On Monday evening, hundreds gathered at Stage 48 in New York City to crown the new queen of RuPaul's Drag Race. It was a pretty fabulous affair, produced by Voss Events. My bestie boo Evan Schapiro was my date. Well, him and his camera (Always travel in threes). Below are some thoughts and photos from the evening.
During the pre-show cocktail hour, there was an open bar and red carpet. Press, influencers, and VIP mixed and mingled with the queens, grabbing interviews and selfies. The nerves were high. Even though the finale is taped weeks ago, all three possible endings are filmed to keep secret the actual winner of the season. Ginger and Violet came together, but there was no sight of Pearl. Where was Pearl? We may never know.
This was the best part of the night. I have been to some other Drag Race meet-and-greets, but this actually felt exclusive and authentic. The queens gabbing and gossiping with eachother in between photo opportunities and interviews. There was also some great trade in the room. So while I was trying to get some interviews with the queens, I was also trying to get some digits.
At 8:30, we were ushered to where the main event was taking place. There, hundreds crammed the Stage 48 floor in front of a stage where the final episode would be aired on a large screen. Downstairs, it was Drag Race enthusiasts and superfans, donning their favorite queen on their chest. Upstairs in the mezzanine, there was a handsome looking crowd of club promoters, media types, porn stars, Logo staff members, and season 8 contenders.
Actually seeing the main screen was impossible from the VIP area, so everyone gathered around one of the TVs behind the bar. It felt like being in a gay best friend's living room with one hundred of the sexiest men in New York. Bianca Del Rio and Lady Bunny introduced the episode with some remarks, and then at 9:00pm the finale episode began.
You all know what happened next. During the entire episode, you could easily tell the crowd was Team Violet. And when Ru announced the winner, the entire placed erupted in mass applause and screaming.
After the episode's conclusion, Violet took to the stage with Ginger and Pearl by her side to accept the crown and check. Violet then delivered an inspiring acceptance speech to the crowd. She said, "I want to dedicate this moment to every queer individual out there. And I want every gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, and transgender person to love who you are even if you’re a rotten bitch who speaks her mind and is a god damn diva. If you want something, go fucking take it!”
Since we had been in that building since 7:00pm, we left before the top six (and Miss Fame) performed. I did see on Instagram and read later that the performances were epic. Violet did aerial silks and Ginger did some Hedwig. Evan and I went around the corner to an Irish Bar on 11th Ave. for onion rings and then hopped over to Koreatown for some karaoke.
All good things come to an end. Another season of Drag Race is over. Hail the new queen supreme, Violet Chachki. Until next year, hunties.