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Drag Fest UK in chaos as high profile queens drop out at last minute due to ‘communication issues and travel concerns’

Drag Fest takes place this weekend in London and Manchester (Picture: Klub Kids)

Drag Fest UK has publicly apologised after a number of high-profile queens dropped out of the event with days to go.

The music festival is set to take place in London’s Printworks on Saturday August 14 and in Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse on Sunday August 15, with tickets starting at £54. 

However, with just days to go, fans have criticised the promoters after a host of drag queens dropped out, citing communication issues and travel concerns.

Many of the queens had been set to fly over from the US to join the UK talent, including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK queens Lawrence Chaney, Bimini Bon Boulash, Tayce, A’Whora and Ellie Diamond.

Klub Kids, Drag Fest’s promoters, addressed the situation on Twitter, writing: ‘We would like to publicly apologise to those artists that we cannot get to Drag Fest UK this year. We only knew 2 weeks ago that this event was going ahead, with Covid rules constantly changing this has really hit this event hard……..

‘We are going to work on getting these artists back with Klub Kids later this year when we can be more prepared and organised. Big love to everybody.’

They added that anybody who had purchased meet and greet tickets for a queen who has now pulled out would be getting a full refund.

They listed artists previously listed on the bill who are no longer attending, including RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 5 winner Shea Coulee, season eight star Laila McQueen, All Stars 6 queen Trinity K Bonet, and stars of the The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, Vander Van Odd, Abhora, Biqtch Puddin, Ursula Major and Erika Klash.

I’m so sorry to anyone who bought tickets in hopes of seeing me and especially those that bought meet & greet tickets. I had no idea these were being sold and I never would have agreed to it. Hope to be back in the UK in a safer, not so far future 🖤🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/lGtW5THind

— Vander Von Odd (@VanderVonOdd) August 10, 2021

Vander Van Odd, who won season one of Dragula, tweeted that she would no longer be attending Drag Fest, writing: ‘Days before the event I still had not received flights, hotels, work visa, or any details regarding the event, performance space, or transportation between cities. Meet and greet tickets were sold without my knowledge or permission. M&G was not negotiated when I agreed to the booking free nor was I asked if I felt safe doing one. For these reasons I will no longer be in attendance.

‘If you are working/attending Drag Fest UK, please be safe and always put your health first.’

Vander then retweeted a statement from fellow Dragula star Crayola, who accused Klub Kids of unprofessional behaviour while explaining why she was no longer attending. 

She wrote: ‘I don’t mind if plans change – obviously the pandemic has been hugely difficulty for producers, promoters, performers and audience members alike, and we have all had to become incredibly patient, flexible and understanding. But what bugs me is the lack of communication, which indicates a lack of care and lack of respect for non-Drag Race talent.’

Shea Coulee dropped out due to scheduling issues (Picture: Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

Abhora explained that she had been set to attend, but was asked to reschedule when flights to get her over from the United States became too expensive.

Drag Race season seven queen Pearl Liaison has also since dropped out, writing on Instagram: ‘Due to many factors including poor communication, travel issues and Covid I will not be appearing at Drag Fest this weekend.’

Meanwhile, fans noticed season eight queen Acid Betty had been removed from a joint meet and greet with Bebe Zahara Benet, and she commented on Vander Van Odd’s statement: ‘I think my name is on the flier as well…’

Season seven Drag Race winner Bob The Drag Queen, who was not scheduled to attend the festival, addressed the controversy on Twitter, writing: ‘I don’t know what going on with the fest but it sounds like the Fyre Festival of drag.’

The Greatest Dancer judge Todrick Hall is set to headline, with Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka already in the UK and still scheduled to perform.

Todrick Hall is headlining (Picture: BDC Images / BACKGRID)

Other queens on the bill include the United Kingdolls and Frock Destroyers of Drag Race UK fame, Drag Race season 13 winner Symone and season 12 finalist Crystal Methyd, as well as stars of the franchise including Aja, Dahlia Sin, Ginny Lemon, Kandy Muse, Lala Ri, Ongina, Rock M Sakura, Monique Heart and Widow Von Du. 

Many of the US names are already in the UK for other shows, while there does not seem to be any issues with the UK-based queens’ performances.

More: Festivals

Shea Coulee, Miz Cracker and Drag Race Holland winner Envy Peru had dropped out after the dates were pushed back due to Covid-19. 

The event will host a live stage, lip sync stage and comedy stage, as well as a drag market, merch stalls, meet and greet booths and face paint and glitter stations, and stresses that it is not a drag convention like DragCon, but rather a music festival. 

Metro.co.uk has contacted KlubKids for comment. 


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