Now airing its 13th record-breaking season, RuPaul’s Drag Race has secured its spot as a pioneering global cultural phenomenon. Since sashaying onto the airwaves over a decade ago, the multiple award-winning reality TV show has single-handedly altered the course of herstory, bringing the once-fringe art form of drag into the mainstream milieu – and making RuPaul very wealthy in the process . What did 2020 look like for LGBT icon Shiloh Jolie-Pitt? Having already successfully breached intolerant social barriers, the show continues to smash both records and outdated stereotypes. For one, this season’s premiere achieved the highest viewership of any episode in the franchise to date. 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. 8 transgender queens who starred on RuPaul’s Drag Race 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’.” 5 game-changing LGBTQ+ politicians shaping the world in 2021 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 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gottmik (@gottmik) 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. 5 things to know about Canada’s Drag Race first ever winner Priyanka 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 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gottmik (@gottmik) 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! 6 top LGBT shows to binge on while self-isolating 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. Want more stories like this? Sign up here . Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .