BY: Jasmine Franklin
Published 2 weeks ago
At the Las Vegas auditions for “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live,” something unexpected happened. As cameras rolled, Lexi Love, whose real name is Lexi Barnes, sat down for a raw interview with former “Drag Race” contestant Latrice Royale. Barnes chose to speak publicly — for the first time — about surviving one of the most traumatic chapters of her life.
Lexi Love Opens Up About Her Past
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Barnes, known as Louisville’s “Roller Derby Doll,“ has always commanded attention. But this reveal struck a different chord. During her candid exchange with Latrice, she described the time she endured human trafficking.
“I was a homeless drug addict,“ Barnes revealed during her interview. “So, I am, like RuPaul said, a survivor. I’ve survived a human trafficking incident.”
She and her friends ended up at a hotel party while under the influence of multiple substances. It was later that the incident took a turn for the worse.
The drag star revealed she “woke up handcuffed to a bed and stayed there for 48 hours.“
“I’ve survived so many f****d up things in life that I’m prepared for anything you throw at me. I might cry, but I am prepared to handle anything,“ she continued.
“Life experience is the best teacher in the world. Sometimes what we go through and experience in life, while we’re in it, we’re not feeling like it’s doing this service,“ Latrice said while comforting Barnes.
“But look at you, the strength, the perseverance, what happens when you put pressure [on yourself!],“ Latrice added.
Barnes, who is in the final four of Season 17 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” has turned her artistry into a form of resistance and strength. Her performances now carry even more depth for fans learning the truth behind her glitter and grace.
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Fans React on Social Media
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Social media erupted in support following Barnes’ heartfelt interview. Fans flooded X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram with messages of love, solidarity, and renewed admiration.
“Lexi Love has literally been through hell and high water her ENTIRE life #DragRace,“ @Vivalasdrag wrote on X.
“Lexi Love deserves the world. Surviving Human Trafficking is something so few people can say #DragRace,“ @Dustin_Cone also commented on X.
“Lexi, I just want to let you know how much your story means to me. Your vulnerability, honesty, and authenticity did not go unnoticed during your time on the show. Many people see addicts as ‘less than,‘ a sort of dirty secret to be kept behind closed doors, a topic that should be shied away from until we are expressing condolences…,“ @highitsmatthew commented on Barnes’ Instagram post.
The outpouring of support shows Barnes’ voice matters, and her story shifts the conversation. By naming her truth, she’s helping others feel seen — and reminding fans that survival is a powerful act of resistance.
This moment is about recognizing that survival is a radical act and visibility matters. Lexi Love survives human trafficking, and she is no longer hiding behind makeup or costumes. She’s claiming space onstage and off, shifting how the drag community talks about trauma, resilience, and power.
What do you think about Love’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
