‘Drag Race’ season 17 finalist Lexi Love enters 30-day rehab for substance abuse

RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 finalist Lexi Love is undergoing a 30-day rehab program to seek treatment for substance abuse as well as emotional therapy, her manager exclusively shares with Entertainment Weekly.

After the 34-year-old drag artist posted Saturday to her social media profiles a message explaining that she’ll be in rehab and “gone for a while,” TJ Liedel, Lexi’s longtime friend and manager, tells EW that past trauma led to recent issues with substance abuse and her current treatment at a facility in Texas.

While Lexi opened up on RuPaul’s Drag Race about her past addiction to meth, Liedel says that meth is not a factor here. He adds, however, that complete sobriety is Lexi’s goal, and that she may enter an additional 30-day program following her first month at the Texas facility.

“Her family, friends, and fans all know the love and light that Lexi has. We know how difficult it is to face these things head on. We’re extremely proud of the courage she has to face publicly, and to be a representative for so many in the community,” Liedel tells EW. “Unfortunately, people demonize these things, but the only way we can get better about it is to be public, share stories, and actively work toward healthier, happier times. We appreciate the support of everyone. Know that Lexi appreciates everyone in their support, and she will be back soon. We Lexi Love you.”

Lexi initially posted a message on social media addressed to “curious cats,” in which she explained, “I was brave enough to take my mental, [physical], and emotional health serious for the first time ever,” before revealing that she was in rehab.

She promised to return, however, and voiced a promising outlook on her situation as she told her fans to “get ready for what’s coming.”

Nine days after she tied with fellow competitor Sam Star for third place on Drag Race‘s season 17 finale, Lexi announced April 27 on X that she would take a break from performing to care for her mental health.

“I’m taking a step back to nurture my mental, physical, and emotional well-being. It’s time to transform my relationship with my inner saboteur — to understand it, disarm it, and step fully into my strength,” Lexi said.

She added that the “journey isn’t one I can take alone” and that she’ll “need help, guidance, and grace along the way” while she recovered.

“When I return, I’ll be ready to take on the world — bigger, better, and stronger than ever,” she continued. “And to those who doubted me — thank you for reminding me that resilience is a choice, and I choose to rise.”

During her time on Drag Race‘s most recent regular edition, Lexi impressed the judges with her runway fashions as well as her performances on stage — particularly her roller-skating-centric lip-sync number during the Drag Queens Got Talent variety show at the beginning of the season.

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She also opened up about her past trauma, meth addiction, and her journey toward coming out as trans. Lexi’s story on the program reached an emotional peak on the March 28 “Drag Baby Mamas” makeover episode, which saw Lexi’s biological mom join the show to be made over into a drag goddess at the hands of her daughter.

The episode saw Lexi get emotional over her mother — whom she said had a difficult time accepting her identity earlier in life — finally using she/her pronouns to speak about Lexi, who is a trans woman, as the pair stood on the Main Stage to receive critiques from RuPaul.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.