailey. “It’s actually true, because we all have an identity and being seen for who we are is what society is actually made of. And so the counter desire to prevent certain people from being seen or being visible or trying to prevent some people from even existing; that is something that is unfortunately in the ascendant right now. DragCon represents a resistance to the strong man, fascist, bigoted, fear-based mentality.”
Indeed, it might seem all falsies, and freaky, fabulous fashions, but as we look back on the weekend (and the eye candy via this super-sized slideshow) it’s the friendly energy and celebration of any and all kinds of self-expression that made the fiercest impression. Til next year squirrel friends.
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