a&e features
Sasha Velour on her current tour, ‘Drag Race’ successors, life on the road and more
Season nine champ takes the road less traveled with solo show ‘Smoke & Mirrors’
Sasha Velour’s Smoke & Mirrors
Monday, Nov. 11
8 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre
1215 U St., N.W.
$35-12
Package tours of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alumni are thriving with various lineups as the show’s popularity continues to soar. The “Werq the World Tour,” for example, which played D.C. two weeks ago, features winners of three past seasons: Yvie Oddly (season 11), Aquaria (season 10) and Violet Chachki (season seven).
But Sasha Velour, the season nine winner who identifies as genderqueer, is staking out her own path. Her one-queen show “Smoke & Mirrors” plays Washington Monday night and continues through Nov. 30. She spoke to the Blade Tuesday by phone from Kansas City, Mo. Velour’s comments have been slightly edited for length.
WASHINGTON BLADE: How’s the tour going?
SASHA VELOUR: Oh my gosh, it’s going amazing. The last show we did in Chicago was sold out, packed with local drag artists and the performances themselves have just been going so well, we’re thrilled.
BLADE: Does (partner) Johnny (Velour) travel with you?
VELOUR: Yes. I mean Johnny is kind of an important part of the show. He presses all the buttons that keep the multi-media aspect running well … and we’re traveling with our dog throughout the country and beyond so it’s good to have a little downtime together.
BLADE: Are audiences different? Do you sense any difference between a Texas audience vs. Pittsburgh, for instance?
VELOUR: Um, it’s slight differences but actually mostly I’m shocked by being in places I would never have thought of as queer friendly and looking out and seeing hundreds of people standing, screaming for drag expression. It gives me a lot of hope that there’s so many like-minded audiences throughout the world that are, like, accepting of people however we want to express our gender as long as we’re doing it over the top beautifully, spectacularly, I think that’s kind of the unifying thing is that it feels like we built a little alternate world over the course of one “Smoke & Mirrors” performance. and everyone comes in and by the end if just feels like people are overflowing with feelings. It has that community vibe.
BLADE: But have you felt you had to win them over a bit more in some markets or anything like that?
VELOUR: No, not at all.
BLADE: Do you like the execution/performance or the design/planning of a show better?
VELOUR: I enjoy them both. I’ve always been a planing queen. I used to plan these epic performances that were taking place in dive bars while I was on my commute every morning on the subway to and from work. And then have no rehearsal and bring it to life in the moment, and now we get a little bit more of a full creative process now, we get rehearsal time, I’ve been able to workshop this show for almost a year. So it’s a different style now, the planning process if over and I get to fine tune the performance which is a real privilege. With drag performers, so often we’re doing a pop-up performance and then on to the next thing. SO it’s been really great to be able to be so careful with my own art work and I feel like I’m better technically at a lot of things than I was when I started doing drag. It’s nice to see that change.
BLADE: What’s the biggest logistical hurdle of touring this show?
VELOUR: Honestly caring for the costumes and wigs. It’s 13 different performances and somehow, even though I barely step off stage, there’s a different look for every number, I designed a different world for every number. The scenery changes with a projector so that’s easy, all you need is a computer, but for the costumes and the wigs, half of the things are white velvet which is one of the hardest to take care of, but it projects onto beautifully which is such an important part of the show so thankfully I have a fabulous person traveling with me Monica helping me (with) things, helping me spray seven different wigs, and is backstage helping me in the real act of “Smoke & Mirrors” which happens in the wings of the theater as we rip clothes off me, put them back on, dab sweat off the back of my ears, that’s the real magic trick, keeps us on our toes.
BLADE: Do you have duplicates? How do you keep stuff from getting sweaty and gross when you’re traveling?
VELOUR: I have one body suit, I wear against my skin for about half the show, I just have a duplicate of that finally so I can switch them in and out. I actually like washing my costumes myself. I have a particular way that I do it where I let them soak in different little bowls around my hotel room so I’ll do that every time we have a day off, my biggest classic costume trick is you gotta spray everything with vodka immediately after walking off stage. It sounds like a great party trick, it’s helpful to have a little spray bottle of vodka near you when you’re performing in drag too because one for the costumes, two for the mouth and that sanitizes, keeps things smelling fresh and clean. It’s an amazing wardrobe trick.
BLADE: Do you ever feel like you’re missing out on the “Drag Race” post-show experience by touring solo? So many of the queens tour together, they go back for “All Stars.” Do you ever feel out of the loop?
VELOUR: It’s complicated. I really enjoy, I do miss getting to travel with other drag artists. It’s something that other people who’ve been through this crazy experience of RuPaul’s Drag Race do have in common that makes it nice to travel together, share experiences and horror stories and fantasies and all of the above, but it’s been a pleasure getting to be the lead producer on this project and even though it really means I have to be a lot more serious than I used to be about drag, it’s ultimately a really, really good thing. I’m just able to customize the stage show for my specific way of performing and learning how to do that and how to pull all those strings behind the scenes, that often, that information is sometimes kept from the drag performers themselves or we have to learn it the hard way, but hopefully those are skills that I can continue to use and share with other people.
BLADE: Does Nightgowns (Velour’s monthly New York show) go on hiatus when you’re on tour?
VELOUR: Yes. We used to fly back and put it together in a single day and recently Nightgowns has gotten so ambitious and complicated in itself that we’re tying to do more select shows throughout the year rather than a monthly pop-up. It’s getting a little unsustainable but I’m excited to return to it.
BLADE: Did your recent staph infection, surgery and the recovery process give you any existential crisis? What did you think about during your recovery period?
VELOUR: That’s an existential crisis I have every day. (laughs) I’m mostly kidding. Yeah, it was it put a lot of things into perspective. A reminder of things that I have taken for granted in my life and health and a support system, for the most pressing things cannot be something that you take for granted. Focused on art and career and fame and Instagram followers — none of that really matters in the long run. Health and thriving and family does and I feel like I’m trying to find a balance. In an ideal world, those worlds support each other, that’s what I’m trying to get.
BLADE: Did you watch seasons 10 and 11 of “Drag Race”?
VELOUR: I love “Drag Race” so I always follow it. Sometimes all the work room talking is a little much for me. I remember too well so I can piece apart how it’s constructed and it drives me crazy, so I often just get to the best part which is the challenge on the runways, that’s my favorite half hour.
BLADE: Are Aquaria and Yvie worthy successors to you?
VELOUR: Absolutely. I think they’re both so interesting. It’s exciting to see. “Drag Race” is just so big, the audience is so huge, it’s great to see other how many people can benefit from this phenomenon. It’s never just the winner. I know this myself — it’s really all about what you do with the opportunity. So many people, esp. the people who go far on the show, get asked … the opportunity that is so rare, such a privilege in the world of drag. I’m always curious to see what people do with it. That’s ultimately what I look for, not how they do on the show but what they do after.
BLADE: Do you ever see RuPaul? I know he’s busy with a million different projects, but has he ever reached out since you were on and offered any affirmation?
VELOUR: Oh my gosh, it’s so funny, I actually had a very beautiful run in with RuPaul on the street about a year ago in Los Angles and I just ran into traffic to see RuPaul and we just had such a nice conversation, just away from the cameras and away from all the phenomenon, I just really thanked him for this huge opportunity and I tried to tell him about how I tried to really follow in his footsteps and continue to kind of spread the good word of drag in all these communities so it was a really nice moment.
BLADE: Did he say anything nice or act like he was glad to see you?
VELOUR: Yes, absolutely. It was funny. I had on really really tall shoes, like giant platform sneakers so I was pretty much the same height as him for the first time than we had ever previously been. I’m significantly shorter than him, so he was like very impressed with my height.
BLADE: There was a lot of drama on your season with Valentina, Farrah Moan, Aja, Nina and others. That reunion was especially bitchy. Did you ever feel you were being sucked into any of that?
VELOUR: We had a funny combination of people of different ages on our season so there was kind of like the 23 group, that had their own style of dealing with the stress of the competition, and the early 30s group that had our own way of doing it. So I think it was more natural personalities and experience kind of put us in those different categories. I love those girls and I love being around other drag performers and even when they start acting dramatic and have problems with each other it’s all part of the work.
BLADE: What are your plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas?
VELOUR: Thanksgiving, our plans are not totally set. It’s right in the middle of the tour, so we might end up having a dinner with the entire crew which is our sort of family on the road. Once it reaches December, Johnny and I are gonna like crawl into a cave and disappear. To recover from this incredible journey.
a&e features
MISTR’s Tristan Schukraft on evolution of HIV prevention
From ACT UP to apps, embracing stigma-free care
It was not too long ago that an HIV diagnosis was read as a death sentence. In its earlier decades, the HIV/AIDS crisis was synonymous with fear and loss, steeped in stigma. Over recent years, open conversation and science have come together to combat this stigma while proactively paving the way for life-saving treatments and preventive measures like PrEP. Now, in 2026, with discreet and modern platforms that meet people where they’re at in their lives, HIV prevention has evolved from hushed words of warning into something far more sex-positive and accessible. Game-changing services like MISTR are a testament to this shift, showing our community that healthcare doesn’t have to feel clinical or shaming to work. It can be empowering and, dare I say, celebratory.
Few people embody this evolution quite like Tristan Schukraft, founder of MISTR. With one hand in healthcare and the other high-fiving through queer nightlife, Schukraft gets that, from the bar to the bedroom and beyond, prevention happens in person and in real life. His approach has helped turn PrEP, DoxyPEP, and testing into normalized parts of our daily queer life, reaching hundreds of thousands of people across the US.
In our conversation, Schukraft shares candidly about stigma, policy, and why the future of sexual health depends on keeping it real.
BLADE: You have one hand in healthcare and the other in nightlife and queer spaces. Can you share with us how these two spheres impact and inform each other? How do they impact and inform you?
SCHUKRAFT: Honestly, for me, they’ve never been separate. Nightlife and queer spaces are where people meet, date, hook up, fall in love, and make friends. That’s real life. Being in queer spaces all the time keeps me grounded and reminds me who we’re building MISTR for.
BLADE: MISTR markets sexual health in a sex-positive, stigma-free fashion. Can you share with us how you measure the impact of this approach?
SCHUKRAFT: This year, we held the first-ever National PrEP Day. Dua Lipa performed, and Cardi B was there. After the event, Cardi B went on her Instagram live to encourage people to sign up for PrEP.
When you make sexual health stigma-free and sex positive, people talk about it. We see it in how people use the platform. When 700,000 people are willing to sign up, get tested, start PrEP, and add things like DoxyPEP, that tells us we’ve made it feel safe and normal instead of scary or awkward. And then we see it in the results. Since we expanded DoxyPEP, STI positivity among our patients dropped by half.
BLADE: How have you seen the conversation of sexual health in our LGBTQ+ community change in mainstream culture in recent years?
SCHUKRAFT: Ten years ago, nobody was casually talking about PrEP, and if they did, it likely referenced one being a Truvada whore. Now it’s part of the culture. Popstars like Troye Sivan post pictures of their daily PrEP pill on social media. Cardi B goes on Instagram Live telling people to get on PrEP.
For many sexually active gay men, taking PrEP is simply part of the gay experience. For people in more remote areas, it might not be as talked about. Particularly in rural or more conservative places, MISTR can be a life-changing option. No awkward visits to the family doctor or the local pharmacy where everybody knows your business. It’s all done discreetly online and shipped straight to your door.
BLADE: You have publicly argued that cuts to government HIV prevention funding are of high risk. Would you please elaborate for us on what those budget decisions mean on an individual level?
SCHUKRAFT: It means real people fall through the cracks. Someone doesn’t get tested. Someone waits too long to start PrEP. Someone finds out they’re HIV-positive later than they should have. Community clinics will be the hardest hit, especially those in underserved communities. The good news is that MISTR is ready to help people who might lose their access to care. All you need to do is sign up at mistr.com, and it’s totally free with or without insurance.
BLADE: From your (and MISTR’s) perspective, how do these funding cuts threaten ongoing efforts to end the HIV epidemic?
SCHUKRAFT: For the first time, we have all the tools to end HIV. If everybody who is HIV negative is taking PrEP and everyone HIV+ is virally suppressed, we can end all new HIV transmissions in the United States. We have everything we need today. All we need is to get more people on PrEP. Cutting funding risks losing that momentum. Ending HIV requires scale and consistency. Every time funding gets cut, you lose momentum, trust, and infrastructure, and rebuilding that takes years.
HIV transmissions don’t pause because budgets change.
BLADE: In our current climate of decreased federal investment, what role do you feel private healthcare and business should play in sexual health?
SCHUKRAFT: With reports that the current administration is considering cuts to HIV and prevention funding, we face a moment of reckoning. At the same time, some employers are seeking to exclude PrEP and HIV prevention from their coverage on religious freedom grounds. If these challenges succeed, and if federal funding is slashed, the consequences for public health will be devastating. But this is where the private sector must step up to fill the gap, bridge divides, and deliver results.
Businesses have the power and platform to normalize HIV prevention and drive measurable outcomes. At MISTR, we see firsthand what’s possible: since introducing DoxyPEP, STI positivity rates among our patients have been cut in half. But it’s not just about medication. It’s about messaging.
Our sex-positive, stigma-free marketing speaks directly to our community, making sexual health part of everyday life. No awkward doctor visits, no needles, no paperwork — just free online PrEP and STI testing, prescribed by real physicians and delivered to your door. That kind of impact could grow exponentially if more employers embraced this approach and made HIV prevention part of their employee wellness programs.
Employers, this is your call to action. Start by making sure your health plans cover PrEP and DoxyPEP. Partner with platforms like MISTR to give employees private, stigma-free access to care. Offer on-site testing. Talk openly about sexual health, not just during Pride, but every day of the year. This is not political — this is about protecting lives, strengthening communities, and building a healthier, more productive workforce. Because healthy employees aren’t just good for public health — they’re good for business.
When the private sector steps up, outcomes improve. And when businesses align with platforms like MISTR, scaling impact isn’t just possible — it’s happening.
BLADE: Has MISTR experienced any direct effects from these recent shifts in public health funding?
SCHUKRAFT: MISTR’s unique model is totally free for patients with or without insurance, and we don’t cost the government or taxpayers a penny. We are scaling up our efforts to reach people who might be losing their access or care.
BLADE: What would be your message to policymakers who are considering further cuts to HIV/AIDS programs?
SCHUKRAFT: During his first term, President Donald Trump committed unprecedented resources to the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative here at home. Bipartisan support has shown what’s possible when bold leadership meets smart strategy. To policymakers: I urge you to reconsider any cuts to HIV prevention funding. This is not the time to pull back. It’s the time to push forward. Ending HIV is within reach — but only if government, private industry, and community organizations stand together.
BLADE: What is one perhaps overlooked win from last year that impacted you on a personal level?
SCHUKRAFT: Seeing our STI positivity rate drop by half after expanding DoxyPEP.
BLADE: Looking at the year ahead, what are MISTR’s most significant priorities for sexual health in 2026?
SCHUKRAFT: Expanding access, especially in the South and in communities that still get left out. Rolling out injectable PrEP. And just continuing to make sexual healthcare easier and more normal.
a&e features
Visible and unapologetic: MAL brings the kink this weekend
Busy lineup includes dances, pups, super heroes, and more
MLK Weekend in D.C. brings the annual Mid-Atlantic Leather (MAL) Weekend. Just a short walk from where Congress has been attacking queer Americans this year, MAL takes place at the Hyatt Regency Washington for several days of intrigue, excitement, leather, and kink.
The Centaur Motorcycle Club — one of several similar groups dedicated to leather in the country — has been hosting MAL in its current form for more than 40 years. Originally a small gathering of like-minded people interested in the leather lifestyle, MAL has grown to include a full four days of events, taking place onsite at the Hyatt Regency Washington (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.). Select partner happenings take place each night, and many more non-affiliated events are scattered across the DMV in honor of and inspired by MAL.
MAL Weekend has become an internationally renowned event that celebrates fetish culture, yet it also raises funds for LGBTQ organizations, “reinforcing its legacy as both a cultural and philanthropic cornerstone of the global leather community,” according to MAL organizers.
During the day, MAL events at the Hyatt include workshops, social gatherings, shopping, and other in-person engagements for the community.
“The Hyatt underwent an extensive top to bottom renovation after last year’s event,” says Jeffrey LeGrand-Douglass, the event chair. The lobby, meeting spaces, guest rooms, and other areas have been updated, he notes, “so I am very excited for our guests to experience the new design and layout for the first time. And of course as with every year, we look forward to the contest on Sunday afternoon and seeing who will become our new Mr. MAL.”
In the evening, MAL hands the reins to partner KINETIC Presents, the D.C.-based nightlife production company. KINETIC will host four consecutive nights of high-production events that fuse cutting-edge music, immersive environments, and performance. This year, KINETIC is popping open doors to new-to-MAL venues, international collabs, play zones, and a diverse lineup.
According to KINETIC managing partner Zach Renovátes, 2026 is the most extensive MAL production to date. “The talent lineup is unreal: an all-star roster of international DJs, plus drag superstar performances at the Saturday main event,” he says.
Renovátes added that he’s “most excited about the collaborations happening all weekend — from bringing in MACHO from WE Party Madrid, to teaming up with local leather groups, to nonprofit partners, and Masc Diva [a queer nightlife collective].”
Official MAL events begin on Thursday with the Full Package/Three Day Pass Pick-Up from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Hyatt.
Thursday night is also the KINETIC kickoff party, called LUST. Running 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., it’s being held at District Eagle. DJ Jay Garcia holds it down on the first floor, while DJ Mitch Ferrino spins in the expansive upstairs. LUST features special performances from the performers including Serg Shepard, Arrow, Chase, and Masterpiece.
Renovátes notes that the LUST opening party at District Eagle coincides with the bar’s grand re-opening weekend. The bar will unveil its new permanent home on the renovated second floor. “it felt like the perfect place to start Mid-Atlantic Leather weekend — right in D.C.’s only dedicated home for kink communities,” he says.
After Thursday night, Friday is when daytime events begin at the Hyatt. The Exhibit Hall, on the ballroom level below the lobby, hosts upwards of 30 vendors, exhibitors, and booths with leather goods, fetish wear, clothes, toys, other accessories, providing hours of time to shop and connect with attendees and business owners. The Exhibit Hall will be open on Friday from 4-10 p.m., as well as on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
DC Health is once again back at MAL, to provide preventative health services. In the past, DC Health has provided MPox vaccines, Doxy PEP, HIV testing, Narcan kits, and fentanyl test strips. This booth will be open on Friday 4-10 p.m.
Later, at 6 p.m., the Centaur MC is holding its welcome reception on the ballroom floor. After the Centaur’s Welcome Reception, the MIR Rubber Social is 8-11 p.m. A Recovery Meeting is scheduled at 10 p.m.
Many attendees enjoy visiting the guest room levels of the hotel. Note that to get in an elevator up to a hotel room, a staff member will check for a hotel room wristband. Non-registered guests can only access host hotel rooms if they are escorted by a registered guest with a valid wristband. Registered guests are permitted to escort only one non-registered guest at a time. Non-registered guests with a wristband who are already in the hotel before 10 p.m. may remain until midnight. However, non-registered guests without a wristband will not be admitted after registration closes.
Friday night, for the first time, KINETIC Presents is joining forces with WE Party to bring MACHO to Washington, D.C. This official MAL Friday event delivers two stages and two genres. On the UNCUT XXL stage, international Brazilian circuit superstars Erik Vilar and Anne Louise bring their signature high-energy sound. On the MACHO stage, Madrid’s Charly is joined by Chicago’s tech-house force, Karsten Sollors, for a blend of techno and tech house. UNCUT also features the XL Play Zone, a massive, immersive space exclusive to this event. The party takes place at the Berhta space from 10 p.m.-4 a.m..
“This year we’re bringing back the two-room format we debuted at WorldPride for both Friday and Saturday, so attendees can really tailor their experience — whether they’re in the mood for circuit or tech house.” says Renovátes.
Directly after Friday’s UNCUT XXL, UNDERWORLD Afters takes over District Eagle, from 3:30-8 a.m. International DJ Eliad Cohen commands the music.
Saturday, the Exhibit Hall opens earlier, at 11 a.m.. DC Health will also be back from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday is also time for one of the most anticipated events, the Puppy Mosh, running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the event, pup culture comes to life, when pups, handlers, and friends can enjoy an inclusive, safe pup zone. There is also a Recovery Meeting at 11 a.m., and the IML Judges Announcement takes place at noon.
The popular Super Hero Meet Up will be held 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., sponsored by One Magical Weekend, for cosplayers, comic enthusiasts, and their friends.
From 2-6 p.m., the Onyx Fashion Show will take place to showcase and highlight people of color in leather.
Finally, the Leather Cocktail Party – the original event of MAL – will be held 7-9 p.m. in the Ballroom. While this requires special tickets to attend, at 9 p.m. is the MAL cocktail party, which is open to wider attendees.
The last event of Saturday leaves the hotel, again a partnership with KINETIC. Kicking off at 10 p.m. and running until 4 a.m., it’s just the second time that KINETIC’s Saturday night party is an official MAL event and serves as the main weekend engagement.
Saturday night’s centerpiece is called KINK: Double Trouble. The night will feature a first-ever back-to-back set from international electronic music icons Nina Flowers and Alex Acosta on the Circuit/Tribal Stage. The other room – the Tech House Stage – curated by The Carry Nation and Rose, provides a darker, underground counterpoint, reinforcing the event’s musical depth and edge.
Beyond the DJs, KINETIC has called in the big shots for this party: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” legends Nymphia Wind and Plastique Tiara are set to headline. The party also takes place at Berhta.
Sunday, back at the hotel, there will be another Recovery Meeting at 10 a.m., and the Exhibit Hall opens again from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
At 1 p.m., the anticipated and prestigious Mr. MAL Contest that celebrates the achievements of the leather community will be held in the Ballroom. This highly sought after title gives one man the power to become the Mid-Atlantic Leather man of the year. Sash and title winners must be (1) male, (2), a resident of North America, (3) At least 21 years of age; and (4) self-identify as gay. The first Mr. MAL was crowned in 1985. The Winner of Mr. MAL has the privilege of later competing in International Mr. Leather (IML) in Chicago on Memorial Day Weekend 2025.
From 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., MAL will hold its Game Night for the gaymers in attendance. There will also be a special screening of A24’s new film, “Pillion,” about a man who is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive.
Sunday closes with a community partner event produced by Masc Diva, featuring Horse Meat Disco with support from Coach Chris, at A.I. Warehouse in the Union Market district. It’s the same team that produced HMD during WorldPride at A.I. Warehouse.
Note that there are several types of passes for attendance to the hotel and parties. KINK VIP Weekend Passes include express entry, VIP areas, and enhanced amenities throughout the weekend, while MAL Full Weekend Package holders receive access to the official Sunday closing event.
At last year’s MAL events, KINETIC Presents raised more $150,000 for LGBTQ charities, and expects to match or exceed that impact in 2026.
Renovátes stated that “now more than ever, it’s important to create safe, affirming spaces for our community — but it’s just as important to be visible and unapologetic. We want to make it clear that the LGBTQ+ and leather communities aren’t going anywhere. We’ve fought too long and too hard to ever feel like we have to shrink ourselves again, no matter what the political climate looks like.”
In addition to the KINETIC events, various LGBTQ bars will hold parties celebrating the theme of the weekend. For example, Kiki, located on U Street NW, is hosting a party called KINKI, hosted by DJ Dez, on Saturday night. Sister bar Shakiki, on 9th Street NW, is hosting a party called Railed Out, a fetish-inspired party that features a play zone, on Thursday night. Flash, on U Street NW, will hold its infamous Flashy Sunday party to close out the weekend.
a&e features
Queer highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards: Aunt Gladys, that ‘Heated Rivalry’ shoutout and more
Amy Madigan’s win in the supporting actress category puts her in serious contention to win the Oscar for ‘Weapons’
From Chelsea Handler shouting out Heated Rivalry in her opening monologue to Amy Madigan proving that horror performances can (and should) be taken seriously, the Critics Choice Awards provided plenty of iconic moments for queer movie fans to celebrate on the long road to Oscar night.
Handler kicked off the ceremony by recapping the biggest moments in pop culture last year, from Wicked: For Good to Sinners. She also made room to joke about the surprise hit TV sensation on everyone’s minds: “Shoutout to Heated Rivalry. Everyone loves it! Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”
The back-to-back wins for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein and Amy Madigan in Weapons are notable, given the horror bias that awards voters typically have. Aunt Gladys instantly became a pop culture phenomenon within the LGBTQ+ community when Zach Cregger’s hit horror comedy released in August, but the thought that Madigan could be a serious awards contender for such a fun, out-there performance seemed improbable to most months ago. Now, considering the sheer amount of critics’ attention she’s received over the past month, there’s no denying she’s in the running for the Oscar.
“I really wasn’t expecting all of this because I thought people would like the movie, and I thought people would dig Gladys, but you love Gladys! I mean, it’s crazy,” Madigan said during her acceptance speech. “I get [sent] makeup tutorials and paintings. I even got one weird thing about how she’s a sex icon also, which I didn’t go too deep into that one.”
Over on the TV side, Rhea Seehorn won in the incredibly competitive best actress in a drama series category for her acclaimed performance as Carol in Pluribus, beating out the likes of Emmy winner Britt Lower for Severance, Carrie Coon for The White Lotus, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Pluribus, which was created by Breaking Bad’s showrunner Vince Gilligan, has been celebrated by audiences for its rich exploration of queer trauma and conversion therapy.
Jean Smart was Hack’s only win of the night, as Hannah Einbinder couldn’t repeat her Emmy victory in the supporting actress in a comedy series category against Janelle James, who nabbed a trophy for Abbott Elementary. Hacks lost the best comedy series award to The Studio, as it did at the Emmys in September. And in the limited series category, Erin Doherty repeated her Emmy success in supporting actress, joining in yet another Adolescence awards sweep.
As Oscar fans speculate on what these Critics Choice wins mean for future ceremonies, we have next week’s Golden Globes ceremony to look forward to on Jan. 11.
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