Kori King may not have snagged any challenge wins or left the judges speechless on the runway during RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, but don’t be fooled — the queen is thriving.
The fan-favorite performer has carved out a viral empire online, and in recent months, she’s become a surprising sensation on Cameo, where she’s been neck-and-neck with Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky for the top spot. Yes, that Nikki Blonsky.
While strutting down the red carpet at the Season 17 finale, King didn’t hold back when asked about her unexpected Cameo competition.
“F*** Nikki Blonsky, you c***!” King told PRIDE. “I hope Hairspray comes and fires you and takes all of your rights to sing that fing song. I hope you fall off the face of the Earth and never go back to Cameo. I need to get you banned, you fing b****.”
The NSFW comments may have dropped jaws, but fans of King know this type of unfiltered chaos is exactly what’s made her so popular.
What truly sets Kori King apart on Cameo is her unpredictable multiverse of characters. In any given video, she might appear as a chaotic take on Shrek, a possessed JoJo Siwa, or a diva-fied version of Michael Jackson. Her most infamous character, Kori Jackson, is a soulful figure she describes as both “sickening” and “a worried soul that needs saving.”
@cameo Not the wig falling 😭 @Kori King👑 #koriking #drag #dragrace #rupaulsdragrace
@jordanballance rip kori toot😔👆🏻✅ hope she’s doing okay locked in suzie’s basement @Kori King👑 @Cameo #koritoot #koriking
“When he comes through me, he’s saved!” she said, referencing her own character with her signature tongue-in-cheek bravado.
Whether it’s filming wild fan videos, crafting new characters, or performing alongside her partner Lydia B. Kollins on tour, King has kept herself booked, busy, and blissfully bizarre.
The queen’s viral success is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of drag fame — where charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent can shine just as brightly online as they do on the main stage.
RuPaul’s Drag Race airs Fridays on MTV. To catch Kori King’s full interview and red carpet moment, watch the video below.
