Dua Lipa brought the party, and the message, at MISTR’s first-ever National PrEP Day celebration on Thursday night in West Hollywood. The Grammy-winning pop icon surprised a packed crowd at The Abbey by taking the stage for an electrifying mini-set in support of HIV prevention and sexual health awareness.
The British-Albanian star, 30, wowed the audience with performances of her chart-topping hits “New Rules,” “Don’t Start Now” and “Houdini,” all while encouraging celebration, empowerment, and safe sex. “Let’s have a party!” Lipa shouted to the enthusiastic crowd between songs, setting the tone for the high-energy evening that blended activism with entertainment.
The night marked the culmination of a 10-day national campaign spearheaded by MISTR, a telehealth provider offering free access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). The campaign aimed to get 10,000 new people on PrEP by Friday, Oct. 10. PrEP is a once-daily pill or twice-yearly injection that reduces the risk of HIV transmission by up to 99%.
“Being on PrEP is all about taking control of your own sexual health,” said MISTR founder and CEO Tristan Schukraft, who posed alongside Lipa on the blue carpet. “We can end HIV. We have the tools. Just like the birth control pill revolutionized women’s health, PrEP is doing the same for LGBTQ+ communities and beyond.”
Hosted by Bob the Drag Queen, the event transformed The Abbey into a glittering showcase of queer excellence and celebrity support. Drag royalty including Aquaria, Plastique Tiara, Trinity the Tuck, Symone and Shea Couleé performed high-octane routines to Lipa’s hits before joining the star on stage.
The guest list was just as dazzling. Cardi B, Demi Lovato, Kim Petras, Matt Bomer, NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey, Tamar Braxton, Tom Daley, and Omar Apollo were all in attendance, lending star power to a night already bursting with pride and purpose. Meanwhile, Diplo, SG Lewis, and Joey with the Mustache kept the energy going from the DJ booth.
This surprise performance came on the heels of Lipa’s four-night run at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, part of her sold-out Radical Optimism Tour. During those shows, the singer shared the stage with legends like Gwen Stefani and Lionel Richie. “LOS ANGELES!!!! UNREAL SCENES!!!” she wrote on Instagram after wrapping the concerts. “Thank you for 4 beautiful nights in your city! I’ve loved every single moment. RADICAL OPTIMISM FOREVER!!!!!”
While those arena shows thrilled thousands, Lipa’s appearance at The Abbey underscored her ongoing support of LGBTQ+ communities—something she’s been vocal about throughout her career.
As queer visibility and health advocacy continue to intersect in cultural spaces, events like National PrEP Day serve as vital reminders of the progress that’s possible when education, access, and community unite.
For MISTR, Thursday’s celebration was more than a party—it was a statement of intent. And with Dua Lipa leading the dance floor, the message was loud and clear: taking charge of your sexual health can be joyful, empowering, and deeply unifying.
