RuPaul’s Drag Race S17’s Lexi Love, LOVES Louisville
photos courtesy of RuPaul’s Drag Race
I remember standing in front of the hatefully lit mirror backstage at Play Louisville, preening and fixing to go out for my number. Then Lexi Love comes fluttering out of the dressing room in this gigantic cupid-y backpiece, with a matching corset and tights… fully feathered. My jaw dropped. In true Lexi Love form, she shimmies her shoulders, acknowledging she’s quite aware that she does look incredible. When I first saw this look, I told her that it was Drag Race ready, yet she “humbly” denied the compliment.
As a local girl who’s shared the Play Louisville stage with her many weekends over the last three years, I loved seeing a costume that felt so extraordinary become a fan favorite on the international stage. Lexi has grown artistically since becoming a Playmate and it is inspiring to see her hard work pay off as she graces the Main Stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
I was thrilled to interview her following the premiere of the season. I used to be able to just ‘see Lexi’ but she’s world-famous now — you have to talk to three people to get to her. It’s a surreal experience for me, but one I was so proud to be part of. I got to ask her questions ranging from her experience as a local girl turned RuGirl, to what she hopes to see for her hometown kings and queens now that she’s represented us on the international stage. Let’s dive in!
Sydni: When you started doing drag, you were predominantly in Cincinnati, right? I’d like to know about that time, and the people and places that inspired and influenced your drag. I saw your comment on Penny Traition’s post and it really warmed my heart.
Lexi: At the beginning of all of this, my drag mother was Nomi Love. She took me under her wing when I needed it the most. At that time, I literally needed a drag house. You know, a lot of times people talk about drag families. I don’t think they really know what a drag family is these days; because those days your drag mom was literally your MOM. It would be someone [who could tell] you to “shut up, sit down and behave” as she would say. And you would.
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Drag family dynamics have changed so much since we started [redacted] years ago. When we were coming up, your drag house was central to your well being just as, if not more so, to your art or your success. She was a house of love girl, I was a Delarouge girl- our experiences were similar. When the house matriarch said sit down and shut up you sat down and shut up. If she scolded you for your behavior at a show reflecting poorly on the family you took it and you applied the lesson. Nowadays, drag families are often very different. It’s more about sharing a name or chasing clout. We see this a lot, in Louisville and far beyond.
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Lexi: My current drag mom, Jessica Dimon, was like… my auntie. I was whirling and twirling and just chaotic and Nomi was the only one who could keep me at bay. Thank god she did. I had lots of people like Penny [Tration,] Leah Halston and Dee Ranged — oh my god.
They literally changed my perspective on what performing and drag could be like- absolutely incredible! I remember my first ever true drag show I saw was at the Dock Complex in Cinci and the first queen I saw on the stage was Mirage Love and she did Sweet Dreams by Beyonce in this Chinese nightgown, midnight blue and she had chopsticks throughout her hair- like fifty of them — and it was the most mesmerizing, incredible moment of my life. I thought, “I want to be like THAT ONE!”
Sydni: I felt that way as a Connection baby — seeing the BIG and I mean BIG, big hair, big makeup, those big ass 301 lashes — that I’m so thankful we retired — seeing all of that glamor changed my life. Being queer and seeing that, especially if you don’t know you’re trans yet is so major. It gives you a sense of yourself, seeing others living in their truth. You see it and you want to do that.
Louisville has gotten to see Lexi’s glow up in real time- the international audience is seeing the product of so much hard work, self reflection and discipline and the fruits of her journey of self-actualization. When Lexi began taking hormones, we saw the minor changes to her physique and her face and her energy and she was celebrated. Lexi is taking the world by storm, and with her she brings a wealth of experiences and support from one of the most underrepresented scenes in the country.
Sydni: You’re a RuGirl now and no longer a local girlie. What’s that feel like?
Lexi: It is still so surreal. I just attended DRAGCON UK and I was with the legends of the legends and there was not a single individual that I had to introduce myself to. I don’t think I ever imagined that would happen in my life. It’s just one surreal checkpoint after the next.
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She tells me of how Alyssa Edwards came up to her and said that she had seen her that morning and “couldn’t get enough!” so she let Alyssa put on her high heel roller skates and got a video of it. These experiences continue to surprise and validate her that this is actually happening for her. Her experience as a Playmate for the last several years has allowed her to meet and build relationships with RuGirls and Dragula girls alike and now she is one of them.
Among the obvious prestige and privilege you get as a RuGirl, one that only a select few queens truly understand the gravity of is not having to do 6 numbers in a night. Once you’re on RuPaul’s Drag Race you graduate! Louisville girls are built different because you’re doing six numbers Friday night, six numbers Saturday night and if you’re on Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday casts you’re doing an additional four numbers each night. On a weekend, you can do more numbers than some girls in most cities do in a month.
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Lexi: Someone asked me the other day if I could do four numbers for a show they were booking. I thought, “Oh myyyyy I don’t know if I can do four numbers.”
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To do 14 different looks in a weekend, every weekend, forces you to be quick on your feet, a speedy dresser and someone who can weave through different aesthetics, personas and styles in minutes- positioning Lexi to be well prepared for whatever Drag Race throws at her.
Lexi is quickly becoming one of the most meme-able drag queens of the season and the response from what I’ve seen on BlueSky and Reddit has been very positive. Lexi has long been a staple subject as an iMessage sticker in my phone and I share photos I snap of her and Melody Valentine being menaces on the patio or reacting to drag competitions. Now, she’s being used as a reaction image all over the world- in group chats and comment sections, threads and blogs.
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Lexi: That is the most exciting part of this- I went into this saying, “I just want to be a meme!” You know me girl, I’m very loud and in your face and fun.” [Author’s note: can confirm. Lexi is a menace to society.] To see other people celebrate that and laugh with me, and not just at me, it’s a blessing in disguise.”
I’m reminded of one of the reaction images I made during Little Miss Everything, a drag competition Lexi and Melody hosted in a Drag Race-y format at Play. The two of them were watching something tragic and like the rest of the audience, all they could do was drop their jaws in shock, awe and terror. I used that as a response to everything. Already, she’s given us so much material to use in just two episodes! She promises more gags and a wild season.
We can continue to witness Lexi Love battle it out on RuPaul’s Drag Race every Friday night at 8:00 PM at Big Bar with Dusty Ray Bottoms from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 10.
Lexi Love will be returning to Play Louisville Friday January 31st reuniting with the Louisville Playmates for their 9PM and 11PM shows with meet and greet in between. Get your tickets here!