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Violet Chachki and Gottmik’s “Knockout Tour” Packs a Punch with Family, Fashion, and Fierce Drag Artistry
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Two of the biggest names from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Violet Chachki and Gottmik, are raising the stakes for live drag performance with their 2025 “Knockout Tour,” a theatrical event inspired by the energy and spectacle of combat sports. Announced earlier this summer, the North American tour will see the duo take center stage in venues including Austin’s Paramount Theatre and The Vanguard, bringing their signature blend of glamour, music, and high-octane storytelling to fans across the continent .
Violet Chachki, acclaimed for her sophisticated performance art, entrancing visuals, and boundary-defying burlesque, continues to carve out space for queer artistry in mainstream culture. Her career highlights include starring in global fashion campaigns for brands such as Prada and Jean Paul Gaultier, a historic appearance at the Met Gala, and headlining a critically lauded burlesque cabaret at the iconic Crazy Horse in Paris. In 2025, Chachki is also set to release her first solo album and feature in the Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance campaign for SCANDAL .
Gottmik, meanwhile, made history as the first transmasculine drag performer to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race and is renowned for their rock-inspired drag, bold makeup artistry, and outspoken advocacy for transgender visibility. Their career trajectory has included high-profile collaborations and a rapidly growing fan base, positioning them as a central figure in contemporary drag’s evolution .
The Knockout Tour is not just a showcase of talent but a celebration of chosen family and queer resilience. The show’s boxing motif serves as a metaphor for the battles LGBTQ+ individuals wage for self-expression, acceptance, and visibility. “It’s a fierce collision of family, fashion, and goth glam energy,” Out Magazine notes, highlighting the synergy between Chachki’s high-glamour aesthetic and Gottmik’s punk-infused edge .
Audiences can expect a spectacle that fuses live music—both queens will debut tracks from their upcoming albums—showstopping costumes, aerial stunts, dance numbers, and interactive audience moments. The promise of original duets, new live singing performances, and a blend of burlesque and rock underscores the tour’s ambitious vision .
The Knockout Tour arrives at a time when drag and queer performance are facing renewed scrutiny and legislative challenges in parts of North America. By stepping into the theatrical “ring,” Chachki and Gottmik are not only entertaining but also making a powerful statement about LGBTQ+ perseverance and artistry. Their collaboration exemplifies the importance of solidarity and showcases the diversity within drag—a genre that continues to push boundaries and inspire new generations of queer artists .
Both performers have spoken about the significance of community and family within drag. The tour’s concept, which frames their artistic rivalry as an affectionate “battle,” underscores the ways in which drag can be both competitive and deeply communal. As the tour poster proclaims, it’s “glamour vs. rock n roll,” but in reality, it’s a celebration of the full spectrum of queer creativity .
With new albums slated for release in September and a touring schedule featuring major North American cities, both artists are poised to further expand their influence in music, fashion, and beyond. The Knockout Tour stands as a testament to their individual and collective power to shape the future of drag—and to create spaces where LGBTQ+ stories and artistry are celebrated on the grandest of stages .
For tickets and additional tour information, fans are encouraged to follow the artists’ official social media channels and venue listings.