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
Sasha Colby’s ‘STRIPPED’ Tour
Sasha Colby’s ‘STRIPPED’ Tour: A Raw and Intimae Journey
A Raw and Intimate Journey
DETROIT, MI - On Thursday, April 4, 2024, Saint Andrew's Hall in Detroit was transformed into a haven of raw emotion and intimate storytelling as Sasha Colby, the illustrious winner of RuPaul's Drag Race season 15, took center stage to present "Stripped," her North American Tour. Presented by Live Nation, the evening promised an unforgettable experience, and it delivered in spades.
From the moment the curtains rose, the audience was enveloped in Sasha's captivating presence. Seated in anticipation, the packed house eagerly awaited the journey that was about to unfold.
"Stripped" was not just a drag show; it was a deeply personal and transformative odyssey that invited the audience to walk alongside Sasha through the chapters of her life. Like an autobiography brought to life on stage, the performance balanced moments of laughter and joy with scenes of raw emotion and vulnerability.
Sasha mesmerized the crowd with classic hits by Madonna and other iconic tracks, showcasing her versatility and undeniable talent. With each dance move, neck crack, and stunning look, she proved herself to be nothing short of a G-O-D-D-E-S-S.
As the title of the tour suggested, Sasha bared all, stripping down to pasties and a thong as the evening progressed. In a bold and vulnerable move, she wiped away her makeup before the end of the first set, revealing a truly naked version of herself to the audience.
The show was not without its surprises. Sasha brought out a special guest performer, The Petty Divine, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already electric atmosphere. Additionally, audience members were invited to participate in a Goddess-off, reminiscent of a twerk-off, bringing the crowd to their feet in cheers and applause.
"Stripped" was a testament to Sasha's creativity and artistry, with stunning scene designs, costumes, and conceptual elements that left the audience in awe. Long interludes, banter, and onstage costume changes added depth and dimension to the performance, ensuring that no moment was ever dull.
In the end, there was no denying that Sasha Colby is indeed a winner, baby. Her ability to blend entertainment with introspection, vulnerability with strength, made "Stripped" a truly unique and original show that will be remembered for years to come.
Review and Photos by Kevin Blondin
