The time it was about RuPaul’s DragCon

I’ve been watching RuPaul’s Drag Race since the first season and I’ve met Ru when he toured for his first book: Workin’ It {one of the very first recaps where I was still trying to figure out what I was doing}.

I knew DragCon was a thing that happened, but I had never been before.  Imagine my surprise when my mom told me she wanted to go.  I bought tickets for us and then went to the website to look around and see the queens who would be attending.  I saw that there was a press application and on a whim, I applied — never expecting to get approved.  Needless to say, I did.

We got up to the LA Convention Center a bit early.  After parking, we got checked in and then headed down to Starbucks.  When we got through security again, they had started to let people line up right before the escalators that would take you to the second floor.

The area filled up quickly and while we waited for everything to open, Hubs went up the escalator to take a photo of the crowd.

We were let in right after 10a and my mom and I walked as fast as we could to get our spot on the pink carpet to watch arrivals. The people who bought VIP tickets were able to get onto the floor early, so there were people lined up everywhere.

As we squeezed into a spot and made friends with our neighbors, I watched a guy with an iPhone and a press pass walk out on to the pink carpet.  There were several men on the carpet with cameras or video cameras {or both} setting up and testing the lighting.

I decided to go over to one of the security guards and ask about standing on the carpet for arrivals.  The guy I talked to told me no, that I wasn’t allowed.  When I pointed out the {at least} 10 men on the carpet who he walked by and didn’t tell to move, he said they were okay, but I was not.  I said that I was wearing the exact same pass the men were and the security guy again told me no, I would not be allowed.

So, I went back over to my mom and her now-BFFs and explained to them what he said.  I was standing in front of them {on the carpet} and they were off the carpet {where the crowd was told to stay}.  While we were talking, a different {female} security officer came over and started to say something to me about getting off the carpet, but then she saw my press pass and said I could absolutely stay where I was.  She even went further to say I was able to get right up to the queens as they walked in and follow them down as far as I wanted.

As my mom and I waited for arrivals to start, Hubs went over to the Anastasia Beverly Hills booth to ask about Alyssa Edwards and when she would be appearing.

The people at the booth told him that Alyssa would be appearing and that it hadn’t been officially announced at the time.  He ended up buying a fancy fan and stood in line to be second while my mom and I were still waiting for the arrivals of the queens.

Arrivals started just after 10:30 and I will admit to being a little hesitant to start taking photos.  I was certain that at any moment, someone would come over and tell me to move. Finally, I got a little more comfortable and started moving up and down the carpet.

And the upside to being the only woman taking photos? Nearly all of the queens stopped and made direct eye contact with me.

L-R from top: Raja, Sharon Needles, Alaska, Trixie Mattel, Trinity the Tuck, Kameron Michaels, Ariel Versace, Brook Lynn Hytes, Yvie Oddly. Photo credit for all: MOVI Inc for World of Wonder.

Now, you might be wondering why I’m using official photos for the queens instead of my own.  Well for one, the photo of Alyssa that I posted on my personal IG has been reposted several times. Secondly, why not?

Anyhoo.

The arrivals lasted about 45 minutes and after we were done, my mom and I went over to the Anastasia booth to relieve Hubs of standing in line.  He had made friends with the person in line in front of him and while I chatted with him, Hubs took my mom around to shop for jewels and glitter. {No, seriously, that’s what she wanted.}

In the time we were on the pink carpet, there had been a pretty large line amassed for Alyssa.  Anastasia definitely had their shit together and had everything roped off separate from a secondary line for a photo booth they had set up.   And while we waited on Alyssa, some of the coolest outfits came walking by.

Time slowly wore on and after being in line for over 3 hours, Alyssa arrived…and let me tell you, she arrived. She was wearing the most amazing dress {with removable train} and had a group of about 8 people all dress in sparkly white.

Photo credit: MOVI Inc for World of Wonder

She took a minute to wave to everyone in line and then got on the platform to take photos: first with the new palette from Anastasia and then with the people who came with her.

When I got up to her, I was a mess.  I know I word vomited all over her before getting to take the photo.  I told her that we came up from San Diego just for her and she asked, “Who is ‘we’?” I told her my mom and my husband and she made me point them out.  We chatted for a second longer before she hugged me, signed my press pass and an 8×10, and thanked me for coming.

You guys, I was shaking the entire time.

From there, we were directed to a computer set up where we gave our name and email address and were told that the photos would be sent after all of the photos were taking.  And yeah…one of my photos is actual proof of me losing my mind over her.

After Alyssa, we were all pretty hungry.  The food truck situation was a bit out of control, so we decided to do a quick loop around to check out the shopping before heading out.

 Photo credit: MOVI Inc for World of Wonder

This entire event was so much fun.  Sure, we didn’t stay as long as I was expecting {you would think SDCC would have me trained for what a convention is like, but I wasn’t prepared for this one}, but the experience was amazing.

  Photo credit: MOVI Inc for World of Wonder

Huge thanks to DragCon for accepting me for press.  The opportunity was a little mind blowing and I’m not just talking about meeting Alyssa.  It was lovely to see a huge crowd that was so absolutely happy and accepting.

I loved hearing passionate debates over favorite queens and who needs to win season 11 and I especially loved learning how to pop my new fan properly.

RuPaul’s DragCon will be an annual convention that we attend, as press or not.  Don’t think for one second that my mom isn’t already planning her glittery outfit.