'Drag Race' Champion Tyra Sanchez to Launch New Tour

Tyra Sanchez reigned supreme on Season 2 of "RuPaul's Drag Race." Now she's coming out all over again – out of retirement, that is, to launch a new North American tour, according to Entertainment Weekly.

James Ross, the drag performer behind the Tyra Sanchez persona, took to social media on Jan. 26 to announce the news, saying that the tour's theme and title will be "Club Tyra."

"Club Tyra is an ultimate night of glamor dedicated to reintroducing you (the fans) to drag superstar Tyra Sanchez," Ross posted, going on to say: "Although I believe King Tyra is fabulous in every way imaginable, I know she is truly misunderstood, so I'm putting Tyra up close, face to face with you (our party guests) to allow you to know Tyra a little better."

"As I transform into Tyra, my team transforms each venue into Club Tyra's pink poppin' experience," Ross added. "We have partnered with the most trendiest venues to bring the experience directly to you. In addition, we have casted some of the best in female illusion to enhance your experience for one night of fun!"

"Though he's hitting the road once again, Ross has traveled a rocky road through the 'Drag Race' community, after being banned from DragCon for making allegedly threatening posts ahead of the 2018 event," EW recalled. "Sanchez later apologized in 2019."

The fallout from that incident seemingly triggered Ross' decision to retire Tyra Sanchez. EW recalled that Ross posted about how "The judgement, criticism, and opinions I received daily really affected my vibes and it began to control my environment," and left him "just ready to get off the ride."

Although the persona of Tyra Sanchez was mothballed in 2020, it was only two years later that she seemed to be showing signs of life, with Ross "rebranding as King Tyra in 2022," EW noted.

Now the resurrection is complete: In his new post, Ross declared that "King Tyra is the baddest in the land," and added, "it's time we remember why this king wears a crown."

The tour launches Feb. 12 and will continue through April 12.