Thousands of people will descend on New York’s Javits Center this weekend in celebration of RuPaul’s DragCon – the icon’s annual drag extravaganza.
The lavish convention is bi-coastal, taking place in Los Angeles in May while visiting New York in the last weekend of September this year.
DragCon debuted on the West Coast in 2015 and was created by ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ executive producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.
Andre Charles, more famously known as RuPaul, is said to be a partner of DragCon and does attend.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ has helped the give life to DragCon – a convention where drag queens shine and the LGBT community celebrates its own
The lavish convention is bi-coastal, taking place in Los Angeles in May while visiting New York in the last weekend of September this year. Monique Heart pictured
‘In New York at the Javitz Convention Center, DragCon sold out its first year,’ Fenton told CNBC Make It.
Over $8million worth of merchandise – including wigs, makeup and ‘Drag Race’ merchandise – was sold between both conventions last year.
Andre Charles, more famously known as RuPaul, is said to be a partner of DragCon and hosts a series of ‘Ru Talks’
In New York, tickets cost $40 a day but can be bought for $70 for the whole weekend. And with over 35,000 tickets sold, that totals more than $1.4million.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, has swelled in popularity with more than 50,000 people attending this year’s convention. The first conference had roughly 13,725 attendees in comparison.
RuPaul is very hands on with the conference as he hosts ‘Ru Talks’ during the festivities.
And DragCon reaches to a wide audience, as the founders often find that their is a wide array of people who attend.
‘We see families with their teenagers, and kids with their grandparents. Most attendees do not identify as gay, and over 60 percent are women,’ Bailey added.
Benton continued by stating that 55 per cent of the attendees fall under the age of 30.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ debuted in 2009 on Logo but has since become a dominating powerhouse on prime-time television, switching to VH1.
It has won nine Emmy Awards and the show’s June Season 10 finale raked in a whopping 527,000 in the 18-to-49-year-old demographic.
‘Drag queens have always been part of the gay nightlife landscape, but ‘Drag Race’ brought them to the fore,’ Benjamin Maisani, owner of several queer bars in New York, explained.
DragCon debuted on the West Coast in 2015 and was created by ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ executive producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. Kameron Michaels pictured with fans at DragCon
Over $8million worth of merchandise – including wigs, makeup and ‘Drag Race’ merchandise – was sold between both conventions last year. Aja sits on a loveseat adorned by statues and religious figurines
‘There’s a greater variety that have been depicted, and as a result there’s been greater interest in drag for everyone, not just gay people.’
‘One can argue that ‘Drag Race’ is responsible for the mainstreaming of drag.’
‘Drag Race’ has also helped boost the drag and LGBT economy as well.
Maisani said that he has seen a 25percent increase in sales when his clubs and bars have viewing parties for the community.
”Drag Race’ viewing parties have definitely become a communal experience,’ he stated.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ debuted in 2009 on Logo but has since become a dominating powerhouse on prime-time television, switching to VH1. Queens from the show go on and continue to have successful careers
Spectators come out with fashionable looks too as these fan show the variety of style shown at DragCon
55 per cent of the attendees fall under the age of 30
‘Every Thursday, regulars come together and watch the show around 8pm. It becomes an event; people come specifically to watch with other fans. People take it very seriously. They root for various contestants; they’re quite involved.’
Bailey added that bars aren’t the only spaces where drag culture is flourishing.
‘Management companies, booking agents, music releases, product launches, commercial campaigns and brand tie-ins have all emerged as aspects of this new drag industry,’ he said.
‘The mainstream is catching on. From Hollywood to Madison Avenue, drag is becoming a recognized medium that can reward its artists not only with the recognition they deserve but also compensation, which they also deserve. The development is long overdue.’
‘Management companies, booking agents, music releases, product launches, commercial campaigns and brand tie-ins have all emerged as aspects of this new drag industry,’ said Fenton Bailey.
He added: ‘The mainstream is catching on. From Hollywood to Madison Avenue, drag is becoming a recognized medium that can reward its artists not only with the recognition they deserve but also compensation, which they also deserve. The development is long overdue’