Megyn Kelly called the look “sick & obviously misogynistic” amid a flurry of conservative pushback over the bloody “Drag Race” runway ensemble.
RuPaul’s Drag Race star Gottmik’s powerful All Stars 9 runway look — a comment on the trans contestant’s experience with top surgery — not only resonated with fans of the show, but also stoked controversy within conservative circles.
In the most recent episode of the reality competition, Gottmik displayed a unique take on the runway theme of “A Tail and Two Titties” after breaking ground as the first trans man to ever compete on Drag Race when she first appeared on season 13 in 2021. The 27-year-old sashayed down the All Stars runway on Friday night wearing a latex skirt and corset and a pair of fake arms draped around her holding scalpels that moved against her exposed chest, with red streaks representing incisions under her nipples. The makeup artist and actor also carried a pair of fake breasts inside a bloody plastic bag as an accessory on the runway. The judges praised the bold look as a moving statement on Gottmik’s identity and trans representation.
Conservatives, including Megyn Kelly, however, didn’t appreciate the look.
“This whole ideology is sick & obviously misogynistic,” Kelly posted on social media on Sunday, sharing a post by a prominent conservative conspiracy account that slammed Gottmik’s creation.
Conservative circles pushed back against the look so much that Gottmik’s name trended on X over the weekend.
“This look is something I’ve been wanting to do for so long, because top surgery absolutely changed my life,” Gottmik said on the show.
Gottmik elaborated on the intent of her latest look in an Instagram post.
“I don’t even know what to say about this look besides THANK YOU. This look is beyond just me. It is a piece of art and fashion that represents something that I never thought I’d be vulnerable enough to talk about let alone wear on the runway,” she wrote alongside a series of photos of the piece’s details. “This look represents the pain and suffering I went through while all at the some time experiencing complete trans queer liberation in a way that I hope everyone seeing this will feel one day. I found my peace within the fashion drag artistry space and I hope everyone finds theirs in one way or another.”
Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for Kelly and RuPaul’s Drag Race for comment.
During her initial run on the show, Gottmik sported another runway design that saw her proudly display her chest while wearing nothing but a small black dress on her lower half. In an interview with EW before the premiere of All Stars 9, Gottmik explained that her season 13 look helped her feel a sense of accomplishment and liberation.
“I’d just started physically transition,” Gottmik explained of joining the season. “There has to be a moment where I‘m naked. I’ve never seen a trans guy on TV at all, let alone with their body out. This could be that moment. Honey, this is going to be the littlest black dress ever. I love a tongue-in-cheek, funny, smart, outfit moment, and on top of that, needed that trans body moment.”
In addition to her stunning runway looks, Gottmik also wowed the judges with her instantly memorable performance as Paris Hilton during the fan-favorite Snatch Game celebrity impersonation challenge — which she won for the second time on Friday’s episode of All Stars 9.
Gottmik and the other AS9 queens are all playing for charity this year, with the winner of the season overall set to receive a $200,000 check for the philanthropic organization of their choice. So far, Gottmik has raised $20,000 in prize money for Trans Lifeline, after winning both the ball and Snatch Game challenges across the last two weeks.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 9 continues Fridays on Paramount+. Watch Gottmik’s full EW interview above.