By Kevin Ferrisi –
After a whirlwind journey across the country, the legendary queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 9 made their highly anticipated second-to-last stop during the RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars LIVE tour at Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Presented by Voss Events, in collaboration with World of Wonder, the dazzling lineup, which included fan-favorites Jorgeous, Plastique Tiara, Roxxxy Andrews, Shannel, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, and Angeria Paris VanMicheals, lit up the stage with their fierce performances. Gottmik also joined the star-studded cast, who joined halfway through the tour after wrapping up a prior commitment, adding even more excitement to the All Stars experience. Show number 30 was a spectacle to behold, as the queens wowed the audience with their signature charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent.
Shannel, the first-ever queen to enter the RuPaul’s Drag Race werkroom, made a grand entrance on stage to thunderous applause, kicking off the evening with her signature flair. As the honorary hostess of the night, the iconic season 1 queen greeted the Connecticut crowd with warmth and humor, sharing tales from the tour’s seven-week journey across the United States, which began in Seattle, Washington. With a grin, she painted a vivid picture of life on the road, likening their tour bus to the one from Priscilla Queen of the Desert. One unforgettable memory, she recounted, was when the bus broke down in an Olive Garden parking lot in Albuquerque. For ten hours, the queens and dancers indulged in endless breadsticks and salads, turning the mishap into a makeshift feast, much to the audience’s delight.
The All Stars season 9 cast joined forces to deliver an extravagant, Las Vegas-style talent show, pulling out all the stops for a night of unforgettable performances. Determined to recreate their most outrageous and over-the-top moments from the season, the queens crafted a spectacular revue that transported the audience right back to their favorite highlights. From dazzling fashion moments to jaw-dropping lip-sync battles, including a recreation of the epic Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza Smackdown, the show was a visual feast. Each queen took turns commanding the stage, reliving their standout moments from the season.
Jorgeous kicked off her performance with a playful nod to her butch look, inspired by RuPaul’s memorable remarks about being “gay gay gay gay gay gay.” The audience roared as she revealed a dazzling bodysuit beneath, showcasing her signature fierce energy. Plastique Tiara followed with breathtaking elegance, showing off the iconic gown with extended arms that left fans in awe, just as it had on the show. As a beautiful tribute to her Vietnamese heritage, she incorporated a majestic dragon into her performance, mesmerizing the crowd and adding a personal, cultural flair to the spectacle.
After the electrifying performances by Jorgeous and Plastique Tiara, Shannel amped up the energy by announcing an impromptu drag competition involving three lucky audience members. The volunteers eagerly made their way to the stage, ready to step into the spotlight. In true drag race fashion, each contestant had to race against the clock to transform into a queen with quick-drag, followed by a lip-sync performance that would determine their fate. With Shannel as the judge, the crowd’s cheers and applause dictated which contestant would win and earn a Benefactress Badge, creating a thrilling and interactive moment for the audience.
Gottmik, representing the trans community and reigning as the Queen of punk, made a dramatic entrance as a giant inflatable skull descended from the ceiling. She captivated the audience with live performances of her original tracks, “So Gorge” and “Skullerfu*ker,” delivering edgy energy and attitude. Roxxxy Andrews followed, serving up her signature “thick and juicy” realness, capping off her set with a powerful Wonder Woman moment that left the crowd cheering. Shannel, the epitome of old-school glamour, graced the stage next, radiating elegance. Of course, it wouldn’t be a true Shannel moment without her legendary juggling skills, which she expertly showcased to round out her glamorous act.
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo stormed the stage with her signature energy, with exclamations of “my pussy is on fire” and her performance lived up to the claim. With fierce pelvic thrusts, explosive kicks, and twerk-filled moves, Vanjie’s sizzling number left the crowd feeling the heat. Angeria Paris VanMicheals followed with an entirely different vibe, channeling classic old Hollywood glamour. Performing to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’, Angeria was a vision of elegance, surrounded by dancers fanning her with red feathers. Her Broadway-caliber expressions and undeniable charisma made it clear why she was a standout from the season, effortlessly captivating the audience with every move.
This past season, eight All Stars returned to drag’s grandest stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race, battling for a $200,000 super-donation to their favorite charity and a prestigious spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. After a season filled with fierce competition and show-stopping performances, Angeria Paris VanMicheals emerged victorious, winning RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 9. Roxxxy Andrews and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo secured the runners-up positions, each delivering memorable performances throughout the competition. In a heartwarming twist, Nina West was voted by her fellow queens to receive the coveted Double Diamond (DD), doubling her Benefactress Badges count and further cementing her legacy as a queen who champions kindness and community.
The night reached its conclusion with a mini-runway from the cast showcasing their favorite looks during the season, featuring Plastique Tiara’s breathtaking futuristic golden wings, followed by a thrilling recreation of the fan-favorite Lip Sync for the Crown between the top three from the final episode. RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars LIVE wrapped up in a whirlwind of personality, spectacle, and showmanship. The production matched the fiery passion of the season nine queens, delivering a night filled with seductive dance numbers, hilariously petty commentary, over-the-top fashion, and charming interludes. Beyond the glitz and glamour, the show also captured moments of genuine human connection, making it an unforgettable experience for fans.
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