'RuPaul's Drag Race' Is Bringing In Liza Minnelli For An Appearance At End of Season 17

TV & Film

Apr 5

Minnelli posing for a portrait — Image Source: WRAL.com

Liza Minnelli is coming to RuPaul’s Drag Race for the 17th season finale, where she will be presented with a Giving Us Lifetime Achievement award for her impact on drag and fashion. Bob Mackie and Elvira, also known as Cassandra Peterson, previously received the award. It won’t be Minnelli’s first time being recognized as an LGBTQIA icon. In 2010, Alexis Michelle impersonated Minnelli in her Cabaret performance, paving the way for Hannah Conda, La Voix, and Scarlet Bobo to follow suit. In a first-look photo, Minnelli and RuPaul are seen holding hands as Minnelli sits on an enormous throne. Minnelli has a history of advocacy for gay rights and HIV/AIDS research. IN 2010, Billboard recruited her to write a letter to the community to celebrate Pride Month. In the letter, she thanked the community for support, understanding, and creativity, which encouraged her to be “courageously different.”

In RuPaul’s Drag Race, drag queens compete for the grand prize of $200,000. In last week’s episodes, the parents joined the contestants who were given the task of turning them into drag performers. Sam and her mom Sassy took the win, but it was a non-elimination episode, so all the contestants are still safe. The episode with Minnelli airs Friday, April 18 at 8pm ET. Previous celebrity appearances include guest judges Katy Perry, Doechii, Hunter Schafer, Quinta Brunson, and Adam Lambert.