Time to crash the cis-tem! When Gottmik entered the workroom as RuPaul’s Drag Race’s first openly transgender male contestant, barriers were broken. The Instagram personality and celebrity makeup artist had a lot riding on her shoulders entering the competition. But she brushed it all off as soon as she could, and soared to the top of the pack.
Gottmik was a fan-favorite with her inspiring story, tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, and her unique take on drag. Inspired by high fashion, surrealist art, grunge, punk, and even clown-ish aesthetics, she created a lane all her own and gobsmacked everyone each time she hit the runway in these looks.
Nice Girls Roast
At this point in the season, viewers and the judges had seen many crazy, outside-the-box looks from Gottmik. So for the roast, they were pleasantly surprised to see such a natural, understated side of her.
Combining a glittering green dress with pointed shoulder pads, more natural makeup (for her), and a killer set of jokes, Mik made a huge impression this episode. She not only killed the challenge, but proved that she can still bring her signature self to the stage, even without her usual theatrics.
Fascinating Fascinators
For the Fascinating Fascinators runway, Gottmik donned her signature clown-white makeup and combined it with a bit of punk and camp.
A giant safety pin going through her head with a crystallized drop of blood at the tip created a darkly comical fascinator and a standout on the runway. Her leather jacket, skirt, and heels, were all spray painted to give a 1970’s London punk vibe that fits perfectly with the Gottmik brand, and was even adorned with regular-sized safety pins all over to tie back to the headpiece. This look cemented Mik as a frontrunner for the crown.
Beast Couture
A runway theme like “Beast Couture” seems right up Gottmik’s alley, and she did not disappoint. Her dress was fun, kitschy, and playful, with giant eyeballs on her shoulders and sparkling silver fangs around her waist.
The illusion of a giant monster was different than a lot of the other contestants who chose to be the monster themselves. She changed her makeup yet again and proved just how deft and versatile she can be with a makeup brush. This look was well executed and helped keep Mik out of the bottom for this challenge.
Mixed Bag
In the first category for this season’s ball, the queens took a phrase with “bag” somewhere in the title and dragged it up. Gottmik had “Bodybag,” and true to form, she mixed the dark and macabre with art, wearing a bodysuit that was seemingly in the middle of an autopsy.
She had velour organs, a shining stone ribcage, and skin that was somewhat green. But her heels, makeup, and performance on the runway showed the fashion and humor in this look and helped Mik snatch the win this week.
Haute Pockets
Gottmik referenced Disney’s Hercules for her pockets look and channeled her inner flasher. She wore a plain oversized trenchcoat, only to reveal a glittering corset underneath.
Covered in gold chains and watches, the corset was glamorous, eye-popping, and another type of garment audiences and the judges had yet to see on Mik. The inside of the trenchcoat was lined with over a dozen pockets with watches spilling out of them, and her performance on the runway was hysterical.
Little Black Dress
With another unique interpretation of the week’s runway theme, Gottmik had a fun and meaningful take on “Little Black Dress.” The titular garment was as “little” as possible, which made for a ridiculously silly silhouette but also left a lot of room for Gottmik to show off her body.
She says that before her top surgery, she never would have done this type of barely-clothed look, but she is now more confident than ever. With that beautiful message and a cheeky take on the category, this look stands out as one of Mik’s best.
Nighttime Is The Right Time
For the mini-challenge in the first competitive episode of the season, the queens were asked to prepare a daytime and nighttime look. Gottmik wanted to prove right away that her signature white makeup wouldn’t become boring or a crutch she would fall back on.
She showed this right away, with sexier, more natural makeup, and a mouthwatering ensemble. If Elvira and Lil’ Kim had a love child, it would be Gottmik in this look. The luscious black velvet gown fit her like a dream and showed that Mik was one to watch, early on.
Drag Excellence
Gottmik’s look for this category was the perfect example of how to save the best for last. This category is meant for the queens to showcase their best looks right before the finale and present something that best represents them.
Gottmik looked like a polka dot, pop art, Cruella DeVille, clown fever dream and it couldn’t have been better. The cutouts on the dress match the natural skin in the makeup, and the dots going from the dress to the face to the hair help make this one of Gottmik’s best showings.
Black And White
For the grand finale, the queens were asked to bring three runway looks for a ball. The first category, “Black and White,” brought out the best in Gottmik. Her Hellraiser-inspired look was a game-changer, from the black latex gown and details, crystal headpiece, to the custom Pandora’s box clutch.
It was the first of many jaw-dropping moments at the finale and showed the queens all meant business. This was the epitome of mixing the ghoulish with the glamorous, as only Gottmik can do.
Finale Eleganza
The Evil Queen from Snow White by way of a boss opponent in a Final Fantasy game, Gottmik’s Finale Eleganza was the ultimate representation of her perspective on drag. Structured, regal, gothic, and a bit frightening, Gottmik looked like a walking art piece on the runway. She moved with poise and elegance and viewers could tell how confident she felt.
The details are immaculate, from the studs across the gown, ruffled skirt, to the central sparkling blood-red heart. This was truly Gottmik in her most powerful form and no one could tell her otherwise.
