Actress Melissa McCarthy surprised the talented queens of RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 on the latest episode of the series. There, she spoke words of encouragement and shared a little bit of what drag means to her.
While briefly pausing the group's rehearsals, McCarthy suddenly entered the stage from behind while carrying several bags and drink holders.
"We all know we all need a side hustle, ladies," the Bridesmaids star joked as all the queens got excited about the star’s surprise visit.
“I just adore you all, I adore what you do,” Melissa shared. “Drag is a big part of why I have a career. I was going to drag shows when I shouldn’t have been, and it literally gave me the courage to get up on stage. I started in drag, I started in a big old red wig called Miss Y.”
While promoting the hit live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, McCarthy spoke about taking on the part of the iconic villain who was inspired by famed drag queen Divine in the original 1989 animated movie. The actress also shared that she performed as a drag queen named Miss Y around various venues and events in New York for a time.
On that note, McCarthy left the queens with some sage words to take throughout their fabulous careers.
“So, when I look at you fighting to carve out your space, it makes me so proud, and I just want to thank you for it and root for you,” Melissa continued. “You’re all gorgeous ladies, and I just love you. Just keep doing what you’re doing; it’s not only wildly entertaining and it brings joy, it’s important. Fight for it, because it’s worth it.”
You could see just how much McCarthy’s words resonated with the contestants in the Werkroom.
In a confessional, season 16 queen Dawn praised McCarthy for speaking to the cast with such genuine emotion. "Listening to Melissa McCarthy talk about drag and even get a little choked up talking to us about it, makes me realize how significant it is to even be here," she said.
Catch season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race now on Paramount+.
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