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 Nerve, 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
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
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
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.
