The Internet is abuzz after Taylor Swift debuted the star-studded music video for You Need to Calm Down. If you haven’t watched it, we highly suggest you do! It’s fun and colorful and, most importantly, communicates an important message about pride and the LGBTQ+ community.
It also features a number of queer icons and celebrities, including Adam Lambert, Ellen DeGeneres, Queer Eye‘s Fab Five, Hayley Kiyoko, Ciara, and many more. But the best cameos undeniably go to RuPaul’s Drag Race drag queens who dressed up as today’s biggest pop stars!
Here’s what each of them had to say about working alongside Taylor Swift for the music video:
Jade Jolie
Jade Jolie, who was on season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race where she impersonated Taylor during the Snatch Game challenge, got the chance to impersonate her again! In her post, she called it “the best day ever” and said Taylor “treated all of like queens [and showed] us so much love & kindness!”
Adore Delano
Adore Delano was featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6 and RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars 2. Starring as Katy Perry in the MV, she called Taylor a “beautiful flower.”
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Backstage with this beautiful flower. ✔️Check #YouNeedToCalmDown out now‼️????
A’keria Chanel Davenport
A’keria C. Davenport was a finalist on the recent 11th season and appeared as Nicki Minaj in the MV. “The best part of it all was the behind the scenes just talking and having good laughs with [Taylor] on a personal level!” she wrote. “Mama is definitely that b****.”
Delta Work
Delta Work, a.k.a. Adele, was on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 3. She also shared a behind-the-scenes photo with Taylor sipping on “drinks” with floaties.
Tatianna
Aside from Delta Work, veteran queen Tatianna from season 2 also made her appearance in the video as Ariana Grande. She shared an iconic group shot with all of them on her Instagram.
Trinity K. Bonet
“You don’t get many memories like this,” Trinity K. Bonet, who was a season 6 contestant and starred as Cardi B. in the video, wrote about the experience. “Drag has to be the most rewarding job ANYONE could have.”
Trinity the Tuck
“I never met Taylor before and when she came in the dressing area where all the queens were she was the nicest, most humble and genuine person!” said iconic queen Trinity the Tuck from season 9 and All-Stars 4 who had transformed herself into Lady Gaga. “So happy to be part of such a statement! Thank you for always standing up for what’s right!”
Riley Knoxx
Riley Knoxx is the only drag queen featured in the video who did not compete in RuPaul’s Drag Race but who made a name for herself by being the fiercest drag impersonators of Beyoncé. She went on to thank Taylor for not only handpicking her to be part of the music video but also for taking the time to know her story.
“[Taylor] is the nicest person I have ever met in my entire life, not celebrity, but nicest person!” Riley said. “I was so excited when I first learned that I would be in your video but even more excited when I made a new friend. [Sitting and] talking with you for hours will be the most unforgettable experience of my life!”
She also thanked her for the advice she gave and for entertaining her with champagne. “Thank you for making me a part of your beautiful art!”
(WATCH: Katy Perry and Taylor Swift Slow Dance It Out in ‘You Need to Calm Down’ MV)
Whose cameo was your favorite from Taylor’s “You Need to Calm Down”?
