Louisville’s drag scene is shining brighter than ever as local queen Lexi Love prepares to compete on the global stage. The self-proclaimed “Roller-Derby Doll” is among the 14 queens vying for the coveted title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” on Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, premiering Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at 8 p.m. on MTV.
Lexi Love, a Playmate and host at Play Louisville, is making waves as the fourth queen from the Derby City to grace the Emmy Award-winning competition. In addition to the prestigious title, the winner will take home a $200,000 cash prize.
In a press release from the show, Lexi was described as a queen who knows how to “turn the party up” while also exuding authenticity and resilience, having overcome challenges such as homelessness and addiction.
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“To believe that I’m here now – the only thing I wanna do is know that I’m positively affecting other people’s lives,” Lexi shared in her Meet the Queens interview on YouTube. “Everything that I do is surrounding love and making others feel loved.”
Lexi follows in the footsteps of notable Louisville queens who have left their mark on Drag Race. Former Playmate Jade Jolie competed in Season 5, while Dusty Ray Bottoms (Season 10) and Scarlet Envy (Season 11) have represented the city and gone on to feature in spin-offs like All Stars and UK vs. the World. Lexi’s debut continues Louisville’s legacy as a hotspot for drag excellence.
“What it means for me to be on [the show] is literally something that I can’t put into words,” Lexi said. “My mind is just truly blown. 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.”
The next season of RuPaul’s Drag Race premiers Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at 8 p.m. on MTV.
This article appears in Dec 4-17, 2024.
