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Drag Race's Lexi Love taking a break from drag for her 'emotional well-being'
Kerri Colby at the viewing party of RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 finale.
The RuPaul's Drag Race finalist is taking a hiatus 10 days after the season 17 finale aired on MTV.
Lexi Love has announced that she's taking a break from drag 10 days after the grand finale of RuPaul's Drag Race season 17, in which she appeared as one of the top 4 finalists and performed a glittering solo number to her new original song, "Classic."
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In a pretty surprising turn of events, Lexi took to social media this Sunday, April 27 to announce that she's taking an indefinite break from drag, citing her "mental, physical, and emotional well-being" as the reasons behind this decision.
The Drag Race season 17 finalist wrote in a post:
"To my loyal family, friends, and fans.
I'm taking a step back to nurture my mental, physical, and emotional well-being. It's time to transform my relationship with my inner saboteur — to understand it, disarm it, and step fully into my strength.
This journey isn't one I can take alone. I know I'll need help, guidance, and grace along the way — and I'm so grateful to have the love and support of this incredible community behind me.
When I return, I'll be ready to take on the world — bigger, better, and stronger than ever. And to those who doubted me — thank you for reminding me that resilience is a choice, and I choose to rise.
I Lexi Love You.
#ILexiLoveYou #StrongerThanEver #WatchMeRise."
Drag Race season 17 introduced Lexi as a 33-year-old trans woman who worked as a fulltime "playmate" at the well-regarded Play Dance Bar in Louisville, KY — which is where Lexi was born. In part two of the season 17 premiere, she served up a fierce, colorful, and hilarious roller-skating number to her original song titled "She's Giving."
Unsurprisingly, Lexi's electric and charismatic performance had the judges, queens, and fans screaming her name with excitement. Ultimately, Lexi made it to the top 2 of the episode alongside Crystal Envy, and lip synced to "Alter Ego" by Doechii with the Grammy Award-winning rapper herself right in front of her in the judging panel.
Despite establishing herself as a frontrunner with that Talent Show number and iconic Doechii lip sync, Lexi admitted to getting in her own head after the grand premiere. In episode 12 (the stand-up comedy challenge) Lexi finally got her well-deserved second win in the competition and subsequently made it to the finale with two challenge wins under her belt and never having to lip sync for her life.
Lexi wasn't just a stunning trans woman and drag artist throughout her Drag Race run, but she was also a beautifully vulnerable competitor who felt like a breath of fresh air for viewers in a modern age of reality TV where cast members try to self-produce their storylines at all costs.
For the time being, Lexi's statement about taking a break is pretty comprehensive as it is, and Drag Race fans should feel encouraged give her some space to process those feelings. The Instagram post also makes it clear that Lexi isn't going anywhere — in fact, she vows to return, and declares that she'll be "ready to take on the world" by then.
We have no doubt about it. For now, sending our love to Lexi Love!
Fans can show their love and support of Lexi Love by following her on social media (@mslexilove) and/or buying her merch via MyBestJudy.
Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out. He's also a staff contributor to The Advocate, PRIDE, and other equalpride publications. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida.
You can follow Bernardo Sim on Instagram. Otherwise, you can find him on Bluesky, Threads, X/Twitter, and TikTok.
Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out. He's also a staff contributor to The Advocate, PRIDE, and other equalpride publications. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida.
You can follow Bernardo Sim on Instagram. Otherwise, you can find him on Bluesky, Threads, X/Twitter, and TikTok.
