By Matthew Wexler
It’s been over 30 years since RuPaul dropped “Supermodel (You Better Work),” and she hasn’t stopped since. With 17 seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and international franchises from the UK to Germany, Mexico, and Thailand, the dragpreneur has been going full-throttle, building an entertainment empire. But it takes a lot of kikis to pay the mortgage on that $13.7 million Beverly Hills mansion. A rotating cast of some of RuPaul’s best are keeping the coffers full at RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE, bringing their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to the stage.
With more than 1,000 performances under its well-cinched belt, RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE continues to entertain audiences at the Flamingo Showroom, an iconic entertainment venue whose residencies have included Donny and Marie Osmond, Paula Abdul, and the late Olivia Newton-John. A rotating cast of queens continues to deliver six shows a week (some more enthusiastically than others).
Asia O’Hara leads the current cast as host, with Kennedy Davenport, Kyle Sonique Love, Yara Sofia, and Shannel joining in the antics the night I was in attendance. The Pit Crew, comprised of a brief-clad male model or two on the series, gets a Vegas makeover. Here, half a dozen dancers (usually shirtless), thrust and leap about, giving the nearby Thunder From Down Under a run for its money.
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O’Hara is more than just wig glue that keeps the girls on track. She’s a born entertainer, natural improviser, and holds the diverse audience in the palm of her hand. RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE is proof positive that drag has entered mainstream America, despite efforts to squelch an art form that some historians believe has existed since ancient Greece. A glance around the showroom revealed straight couples, families (there are no age restrictions except for alcohol), and LGBTQ+ fans.
Is RePaul’s Drag Race LIVE cutting-edge entertainment? Maybe not. But its joy and sparkle, especially these days, is revolutionary.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE’ fast facts
RuPaul’s empire thrives at Flamingo Las Vegas with “Drag Race LIVE,” where Asia O’Hara hosts a joyful celebration of drag culture.
- Flamingo Las Vegas, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South
- Performances Thursday through Monday, with Meet & Greet packages available
