Following the announcement of the return of World of Wonder’s RuPaul’s DragCon in 2024, the Phoenix brings you inspiring words of wisdom from some of the world’s most prominent drag queens during their appearance at RuPaul’s DragCon 2023.

Starting us off is RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 4’s star ‘Copper Topp’ who speaks candidly about dealing with anxiety and shares their advice to LGBTQ+ readers who may be struggling with identity.

“It is a long process, and it takes time. I have had a therapist for years and I still feel like every day I need to keep going but it’s really about owning it. So many people make you feel like you are weird or that you are being too dramatic. The moment you own it and that you talk about it and bring it into your everyday conversation the moment you can get support and feel like you are being heard. Don’t hide how you are feeling.”

Irish drag superstar of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 1 and winner of Rupaul’s Drag Race UK versus The World, Blu Hydrangea adds “It is hard to find self-love in this world. What I say is that as soon as I began appreciating myself for my authenticity and the true version of myself that’s when I started to find love for myself because that’s when I realised I am special in different ways than other people and that I don’t have to compare myself to other people.”

Speaking on how RuPaul’s Drag Race has changed their life, Birmingham icon ‘Black Peppa’ from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 4 explains “It has changed my life physically, mentally, spiritually and in every best way possible. I have met so many amazing people and those who have been inspired by my story. I have always stayed true to myself, and I believe being authentic is so important. My message to kids who want to be their authentic selves is that it is a process. Saying ‘be yourself’ and applying it is not easy. A lot of people say ‘don’t care what people say’ – I knew that, but it is very hard to apply it. When I said to myself life is short, I realised that’s when I need to be my true authentic self and start to apply it and be myself. My past gives me courage as well as strong black women, my story and meeting people who inspire me and those I inspire. I want to be that person who inspires others that I didn’t have when I was a child.”

Speaking as a role model of people of colour, singing sensation and star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 2, Tia Kofi explains “it is very difficult getting into drag especially if you are from a family with traditional values. My mother is from Nigeria so it was a lot harder from that circumstance but it has been so welcomed in the fandom. I am so proud to be representing diversity and inclusion on screen and be someone where a kid may feel ‘that’s me or I feel reflected and represented’, that is important to me.”

Stunning Angeria Paris VanMicheals, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race USA Season 14 talks about the positive impact she has had on children of colour since starring on her season, “I could never have imagined in my wildest imagination but it has been amazing. It is incredible to be a voice. It is so important. We need positive light and positive voices so kids know that they can be just as free to express themselves as we are”. Angeria ends our chat with some words of wisdom. “I would say to young kids of colour to break boundaries, step into rooms and spaces that you think you shouldn’t be in and make your presence felt. At the end of the day we should never feel that we are not welcome anywhere ever!”

RuPaul’s DragCon will take place on Saturday 13th January and Sunday 14th January 2024. World of Wonder are proud to release tickets, in line with the 51st anniversary of London Pride, at https://uk.rupaulsdragcon.com/.

By Mandip Singh Taunque