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Broadway Royalty Meets Drag Excellence: Minnelli’s Emotional Drag Race Honor
In a glittering convergence of theatrical royalty, the indomitable Liza Minnelli graced the season 17 finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race with her magnetic presence last Friday evening. The 79-year-old entertainment titan, whose career has spanned decades of unparalleled artistic achievement, received the show’s prestigious Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award in a moment that bridged generations of performance artistry.
Resplendent in signature black Halston adorned with statement jewels, Minnelli held court from a regal throne positioned center stage. The EGOT winner—an exclusive circle of artists who have claimed Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards—engaged in an intimate tête-à -tête with host RuPaul, reflecting on her storied career and unwavering support of the LGBTQ+ community.
The evening’s festivities unfolded against the backdrop of one of the most formidable competitive finales in the show’s fifteen-year history. Four exceptional finalists—Jewels Sparkles and Lexi Love (each with two maxi challenge victories), Sam Star (three wins), and frontrunner Onya Nurve (an impressive four wins)—vied for the crown through a series of captivating solo performances designed to showcase their singular artistic visions.
Each queen delivered distinctive spectacles: Jewels Sparkles performed a cheeky musical number centered around a “ding-a-ling” motif; Lexi Love elevated the competition quite literally with chrome-plated roller skates and breathtaking aerial maneuvers; Onya Nurve delivered a self-composed anthem celebrating audacity matched only by talent; while Sam Star unveiled an innovative ensemble that transformed into an actual red carpet beneath her feet.
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However, the evening’s emotional pinnacle arrived with Minnelli’s award presentation. As the third recipient of the annual honor recognizing lifetime contributions to entertainment excellence and LGBTQ+ allyship, Minnelli received thunderous applause from the assembled queens and audience members. In a poignant moment of recognition, she offered heartfelt gratitude to the drag community that has long celebrated her work and persona.
“I don’t know what else to say except for, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be me. You made me,” Minnelli expressed with characteristic warmth, acknowledging the symbiotic relationship between her performance legacy and drag culture. Her influence on the art form has been immortalized by four different queens portraying her in the show’s iconic “Snatch Game” challenge across the global franchise, including fan-favorite Alexis Michelle.
Adding to the familial atmosphere, Minnelli’s brother Joe observed the proceedings from the audience, receiving his own ovation when RuPaul directed attention his way, underscoring the genuine connection between the Minnelli legacy and the drag community that venerates it.
The competitive portion of the evening concluded with RuPaul narrowing the field, eliminating Lexi Love and Sam Star before the final lip-sync battle. In a characteristic gesture of generosity, both departing contestants received $10,000 prizes in recognition of their season-long contributions, setting the stage for the ultimate showdown between the remaining finalists.
As the curtains closed on this historic convergence of entertainment legends, the mutual admiration between Broadway’s grand dame and drag’s finest practitioners exemplified the power of artistic lineage—a torch passed between performers who understand that true showmanship transcends generation, genre, and gender.
