By Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine Staff
Photography and stills courtesy of Project Publicity

In a world craving bold new heroes, Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero struts onto the scene in six-inch heels, glitter blazing, and heart fully exposed. Premiering on TVOD platforms June 17, this vibrant animated musical fantasy is more than just a groundbreaking celebration of drag—it’s a love letter to queer resilience, chosen family, and the power of personal transformation.

The film follows Simon, a shy barista whose life is turned upside down when he discovers a magical wig that unleashes his dazzling alter ego, Maxxie LaWow. As Maxxie, Simon must protect his community from the fabulously villainous Dyna Bolical, a drag scientist with a sinister anti-aging plan powered by an unexpected ingredient: drag queen tears.

Directed by first-time filmmaker Anthony Hand, Maxxie LaWow is the world’s first animated feature to center a drag queen superhero. But while the premise is delightfully campy, the heart of the story beats with sincerity. “I wanted to create the kind of superhero I never got to see as a kid,” says Hand. “Proudly queer, bold, and joyful.

After falling in love with the art of drag in Provincetown and getting to know the lives of drag queens more deeply through RuPaul’s Drag Race, I saw how the simple act of transformation could unlock a fierce inner strength — the same strength that we all possess. That magic became the heart of Maxxie LaWow.”

Bringing that vision to life was no small feat. Translating the spectacle of drag—its grand gestures, fierce lip syncs, and unapologetic flair—into animation required meticulous care. Hand collaborated with Chubby Beagle Productions and character designer Johnny Burgess to ensure authenticity, even consulting a professional drag choreographer to nail the movement.

The results? Show-stopping animated performances that feel as if they were ripped straight from the main stage. Every lash flick and fan clack bursts with energy, particularly during a signature lip-sync battle that’s equal parts aerial ballet and shade war.

Voicing the film’s constellation of characters are stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race, including Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCrème, Monét X Change, Rosé, and Heidi N Closet, whose influence even sparked the villain’s devious plotline. “Heidi had this hilarious moment on Drag Race involving a lotion made from her own tears,” recalls Hand. “That inspired Dyna Bolical’s whole tear-harvesting scheme.”

Newcomer Grant Hodges shines in the dual roles of Simon and Maxxie, while Broadway talent Terren Wooten Clarke gives Dyna Bolical a gloriously menacing edge. Grammy-nominated vocalist Angie Fisher lends her powerhouse voice to original songs like “Bye Girl Bye” and “Shero,” the latter serving as a glitter-drenched anthem of self-love.

Though packed with laughs and over-the-top moments, Maxxie LaWow doesn’t shy away from emotional depth. “We knew we wanted to be outrageous without becoming a parody,” says Hand. “The key was grounding everything in Simon’s personal journey—finding strength through drag and choosing to step into the spotlight.”

The film has already collected a bouquet of awards, including Best Animation at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival and the Impact Award from the Washington, D.C. Independent Film Forum. But its greatest triumph may lie in how deeply it connects with audiences.

“At a screening in Michigan, a local poet read a piece inspired by Maxxie,” Hand remembers, tearing up. “It reminded me why we make stories like this—to spark joy, inspire courage, and create space for people to be seen.”

Breaking Glass Pictures, known for spotlighting queer voices, is distributing the film across North America. CEO Rich Wolff calls it “a joyful, outrageous celebration of queer culture, identity, and drag artistry.”

And as for what’s next? The Maxxieverse may just be getting started. Hand teases dreams of sequels, a potential animated series, or even a live show. “At every festival, audiences ask for more. My dream is to be able to expand Maxxie’s world into an animated series and possibly even more.”

In an era where LGBTQ+ stories are being challenged, Maxxie LaWow offers a radiant reminder: our joy is our power. Our community is our superpower. And there’s nothing more heroic than being unapologetically yourself.

Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero premieres June 17 on Amazon, iTunes, Google, Dish, VUDU, and other TVOD platforms.
For updates, merch, and behind-the-scenes sparkle, visit maxxie.com.

This article was originally published in the 2025 Sports & Recreation Issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.