Jujubee from RuPaul’s Drag Race hosted the 20th annual UltraViolet Live on Thursday, Feb. 29 in the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. 13 acts representing their dorm or community were chosen for UVL. Each performed original songs, spoken word poetry or musical covers to compete for the $1,000 cash prize.
Besides celebrity host Jujubee, UVL also featured celebrity judges like “High School Musical” actor Lucas Grabeel, Tituss Burgess, Brandon Uranowitz and 2023 UVL Winner Madison LaRae. After 20 preliminary rounds held by the Commuter Student Council, Resident Assistant Council and residence halls, each chooses a representative for UVL. Past winners include Lady Gaga who won 3rd place in 2005, and 2009 winner Brandyn Burnette who was signed by Warner Records.
The first-place winners this year were Founders Hall representative The Village, a band of first-years Alex Kaminsky, Sophia Granello and Bernarda Basualdo. They performed an acoustic performance of their original song “Wishing We Were.”
“It really means a lot that our song connected with people,” Granello said. “It’s just amazing that people appreciated the song that we wrote.”
The winner of Best Solo Performance was rapper King ESNCE. The Best Group Performance was awarded to the band Sloane and Friends. The Audience Choice Award went to Italy Ja’rae Lee with her original spoken-word performance.
“Speaking in front of the entire crowd was a very emotional experience, very spiritual experience,” Lee said. “My heart is so full. It’s very nice to know that I touched that many people.”
Jujubee said she was impressed by not only the diversity of content but also how skillful the original writing was.
“Everybody’s so young, so I don’t know how they can tap into that part of their soul,” Jujubee said. “But they’ve got it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much talent from a school in one room. I love NYU. I can’t wait to be back.”
Contact Mikaylah Du at [email protected].