Culture » Entertainment

Liza Heads to 'RuPaul's Drag Race' for Lifetime Achievement Award

Wednesday April 2, 2025
Originally published on April 1, 2025

Singer Liza Minnelli attends a press conference ahead of her tour 'Liza's at the Palace' at the Sydney Opera House on October 13, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
Singer Liza Minnelli attends a press conference ahead of her tour 'Liza's at the Palace' at the Sydney Opera House on October 13, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)  

It was announced on Tuesday that Liza Minnelli will be the recipient of "Drag Race's" third annual Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award, reports Entertainment Weekly. She will be the third honoree following Season 15's inaugural recipient Bob Mackie and the season 16 honoree, Elvira (also known as actress Cassandra Peterson).

"After decades of community allyship (and four queens across the global franchise portraying her on the 'Snatch Game' impersonation challenge, including Alexis Michelle), the EGOT-winning Hollywood legend will appear on season 17's final episode later this month, MTV and production company World of Wonder announced Tuesday."

WOW also unveiled a first-look photo of Minnelli's appearance on the Main Stage, where RuPaul will present her with the award. In the shot, Ru and Minnelli look at the camera as they hold hands, while Minnelli sits on a giant throne.

RuPaul and Liza Minnelli on "RuPaul's Drag Race"
RuPaul and Liza Minnelli on "RuPaul's Drag Race"  (Source: MTV/World of Wonder)

Minnelli has been a gay icon and ally throughout her career. In addition to being one of the most frequently named celebrity on the series, Minnelli has been impersonated four times on the show's "Snatch Game," most notably by Michelle, whose Season 9 impersonation is considered one of the best in "Snatch Game" herstory. Others who have done their best Liza are Scarlett BoBo on "Canada's Drag Race" Season 1; Hannah Conda, who won the "Snatch Game" challenge on "Drag Race Down Under" Season 2; and La Voix, who also won the challenge with her Liza on "RuPaul's Drag Race UK" Season 6. In addition, Jinkx Monsoon famously impersonated Liza's mother, Judy Garland, in an all-time-great "Snatch Game" performance on "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7" in 2022, in which she won and was named "Queen of All Queens."

Minnelli is the latest celebrity to join "Drag Race" Season 17, following high-profile guest-judging appearances by Katy Perry, Doechii, Hunter Schafer, Quinta Brunson, and Adam Lambert, among others.

The "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 17 finale airs Friday, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.