{"id":246011,"date":"2026-04-25T09:15:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T09:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/246011\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T09:15:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T09:15:08","slug":"drag-queen-myki-meeks-crowned-winner-of-rupauls-drag-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/246011\/","title":{"rendered":"Drag queen Myki Meeks crowned winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race"},"content":{"rendered":"

As season 18 of \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race<\/a>\u201d draws to a close, America\u2019s Next Drag Superstar has been crowned: it\u2019s Orlando-based queen Myki Meeks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After a season of standout performances, Meeks beat finalists Darlene Mitchell and Nini Coco in the final showdown, which included a talent number set to her original song, \u201cVersatile,\u201d and a lip-sync battle to a Miley Cyrus tune.<\/p>\n

Meeks took home the $200,000 grand prize, a custom crown and scepter, and an exclusive makeup collaboration with\u00a0Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics<\/a>.\u00a0In second place was Coco, who received a $25,000 cash tip, while Mitchell was awarded $10,000 for her performance throughout the season.<\/p>\n

Meeks grew up watching \u201cDrag Race\u201d and found solace in the show as a queer teenager. Winning the show is \u201ceverything,\u201d Meeks said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been a fan of the show since the very beginning. It helped me become comfortable with myself and raised me into the queer artist I am today,\u201d the performer said. \u201cTo be on the other side of it, it\u2019s a big honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Orlando-basedOrlando-based drag queen Myki Meeks won season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” taking the crown as America’s Next Drag Superstar. (Courtesy MTV)<\/p>\n

RuPaul praised Meeks\u2019 \u201cextraordinary charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent\u201d that was on display throughout the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the beginning, Myki has demonstrated the true essence of a superstar. I\u2019m excited to experience more of her special brand of joy, laughter and love throughout her brilliant career,\u201d RuPaul said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In accepting the crown, an exuberant Meeks said, \u201cThis 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!\u201d<\/p>\n

Meeks, the drag persona of Mikey Reichart, follows in the footsteps of Orlando drag queens Ginger Minj, who won \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race: All Stars\u201d in season 10, and Orlando\u2019s Roxxxy Andrews, who placed in top spots during two different seasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the city that raised me into the artist that I am,\u201d Meeks said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of gay history here, especially with Parliament House and Pulse housing some incredible, legendary showgirls. To be in that ancestral line at this point, it\u2019s a huge honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Orlando-basedOrlando-based drag queen Myki Meeks won season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” taking the crown as America’s Next Drag Superstar. (Courtesy MTV)<\/p>\n

Orlando\u2019s Renaissance Theatre<\/a>, where Meeks has frequently performed in recent years, held a viewing party with a packed house. Fans in the venue jumped out of their seats as confetti fell around them to celebrate, according to Watermark Out News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the months to come, Meeks will tour<\/a> the United States, Europe, South America and Australia.<\/p>\n

As Meeks enjoys her RuPaul victory and considers what\u2019s to come next, she said trusting her gut was the key to victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were many times where I felt the self-doubt hitting and I wasn\u2019t sure which direction to go, but I knew my intuition was the right path. It got me to the show, through every challenge and to the crown,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve faced a lot of rejection in my life. I\u2019ve never lived by the \u2018No\u2019s, but I knew that being on \u2018Drag Race\u2019 was my ultimate \u2018Yes.’\u201d<\/p>\n

Find me\u00a0@PConnPie on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or send me an email:\u00a0pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at\u00a0orlandosentinel.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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