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The legendary performer will be presented with the Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award, an honour recognising individuals who have made a profound impact on the world of drag and fashion. Previous recipients include costume designer Bob Mackie and horror icon Cassandra Peterson, best known as Elvira.
Minnelli, long revered as a gay icon, has inspired countless drag tributes over the years. Her influence has already been felt on the show, with standout impersonations by queens such as Alexis Michelle in 2010, as well as performances from Hannah Conda, La Voix and Scarlett Bobo. Now, Minnelli herself will grace the Drag Race stage to accept her place in drag history.
Season 17 is nearing its climax, with just five queens left in the competition: Sam Star, Suzie Toot, Onya Nurve, Jewels Sparkles and Lexi Love. Last week’s episode saw emotions run high as the queens welcomed their parents into the werk room and transformed them into drag personas for the challenge.
Sam and her mother, Sassy, took the win with a dynamic runway look. Suzie and her mum earned second place, while Jewels and Onya ended up in the bottom two. However, after a fierce lip sync to Amerie’s “1 Thing,” both were saved in a surprise double non-elimination.
With a $200,000 prize at stake, the finale promises high drama, standout performances, and unforgettable runway moments. Minnelli’s appearance adds a historic note to the evening, celebrating a career that has inspired generations of performers across the globe.