On World AIDS Day 2025, Monday, December 1st, The Center celebrated resilience, unity, and remembrance with its 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York. Ballroom icons and stars of CATS: The Jellicle Ball, Junior Labeija and “Tempress” Chasity Moore, were each honored with the Ballroom & Beyond Award at the event for their impact and continued contribution to the Ballroom community, musical theatre, and beyond. Tempress and Labeija will be bringing Ballroom to Broadway when they reprise their roles in Cats at the Broadhurst Theatre, with previews beginning on March 18th, 2026 following the production’s critically acclaimed and OBIE, Outer Circle, New York Drama Critic Circle and GALECA Dorian Award-winning Off-Broadway run at Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) last year.
Junior LaBeija backstage at The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.
Junior LaBeija has been a member of the Iconic House of LaBeija for more than 50 years. He is internationally known within both LGBTQ+ culture and Ballroom for being the trailblazer, pioneer, and iconic master of ceremony for the annual “Paris Is Burning Ball” hosted by the late trailblazer, pioneer, and icon Paris Dupree. LaBeija is the MC in the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning by filmmaker Jennie Livingston. Known for the theatricality in his voice, Junior LaBeija often commanded the room with his spirit, wit, and power and several of his catchphrases have become iconic. To this day, he is a steadfast Ballroom and LGBTQ+ historian, determined to keep the struggles, victories, and literature accurate and alive. LaBeija will reprise the role of Gus in CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway.
“Tempress” Chasity Moore backstage at The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.
“Tempress” Chasity Moore is an actress, singer, and Ballroom Icon/Hall of Famer from Mount Vernon, NY. She began singing in church at age five, which led her to “Star Search,” The Apollo, and traveling with a high school drama troupe. Chasity attended Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA) and pursued an acting and singing career. She was discovered by Tyler Perry and cast in a principal role in I Know I’ve Been Changed. The name “Tempress” was born in Ballroom. She has made appearances on Ryan Murphy’s his FX series Pose, as well as in campaigns for Sephora and TV One. She hosts a YouTube series and a podcast “FQCrazySexyCool.” Tempress will reprise the role of Grizabella in CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway.
World of Red Ball hosts and curators NYC Father Icon Yo Yo Tisci and International Father Will Chanel backstage at The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.
Hosted and curated by NYC Father Icon Yo Yo Tisci and International Father Will Chanel, and sponsored by Jean Paul Gaultier, The World of Red Ball is The Center’s signature annual World AIDS Day event that uses voguing to honor the perseverance and strength of LGBTQ+ people living with HIV and AIDS. It creates a safe space to reflect and celebrate those we have lost to HIV and AIDS as well as those continually fighting. Now in its fifth year, with Legendary Snookie West as MC and the Legendary Byrell The Great as DJ, the Ball’s goal is to continue hosting a thoughtfully curated event focused on education, engagement, and support for one of the communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS—the Ballroom community.
Photographer Steven Menendez captured these moments from the evening exclusively for The Queer Review:
Junior LaBeija backstage at The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.Junior LaBeija and “Tempress” Chasity Moore backstage at The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review. “Tempress” Chasity Moore backstage at The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.Junior LaBeija backstage at The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.Gorgeous Danny Gucci at The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.Gorgeous Danny Gucci and LeeRose Gucci at The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.The Center’s 5th annual The World of Red Ball: Rulers of the Red World in New York City. Photo credit: Steven Menendez for The Queer Review.
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