Myki Meeks wins 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' season 18
"RuPaul’s Drag Race" has officially crowned its latest winner, with Myki Meeks taking the title of America’s next drag superstar during the season 18 finale.
Meeks beat out fellow finalists Darlene Mitchell and Nini Coco in the final showdown, securing the crown after a season of standout performances.
Reflecting on the moment with "Good Morning America," Meeks said "it was a sense of relief, validation. It felt like everything I worked for had led up to a moment like that."
The newly crowned winner also looked ahead to what comes next. "I feel like we closed that chapter, but now it’s a whole new era of representing the brand and of being America’s next drag superstar," Meeks said.
The finale brought back the full cast for one last appearance on the main stage, with eliminated queens returning for a final reunion. Among them were DD Fuego, Mandy Mango, Briar Blush, Ciara Myst, Vita VonTesse Star, Mia Starr, Athena Dion, Kenya Pleaser, Discord Addams, Jane Don’t and Juicy Love Dion.
Finalists Mitchell, Meeks and Nini Coco then took part in the last performances of the season before the winner was announced.
"I am a recovering theater kid," Meeks told GMA, adding that "theatrics is the main component" of her look.
As for navigating the intense fan attention that comes with the show, Meeks acknowledged the pressure but kept it in perspective. "It's easy to let it get to you, but what you realize is that online discourse is not the real sentiment."
Looking back, Meeks shared what she would tell her younger self: "I had a very lovely childhood. You have a whole world ahead of you, full of beautiful friends, beautiful family. You know what you want out of life, so go for it. You may be teased for certain reasons, but that's what makes you you, baby."
