When Maren Morris was a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Friday, she seemed more excited than the contestants themselves to be in the Werk Room during MTV’s official aftershow, Untucked.
“I’m obsessed. I’ve loved this show for so many years, and it’s crazy how far Drag Race has come,” the country superstar — who in a Friday tweet described her appearance on the show as the fulfillment of a “decade-long dream” — gushed to the cast. “I can’t believe I am in here right now. I feel like I’ve stepped through my TV screen.”
Morris’s kiki with the queens started off lightheartedly, as she admitted she was wearing a wig (which — inside Drag Race joke alert — appeared to be at least 40 inches long) to elevate her style for the occasion, and also doled out advice about handling setbacks and criticism in the talent show world.
“I’m 32, but I’ve been performing since I was 10. American Idol, I tried out for. America’s Got Talent, The Voice — they all said no,” Morris revealed. “I was devastated, obviously. And now I’m so glad I took the long way… because now people audition with my songs on those shows!”
But as Morris wrapped up her Werk Room chat with the 15 contestants vying to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar, she grew surprisingly serious.
“Coming from country music and its relationship with LGBTQ+ members, I just want to say I’m sorry,” she said. “And I love you guys for making me feel like a brave voice in country music. I just thank you guys so much for inspiring me. I’m gonna cry! I gotta go!”
“Just you being here shows you’re an ally,” contestant Mistress Isabelle Brooks assured the emotional singer.
After Morris actually left the set, contestant Spice told producers, “I love hearing Maren share her story, because a lot of times with country artists, they can’t really express their more progressive ideals. Just her being here shows she’s down and can roll with the LGBT.”