Marilyn: One of the great things about Virginia PrideFest is that it’s the kind of all-consuming event you can attend and direct your focus in any of several directions. Regardless of what you focus on, you’re still sure to have a great time. Just as I had a great time, as described in my report about attending PrideFest that we published last week, RVA Mag contributor Lucienne Nghiem had an equally wonderful experience — even as she focused on completely different things than I did. Here, let her explain.
Lucienne: Virginia PrideFest 2022 at Browns Island this year was so unbelievably beautiful. Queer happiness, dancing, gorgeous people, and such a sunny joy-filled day. RVA Mag was there for the evening to capture the performance by the beautiful and incredibly talented headliner, Big Freedia.
Big Freedia is a legendary multi-talented musician, performer, and artist who paved the way for the hip hop/electronic dance subgenre, New Orleans Bounce Music. Their performance was incredibly well done and all-around glamorous, while their stage presence was out-of-this-world phenomenal. Such a pleasure to photograph. There are not enough words to describe how beautiful Big Freedia’s energy, presence, and performance was. Fans on the barricade were screaming in joy and crying tears of happiness.
Marilyn: In addition to capturing Big Freedia’s performance, Lucienne also shot photos of other headliners at PrideFest, including rapper Leikeli47 and former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Rosé.
In addition to making waves all over the world with her appearance on season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, in which she finished as third runner-up, Rosé is also one-third of the pop vocal group Stephanie’s Child. Stephanie’s Child appeared on The Voice in 2017, performing with Jessie J, and on the 14th season of America’s Got Talent, so you know they’ve got chops. However, Rosé appeared at Virginia Pridefest as a solo act, and proceeded to get the crowd hyped like crazy.
Known for concealing her face during public appearances, Leikeli47 certainly doesn’t hide her rap skills. Touring behind her third album, Shape Up, released by RCA earlier this year, Leikeli47 took no prisoners with her performance, setting the stage for Big Freedia in fine fashion while ensuring that no one who saw her onstage ever forgot what they’d witnessed.
Lucienne: Photos from the euphoric night below.
Rosé:
Leikeli47:
Big Freedia:
Written by Lucienne Nghiem and Marilyn Drew Necci; Photography by Lucienne Nghiem
