And now thanks to the participation of contestant Gottmik, another major milestone has been reached. Gottmik is not only a talented make-up artist but is also the first ever transgender man to compete on the show. And while there are many reasons to love this trailblazing trans icon, these are some of our favourites.

His inspiring backstory

Out of drag, the RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant’s name is Kade Gottlieb. Born in Arizona, Gottlieb grew up within a conservative family environment.

In an interview with TMRW, Kade said, “So my whole life, I felt very … trapped in the wrong body … [and] … I was like, ‘OK, something’s wrong here. Something isn’t adding up and I have to figure this out’.”

After high school, the future queen-to-be moved to LA to pursue dreams of a career in fashion. It was here that Kade’s career as a make-up artist took off and where he met an uplifting group of LGBTQ+ friends and allies, whose support made it so that “everything clicked”, encouraging him to be the out-and-proud trans man and drag queen he is today.

His empowering circle of friends

Some of Kade’s closest friends and allies are prominent members of the LGBTQ+ community and trans icons and activists themselves.

One of his best friends is Canadian YouTuber Gigi Gorgeous, who famously shared her own transition story with the world.

Gigi helped pay for Kade’s top surgery, the pair have appeared on magazine covers together and even recently launched a range of collaborative merch.

His openness about his journey to becoming a trans male drag queen

Gottlieb has spoken publicly about his personal journey, sharing some of his experiences with the procedures he’s undergone during the transition process.

His honesty is inspiring as is his unique and uncommon perspective of being a femme trans man who’s also a sickening drag queen!

His undeniable make-up skills

What’s also impressive is the RuGirl’s career as a make-up artist before the show.

From celebrity clients like Heidi Klum, Cindy Crawford, Paris Hilton and Todrick Hall, to fan favourite Drag Race royalty like Shangela, Alaska, Detox, Willam and Violet Chachki, the list of famous faces Gottmik has painted is remarkable.

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