Chappell Roan’s moving meet-and-greet with drag queens with Down syndrome goes viral
A video of Chappell Roan hanging out with Drag Syndrome has gone viral on social media (https://www.instagram.com/dragsyndrome)
A video of Chappell Roan hanging out with Drag Syndrome has gone viral on social media (https://www.instagram.com/dragsyndrome)
Chappell Roan had a heartfelt meet-and-greet with drag performers with Down syndrome following her Reading Festival performance.
The woman of the moment, who took the stage by storm at Reading and Leeds Festival 2025, met with drag kings and queens from Drag Syndrome – a drag collective for people with Down syndrome.
Drag Syndrome posted the meeting to social media following the greet.
Captioned, “The most incredible meeting with the gracious @chappellroan 🫶🏽 what a stunning experience. Thank you for being incredibly generous, we love you forever,” the clip begins by showing members of the group shaking the star’s hand.
One compliments Chappell Roan’s hair colour, and they then share excitement over their styles. Chappell Roan joyfully interacts with the members, laughing, giving high fives, and saying she’s “so glad” they all came before suggesting they take a photo together.
As noted by the NHS, down syndrome is when a person is born with an extra chromosome, which can happen by chance due to “a change in the sperm or egg before you’re born”. Down syndrome leads to learning disabilities that can range from person to person.
The video was also reshared by X account Pop Base, where it went viral and received over 700,000 views.
Who are Drag Syndrome?
Founded in 2018, Drag Syndrome are an internationally acclaimed drag collective for drag queens and kings with Down syndrome.
Together the drag queens and kings perform at LGBTQ+ events around the world.
In 2023, the collective clapped back after a troll claimed that its members are too vulnerable to do drag because they live with Down syndrome.
Drag Syndrome member Lady Mercury said in response to the trolling: “People with Down syndrome are very talented people.
“We do need to be respected by other people. I know people might think because we’ve got Down syndrome, it’s like a sick illness, but it’s not… Drag Syndrome is about dancing with a syndrome. You’re dancing your heart out, and just trying to earn respect. Some people might see it as a target they would like to pin on you.”
She concluded: “We’re special people, and that’s why I respect different types of beings like animals or people. But haters: f**k off!”
A member of the collective previously shared with PinkNews what’s like to be a drag performer, explaining: “You need to focus, you need to be comfortable and you need stage presence.”
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