Tampa Bay is about to be filled with charisma uniqueness nerve and talent for the 2025 Pride season. “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” stars fresh off the latest seasons are sashaying from the screen onto stages around the Bay.

Suzie Toot

No, it’s not a Kori King Cameo. The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 17 Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses showed her range from tap dancing 1920s flapper to sexy rock clown and lipsync assassin. After performing at Tampa Museum of Art’s Pride & Passion gala on May 31, she’ll headline the first of Cocktail’s Pride season events. The no cover party starts at 7 p.m. with DJ sets and local talent, but don’t expect Miss Toot to come out until the wee hours of Monday morning. Credit: Photo via MTV/World of Wonder

Denali

The ice skating queen of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and competitor in the current All Stars season glides into Lakeland. The Polk Pride grand finale at the indoor and outdoor venue includes performances from Kathryn Nevets, De DeLovely and Olivia Rae Taylor. It’s $29 to get in and $75 for admission and a meet and greet. Credit: c/o Paramount Press

Cynthia Lee Fontaine

The Puerto Rican All Stars 10 star brings her CUCU to The Wet Spot for a celebration of queer Latin culture. Start the night with a Latin dance workshop at 7 p.m. before the celebration featuring Karen’s Hora Loca and local Latin American drag entertainers. Credit: c/o Paramount Press
Tampa drag queen Jewels Sparkles shines in season 17 of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Credit: c/o Paramount Press

Willam

The season four star and host of the “Race Chaser” podcast is Cocktail’s first Loud & Proud headliner for Pride 2025. The no cover 21+ show starts with local talent at 8 p.m. But you know it’ll be a late night. Credit: ageofwillam/Instagram

Aja

Aja, also a ballroom star and rapper, competes in the All Stars 10 semi finals airing June 27. Two days later, she headlines Mari Jean’s Cocked ‘N Loaded mainstage for St. Pete Pride. The no cover all ages street show starts at noon with local talent on the 2300 block of Central Avenue. It’s the heart of the Sunday Street Fair, with street performers, vendors, and freebies from hundreds of local organizations. Credit: Ajathekween/Instagram

Dawn

The Season 16 queen was just announced as a fellow headliner on the Cocked ‘n Loaded Mainstage. Hopefully she brings the bodyodyody and those weird witchy hand movements. Credit: uptildawn.net

Selene San Felice is managing editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Prior to joining CL in 2025, she started the Axios Tampa Bay newsletter and worked for her hometown paper, The Capital in Annapolis,...