{"id":86749,"date":"2025-12-17T15:14:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T15:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/86749\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T15:14:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T15:14:13","slug":"orlando-queen-myki-meeks-to-compete-on-rupauls-drag-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/86749\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando queen Myki Meeks to compete on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Growing up, Mikey Reichert<\/a> has fond memories of watching \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race<\/a>,\u201d the reality TV show that started in 2009 and is now known for bringing drag culture to the mainstream.<\/p>\n

As a \u201ccloseted high schooler,\u201d watching the competition helped open the door for Reichert to explore his own queerness and later dive deep into the world of drag himself. Now, he\u2019s witnessing a \u201cdream come true\u201d as Myki Meeks<\/a>, one of 14 queens chosen to compete on the 18th season of the show, which premieres Jan. 2.<\/p>\n

\u201cName another show that is as fun, whimsical, gay, colorful or as fierce as \u2018Drag Race.\u2019 It\u2019s every competition show in one because they ask a lot out of us,\u201d Reichert said. \u201cIt\u2019s produced stars and legends, and to be on that side of it now is just wild.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a graduate of UCF\u2019s musical theatre BFA program<\/a>, Reichert dove deep into the world of drag during the pandemic, when many conventional theater spaces were shut down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always loved drag. I thought, \u2018If I want to do it, now is the time,\u2019 and I started pursuing that. I went in headfirst,\u201d he said. \u201cI did every competition there was in the scene. I made my name by winning Orlando Drag Race Live<\/a>, Orlando\u2019s version of drag race, as a competitor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Renaissance Theatre<\/a>, where Reichert has been involved since its opening in 2021, has been a frequent forum for Myki Meeks to perform, including the theatre\u2019s \u201cOff The Record<\/a>\u201d Wednesdays. He also performs in drag at Southern Nights<\/a> regularly. Reichert said it\u2019s important to have spaces for queer pride in Florida\u2019s current political climate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn these times where Florida has turned into a harsh red state, we can showcase that there is queer excellence within it fighting for the community,\u201d he said. \u201cSeeing all the different generations of queer people creating these safe havens for people, it shows that the community is here and we\u2019re not backing down. We are the people they fear the most. And if they\u2019re scared of a drag queen, girl, that\u2019s on them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Myki<\/p>\n

Courtesy of papaRAZZI @jackrabold<\/p>\n

Myki Meeks is an Orlando-based drag queen who will appear on season 18 of \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race.\u201d (Courtesy of papaRAZZI @jackrabold)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Donald Rupe<\/a>, the Ren\u2019s co-founder, echoed that sentiment and said that drag can help individuals embrace their true colors.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think drag queens are confident in a way that so many of us aren\u2019t. They are often loving. They are often political. They are often leaders in the community and charitable and loud,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen they\u2019re on stage, they become this other persona that allows them the freedom to say what they want and what they think. Not every drag queen represents all of us, but drag culture has done a lot to further the LGBTQ+ community, in my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Renaissance Theatre will also serve as a gathering place to watch episode premieres of \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race\u201d during ticketed parties, as well as a host to other contestants from the show. Of the 14 queens competing on the new season, five hail from Florida.<\/p>\n

Rupe said that the Emmy Award-winning show has garnered widespread attention from its behind-the-scenes moments and larger-than-life personalities.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrag Race is famous for the backstage shenanigans and getting to know these personalities. In my opinion, that\u2019s why the show is most successful,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s really a stepping stone for these people. A lot of competitors end up on Broadway, on TV or touring performances. It\u2019s really a huge milestone in Mikey\u2019s career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though the competition hasn\u2019t hosted an Orlando-based queen on a regular season since season nine, Central Florida queen Ginger Minj won \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race: All Stars\u201d in season 10, and Orlando\u2019s Roxxxy Andrews placed in the top spots during two different seasons. Reichert said he hopes to \u201ccontinue the legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MichaelMichael Reichert, left, who performs as Myki Meeks, and “From Here” cast member Kyle Ashe Wilkinson, enjoy the show’s opening-night party in New York. Myki Meeks will compete on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18. (Courtesy Ashleigh Ann Gardner via Renaissance Theatre)<\/p>\n

In the \u201cMeet the Queens\u201d video for season 18, Myki Meeks introduces herself as a \u201cdynamic theatrical powerhouse\u201d who can do \u201ca little bit of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTheater is my upbringing. I call myself a recovering theater girl,\u201d she said. \u201cI love going for old Hollywood glamor mixed with a little bit of party girl. I\u2019m a cross between Ava Gardner and Charli XCX.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now that the filming is complete, Reichert will get to see how the show plays out on television to see who ultimately emerges as the winner of season 18.<\/p>\n

\"MykiMyki Meeks is an Orlando-based drag queen who will appear on season 18 of \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race.\u201d (Courtesy of AJ Jordan @ajjordanphoto)<\/p>\n

\u201cI was looking up to those I was competing with while also comparing myself. It makes a really big mess of your mind when you\u2019re going up against some of the best. There\u2019s a sense of camaraderie, but we\u2019re still drag queens at the end of the day. So the shade is all real,\u201d he said. \u201cIt felt like an intense competition. Now, on the other end of it, watching it back, I\u2019m going to see so many storylines that I missed because I was just so focused on myself. I get to fall in love with these cast members all over again in a different aspect. To be a \u2018RuGirl\u2019 is a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Season 18 of \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race\u201d premieres at 8 p.m. ET Jan. 2 on MTV. Visit rentheatre.com<\/a> for more information about watch parties and other drag events.<\/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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