Capping off back-to-back weekends of fundraising and community building, APLA Health once again brought Los Angeles together in spectacular fashion with the 2025 Best in Drag Show, held Sunday, October 5 at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Downtown LA.

Following the success of last weekend’s 41st annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles, thousands filled the Orpheum for an unforgettable night of comedy, camp, and compassion — all in support of APLA Health’s Alliance for Housing & Healing program, which provides critical services and housing for people living with HIV across Los Angeles County.

Hosted by a team of dedicated volunteers and emceed by beloved drag talent Salina EsTitties—who began her drag career on this very stage—the show delivered an over-the-top pageant parody where contestants competed in talent, costume, and interview categories. Audiences cheered as the performers dazzled with jaw-dropping looks and outrageous performances, each moment celebrating the creativity and defiance that define LA’s drag legacy.

The star-studded judging panel included 2025 Emmy Award winner Katherine LaNasa, Judy Greer, Camryn Manheim, Cheri Oteri, Dan Bucatinsky, Grant Show, Kathy Kinney, and Variety’s Marc Malkin, who lent wit and enthusiasm to a night full of laughter and heartfelt appreciation for the cause.

“Best in Drag Show isn’t just a night of glitter and glamour—it’s a statement of inclusion, empowerment, and communal strength,” said Terry D. Goddard II, Director of the Alliance for Housing & Healing. “Every performance and costume reflects the creativity, courage, and resilience of our community.”

Now in its third decade, Best in Drag Show has grown from a small fundraiser in a West Hollywood living room into one of LA’s most beloved annual events. Each year, it raises vital funds for APLA Health’s HIV and housing programs while fostering visibility and solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community.

“Events like Best in Drag Show and AIDS Walk LA remind us of the power of collective joy and action,” said Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. “They’re more than fundraisers—they’re celebrations of who we are, and what we can achieve together.”

As the curtain closed on another sold-out evening, the message was clear: LA shows up for its community. From the sidewalks of West Hollywood to the stage of the Orpheum Theatre, APLA Health continues to unite Angelenos around creativity, compassion, and care—proving that when art and advocacy meet, everyone wins.

For more information on APLA Health and upcoming events, visit aplahealth.org.