Andrew Cheng
Contributing Writer
For many UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) students, it was an exciting night at Campbell Hall on April 30, as a full and sold-out crowd gathered for the event featuring Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova — a drag queen duo known for their podcast “The Bald and the Beautiful” and YouTube show “UNHhhh.” Against the backdrop of glowing purple and red reflections behind the stage, the opportunity to warmly welcome Trixie and Katya was truly sensational. Enthusiastic UCSB students greeted the two with heavy cheering, enthusiastic woos, and a thunderous round of applause. The atmosphere was electric, showing how much Trixie and Katya had been missed since their last visit to UCSB in 2018. Trixie recalled performing on stage at UCSB back then, playing guitar for the audience.
When Trixie and Katya made their dramatic entrance, they energetically sashayed toward the front of the stage, smiling, waving, and striking a salute, with engaging body language that included rapid-fire clapping and waves toward the crowd. The welcome was as vibrant and fervent as it could get. Once settled into their seats, they expressed their gratitude to UCSB’s Associated Students Program Board for the warm and well-organized reception. Notably, they pointed out a small detail — the plant on the table between two comfy chairs — as a feature that helped form a relaxed and positive atmosphere. This gesture reflected their appreciation for the organizers’ thoughtful attention to detail.
Both took turns offering funny takes on questions and sharing their unique insights on various topics, including their associations with Santa Barbara and their views on college life. Trixie explained how she associates Santa Barbara with beautiful Google images, Zillow housing prices, and its proximity to water. In a humorous back-and-forth, Trixie and Katya asked the audience questions, to which students passionately responded that UCSB is best known for Deltopia. When asked about the most popular major, “communications” was a common answer.
Trixie and Katya also touched on the topic of drag shows, explaining how performing and taking part in drag shows is not as easy as some people may believe. For instance, Trixie and Katya elaborated on how it takes two days to run just one episode of a drag show, and this surprised and intrigued some of the audience.
The show also featured a question-and-answer session. Trixie and Katya walked around different sections of Campbell Hall to speak to students. Almost everyone in the audience raised their hands, with some students being so enthusiastic as to stand up and throw their hands in the air. Given the time constraints, they couldn’t get to everyone, but one student asked, “What advice would you give to queer students navigating self-expression in environments that still feel a little beige?” Trixie and Katya responded by encouraging the student — and others in similar situations — to “just be yourself” and not worry too much about others’ opinions. The room erupted in applause.
After encouraging students to explore their interests and to be confident in themselves, Trixie and Katya exited the stage quickly and playfully, waving to the audience and ending the night on a high note for the audience. The crowd responded with claps and cheers, making it an unforgettable event and an incredible night for UCSB.