Red Carpet Realness
Werq the World 2025 turned Caesars Windsor into drag’s ultimate awards night with Jimbo, Daya Betty, Jaida Essence Hall, Jorgeous, Kim Chi, and Vanessa Vanjie serving red carpet glamour and unforgettable performances.
August 22, 2025
At Caesars Windsor
WINDSOR, Ontario
A Red Carpet Night to Remember
The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor sparkled on Friday, August 22, as the RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq The World Tour 2025 rolled into town for its highly anticipated stop. This year’s tour, themed as the ultimate drag awards show, brought red carpet glamour, high-octane performances, and larger-than-life personas to the Windsor stage. Hosted by Jimbo as Joan Rivers, the night featured dazzling turns by Daya Betty as Lady Gaga, Jaida Essence Hall as Beyoncé, Jorgeous as Ariana Grande, Kim Chi as Celine Dion, and Vanessa Vanjie as Rihanna.
Drag’s biggest night of the year takes center stage at Caesars Windsor.
Having personally photographed Werq the World multiple times since its 2018 Detroit stop, I’ve seen the tour evolve and grow into a full-blown drag spectacle — and Windsor’s 2025 edition may have been my favourite yet.
From the moment the queens hit the stage, the energy was electric. Each performance felt like a headline moment at an international award show, with fans screaming for every costume reveal and hair flip. Jimbo kept the pacing sharp with her razor-edged Joan Rivers comedy, while each queen embodied their musical icons to perfection — Jaida Essence Hall’s Beyoncé number had the crowd on their feet, and Kim Chi’s Celine Dion moment was pure camp magic.
What makes Werq the World so special is the way it blends the spectacle of drag with the intimacy of community — no matter how massive the production gets, it always feels like a love letter to the fans.
On a personal note, this tour is extra meaningful for me. Werq the World was the very first drag event I ever photographed, way back in 2018 at Motor City Casino’s Sound Board. Since then, I’ve followed it across Detroit, London, Toronto, and Windsor, capturing the queens in all their glory. To see it return this year with such a polished and playful awards theme — plus one of the strongest casts yet — was an absolute joy.
Special thanks goes out to Jimbo for organizing the backstage meet ’n’ greet and to the Caesars Windsor staff for the tickets that made this night possible. And yes — I left with an official tour t-shirt to add to my collection!
The Werq continues—until next year’s dazzling return.
Werq the World continues to raise the bar for drag tours, and Windsor’s stop proved why it remains the crown jewel of global drag entertainment. With its bold theme, powerhouse cast, and unforgettable energy, this was drag at its finest.
The red carpet may be rolled up for now, but one thing is certain: when Werq the World comes back, Windsor will be ready to welcome it all over again.
Photos and review by Kevin Blondin
TRUE Fest in Amherstburg
TRUE Fest in Amherstburg
Unleashes a Blizzard of Drag Delights
Unleashes a Blizzard of Drag Delights
Amherstburg, ON — On the chilly night of January 27, the streets of Amherstburg heated up with the fierce and fabulous TRUE Fest. This winter street party, sponsored by Windsor-Essex Pride Fest, Caesars Windsor, Rotary Club of Amherstburg, and The House Youth Centre, and hosted by AM800’s Dan MacDonald, brought a blizzard of drag delights to this small Southwestern Ontario town.
Outdoor Extravaganza: The festival featured two outdoor stages, each a block apart, creating a drag duet of dueling queens. Edie Violet from Woodstock and Phoenix Black from London kicked off the spectacle at 6:30 pm, and 7:30 pm, followed by Dulce from London and Koko Starr from Windsor at 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
Fire, Ice, and Everything Nice: Between sets, attendees could switch things up at the other stage and witness mesmerizing fire and glow performances by Hoop You. To keep the winter chill at bay, hot chocolate and apple cider were on the menu, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Amherstburg. A street lined with patio heaters, cornhole, s'mores stations, hotdogs, and a hot bar on Dalhousie Street added to the festive atmosphere. Lot 10 kept spirits warm with craft beer and s'mores kits, while an Igloo by the Embrace Group at The House Youth Centre offered games and prizes, including coveted tickets to see Canada's Drag Race at Caesars Windsor on April 4.
Community Vibes and Royal Memories:
The event drew a diverse crowd of families, kids, and drag enthusiasts of all ages. The sense of community was palpable as the night progressed, bringing warmth to the frozen streets.
Royal Performances:
Edie Violet and Phoenix Black dazzled with stunning looks and shared memories from their TV appearances. Koko Starr's high-energy performances left the crowd in awe, and Dulce lit up the night with her playful attitude. An impromptu extra song from Dulce added an unexpected treat that left the audience wanting more.
After-Party Bliss:
The festivities continued at Burger 67 with an after-party featuring a DJ and an open kitchen for apps until midnight. Downtown Amherstburg was alive and buzzing, defying the January cold with a celebration that resonated throughout the town.
Stay tuned for more drag delights in the next edition of DRAG MAG!
Photos and Review by Kevin Blondin