By Michael Barbieri****When it comes to FABULOUS, nothing in New York can compare with DragCon NYC!! Wigs! Heels! Glitter! Stunning lewks! Merch galore! And more fashionistas and famous drag queens than you can imagine! You’ll find all that and more at DragCon.
On September 6th, 7th and 8th, I happily dragged myself (pun intended!) to the Jacob Javits Center to cover the explosion of fabulosity known as RuPaul’s DragCon NYC! This was my third year covering the event, and it did not disappoint!
RuPaul’s DragCon is a celebration of drag culture presented by RuPaul and World of Wonder Productions’ Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. Featuring the world’s top drag queens and more than 220 vendors and exhibitors, the convention has welcomed over 100,000 attendees in 2019, both at DragCon L.A. and here in New York.
Friday the 6th was a preview day, with Press and VIP attendees allowed in at 2 pm. I met my friend and assistant, Danny Acosta Jr. for a 1 pm check-in and we hit the Press room. While there wasn’t much activity yet, I did meet Simon Doonan, the Creative Ambassador-at-Large of Barney’s Department Store. He’s also an author, window dresser and fashion commentator who was there to participate in a live RuPaul’s Drag Race podcast. Elegant and soft spoken, he greeted me warmly and even gave me a sneak preview of his new book, Drag: The Complete Story.
We headed down to the convention floor to explore. Our first big event was a Mix & Mingle with the queens from Ru’s newest series, RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K. The girls gathered at the foot of the Main Stage and were welcomed by VIPs and Press alike. It was so busy, I wasn’t able to meet them all, but I did speak to several, including The Vivienne, a tall, stunning blonde from Liverpool. Her black and white striped sequined outfit was to die for and her big, swooping wig pulled the look together beautifully. Next came Sum Ting Wong, an outgoing Asian queen from Reading. Her style was loose and fun and she struck me as a real comedienne.
I then met Scaredy Kat. At 20 years old, she’s the youngest of the competing girls. Originally from Wiltshire, she’s bisexual and adores the color pink! West Yorkshire’s Divina De Campo is the best-known queen on the show, having made numerous television appearances in the U.K. Done up in a fire-engine red wig and a gown covered in gold studs, she had wonderful, bright eyes and cut quite a figure on the Pink Carpet. I met Vinegar Strokes, a boisterous comedy queen from London, who describes herself as a cross between Tina Turner, Lizzo and Kat Slater. She had me laughing from the get-go! Finally, there was Blu Hydrangea, a quirky makeup artist from Belfast. I loved her silky blue dress with white fringe and her blonde wig with its large Something-About-Mary-esque flip. I wouldn’t meet Cheryl Hole, Baga Chipz, Gothy Kendoll and Crystal until Sunday, but I was already intrigued. I hope BBC America carries the show over here!
One of the biggest surprises was bumping into Ross Matthews. He was taking part in one of the panels later that weekend, but was just looking around, getting a feel for things before the madness began. He chatted with us and graciously posed for some pictures with us. I told him I had followed him since his days as “Ross the Intern” on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show. I told him how I admired his progress over the years in becoming a wonderful TV personality. He responded by telling me he was tremendously grateful for his success. A very nice man!
Danny and I then sought out some of the queens we knew from the American show. After a quick hello to Silky Nutmeg Ganache and Ongina, I spotted Scarlet Envy, whose show I reviewed in this column. She was busy snapping fan photos in her booth and I popped my head in, asking if she remembered me from her performance at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. She perked up immediately and said, “Oh my God, YES!! Get in here!” and allowed me to jump in before those who were waiting, saying “That review was worth it!” She also complimented me on how beautifully the piece was written. Now that’s the kind of feedback I love! Monet X. Change, who looked stunning, also remembered me and was warm and welcoming. One of my favorite queens is the always entrancing Detox, who was as funny and sweet as always, joking around and taking photo after photo with us. She even took a moment to record a short video message for a friend of Danny’s whose husband died recently. Not only is Detox glamorous and hilarious, but a lovely human being as well! We also spotted Mercedes Iman Diamond, best known for the exclamation “OPPALENCE!” She looked gorgeous and though she seemed shy, was really delightful.
Two of my favorite moments that day were with Thorgy Thor, a quirky, multi-talented comedian, musician and drag queen. I missed seeing her at last year’s convention, but had a great time laughing with her and posing for pictures this time around. One of the best photos of the day was when her photographer told us all to look totally bored. A great snap! I look forward to seeing her perform live with her “Thorchestra” sometime soon! Then there was the irrepressible Cynthia Lee Fontaine! Cynthia and I have kept in touch on Instagram since I met her at DragCon in
2017. When I told her I’d be there this year, she responded with an enthusiastic “OMG, Yeeesssss! See you soon!” She gave me a hug and kiss, we jabbered away in Spanish together, and she welcomed Danny with a big hug. And though she had fractured her wrist and was wearing a cast – a fabulous, bedazzled cast, mind you – she was her usual charming, loquacious and uproarious self, posing with us and lavishing all her attention on us! No wonder she won Miss Congeniality on Drag Race!
Danny and I had planned on attending the Comedy Queens panel discussion, featuring, among others, my friend Hedda Lettuce, but by then, we were just too tired. Oh, well…tomorrow IS another day…of DragCon!
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