TL;DR:
- Matt Rogers & Bowen Yang’s Las Culturistas Awards hit TV for the first time
- Described as “organized gay chaos,” the show celebrates queer joy
- Rogers talks mental health, community support, and fighting queer erasure
- The event features stars like Sasha Colby and Jeff Goldblum
- Rogers urges the LGBTQ+ community to prioritize joy and unity
Chaos, Camp & Culture: Matt Rogers Serves Queer Excellence on Bravo
When Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang say they’re bringing “organized gay chaos” to your screens, they mean it. The Las Culturistas Culture Awards, the outrageously queer lovechild of their cult-fave podcast, is now officially on TV. That’s right—this year, the irreverent celebration of all things fabulous is broadcasting via Bravo, with a next-day stream on Peacock. And honey, it’s not just for the podcast girlies anymore.
“We were given the keys to Hollywood,” Rogers quips, and by the looks of it, he and Yang drove that gaymobile straight into the mainstream—decked in sequins and carrying the entire queer comedy world on their backs. But while the show is all laughs, Rogers makes one thing crystal clear: queer joy is resistance.
“They want us to feel like experiencing joy is a form of betrayal,” he explains. “But that is not true.”
This year’s Las Culturistas Culture Awards is more than a tongue-in-cheek jab at stale Hollywood pageantry. It’s a full-blown love letter to queer culture and a neon-lit reminder that laughter, glamour, and community are political acts—especially in a climate where LGBTQ+ lives are under constant attack.
From Podcast Gags to Primetime Glitz
For those not already part of the Cultch, the Las Culturistas podcast has long been a safe haven for witty banter, deep dives into pop culture, and gay existentialism. The Awards are an extension of that ethos—satirical, chaotic, and deeply rooted in queer identity.
“I’ve been talking too much since 2016,” Rogers says unapologetically. And thank goddess for that. Because the more he and Yang talk, the more visibility and levity they bring to a world that feels increasingly heavy.
While fans may swoon over guests like Sasha Colby and Joel Kim Booster, Rogers remains grounded. Behind the glitter, there’s a boy who panics for weeks before big events and has to remind himself, “We’re not curing cancer here.”
Still, he recognizes the gravity of being seen. As conservatives try to silence LGBTQ+ voices, this kind of joyous queer spectacle isn’t just entertainment—it’s defiance.
No Room for Gatekeeping, Only Gags
Even as the Culture Awards gains prestige, Rogers insists it’ll stay rooted in what makes it special: a platform for everyone under the rainbow. That means no diva behavior, no gatekeeping, and absolutely no tolerance for toxic gay competition.
“To the gay men that are not supporting gay men: I just hope they know that I’m rooting for them as well.”
It’s a powerful sentiment in a world that still encourages infighting over unity. Rogers wants queer people to uplift each other, not tear each other down. Whether it’s over a Drag Race crown or a pop star’s flop era, he gets it—people feel politically hopeless and need an outlet. But he urges us not to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Joy as a Weapon Against Despair
And what is that bigger picture? “Centering joy,” says Rogers. “We forget what we’re fighting for and how good life can be when it’s good.” His mission isn’t just to entertain—it’s to remind queer folks what community looks like when it’s thriving.
With Sasha Colby strutting the stage beside Jeff Goldblum, and with a room full of glittering queer excellence, Rogers hopes to show viewers that the tent is big, welcoming, and still growing. And yes, there’s room for all of us.
Whether or not the Culture Awards goes fully live next year, one thing’s for certain: Rogers and Yang are rewriting the rules of what queer representation looks like. And they’re doing it with a wink, a laugh, and an unapologetically queer strut down the pink carpet.
Because if culture is a battlefield, then joy is the weapon—and Matt Rogers is leading the charge in heels.