From Emmy-nominated dramas to viral reality TV moments, Las Vegas is taking centre stage—and Canadians are paying attention. With Google searches for the destination peaking after a splashy Love Island challenge, it’s clear that what happens in Vegas… ends up on screen. We sat down with Molly Castano, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications at the LVCVA, to talk about why the city is Hollywood’s new favourite co-star—and how its star power is inspiring fans north of the border to book a ticket and live their own Vegas story. —Noa Nichol
Las Vegas has always been a star in its own right—but 2025 seems to be the year for its on-screen moment. What do you think is drawing so many top-tier shows and productions to the city right now?
Las Vegas has long been the start of epic stories, not only for top-tier shows and productions but also for the 41 million visitors we welcome each year. Glitz, glamour, and high stakes make for a powerful backdrop, but today’s momentum goes beyond image.
From groundbreaking venues like the Sphere to global events like the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Vegas is more culturally relevant than ever. Our city is built to say yes—whether it’s the Super Bowl or a major film shoot, our partners know how to deliver.
With stronger film incentives, growing infrastructure, and a streamlined process, Nevada is becoming a go-to for long-term productions.
From Queer Eye and Love Island USA to RuPaul’s Drag Race and Beast Games, the range of shows filming in Vegas is wild. What does that variety say about the city’s ability to evolve—and appeal to different audiences?
The fact that wildly different shows like Queer Eye, Love Island USA, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Beast Games are all filming in Vegas speaks to the city’s transformation from simply a “party destination” into a cultural hub.
Of course, we still offer amazing nightlife and over-the-top celebrations, but we have evolved into so much more. A culinary hot spot attracting world-renowned chefs and exciting new talent, A-list entertainers and residencies, undiscovered local neighborhoods, and stunning natural landscapes, Vegas has it all.
Whether a show needs high-octane energy, retro glamor, over-the-top luxury, or cultural inclusivity, Vegas can deliver. Few cities can be so many things to so many genres and still feel totally authentic.
How has the spike in visibility through streaming and viral TV impacted tourism in tangible ways? Are you seeing a noticeable uptick in bookings or interest from Canadians in particular?
While it’s hard to attribute tourism trends to a single factor, there’s no question that film and TV have elevated Las Vegas on a global scale.
Netflix’s Drive to Survive helped spark worldwide interest in Formula One, paving the way for the Las Vegas Grand Prix to become one of the city’s most economically impactful weekends. The buzz continues with the new F1 movie, drawing even more fans, especially from Canada.
Pop culture has also played a big role. Vanderpump Rules has inspired a wave of bachelorette parties at her Vegas venues, with excitement building for the Vanderpump Hotel opening in 2026. And foodie favorites like Somebody Feed Phil have spotlighted our dining scene to audiences around the world.
Vegas is known for big energy, bright lights, and bold moves. How do you work with production teams to preserve that magic while still offering something new to viewers and visitors?
Vegas has a built-in sense of spectacle. It’s bold, electric, and naturally cinematic. But to keep that magic fresh for both viewers and visitors, it’s all about collaboration and finding new angles.
We work closely with production teams to highlight what makes Vegas iconic and also explore what hasn’t been seen before. That’s where our range of partners comes in. From hotels with stunning new designs to world-renowned chefs and celebrities with deep Vegas ties, we have access to voices and spaces that help tell unexpected stories.
Ultimately, we aim to keep our signature sparkle while revealing the depth, diversity, and creativity that keep Vegas top of mind.
Let’s talk about Queer Eye. The Fab Five spent a whole season highlighting the human side of Vegas. How did that emotional, heartwarming lens reshape how people think of the city?
When Canadians visit Las Vegas, it’s easy to be swept up in the glitz and glamour of the Strip and for good reason. But beyond the iconic lights, the surrounding neighborhoods offer a deeper, more personal side of the city, shaped by the locals who bring its culture to life. In the latest season of Queer Eye, the Fab Five pulled back the curtain and offered viewers a more intimate look at Las Vegas, one filled with emotion, connection, and unexpected beauty. That fresh perspective has sparked a new kind of curiosity among visitors, inspiring more people to seek out local favorites for where to eat, drink, and explore.
Somebody Feed Phil spotlighted some of Vegas’ best eats—beyond the Strip. What’s your strategy for encouraging productions to explore deeper, lesser-known sides of the city?
Our approach is all about balancing the iconic with the unexpected. There’s always more to uncover both on and off the Strip, and we see it as part of our role to help reveal that depth.
We work closely with producers to match their creative goals with neighborhoods, local chefs, cultural spots, and experiences that align with their vision but might not be on the typical tourist map. Whether it’s a family-run restaurant off of Spring Mountain or a vintage shop in the Arts District, we help them tap into another side of Vegas.
What made Somebody Feed Phil so successful is that the show embraced the full spectrum of what Vegas offers. When productions lean into that, they don’t just tell a different story; they help redefine how audiences see the city.
There’s something meta about RuPaul’s Drag Race featuring a Vegas-themed season while Drag Race Live! dazzles audiences on the Strip. How do you see the relationship between screen and stage playing out in the Vegas experience?
Vegas has always blurred the line between fantasy and reality. With RuPaul’s Drag Race featuring a Vegas-themed season, while Drag Race Live! performs nightly on the Strip, we’re seeing a perfect example of how media and live entertainment can feed organically into each other.
Visitors can watch the drama unfold on screen and step into that world themselves. This deepens engagement, turns fans into participants, and gives Vegas a kind of living, breathing presence in pop culture. This screen-to-stage dynamic doesn’t just promote a show; it builds a cultural moment people want to travel for, be part of, and share.
With American Ninja Warrior and MrBeast’s Beast Games filming full seasons in town, how is Vegas adapting to the rise of experiential, competition-style content that thrives on spectacle?
Las Vegas is uniquely built for high-impact experiences, so the rise of competition-style content like American Ninja Warrior and MrBeast’s Beast Games feels like a natural evolution for the city. These shows thrive on scale, energy, and spectacle, all things Vegas does really well.
Vegas offers everything from massive outdoor spaces to stadium-scale venues, and working with city and resort partners to streamline logistics for large builds and stunts, makes filming here a natural choice.
What are some behind-the-scenes ways that Visit Las Vegas supports or collaborates with film and TV productions to make these on-screen moments happen?
Our role is all about connection, access, and creative support. We are the destination experts and work closely with film and TV teams to help bring their vision to life in ways that are both cinematic and true to the spirit of Las Vegas.
Looking ahead, can you tease any upcoming productions or trends that will continue to shape the city’s screen presence—and keep Canadians dreaming of their next Vegas trip?
Although we can’t confirm any projects just yet, I anticipate we will continue to dive deeper into sports and culinary programming. Both are important and evolving verticals for the destination.
We regularly look for opportunities that challenge people’s perspectives on a city they think they know. For Canadian audiences, that means more opportunities to see a multi-dimensional Vegas on screen: glamorous and fun always, but also creative, authentic, and constantly evolving.
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April 13th, 2026 at 8:33 am
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