Miley Cyrus Calls Herself a Drag Queen at RuPaul’s Drag Race Finale

Miley Cyrus announced she is a drag queen while accepting a lifetime achievement award at the RuPaul’s Drag Race season 18 finale. The event aired on May 24, 2024^[1].

Cyrus’s declaration matters because it highlights the growing acceptance of drag culture in mainstream entertainment and underscores the platform’s influence on LGBTQ+ visibility. By using a high‑profile awards moment, she signaled that drag is not just a niche art form but a celebrated part of pop culture.

During her brief speech, Cyrus reflected on her early years, showing a flashback photo of herself at four years old^[2]. She said, "Life's a climb, but the view is great," and added, "I'm a drag queen," emphasizing how her own journey mirrors the resilience of drag performers. The Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the show's producers, honors artists who have shaped LGBTQ+ culture over decades.

Industry observers said that Cyrus’s statement aligns with a broader trend of celebrities embracing queer identities publicly. The drag community responded positively, with several former contestants tweeting support and praising the mainstream validation. "It’s powerful when someone of her stature says ‘I am a drag queen,’" said a longtime fan of the show. The moment also sparked conversation on social media about the definition of drag and its role in artistic expression.

Cyrus’s appearance on the finale was not her first brush with drag aesthetics; she has previously incorporated gender‑bending outfits into music videos and live performances. However, this was the first time she explicitly labeled herself a drag queen on a televised stage. The declaration may encourage other artists to explore drag elements without fear of backlash, potentially expanding the genre’s reach into new audiences.

**What this means**: Cyrus’s public identification as a drag queen at a landmark awards ceremony signals a shift toward broader cultural acceptance of drag as an artistic and social movement. As mainstream platforms continue to showcase drag talent, the line between niche subculture and popular entertainment blurs, offering greater visibility for LGBTQ+ creators and fostering a more inclusive media landscape.