American Idol and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Adore Delano comes out as transgender
Adore Delano, a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6 and a former contestant on American Idol season 7, publicly announced that she is transgender in an emotional video posted on Wednesday (July 26).
In the video, Adore addressed the online speculation about her body and gender. She explained that she has been transitioning and chose to keep the early months private. “I wanted to go through the beginning stages of puberty privately,” she said, noting that those first months of hormone therapy brought many physical and emotional changes. She described the experience as enlightening and said it has made her happier than she has been in her adult life.
Adore shared how her journey unfolded. As a child she felt she didn’t belong, and those feelings intensified after she got sober two years ago. Alcohol had previously helped her suppress difficult emotions. Once she stopped drinking and began therapy, she realized that living between two identities—the male identity she presented in daily life and the female persona she performed on stage—was no longer sustainable.
When she competed on Idol “I threw it away. I burned it. I tried to reinvent myself”
Adore explained that her gender exploration began early. Before turning 13 she came out first as bisexual, then as gay, and later identified as transgender in high school. Her mother was supportive, but at 16, when she auditioned for American Idol, she reverted to a more male presentation. Competing as Danny Noriega in 2008, she reached the Top 12 and became a fan favorite for her spirited interactions with the judges.
Reflecting on that period, Adore said she suppressed her true self to pursue career opportunities. “I threw it away. I burned it. I tried to reinvent myself,” she said, describing the reinvention as uncomfortable but something she believed necessary at the time. After leaving American Idol, she returned to a more feminine presentation, trying to reconcile the different parts of her identity.
Adore began her drag career after Idol, which led to Drag Race
Following her stint on American Idol, Adore embraced drag. She loved the transformation and the fluid boundary between the character she performed and Danny, the person offstage. Still, she says that living in that in-between space never fully aligned with her spirit. Videos from her early drag days show a mix of brightness and sadness: a glimmer in her eye alongside the pain she numbed with alcohol.
Her drag career eventually led to RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she found further success and recognition. But the internal conflict about gender identity persisted until she began working on her recovery and mental health, which helped bring clarity and acceptance.
“I am on my third month, now on estrogen”
Adore revealed she is three months into estrogen therapy. “I am so chill. I love life again,” she said, describing the feeling as similar to going through puberty a second time. She explained why she kept the early stages of her transition private: as a public figure since age 18, she has learned to navigate how much of her life to reveal. Still, she ultimately decided to share this part of her journey with fans.
She also announced upcoming medical plans. Adore said she will have surgery in November and expects to undergo additional major procedures later in the year. She plans to take a few months off early next year to recover from these operations.
On pronouns, Adore stated she now goes by she/her. She noted that “they” still feels friendly, but that she/her pronouns feel right and affirming for her at this stage.
Adore has emphasized how empowering the process has been. “I’m living in my world now, and it feels so good,” she said. She anticipates mixed reactions—some fans have long appreciated the contrast between her drag persona and her male presentation—but she called this the conclusion of that chapter and invited supporters to join her as she embraces who she truly is.
“It feels so liberating”
Describing the transition as liberating, Adore said she feels like she is finally giving her teenage self permission to be authentic. She appreciates the simple joy of walking down the street without fear and is sensitive to comments about her changing body because the physical changes are deeply personal. She noted that her body fat distribution is shifting and that she’s developing breasts—details she framed as part of a newfound sense of self and fulfillment.
Adore urged fans to “live your truth,” calling it fulfilling and healing. She expressed deep gratitude for the people who have supported her throughout her career and transition. “I would be nowhere without my supporters,” she said. “You guys have my heart.”
Adore will undergo “major surgeries” at the end of the year
Alongside her announcement about hormone therapy and pronouns, Adore confirmed she will take time away from performing for medical recovery. She described the procedures as “major surgeries” and asked for privacy and patience as she focuses on her health.
Outside of television, Adore has maintained a music career. Her 2014 album Till Death Do Us Party reached No. 59 on the Billboard 200, and she has headlined tours and appeared on reality shows, including an MTV casting in 2019. As she moves into this next phase, she said she plans to make the most of the journey and continue creating for the fans who have supported her through every iteration of her life and career.