Mikey Reichert remembers growing up watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, the reality show that started in 2009 and is now credited with bringing drag culture to the mainstream.
For Reichert, a “closed-off high school student,” attending the competition allowed her to explore her own queerness and later opened the door for her to dive deeper into the world of drag. Now, he’s witnessing a “dream come true” as Mikey Meeks, one of 14 queens chosen to compete on the show’s 18th season, which premieres on January 2nd.
“Name another show as fun, quirky, gay, colorful or intense as ‘Drag Race.’ They’re asking so much of us that it’s all the competition shows rolled into one,” Reichert said. “It’s produced stars and legends, and to be on that side now is just wild.”
Reichert, a graduate of UCF’s Musical Theater BFA program, dove deep into the world of drag while many traditional theater spaces were closed during the pandemic.
“I’ve always loved drugs. I thought, ‘This is the time to do it,’ so I started pursuing it. I tackled it head-on,” he said. “I participated in every competition that existed on the scene. I made a name for myself by winning as a contestant on Orlando Drag Race Live, the Orlando version of Drag Race.”
The Renaissance Theater, which Reichert has been involved with since it opened in 2021, is a frequent venue for Mikey Meeks to perform, including on the theater’s Wednesday “Off the Record.” He also regularly performs in drag at Southern Nights. Reichert said it’s important to have a space for queer pride in Florida’s current political climate.
“At a time when Florida is becoming a deeply red state, we can show that there is queer prominence in Florida fighting for our communities,” he said. “Seeing queer people of all generations creating safe havens for people shows us that the community is here and we’re not backing down. We’re the people they fear the most. And if they’re afraid of drag queens, that’s on them.”
Courtesy of papaRAZZI @jackrabold
Mikey Meeks is an Orlando-based drag queen who will appear on Season 18 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. (Courtesy of paparazzi @jackrabold)
Ren co-founder Donald Lupe echoed that sentiment, saying drag can help individuals embrace their true selves.
“I think drag queens have confidence in a way that a lot of us don’t have. They’re often loving, they’re often political, they’re community leaders, they’re philanthropic, they’re often loud,” he said. “When they step on stage, they become another person and are free to say what they want to say and what they think. Not all drag queens represent all of us, but I think drag culture has made a huge contribution to the development of the LGBTQ+ community.”
The Renaissance Theater will also serve as a gathering place to watch the episode premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” during the ticketed party, as well as a place to invite other contestants from the show. Of the 14 queens competing in the new season, five are from Florida.
Lupe said the Emmy Award-winning show has received widespread attention from its behind-the-scenes and great personalities.
“Drag Race is known for the behind-the-scenes shenanigans and getting to know these people, and in my opinion, that’s why the show has been the most successful,” he said. “This is really a stepping stone for these guys. A lot of our competitors end up appearing on Broadway, on TV and on tour. This is a really big milestone in Mikey’s career.”
The competition hasn’t featured an Orlando-based queen in the regular season since Season 9, but Central Florida queen Ginger Minj won Season 10 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” and Orlando’s Roxie Andrews came out on top in two different seasons. “I want to continue the tradition,” Reichert said.
In the Season 18 “Meet the Queens” video, Mikey Meeks introduces himself as a “dynamic theater powerhouse” who can do “a little bit of everything.”
“Theatre is what raised me. I call myself a recovering theater girl,” she said. “I love mixing old Hollywood glamor with a bit of a party girl. I’m like a cross between Ava Gardner and Charli XCX.”
Now that filming is complete, Reichert will be watching how the show plays out on TV to see who ultimately becomes the winner of season 18.
“I looked up to the people I was competing with, but at the same time I was comparing myself to them. When you play against the best, it really messes with your mind. There’s a camaraderie, but at the end of the day we’re still drag queens, so all that shadow is real,” he said. “It felt like a cutthroat competition. Now, looking back on the other side, I see so many stories that I missed because I was so focused on myself. On the other side, I get to fall in love with this cast member all over again. It’s a dream come true to be a ‘RuGirl.’
Season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will premiere on MTV on January 2nd at 8pm ET. For more information on watch parties and other drag events, visit rentheatre.com.
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