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Is Tamisha Iman really LaLa Ri’s drag mother? Here's how the shocking mystery was exposed on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'

While most online sources call Tamisha Iman LaLa's mother, turns out, there's more to their relationship that meets the eye

When the Season 13 cast of RuPaul's Drag Race' was announced, everyone was surprised and excited. The show had got its first drag mother-daughter duo competing against each other. Tamisha Iman, who is a popular name and face in the drag scene has had a number of drag daughters over the years and news surfaced that LaLa Ri was one of them.

Interestingly enough, the two never really referenced it, which was odd, seeing that Tamisha often spoke about her drag daughters, including her most iconic one, Kandi Iman, famous for her impeccable dancing skills.

In an article by Out, LaLa mentioned that she is not affiliated with any drag house currently. With news that Tamisha was her drag mother but LaLa saying she wasn't with the house of Iman, the situation didn't quite add up. To top it off, LaLa goes by her drag name, LaLa Ri and not Iman.

The latest episode of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' cleared the air about the situation, seeing that the queen addressed the gag of the season — Is Tamisha LaLa's mother or not?

Turns out, Tamisha has been putting people into drag for years, but not everyone she puts into drag is her drag daughter or joins the house of Iman. Tamisha put LaLa into drag for the first time ever, however, LaLa never joined the house of Iman. In fact, the two lost touch for quite a while and didn't reconnect until they were both on this season of the show.

Tamisha made it plenty clear that LaLa was her drag daughter in a sense, but not a part of the house of Iman — she was more of an honorary daughter of sorts. Tamisha's years of experience definitely shines through on the season, as she often schools the cast and fans about drag culture in general.

When Utica Queen mentioned she'd never been to a ball, Tamisha took it upon herself to have their own little fun workroom version of the runway, while talking about some of the ballroom style greats, like Willi Ninja.

For those wondering just who Willi Ninja is, he was a dancer that was featured in the iconic documentary 'Paris Is Burning'. Ninja is the godfather of voguing, a dance movement that is integral to gay culture as a whole. Queens voguing is something we've seen all through Drag Race, so it was great to see a mention of the man that started it all. 

Fans are now taken aback after the mystery was revealed. "I’m glad they cleared up the Tamisha/LaLa Ri drag mom thing," one said and another posted, "Aww, how cute it is that Tamisha is LaLa's drag mother. I knew there was something special about LaLa Ri." Another said, "I am nervy pervy about this Tamisha/Lala "she's not really my drag mom" plot!!!"

A third wrote, "I’m sorry but if I was Lala, I’d be claiming Tamisha Iman as a drag mother so hard lmfao. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that Iman dynasty!?" and a fourth added, "It's weird that they act like they don't even know each other, LaLa Ri even said I know Tamisha from back home and this b***h like to fight, they literally said nothing about her being her drag mother, and Tamisha never mentioned her while talking about her drag daughters." 

What's your take on the twist? Tell us in the comments below. 

'RuPaul's Drag Race' airs on Fridays at 8 pm ET on VH1.