Gayety

Tag: Suzie Toot

  • RuPaul’s Drag Race to Honor Liza Minnelli with Lifetime Achievement Award at Season 17 Finale

    RuPaul’s Drag Race to Honor Liza Minnelli with Lifetime Achievement Award at Season 17 Finale

    Liza Minnelli, the iconic singer, actor, and performer, will receive the prestigious Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award during the RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 finale. The announcement celebrates Minnelli’s enduring legacy as a trailblazer in entertainment, and follows the recognition of previous honorees such as fashion legend Bob Mackie and horror icon Cassandra Peterson, also known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

    Liza Minnelli: A Legendary Career

    Minnelli, the daughter of Hollywood star Judy Garland, is one of the most celebrated performers of all time. Her career spans decades of unforgettable performances in both film and music. She won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in Cabaret (1972), cementing her status as a cinematic legend. Minnelli also earned an Oscar nomination for her role in The Sterile Cuckoo (1969).

    Liza Minnelli in Cabaret. Photo: YouTube
    Liza Minnelli in Cabaret. Photo: YouTube

    Beyond film, Minnelli has achieved incredible success in television and live performances. She won an Emmy Award for her concert special Liza with a Z, which featured unforgettable musical numbers like “Say Liza (Liza with a ‘Z’)” and “Son of a Preacher Man.” The performance not only showcased her immense vocal talent but also her ability to captivate audiences with her dynamic presence.

    A Life of Iconic Honors

    Minnelli’s accolades extend far beyond the screen. She has two Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, earned for her performances in Flora the Red Menace (1965) and The Act (1977). In 1990, Minnelli was honored with the Grammy Living Legend Award, further solidifying her as one of the most significant figures in entertainment history.

    Her career continues to inspire, and her contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, in particular, have made her a beloved figure within drag culture. Her performances, especially in Cabaret, have influenced countless drag queens who often cite Minnelli as a major inspiration for their own work.

    RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Finale

    The RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 finale, set to air on Friday, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, will not only celebrate Minnelli’s achievements but also crown this season’s winner. The final five queens—Sam Star, Suzie Toot, Onya Nurve, Jewels Sparkles, and Lexi Love—are competing for the crown in a thrilling season finale.

    This season of Drag Race has captivated fans with fierce competition, and Minnelli’s award ceremony promises to add even more excitement to the finale. The Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award, a notable honor, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the entertainment industry and LGBTQ+ culture.

    With the finale just around the corner, fans can look forward to watching a dazzling tribute to a true legend as RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 crowns its champion and honors Liza Minnelli’s lasting legacy in the arts.

    RuPaul’s Drag Race was recently awarded Outstanding Reality Program – Competition at the 36th GLAAD Media Awards, further solidifying its influence and impact on the LGBTQ+ community.

  • RuPaul’s Drag Race Live Hits Major Milestone with 1,000th Show in Las Vegas

    RuPaul’s Drag Race Live Hits Major Milestone with 1,000th Show in Las Vegas

    RuPaul’s Drag Race Live has been dazzling audiences in Las Vegas since 2020, and on Sunday, the concert residency reached a major milestone — its 1,000th performance. The show, held at the Flamingo Hotel’s Flamingo Showroom, is a nightly celebration of fierce performances, showcasing fan-favorite queens from MTV’s RuPaul’s Drag Race.

    To commemorate the momentous occasion, a dazzling chorus of queens from various seasons of the iconic reality competition strutted their stuff on the pink carpet. Among the stars making an appearance was none otworher than RuPaul Charles, the Queen of Drag herself, who surprised the audience with a special guest appearance.

    “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live” is a vibrant, immersive stage experience, where audiences can expect to see their favorite contestants performing original musical numbers, engaging in fierce lip-sync battles, and delivering sharp comedy sketches. The residency has become a Las Vegas staple, drawing fans from around the world for a show that celebrates the artistry, humor, and heart of drag.

    Currently, the show features a rotating cast of performers, including Jaida Essence Hall, Morphine Love Dion, Ginger Minj, Asia O’Hara, and Plane Jane. At the 1,000th performance, the top six queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 were also in attendance: Suzie Toot, Sam Star, Lana Ja’Rae, Jewels Sparkles, Onya Nurve, and Lexi Love. These queens also spent the weekend soaking in the Vegas sights, with photoshoots at iconic locations like the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign and the High Roller outside the LINQ Hotel.

    Photo Credit: Denise Truscello/ Getty Images for Live Nation
    Photo Credit: Denise Truscello/ Getty Images for Live Nation

    The queens even had a chance to interact with fans before the performance. On Friday evening, they joined a crowd at Gipsy Nightclub to watch the RuPaul’s Drag Race episode “Ross Mathews vs. the Ducks” with fans. The weekend’s festivities culminated in a lively after-party at Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse, where influencers and members of the press mingled with the queens.

    On Sunday night, a parade of other Drag Race stars graced the pink carpet, including DeJa Skye, Derrick Barry, Hot Chocolate, Jaymes Mansfield, Kahanna Montrese, Kennedy Davenport, Kylie Sonique Love, Mirage, and Yara Sofia, adding extra glam to the milestone celebration.

    Co-directed by the 14-time Emmy-winning RuPaul and four-time Emmy-nominated choreographer Jamal Sims, the residency is produced by World of Wonder and Voss Events. Guests can purchase tickets for the electrifying show via Ticketmaster.

    Photo Credit: Denise Truscello/ Getty Images for Live Nation
    Photo Credit: Denise Truscello/ Getty Images for Live Nation

    During the 1,000th performance, RuPaul shared heartfelt words with the audience. “We are so proud of this show. Our amazing cast of queens work so hard every show. I love them. It’s just such an honor to be on the Las Vegas Strip,” RuPaul said. “This has been a dream of all of ours for so many years.”

    He also expressed his gratitude to the loyal fans who have returned to the show night after night. “Our audience is our secret weapon,” he added. “For that, I thank you with all my heart.”

    A memorable moment occurred midway through the performance when RuPaul and host Ginger Minj led a comedic segment teaching the audience how to fake slap. After a playful back-and-forth, Ginger took the opportunity to fake slap RuPaul, declaring, “I’ve been waiting 10 years to do that!”

    Before the big event, Drag Race producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato spoke with Gold Derby about the longevity of the residency. Bailey reflected on the challenges of launching a show in Las Vegas, a city known for its fierce competition. “Vegas is a hard town to get a show up and running,” he said. “It just took a while — and a couple Emmy Awards — to persuade this town that we could compete.”

    Barbato emphasized that drag has always been mainstream entertainment, recalling how the art form was celebrated in the East Village long before it gained widespread recognition. “We always imagined it would go forever,” he said, speaking to the show’s enduring appeal.

    Photo Credit: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for MTV
    Photo Credit: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for MTV

    Bailey also shared his perspective on Las Vegas as a city inextricably tied to drag culture. “Vegas is a city in drag,” he said. “Liberace kind of created Vegas, so Vegas in a way was manifested by, essentially, a drag queen.” He went on to address misconceptions about drag, emphasizing its universal appeal. “Drag is joyous, inventive, and accepting — it’s entertainment that can pull at the heartstrings.”

    With its blend of humor, glamour, and heart, RuPaul’s Drag Race Live continues to bring the magic of drag to Las Vegas, proving that the art form is not just for a niche audience, but for everyone, no matter where they come from or who they love.

    For tickets to the show, visit Ticketmaster.