Gottmik, or simply Mik, is the stage name of Kade Gottlieb, who rose to stardom after becoming the first trans man to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race. His drag is often experimental and inspired by high fashion, with heavy emphasis on the makeup skills he has developed working as a professional makeup artist for celebrities such as Lil Nas X and Heidi Klum.

He was close runner-up in Season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2020, but has been practising drag since he was 17 years old as it was the only time people would perceive him as a man. He went on to study product development at the LA-based Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising before being accepted onto Drag Race, where he quickly became a fan favourite for his boundary-pushing drag looks, including the famous ‘little black dress’.

He is currently performing with fellow Drag Race alumni Miss Vanjie as part of Drive N Drag, a drive-in drag show touring across the US. He also recently fronted a campaign for queer-owned candle company Boy Smells and modelled Baja East’s collection alongside fellow Dazed100er Symone. 

Text Robin Craig