Gayety

Tag: Alaska

  • Alaska to Headline Free LA Pride Village Concert June 8 with Da Brat & Jessica Betts on Hollywood Blvd

    Alaska to Headline Free LA Pride Village Concert June 8 with Da Brat & Jessica Betts on Hollywood Blvd

    LA Pride is about to sashay all the way down Hollywood Boulevard for its 55th anniversary, and the party is free, fabulous, and full of fierce queer joy.

    The Christopher Street West Association (CSW), the nonprofit behind LA Pride, has announced that drag superstar Alaska will headline this year’s Pride Village concert on Sunday, June 8, just after the LA Pride Parade wraps up. And she’s not coming alone. Hip-hop icon Da Brat and Jessica Betts, are set to kick things off with a special performance celebrating love, visibility, and Pride.

     

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    The free daylong festival takes place on Hollywood Blvd. between Argyle Ave. and Bronson Ave., and promises more rainbow-filled revelry than ever before.

    Who’s Performing?

    This year’s Pride Village lineup is stacked with talent from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, spotlighting local and national acts that are ready to bring the beat to the Boulevard. Joining Alaska, Da Brat, and Jessica Betts are:

    • DIDI J

    • 76th Street

    • Laura Bryna

    • Julian King

    • ANG

    Representing LA’s vibrant queer nightlife and community scenes are hometown favorites like Chanel Jolé, Binoy, Tony Pops, Debby Holiday, and DJs from Preciosa Night, FUTCH, OtterPop, and Bears in Space.

     

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    Don’t miss the BALLROOM BATTLE, where the Houses of Miyake-Mugler, Ninja, and Gorgeous Gucci will vogue it out for glory in front of celebrity judge Margaret Cho.

    Additional acts include Esther Anaya, Gay Freedom Band LA, performers from Hollywood Fringe, and even a cultural presence from Taiwan Tourism.

    A Full Day of Pride on Hollywood Blvd.

    Pride Village kicks off at 11 a.m. and transforms a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard into a pedestrian-only celebration space. Expect:

    • Two performance stages

    • Over 80 local vendors and nonprofits

    • Sponsor giveaways, games, and brand activations

    • Food trucks galore

    • Two full-service bars for 21+ attendees

    It’s family-friendly, queer-affirming, and 100% free to the public.

     

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    A Historic Year: LA Pride Turns 55

    This year marks a major milestone for LA Pride: 55 years of marching, dancing, and demanding equality. In honor of this legacy, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, with support from Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, has officially declared June 28 as “LA Pride – Christopher Street West Day” moving forward.

    The proclamation recognizes LA Pride’s distinction as the world’s first permitted LGBTQ+ parade, a historic moment led by Christopher Street West in 1970, just one year after Stonewall.

    “This year, we’re making all of LA Pride’s programming free and accessible for everyone on Parade Sunday,” said CSW Board President Gerald Garth. “We’re thrilled to welcome Alaska, Da Brat, and an incredible roster of performers. And we thank the County Board for recognizing the deep history of Pride in Los Angeles.”

    Grand Marshals & This Year’s Theme

    LA Pride also recently revealed its 2025 Grand Marshals:

    • Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts as Vanguard Grand Marshals

    • Andrew Rannells as Celebrity Grand Marshal

    • Trino Garcia and Adam Vasquez (aka viral couple TrinoxAdam) as Community Grand Marshals

    The 2025 theme, “Pride Marches On,” celebrates the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and unrelenting push for progress, even when the world pushes back.

    Stay Tuned

    More details on the parade route, parking, transit options, and vendor list are expected soon. For the latest updates, follow @lapride on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

    So shine your boots, fluff your wigs, and hydrate: Hollywood is about to turn into the queerest party of the year.

  • ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Season 10 Reveals Record-Breaking Cast and Brand-New Tournament Format

    ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Season 10 Reveals Record-Breaking Cast and Brand-New Tournament Format

    Start your engines—and your brackets! RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars is shaking things up in a major way for its milestone 10th season, debuting an all-new “Tournament of All Stars” format and the largest returning cast in franchise herstory.

    Eighteen fan-favorite queens will sashay back onto the runway in what promises to be one of the most competitive and gag-worthy seasons yet. Spanning 12 episodes, Season 10 is ditching the traditional format in favor of a multi-round, bracket-style showdown that has fans already dusting off their fantasy draft boards.

    Tournament Time, Honey!

    So, how does this new Drag Race extravaganza work?

    The queens will be split into three separate groups of six, each competing in their own bracket over a three-episode stretch. At the end of each bracket, the top three queens with the highest point totals will advance to the semi-finals, where they’ll go head-to-head with winners from the other groups.

    From there, it’s a two-episode semifinals showdown before the season culminates in the grand finale: a Lip Sync Smackdown for the Crown. The last queen standing will walk away with a sparkling $200,000 cash prize and a permanent place in the prestigious Drag Race Hall of Fame.

    The queens and their respective groups on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10. Photo: Paramount
    The queens and their respective groups on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10. Photo: Paramount+

    Meet the All Star Queens of Season 10

    Get ready to gag over this lineup of legends, rising stars, and some long-awaited returns:

    • Acid Betty (Season 8)
    • Aja (Season 9, All Stars 3)
    • Alyssa Hunter (Season 14)
    • Bosco (Season 14)
    • Cynthia Lee Fontaine (Season 8, Season 9)
    • Daya Betty (Season 14)
    • DeJa Skye (Season 14)
    • Denali (Season 13)
    • Ginger Minj (Season 7, All Stars 2 & 6)
    • Irene the Alien (Season 15)
    • Jorgeous (Season 14, All Stars 9)
    • Kerri Colby (Season 14)
    • Lydia B. Kollins (Season 17)
    • Mistress Isabelle Brooks (Season 15)
    • Nicole Paige Brooks (Season 2)
    • Olivia Lux (Season 13)
    • Phoenix (Season 3)
    • Tina Burner (Season 13)

    Season 14 dominates the competition with six returning queens, while early-season veterans like Nicole Paige Brooks and Phoenix are making a fierce comeback over a decade since their last appearance. Meanwhile, Season 17’s standout Lydia B. Kollins is back fresh off the finale, where Onya Nurve was recently crowned.

    The Battle of the Brackets

    Let’s break it down, bracket-style:

    • Pink Bracket: Jorgeous, Lydia B. Kollins, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Tina Burner, Nicole Paige Brooks, Kerri Colby
    RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 Pink Bracket. Photo: Paramount+
    RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 Pink Bracket. Photo: Paramount+
    • Purple Bracket: Denali, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Alyssa Hunter, Daya Betty, Acid Betty, Ginger Minj
    RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 Purple Bracket. Photo: Paramount+
    RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 Purple Bracket. Photo: Paramount+
    • Orange Bracket: Olivia Lux, Bosco, Aja, DeJa Skye, Phoenix, Irene the Alien
    RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 Orange Bracket. Photo: Paramount+
    RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 Orange Bracket. Photo: Paramount+

    Each bracket brings a different flavor—and fans can expect runway drama, hilarious reads, emotional backstories, and iconic lip sync battles that’ll have everyone yelling, “Shantay, you stay!”

    The Legacy Continues

    Previous inductees into the Drag Race Hall of Fame include a sparkling roster of queens like Chad Michaels, Alaska, Trixie Mattel, Trinity the Tuck, Monet X Change, Shea Couleé, Kylie Sonique Love, Jinkx Monsoon, Jimbo, and most recently, Angeria Paris VanMicheals.

    Who will snatch the crown this time?

    Catch all the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent when RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10 premieres Friday, May 9 at 12 a.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT Thursday on Paramount+.

  • Chappell Roan Takes a Star-Studded Trip to DRAG: The Musical in NYC

    Chappell Roan Takes a Star-Studded Trip to DRAG: The Musical in NYC

    Chappell Roan made a glamorous entrance at the Off-Broadway hit DRAG: The Musical this past weekend, joining the glittering world of drag at New World Stages in New York City. The Grammy Award-winning singer, known for her bold musical style and advocacy for drag culture, was spotted enjoying the performance on Sunday, April 6, surrounded by some of the biggest drag stars in the world, including RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars winner Alaska Thunderf—, Jujubee, Jan Sport, Luxx Noir London, and Lagoona Bloo.

    Photo: Matthew Murphy
    Photo: Matthew Murphy

    Roan Goes Incognito at the Theater

    Roan, a global superstar, was determined to experience the show without drawing attention, arriving at the theater dressed in a cloak and with her signature red locks hidden under a hood. A source at the scene described her entrance as “totally incognito,” adding, “It was like something out of The Traitors!” The pop sensation made sure her arrival was discreet, but once inside, she wasted no time mingling with the cast and crew, who couldn’t have been more thrilled by her presence.

    Chappell Roan’s Backstage Love and Support

    After the show, Roan showed her true colors by visiting the DRAG: The Musical cast backstage, where she shared warm interactions with everyone involved in the production. According to People, “There was so much love in the room,” as Roan was “very personable with the cast” and even recited lines and moments from the show, showing her deep appreciation for the performance.

    Roan’s connection with the cast was especially evident in her interaction with Nick Laughlin, who plays the bearded drag queen Puss Puss DuBois. The two share a long-standing friendship, and Roan was joined at the show by her musical collaborator, Kyle Goold. It was a perfect evening of celebration and support for the drag community, which Roan has consistently championed.

    DRAG: The Musical – A Show About Family, Fashion, and Fierce Competition

    DRAG: The Musical has been a hit since its October 2024 opening, with the show set to run until April 27. The musical tells the comedic story of two rival drag clubs competing for supremacy in an outrageous, wig-snatching battle of wit and style. The drag queens, played by a stellar cast, embark on a journey of fashion, family, and, ultimately, forgiveness. Directed and choreographed by Spencer Liff, who is known for his work on Hedwig and the Angry Inch and So You Think You Can Dance, the production is as heartwarming as it is hilarious.

    In addition to Alaska Thunderf—, who stars in the show, she also co-wrote the musical’s book and music alongside multi-platinum songwriter Tomas Costanza and chart-topping artist Ashley Gordon. Legendary performer Liza Minnelli lends her voice to the production by providing the pre-show announcement.

    A Long-Time Drag Supporter

    Roan’s connection to drag is no secret—she’s been an outspoken advocate for the art form and the LGBTQ+ community throughout her career. Her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, was also heavily influenced by drag culture, with Roan describing the LP as “just daydreams in drag.” The album features the hit single “HOT TO GO!” which has earned praise for its vibrant energy and captivating lyrics.

    DRAG: The Musical continues to dazzle audiences with its all-star cast and fantastic production. The show runs through April 27, with tickets available for purchase now.