Robert “Q” Severson, an American drag performer participating in season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, visited their hometown of Emporia on Feb. 9 for a watch party of the season premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race at the Granada Theatre.

Severson was born in Emporia and currently resides in Kansas City, MO. Severson graduated from Emporia High School in 2014. They then started their pharmaceutical studies at the University of Kansas, where they received their theater arts degree.

Q and other drag queens from Kansas were all in attendance and helped host the show at Granada. Teachers who taught Severson in elementary and high school also attended the premiere and shared fond memories of Severson and their creativity. 

A technology hiccup prevented the episode from showing on the big screen and set the event back by 30 minutes, but the drag queens in attendance engaged with the audience and answered their questions while technicians worked to get the issue fixed.

When the episode started playing, the audience was fiery, laughed and reacted to every moment of the show. Q periodically paused the episode and explained her behind-the-scenes thoughts and feelings.

In addition to designing her own outfits, Q also developed costumes for other Drag Race competitors.

At the end of the show, Q and the other drag queens performed and the room was filled with applause, cheers, and an atmosphere as if we too were in Los Angeles and the race.