Orlando drag performer Myki Meeks won Season 18 of RuPaul’s Drag Race over the weekend, snatching the crown and beating out fellow finalists Darlene Mitchell and Nini Coco.
A packed Renaissance Theatre in Orlando — where Meeks honed her craft as a member of the Off the Record drag ensemble — positively exploded, as did venues and living rooms across the City Beautiful, on Friday night during a live watch party when RuPaul crowned Meeks as “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” Meeks progressed to the top two after performing an original song, and then tidily won the lip sync challenge to bring the crown home.
“This is for my friends, my family, all of Orlando, live fiercely, love boldly, and write it in the books baby, the Meeks shall inherit the crown!” said an exuberant Meeks upon winning.
The win netted Meeks a $200,000 grand prize and an official makeup collaboration with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics.
Despite an early stumble in the “Rate a Queen Talent Show,” as the season progressed Meeks became a “dominant force” — per the Hollywood Reporter (we agree) — among the cast, even winning the last three main challenges in a row.
“There hasn’t been an Orlando queen on a regular season since Season 9. This is Season 18, so almost 10 years. It’s a whole new generation, and I’m just excited to represent them,” Meeks told OW right before the Season kicked off. Mission accomplished.
“I’ll be honest, I’m not at all surprised that Myki did so well on that show. Sometimes, good things happen to good people and Myki is a genuinely kind, hardworking and talented artist who deserves this moment,” said Donald Rupe, creative director at the Ren, to OW over the weekend.. “Drag is art and art is life. We’re so proud to be Team Myki, and we’re so excited to continue to invest in the art of drag in Orlando.”
Though Meeks’ travel schedule just got a hell of a lot more busy, you (as of this writing) can still catch her locally at the Ren Theatre for Off the Record Wednesday night, along with fellow finalist (fourth place) Juicy Love Dion. Tickets are probably close to sold out but you, the eternal optimist, can try to grab some at the Ren’s website.
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