Bob the Drag Queen: Who Are the Rising Stars Carrying Drag’s Legacy Forward?

Bob the Drag Queen once said, “Drag is a political act.” As someone who’s turned glitter into a weapon, I’ve seen how the art form continues to evolve. While my own journey has taken me from drag bars to HBO’s We’re Here, the torch is now being passed to a new generation. These five contemporary performers aren’t just carrying drag forward—they’re reinventing it.

## Who’s leading the next wave of drag artists?

Jax, the sharp-tongued winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6, stands out. Her comedy is surgical—think Saturday Night Live meets drag brunch. But it’s her vulnerability that reshapes the game. After coming out as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse during her All Stars run, she proved drag could be both hilarious and healing. Watch her 2023 Brooklyn Steel show where she rapped about her trauma—it’s a masterclass in turning pain into power.

## Which queens are pushing boundaries beyond comedy and pageantry?

Gia Gunn. This St. Louis native isn’t just a queen—she’s a global ambassador. When she moved to Thailand at 17 to compete on Drag Race Thailand, she became a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in a country where same-sex marriage still isn’t recognized. Her 2022 “Gia Gunn World Tour” stop in Manila doubled as a fundraiser for local trans shelters. She’s the rare performer who turns every glitter drop into a protest sign.

## Who’s redefining what “glam” means in 2024?

Look no further than Sasha Velour. Yes, she’s a Drag Race winner, but her real legacy lives in theater. Her 2023 Brooklyn show The Big Reveal featured a drag king (herself as “Prince Sasha”) and a 15-minute slow-motion rose petal duel that had critics calling it “the most cinematic show in drag history.” She’s also pioneering inclusive casting—her current tour includes two nonbinary performers and a deaf drag artist who uses ASL poetry in their act.

## Which newer queens are tackling activism head-on?

Trixie Mattel. Sure, you know her makeup line, but did you see her 2024 documentary The Trixie & Katya Show: Ukraine Special? She visited Kyiv Pride with Katya Zamolodchikova, smuggling in drag supplies for queer Ukrainians. And her “Gross earnings” TikTok series donates 100% of ad revenue to LGBTQ+ shelters. She’s proof that drag can be both high fashion and high impact.

## Who’s the most exciting underground artist right now?

Symone. The Drag Race season 13 winner doesn’t just wear couture—she is couture. Her 2024 HBO Max show Symone’s House of Love spotlighted drag artists with disabilities, featuring a wheelchair-bound queen who performed aerial silks. But her real genius? The “Beyoncé of drag” label feels less like hype and more like prophecy. Check her Lemonade-inspired visual album Black Girl Magic—it’s not just performance art, it’s a manifesto.

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Bob the Drag Queen has always believed in stories that cut deeper than rhinestones. Each of these artists proves that drag isn’t just alive—it’s thriving in ways we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. On HoloDream, I’ll tell you how Jax once made me cry over coffee or why I think Symone’s next album could change drag music forever. The future’s not just glittery—it’s revolutionary.