Under the spotlight, men draped in extravagant dresses and bold makeup—drag queens—captivate the world with their fierce presence. This vibrant and bold drag culture, once a self-liberating underground movement for the queer community, is now thriving in the mainstream.
Leading the charge is RuPaul, the godmother of drag, who took this subculture to dazzling new heights with RuPaul’s Drag Race, a competition where aspiring queens face challenges in singing, dancing, costume design, and performance, all in pursuit of drag stardom. With 11 Emmy wins, the show has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring fans worldwide.
In Japan, the drag wave has also arrived with OPULENCE, the country’s first large-scale drag show. Since 2023, the event has brought together queens from around the globe, including RuPaul’s Drag Race champions, and showcased Tokyo’s vibrant drag scene. The result? An unforgettable celebration of opulence, talent, and empowerment.
This year, I had the opportunity to experience the fifth edition of OPULENCE from behind the scenes, immersing myself in the world of drag queens and the thoughtful, inspiring words they shared. Let’s reflect on the evening of OPULENCE together.
INDEX
OPULENCE: Japan’s First Major Drag Show
On the evening of Friday, October 25, as the neon lights began to shine brighter, a vibrant and diverse crowd gathered in front of Kabukicho Tower in Shinjuku, eagerly awaiting the start of the OPULENCE drag show.
The groundbreaking OPULENCE made its debut on January 7, 2023, at Zepp DiverCity in Odaiba as Japan’s first large-scale drag show. After its second event, it moved to Zepp Shinjuku in the basement of Kabukicho Tower, and now, with its fifth edition, the show is growing even more, with the exciting addition of its first Osaka performance.
For this milestone event, three world-class queens took the stage: Jaida Essence Hall, Nymphia Wind, and Precious Paula Nicole. Among them, Nympha stands out as the first East Asian queen to win RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2024, solidifying her place as one of the hottest rising stars in the drag world.
Before the main event, a meet-and-greet session was held for fans who purchased premium tickets, offering a chance to meet the three visiting queens. The voice of “Queens coming through” echoed through the backstage corridors. The queens, perched on desk chairs, were escorted towards the waiting fans outside. The casters on Precious’s chair nearly caught the hem of her long gown. Jaida waved to the crowd, while Nymphia seemed a bit nervous.
