On a cold, rainy night, queens of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ turn up the heat in sizzling Soldier Field show

Performers, including Gottmik, Asia O’Hara, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Naomi Smalls, Kim Chi and Plastique Tiara, did not disappoint their Chicago fans.

SHARE On a cold, rainy night, queens of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ turn up the heat in sizzling Soldier Field show
Gottmik performs Friday night during “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021” in the parking lot at Soldier Field.

Gottmik performs Friday night during “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021” in the parking lot at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

A dramatic drop in temperature and immense downpour failed to deter fans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” as scores of devotees danced and sang along with their favorite queens in the south parking lot of Soldier Field Friday evening.

The live event — “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021,” hosted by Voss Events — featured the “Super Queens” from various seasons of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and they were coming to save the world from the disappointment that was 2020. Performers included Asia O’Hara, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Naomi Smalls and Plastique Tiara.

“There is no such thing as raining on our parade because here’s the thing: Drag and being queer and being fierce does not have any stoppers,” said Moxiett Contin, who braved the rain and lakefront chill to take in the extravaganza. “Rain nor snow nor shine will stop anything. It’s all about being you, it’s all about being fierce, it’s all about being f------ amazing.”

(From left) Plastique Tiara, Naomi Smalls, Gottmik, Kim Chi and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo perform Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

(From left) Plastique Tiara, Naomi Smalls, Gottmik, Kim Chi and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo perform Friday night during “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021,” hosted by Voss Events, in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

“I’m hoping to see some drag queens dance their butts off,” said attendee Maddie Nawrocki, ahead of the show.

Each performer did just that despite it raining sideways and forcing staff to intermittently squeegee pools of rainwater off the stage.

Gottmik, who was featured on the latest season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” was involved in a mock bar fight as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” echoed through the parking lot. Fans cheered, cars honked their horns, and those with VIP standing seats danced in unison.

Kim Chi walked like a duck around the stage in her animal-themed performance that ended with her literally laying an egg on stage, but it wasn’t anything near a failure, with fans both laughing and jumping up in excitement.

Despite the cold, it just felt good to be surrounded by other people, according to one super fan.

Hunter Sims-Douglas said doing his hair before the show was a waste of time because of all the rain, but it also wasn’t going to stop him from enjoying a great show.

“We get what we can get,” Sims-Douglas said. “If it’s outside in the rain, give it to me. I haven’t been to something like this in a year and a half. Let’s go!”

“Drive ’N Drag 2021” runs through Sunday at Soldier Field’s South Lot. For tickets, visit tixr.com.

Naomi Smalls performs in the rain during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Naomi Smalls performs in the rain during “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021” at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Kim Chi dresses like a bird during her performance Friday night at Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

Kim Chi dresses like a bird during her performance Friday night at Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Attendees dance in the rain Friday night in the parking lot of Soldier Field during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Attendees dance in the rain Friday night in the parking lot of Soldier Field during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Vanessa Vanjie Mateo performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, at Soldier Field.

Vanessa Vanjie Mateo performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Asia O’Hara works as MC during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, Friday night at Soldier Field.

Asia O’Hara works as MC during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, Friday night at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Plastique Tiara performs Friday during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

Plastique Tiara performs Friday during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Gottmik performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Gottmik performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Attendees dance and cheer in the rain Friday night in the parking lot of Soldier Field during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Attendees dance and cheer in the rain Friday night in the parking lot of Soldier Field during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

(From left) Kim Chi, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Gottmik, Asia O’Hara, Plastique Tiara and Naomi Smalls perform Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, at Soldier Field.

(From left) Kim Chi, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Gottmik, Asia O’Hara, Plastique Tiara and Naomi Smalls perform Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Naomi Smalls performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

Naomi Smalls performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Asia O’Hara performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Asia O’Hara performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Vanessa Vanjie Mateo (left) and Plastique Tiara perform Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, at Soldier Field.

Vanessa Vanjie Mateo (left) and Plastique Tiara perform Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Gottmik performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Gottmik performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Kim Chi performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Kim Chi performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Attendees dance in the rain Friday night in the parking lot of Soldier Field during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Attendees dance in the rain Friday night in the parking lot of Soldier Field during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Vanessa Vanjie Mateo performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Vanessa Vanjie Mateo performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 at Soldier Field.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Plastique Tiara performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Plastique Tiara performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Naomi Smalls performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Naomi Smalls performs Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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