On Wednesday, VH1 unveiled the entire cast of the 13th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13, which premieres January 1.
Executive producer-host RuPaul said of the COVID-19 protocols: ‘Competing safely and fiercely, our 13 queens proved that it takes more than a global pandemic to keep a good queen down.’
Kade Gottlieb aka Gottmik makes history as the first transgender man to ever compete on the 19-time Emmy-winning reality series.
Premieres January 1! On Wednesday, VH1 unveiled the entire cast of the 13th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13
Producer-host RuPaul said of the COVID-19 protocols: ‘Competing safely and fiercely, our 13 queens proved that it takes more than a global pandemic to keep a good queen down’
‘Drag is for everyone!’ the LA-based 23-year-old said in the promo.
‘It means so much for me to be on the show right now, especially being a trans-guy going in – a feminine perspective of a trans-guy. The trans movement is getting so big, so powerful, so strong.
‘I’m America’s next drag superstar because I’m ready to get on the show, try to win this crown for my community.’
Kade (born Mikayla) underwent top surgery to remove his breasts in March 2019, and while he uses he/him pronouns in life he prefers she/her pronouns while in drag.
‘Drag is for everyone!’ Kade Gottlieb aka Gottmik makes history as the first transgender man to ever compete on the 19-time Emmy-winning reality series
The LA-based 23-year-old said in the promo: ‘It means so much for me to be on the show right now, especially being a trans-guy going in – a feminine perspective of a trans-guy’
‘I’m ready to try to win this crown for my community’: Kade underwent top surgery to remove his breasts in March 2019, and while he uses he/him pronouns in life he prefers she/her pronouns while in drag (pictured March 31)
Pro: Gottlieb (L) has worked as a make-up artist for celebs like Heidi Klum (M, pictured December 19), Paris Hilton, and French Montana, as well as the who’s who of RPDR alums
Gottlieb has worked as a professional make-up artist for celebs like Heidi Klum, Paris Hilton, and French Montana, as well as the who’s who of RPDR alums.
His casting came after years of transphobia on RPDR, with the 60-year-old creator declaring to The Guardian in 2018: ‘Drag loses its sense of danger and its sense of irony once it’s not men doing it.’
Previously, nine trans-women – including Translation stars Sonique, Peppermint, Jiggly Caliente, and Carmen Carrera – have competed, most of whom came out after their respective seasons.
And there have also been three nonbinary or gender-fluid performers on RPDR – Shea Coulee, Gigi Goode, and Sasha Velour.
His casting came after years of transphobia on RPDR, with the 60-year-old creator (pictured in 2019) declaring to The Guardian in 2018: ‘Drag loses its sense of danger and its sense of irony once it’s not men doing it’
Yassss! Previously, nine trans-women – including Translation stars (from L-R) Sonique, Peppermint, Jiggly Caliente, and Carmen Carrera – have competed, most of whom came out after their respective seasons
Other season 13 contestants include Utica Queen from Minneapolis and Elliott with 2 Ts from Las Vegas.
Denali from Chicago is a professional figure skater and Kandy Muse was recently crowned Brooklyn Drag Queen of the Year.
New Yorkers this season include Olivia Lux, a musical theatre queen who plays the piano, and Tina Burner who won National Miss Comedy Queen in 2019.
Ensemble: Other season 13 contestants include Utica Queen from Minneapolis and Elliott with 2 Ts from Las Vegas
Introducing: Denali (L) from Chicago is a professional figure skater and Kandy Muse (R) was recently crowned Brooklyn Drag Queen of the Year
Big Apple advantage: New Yorkers this season include Olivia Lux (L), a musical theatre queen who plays the piano, and Tina Burner who won National Miss Comedy Queen in 2019
Tamisha Iman is the oldest queen this season having competed since the late nineties and sews her own garments, while LaLa Ri is coming in hot from Atlanta.
Arizona dancer Joey Jay has ‘unmatched rhinestoning skills’ while Chicago-based Kahmora Hall is in the same drag family as Jaida Essence Hall and Soju.
Rosé from New York is part of a girl group Stephanie’s Child with prior contestant Jan, and Symone is the first contestant to be originally from Arkansas.
Seasoned: Tamisha Iman (L) is the oldest queen this season having competed since the late nineties and sews her own garments, while LaLa Ri (R) is coming in hot from Atlanta
Connected: Arizona dancer Joey Jay (L) has ‘unmatched rhinestoning skills’ while Chicago-based Kahmora Hall (R) is in the same drag family as Jaida Essence Hall and Soju
Serving looks: Rosé (L) from New York is part of a girl group Stephanie’s Child with prior contestant Jan, and Symone (R) is the first contestant to be originally from Arkansas