Alexis Michelle’s Snatch Game challenge of Liza Minnelli on Season 9 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” might rank as one of the best impersonations on the franchises history, but the Season 17 finale of the series pulled one for the ages and had the real Minnelli appear. Yes, Liza with a Z showed up on the show’s main stage.
She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by host RuPaul Charles. “Drag Race” producer Tom Campbell told Variety, “I always say the drag gods have been very good to ‘Drag Race’ over the years, the celebrities, supporters and the politicians who have joined us. It’s always worked out, and this? I bow to the drag gods.’”
Past recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include Bob Mackie and Elvira, and finale guests have included former Vice President Kamala Harris. “Again, I bow to the drag gods,” says Campbell.
Back when it came time to decide, Campbell explains the production team, including those who secure talent for the series always aim high, and while a bunch of names came up, it was RuPaul who said with laser focus, “‘Let’s get Liza.’” The team reached out to Minnelli’s team. Campbell admits, “She seemed un-gettable, like that’s too much to ask for.”
Stranger things have happened, but as it turns out, timing was on their side. Minnelli, who is having a moment with her PBS documentary “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story” and gracing the cover of New York Magazine, said yes. “Her management were also big fans of ‘Drag Race,’ and they know what we’ve done, and they know the heart of the show, and they’re invested as viewers.” Several conversations followed and Campbell says it came together with ease.
As for what things were like when Minnelli was on stage, Campbell says he wasn’t sure what to expect, but one thing he noticed was that Minnelli had a great team around her. “She emanates all this love, kindness and attention to other people. I thought, ‘Liza is surrounded by love.’ Michael Feinstein came with her, and her entourage are these amazing people who love her. They are part of the great American songbook and our musical history.”
A surprise guest included Minnelli’s younger brother, Joey Luft. “I’ve not seen him in public for a long time, and he was there. She was constantly like, ‘Where’s Joe?’ Come on up, Joe?’ She was so protective of him.”
Having Minnelli on the show held deep significance for Campbell; she wasn’t just bringing her seal of approval, but Minnelli has a decades-long relationship as an LGBTQ community icon. Says Campbell, “She has made her fans, her chosen family. That’s how it feels. She has shared her hardships and triumphs. She has raised millions of dollars for AIDS research at a time when it was very scary time, and she’s unflappable.”
Minnelli is someone Campbell, like many within the LGBTQ community, has admired for her tenacity, achievements and allyship. Says Campbell, “She gave us such a huge gift by being part of the show.”
