RU PAUL’S DRAG RACE WERQ THE WORLD TOUR
Ru Paul’s Drag Race Werq the World Tour, Smart Financial Centre, Houston, TX 9/16/25.
Werq the World 2025 Honors Drag’s Finest and the Divas Who Defined Culture
From Whitney to Britney, Sasha to Roxxy, Sugar Land’s stop on the Werq the World tour was a dazzling celebration of artistry, resilience, and community.
The Werq the World 2025 Tour pulled into Sugar Land, Texas, and transformed the Smart Financial Centre into a sanctuary of artistry, glamour, and community. From the moment the lights dimmed, the energy in the room was undeniable. This particular Werq the World was staged as an award show, a playful nod to ceremonies like the Grammys, but instead of honoring chart statistics, it honored the queens themselves and the legendary divas who defined culture and gave us the soundtrack to our lives.
The lineup was stacked with star power. Sasha Velour, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 and the night’s host, brought her signature blend of fashion-forward artistry and theatrical presence. She was joined by freshly crowned Season 17 winner Onya Nurve, comedy powerhouse and All Stars 8 champion Jimbo, the stunning Season 16 breakout Morphine Love Dion, legendary Britney Spears impersonator Derrick Barry, and the iconic Roxxy Andrews. Even in the audience, the family bond of drag was clear, with Silky Nutmeg Ganache, another notable queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race, spotted cheering on her sisters.
The show opened in grand fashion. Sasha rose into the air draped in a flowing crimson gown that spilled dramatically to the ground, swaying from side to side like a living piece of art. The rest of the cast soon joined her in a dazzling group number, flanked by sharp and tireless dancers. From the very beginning, it was clear that this was not just a drag show, but a full-scale production celebrating drag’s finest and the divas who shaped our cultural soundtrack.
Each queen brought her own spark to the stage. Onya Nurve delivered an explosive Beyoncé inspired Break My Soul routine that had the audience clapping along. Jimbo had the crowd roaring with outrageous impersonations of Joan Rivers and Dolly Parton before teaming with Derrick Barry for a campy Iggy Azalea and Britney Spears duet. Derrick, of course, proved once again why she is the definitive Britney Spears impersonator, recreating the iconic I’m a Slave 4 U performance complete with snake and cage choreography. Morphine Love Dion exuded sensuality with the precision of a pop star, capturing the essence of Shakira and Ariana Grande in every movement. Roxxy Andrews captivated with a poised performance of Mariah Carey’s My All, reminding everyone why she is drag royalty. And throughout the night, Sasha Velour stunned with quickchange reveals and avant-garde looks, embodying Madonna, Gwen Stefani, and Lady Gaga with her signature theatrical edge.
Midway through the night, the queens flipped the script and handed the spotlight to the crowd. In a segment styled like a mini challenge straight from RuPaul’s Drag Race, three audience members were called up to compete in a surprise Lip Sync for Your Life.
The rules were simple. Pick a wig from a bag, each designating which diva they would embody, then transform in sixty seconds of quick drag. With wigs flying and makeup smeared on in a frenzy, the contestants emerged as makeshift versions of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Lady Gaga.
The crowd cheered wildly as each contestant gave it their all. Whitney served soulful drama, Mariah floated through her song with playful charm, and Gaga nearly blew the roof off with a shock dip straight into the splits. The audience roared, ultimately crowning Gaga the winner after a hilarious twerk-off finale. It was messy, chaotic, and full of love, drag in its purest form.
Even the twenty minute intermission reflected the show’s inclusive spirit. Fans poured into the lobby to grab drinks, check out the merch tables, and strike up conversations with strangers who quickly became friends. The break became part of the experience, a reminder that drag is not just about what happens on stage but about the connections it creates in the crowd.
The production itself was flawless, from the lighting to the costumes to the choreography, but the heart of Werq the World ran deeper. Drag is more than impersonations and rhinestones. It is an art form that requires years of dedication, significant investment, and endless creativity. For many, it is also a safe haven, a place to belong when the world outside has not always been welcoming.
The night closed with all the queens and dancers back on stage for one final number, a bow that celebrated not just the stars but the full team that brought the show to life. Before the curtain fell, Sasha Velour spoke directly to the crowd, reminding everyone to support drag at every level, from local bars and clubs to world tours.
Werq the World 2025 in Sugar Land was more than a stop on a tour. It was a night where decorated queens honored the divas who defined culture, and where drag was celebrated as artistry, resilience, and love. For a few hours, strangers became family, and the stage became a safe haven where everyone could shine.
Shot and Written by Loreal Curtis
