RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 Top Three Talk Finale Hopes

Darlene Mitchell, Nini Coco and Myki Meeks discuss their journeys on the hit reality competition show.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:24pm

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An extreme close-up of shattered, reflective glass fragments in a dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting setup, conceptually representing the glamour and intensity of the RuPaul's Drag Race finale.The shattered remains of a disco ball glisten under studio lights, hinting at the high-stakes drama and dazzling performances of the RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 finale.Today in Orlando

The top three queens from season 18 of RuPaul's Drag Race - Darlene Mitchell, Nini Coco, and Myki Meeks - spoke with Newsweek about their experiences on the show, their standout moments, and what they hope to do if they win the crown.

Why it matters

Each season of Drag Race introduces viewers to incredibly talented drag performers who often go on to become stars in their own right. This season's top three finalists have all made a strong impression, showcasing their unique styles and perspectives on drag. Their insights provide a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of competing on one of the most high-profile drag competitions.

The details

Myki Meeks wowed the judges with her Snatch Game impersonation of Drew Barrymore, even getting to meet the actress. Darlene Mitchell brought a sense of joy and positivity to the competition, despite frequent critiques of her shoe choices. And Nini Coco stunned on the runway while also having to lip sync for her life a few times. All three queens are confident they have what it takes to be the next winner of Drag Race.

  • Myki's Snatch Game performance as Drew Barrymore landed the queen a spot on her talk show.
  • Darlene's 'banana' moment in a challenge helped put her 'on the map' for the rest of the competition.

The players

Darlene Mitchell

A drag queen known for her sense of joy and positivity, despite receiving critiques about her shoe choices.

Nini Coco

A drag queen who stunned on the runway all season, despite having to lip sync for her life a few times.

Myki Meeks

A drag queen whose Snatch Game impersonation of Drew Barrymore was so impressive that she got to meet the actress.

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What they’re saying

“We have not seen a winner like me before, so it is all the more reason to take the crown. Lip syncing is a core part of the show and the competition and drag performance in general. So I'm like, hey, if I got to lip sync my way to the end, if I have to show off my powerhouse performance ability to get there, I am ready to do so.”

— Nini Coco

“I've joked that I'm like the reset button when it comes to drag. So just sort of reinforce that there aren't any rules. What we try to stick to as far as the checklist of drag, just throw that out the window. It's really about the joy that you inspire in people and that you can invite other people in on.”

— Darlene Mitchell

“I don't want to speak for the other two. I think the three of us, and a lot of the previous season, represent fun in drag. We want to bring a sense of fun with everything we do. To give people an escape from what we're living in right now once a week, although it's probably not my favorite time for this to happen for us, it is very important that we are doing this.”

— Myki Meeks

What’s next

The winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 will be announced on the season finale, which airs on MTV on Friday.

The takeaway

This season of RuPaul's Drag Race has showcased the incredible talent and diverse perspectives of the drag community, providing viewers with much-needed joy and escapism during challenging times. Regardless of who takes home the crown, the top three finalists have proven themselves to be dynamic performers who are poised to make a lasting impact on the world of drag.