HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / REALITY TV

'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 18 winner revealed as final lip sync challenge gets intense

The final lip sync challenge of the season saw the finalists perform Miley Cyrus' track 'Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved'

'RuPaul's Drag Race' has crowned another Queen. The Season 18 finale kick-started with Darlene Mitchell, Myki Meeks, and Nini Coco vying for the ultimate title. Each of them performed original songs, after which Myki and Nini advanced to the Top 2 as Darlene was eliminated. The final two then went head-to-head in a lip sync battle, and Myki Meeks emerged victorious, becoming the winner of Season 18.

Every Queen that graced Season 18 walked the runway to kickstart the night. The 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' Top 3 then took over and dazzled the judges and audience with an original song, which was dubbed their 'personal anthem.' Darlene gave it all she had with her hilarious performance that featured her cooking with gas. Myki came next and set the stage on fire with a performance that had it all, theatrics and catchy choreography. Nini also did not hold back and came in guns blazing. However, Darlene was soon eliminated and even turned back and asked RuPaul, “You sure?” The Queen went home with $10,000 as she became the second runner-up.

Miley Cyrus made a special appearance on the show to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from RuPaul. She joined the judging panel to witness the epic showdown between the final two. The contestants took the stage for the lip sync battle as they performed Cyrus' song 'Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved.' The performance had oomph and charisma, and it left the audience wanting more. 

Before the winner was announced, Season 17's Crystal Envy took the stage to crown this year's Miss Congeniality. All the contestants voted for a fellow Queen in this category, and the honor went to Jane Don't. “Congeniality is not something the women in my family generally aspire to, but one of the best gifts that this whole experience has given me is my relationships with these girls," she shared and then pointed to the contestants and added, “You are the best prize.” Miss Congeniality went home with a $10,000 cash prize, while the other Queens received $2,000 each for participating, by Native deodorant.

The much-awaited moment finally arrived when Onya Nurve, the winner of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17, took the stage to crown her successor. Mooma Ru, with much pomp and celebration, announced Myki as the winner of this season. She was overjoyed and dedicated the win to her loved ones. “This is for my friends, my family, all of Orlando, live fiercely, love boldly, and write it in the books, baby, the Meeks shall inherit the crown!” she shared. The Season 18 winner had a roller coaster ride to say the least. She found herself at the bottom of the table in the Rate-a-Queen challenge, but bounced back with top-notch performances in the political advert challenge, the makeover task, the Improv challenge, and the final hosting challenge. The drag superstar won a makeup collaboration with Anastasia Cosmetics and a $200,000 cash prize. Nini also did not go home empty-handed as she received a cash prize of $25,000. The franchise will now return with 'RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars' Season 11 on May 8 at Paramount+.