A Celebration Rooted in Legacy, Grown for the Future
On May 16th, 2025, something radiant unfolded on the South Terrace of the Museum of the City of New York. The Royal Bloom Mini Deluxe Ball wasn’t just a ball. It was a declaration. A love letter. A powerful offering rooted in the enduring light of Crystal LaBeija — and in the limitless brilliance of the community she birthed.
On May 16th, 2025, something radiant unfolded on the South Terrace of the Museum of the City of New York. The Royal Bloom Mini Deluxe Ball wasn’t just a ball. It was a declaration. A love letter. A powerful offering rooted in the enduring light of Crystal LaBeija — and in the limitless brilliance of the community she birthed.
With the Crystal LaBeija Monument now standing inside the museum as part of the Urban Stomp: Dreams and Defiance on the Dance Floor exhibition, the Royal Bloom served as the heartbeat pulsing alongside that history. This was more than a companion event — it was a living, breathing continuation of the very legacy the monument honors.
As the NYC Father of The Royal House of LaBeija and the steward of this initiative, I was humbled to witness how our community showed up: full of grace, precision, pride, and power. From elders to new-generation stars, spectators to allies, the South Terrace was alive with purpose. We bloomed — unapologetically.
The Royal Bloom was never meant to be just another ball. It was imagined as an offering — a symbolic bouquet placed at the foot of history. A way to bridge the past with the present, while stretching our reach toward a brighter, more unified future.
We are not just here to compete. We are here to grow.
The categories celebrated the full spectrum of our artistry — from Best Dressed to Face, Performance to Runway. The crowd gasped, cheered, cried, and rejoiced. It was ballroom in its purest form: a home, a mirror, a revolution.
Through the Crystal LaBeija Monument Initiative, we aim to preserve and elevate the stories that so often get erased — especially those of Black trans femmes who laid the foundation of ballroom. The Royal Bloom gave us a platform to remind the world: Crystal was not a whisper in the dark — she was light. And so are we.
I am truly grateful to the Museum of the City of New York for welcoming us into their space, not just as guests — but as partners in history-making. Thank you to every judge, every commentator, every house member, every guest, every sponsor, every volunteer. Thank you to those who bought tickets, supported from afar, or simply whispered prayers for our success.
This was not a commercial venture. This was a love offering. Every dollar spent went toward creating something intentional, something worthy of the legacy we inherited.
I’m also filled with joy knowing that this event was just one of many steps toward a larger vision. The Shine Your Light Ceremony, the monument viewing, the Tea & Testimony gathering — all of these pieces are part of the same tapestry. A cultural reckoning. A renaissance led by those who never stopped dancing.
Because this moment belongs to all of us, I will be sharing the full videos from the Royal Bloom here on this blog post. Whether you walked, watched, or couldn’t attend — this is for you. For the kids who couldn’t make it, for the elders who paved the way, for every person who felt moved by what we’re building.
Please feel free to share, tag, and uplift the moments that moved you. This is documentation. This is preservation. This is love.
The work doesn’t stop here. We are continuing to build. To honor. To gather. To fight for visibility, equity, and joy. Future events are already in development, including broader partnerships, workshops, and a major Royal House of LaBeija ball in 2026.
Let this be your invitation to stay involved.
Whether you're a longtime legend or a curious ally, there’s a place for you in this movement. Because when one flower blooms, it does not diminish the light for others — it proves that the sun is still shining.
With all my love and light,
Father Marcus LaBeija
New York City Father, The Royal House of LaBeija
Producer, The Royal Bloom Mini Deluxe Ball
Curator, The Crystal LaBeija Monument Initiative
We are thrilled to share the full footage from The Royal Bloom Mini Deluxe Ball — captured in 10 video segments. These clips collectively tell the full story of a night rooted in honor, performance, and cultural brilliance. Whether you competed, cheered from the sidelines, or are witnessing it for the first time — this archive is for you.
Each segment follows the order of the ball, from announcements to LSS, through every stunning category and moment of joy.
👇🏽 Watch each part below — and please share widely.
.png){kind=small}
