Julia Reagan shrine pops up at a Salt Lake City pride party

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A shrine dedicated to Julia Reagan at a Salt Lake City pride party over the weekend has been gaining some traction online.

A video of the shrine, posted by Mac Castro (@macxcastro on TikTok and Instagram), shows a small fold-up table with a floral tablecloth in front of a garage door. A poster of Julia Reagan depicted as a saint with the 9th and 9th whale (“Out of the Blue”) hangs above the table. Two framed photos, several candles, and various beards and pearls are scattered across the table. “RIP Julia Reagan” is written with chalk on the pavement in front.

“I hope Ms. Reagan is having a happy, happy, gorgeous pride. Let that woman rest!” Castro says in his video.

Julia Reagan has become a popular social media icon ever since billboards began popping up to memorialize her in June 2024. Earlier this year, refreshed designs popped up around the state, and the discussion was renewed.

“The queen of SLC,” one comment reads. Another says, “I’m kind of sad they are going to get rid of all her billboards here soon.”

The billboards have inspired Halloween costumes, comedy routines, and even a shoutout from drag queen Trixie Mattel during her tour’s stop in Utah last month. Julia Reagan has become an icon in Salt Lake City culture, much like the 9th and 9th whale that she was depicted with in the poster.

Why are there billboards?

William Reagan, Julia Reagan’s husband, is the CEO of Reagan Companies, which includes the billboard company Reagan Outdoor Advertising. In June 2024, Julia Reagan passed away at the age of 81. Following her death, billboards appeared across Utah — and a handful of other states — commemorating her life and memorializing her.

Earlier this year, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed by William Reagan against the University of Utah hospitals, saying that negligence had allegedly resulted in her death.

The new, updated billboards will be taken down at the end of June, but according to Reagan Outdoor Advertising, they will pop up again every year during June for the anniversary of her death.

“The pictures and the messages have been updated because people get used to seeing the same thing, so by updating them and adding new messages, it is catching their attention,” the Reagan family said in a statement. “It is also showing the passage of time and what Bill and the rest of the family are experiencing.”

Trevor Myers and Renisha Mall contributed to this report.