Melissa McCarthy Surprises RuPaul’s Drag Race Queens, Says ‘Drag Is a Big Part of Why I Have a Career’ (Exclusive)

Melissa McCarthy brings inspiration—and iced drinks—to RuPaul’s Drag Race!

In PEOPLE’s exclusive look at the next episode of Season 16, the two-time Oscar nominee makes a surprise appearance as the contestants learn the choreography for their musical number from guest Adam Shankman.

“Oh, my assistant is here,” Shankman says dryly as McCarthy, 53, walks in, carrying cup holders full of iced drinks and dry cleaning.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I’m late,” the comedian replies apologetically as she enters. “We all know we all need a side hustle, ladies!”

Melissa McCarthy surprises the queens on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16.

MTV

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“Bitch, it’s Ursula!” contestant Morphine Love Dion declares, referencing McCarthy’s criminal turn in the live-action adaptation Little Mermaid. “Molly, from Mike and Molly!”

Fellow queen Sapphira Cristál is absolutely delighted. “You expect me to be learning choreography right now and Melissa McCarthy is sitting 3 feet away from me?” she asked. “Honey, you must be out of your mind.”

before leaving, bridesmaids star praises drag queens and shares the impact the art of drag has had on her career.

Adam Shankman directs RuPaul’s Drag Race season 16 queens for their “rusical” number.

MTV

Melissa McCarthy Wants to Make Drag Queens ‘Proud’ as Ursula in ‘The Little Mermaid’: ‘No Apologies’

“I just adore you all. I adore what you do. Drag is a big part of my career. I was going to do concerts when I wasn’t supposed to and it literally gave me the courage to get on stage,” explains McCarthy.

“I started out in drag. I acted in a big old red wig called Miss Y,” she continued. “So watching you decorate your space makes me so proud. And I just want to thank you for that and cheer for you. You’re all beautiful and I just love you.”

“Just keep doing what you’re doing. It’s not just crazy fun and it’s joyous. It’s important and you fight for it because it’s worth it,” McCarthy concluded, apparently referring to a series of anti-resistance laws that directly target the resistance. performers and places restrictions on LGBTQ+ expression.

Melissa McCarthy on ‘Rupaul’s Drag Race’.

MTV

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McCarthy has confirmed that drag was a big inspiration for her performance of Ursula, previously speaking Entertainment Weekly“There’s a drag queen that lives inside of me. I’m always on the verge of staying with her full-time.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race was named the winner of Outstanding Competition Program at last month’s Emmy Awards, and RuPaul has won Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program for a record eighth consecutive time.

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RuPaul’s Drag Race airs Fridays at 8:00 PM ET/PT on MTV.

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Source: HIS Education