When Katy Perry spoke to Rolling Stone in 2022, she said, “If it weren’t for drag queens, I probably wouldn’t have a career. I probably learned everything from them.” On Friday night, the pop star gave back to the drag community as she appeared as the guest judge of the premiere episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17.
Early in the episode, as the queens were getting ready for their runway looks, Perry walked into the werk room and jokingly asked for duct tape as they freaked over the pop star’s surprise visit. Then, Perry spoke to contestant Joella, who started out as a stan of the singer before starting to do drag. “I’m so proud, I feel like I made you.
.. And now you’re here,” Perry told the Los Angeles-based queen.
“I remember when you started doing drag. I can’t believe it! You’re on Season 17.” A post shared by RuPaul's Drag Race (@rupaulsdragrace) Perry then rounded up everyone at a table and gave them some key advice to succeed, as she shared her excitement about witnessing all of their talents and looks.
“And you all want to win, right?” Perry told the girls. “I think the way to win is to play with your alter ego, but don’t be afraid to take the mask off and show the real person in there. That’s yin and yang, male and female, and everything in between.
” “Give us real and give us fantasy,” she added. The first episode saw half of the new queens show off their talent in a “Drag Queens Got Talent!” competition, playing with.
