Thousands of people have descended 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 this Friday through Sunday.
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 a partner of DragCon and attends the event.
'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.
RuPaul (pictured) is said to be a partner of the conference and gives 'Ru Talks' throughout the weekend. Pictured at the Emmy Awards
Over $8million worth of merchandise - including wigs, makeup and 'Drag Race' merchandise - was sold between both conventions last year.
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 on Friday
Over $8million worth of merchandise - including wigs, makeup and 'Drag Race' merchandise - was sold between both conventions last year. Aja sits on a love seat adorned by statues and religious figurines at the opening day on Friday at the center
Trixie Mattel poses for a fierce photo in between signing autographs on Friday at the Javits Center
'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, including performing at Friday's opening night of New York DragCon
Spectators come out with fashionable looks too as these fan show the variety of style shown at DragCon on Friday
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, executive producer of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. Thorgy Thor attends the festivities on Friday
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'
Blair St Clair and Aquaria both find their own thrones in these fiery photos from Friday
Ginger Minj and Cee Jay channel the movie 'Hairspray' as they pose for photos on Friday at the convention center
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/29/new-yorks-dragcon-expects-to-pull-in-more-than-35000-guests-this-year-as-drag-culture-blossoms/
Main photo article Thousands of people have descended 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 this Friday through...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/09/29/13/50CAC79200000578-0-image-m-8_1538225627408.jpg
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