Over the weekend (May 7 and May 8), the second ever RuPaul’s DragCon was held in Los Angeles, Ca., and Zap2it was there dressed in official “Drag Race” attire for the extravaganza. Our goal was to narrow down the tight race and finally pick who of Season 8’s Top queens should be crowned the winner. All the contestants were in attendance, along with a slew of celebrity squirrel friends for panels on everything from working the runway to face countering, and of course the queen diva herself, RuPaul.
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Taking over Downtown L.A.’s convention center, half of the main floor was filled with over a 100 vendors selling wigs, make-up, dresses, literally anything for a drag queen to up her game. The other half of the room was sectioned off for fans to get autographs from likes of Debbie Gibson, Amber Rose, “Project Runway” Season 14 winner, Ashley Nell Tipton and “Drag Race” veteran judge Michelle Visage.
Sashaying in to discuss the current trends in fashion for the runway panel, was former “America’s Next Top Model” judge Miss Lawrence. Boy, can she make an entrance!
Like many devoted "Drag Race" fans, Zap2it has fallen in love with each of the Top 3 queens from Season 8. We were so torn as to which diva deserves the crown: Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls or Bob the Drag Queen.
First, take a look at what these talented gentleman look like outside of their drag outfits. They can each give face without an ounce of makeup. Werk.
In our official racing judge attire, we visited each of these contestants at DragCon, determined to pick a team and decide who should be America's next Drag Superstar. As RuPaul would say, "Gentleman, start your engines. Good luck! And don't fuck it up."
After much deliberation, this is how the queens stacked up.
Kim Chi: 2nd runner-up
Best friends Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls actually chose to share a booth. They wore matching glamorous white drag outfits, were dripping in diamond jewelry and completed their look with large and in charge Marylin Monroe-inspired blonde wigs.
Seeing Kim Chi's make-up up close was like looking at a rare piece of artwork that deserves to be hung up at a museum. She gets flack from other contestants for being a "look queen" but henny, her look is stunning. Lisp issues and lack of dancing skills aside, no one can touch Kim Chi's couture and design skills. They are both intricately gorgeous and incredibly well thought out. Kim Chi will be remembered for years to come.
Naomi Smalls: 1st runner up
Her legs are so long, we couldn't get a full length photo together in which they could be seen. Those legs, with that body, and her ability to vogue like no other, makes her a queen to be reckoned with. The best surprise was meeting Smalls. Discovering that she is truly beautiful inside and out, Smalls was the most approachable and sweetest person in the entire convention hall.
The dark horse this season, Naomi quietly crept her way to the top with her fierce runway walk and stellar glue gun sewing skills. Smalls gets criticized for being too young and inexperienced to be the next Drag Superstar, but she is going to be a star whether she wins or not.
RELATED: Grab a parasol, queens! ‘RuPaul’s’ Derrick Barry and Naomi Smalls throw serious shade
Bob the Drag Queen: Winner
Like Violet Chachki of Season 7, Bob has been slaying the competition the entire time. She's on another level with her quick wit and ability to own a room. Bob isn't popular for being the prettiest queen on the runway, but it's her show that will sell out crowds, for her hilarity and swagger is unmatched. She's got it. The only critique we had for Bob is that sometimes we wanted to yell, "Woman, shut your trap so that the other girls can have a chance to shine!" But this is a competition ... and Bob came to win.
"Con-drag-u-lations, Bob." You're our winner.
There is no new episode of "Drag Race" on Monday night. Logo will be airing a special of Bianca Del Rio's "Rolodex of Hate." Audiences will have to wait until May 16 to see who gets crowned this year's winner. We can't wait to see if our prediction for America's next Drag Superstar is correct!
