LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville drag queen is among the 14 newest queens vying to become “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”
Lexi Love is making her national television debut on Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which premieres Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at 8 p.m. on MTV.
The winner of the Emmy Award-winning drag competition show earns the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” and a cash prize of $200,000.
Love, dubbed Kentucky’s "Roller-Derby Doll," is a playmate and host at Play Louisville.
According to the show’s news release on Wednesday: “As a performer, Lexi knows how to turn the party up - but she’s also someone you’d love to kick it with. Having survived a period of homelessness and drug addiction, she has emerged a stronger and more independent queen, and is ready for the re-birth of Lexi to take over the world!”
“To believe that I’m here now – the only thing I wanna do is know that I’m positively affecting other people’s lives. Everything that I do is surrounding love and making others feel loved,” she said in her "Meet the Queens" interview on the show’s YouTube channel.
Lexi will be competing against 13 other queens from across the country, including:
- Acacia Forgot – Los Angeles, Calif.
- Arrietty – Seattle, Wash.
- Crystal Envy – Asbury Park, N.J.
- Hormona Lisa – Chattanooga, Tenn.
- Jewels Sparkles – Tampa, Fla.
- Joella – Los Angeles, Calif.
- Kori King – Boston, Mass.
- Lana Ja’Rae – New York, N.Y.
- Lucky Starzzz – Miami, Fla.
- Lydia B. Kollins – Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Onya Nurve – Cleveland, Ohio
- Sam Star – Leeds, Ala.
- Suzie Toot – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“What it means for me to be on [the show] is literally something that I can’t put into words, my mind is just truly blown,” Love said. “I’m ready to be America’s Next Drag Superstar because I’m willing to put the work in. All I can do is show you what it means and that is my full intention.”
She’s the fourth queen from Louisville and second Playmate to appear on the show.
Former Louisville Playmate Jade Jolie competed in the show’s fifth season.
Dusty Ray Bottoms appeared on Season 10 and Scarlet Envy featured on Season 11, later returning to compete on the show’s spin-offs, All Stars 6 and UK vs. the World: Season 2.
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