By JACQUELINE LINDENBERG
Published: 19:59 EDT, 14 September 2025 | Updated: 20:00 EDT, 14 September 2025
They made a huge splash on reality television this competing on the 17th season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Fans were shocked to find out that contestant has a link to a sporting legend.
NBA player-turned broadcaster Charles Barkley is also godfather to the TV star.
Wearing a stunning white gown and a bouffant blonde wig, many fans were left baffled as to who the glamourous star was.
The star recently made an appearance at a major awards show earlier this month at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
Can you guess who it is?
They made a huge splash on reality television this competing on the 17th season of RuPaul 's Drag Race - can you guess who it is?
Fans were shocked to find out that contestant has a link to a sporting legend. NBA player-turned broadcaster Charles Barkley is also godfather to the TV star
It's RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Sam Star!
The TV personality, 25, turned heads on the red carpet in a bedazzled white gown that had a slit on the left side.
Star - who made it to the top four on the latest season of RuPaul's Drag Race - additionally wore shimmering tights and glittering heels.
She carried a gold purse to hold a few items needed during the festivities and opted for voluminous platinum blonde locks.
Star further glammed up the look with thick lashes as well as a dramatic smoky shadow around the eyes.
A pink blush was added to better accentuate the cheekbones while a satin pink tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.
The media personality accessorized the outfit with a pair of flashy earrings as well as a chunky ring.
Star posed up a storm for a brief photo session upon arriving to the 77th Annual Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
It's RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Sam Star! The TV personality, 25, turned heads on the red carpet in a bedazzled white gown that had a slit on the left side
Star - who made it to the top four on the latest season of RuPaul's Drag Race - additionally wore shimmering tights and glittering heels
Star posed up a storm for a brief photo session upon arriving to the 77th Annual Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles
Comedian Nick Bargatze has taken on hosting duties for the star-studded ceremony - with the series Severance raking in the most nominations.
Star - whose full name is Sam Purkey - was born in Alabama and also became Miss Glamour Newcomer 2022.
However, she gained wider recognition after appearing in the 17th season of RuPaul's Drag Race earlier this year - and made it to the top four.
During one episode, Star revealed a connection she has to NBA legend Charles Barkley.
The former basketball pro was known for playing on teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and also the Houston Rockets.
'You have a relationship with Charles Barkley,' RuPaul told Star on the show, to which the TV personality replied with, 'I do!'
Star then went on to give details about the connection and explained, 'He is my godfather! So he went to high school with my mom and they're best friends.
'So he played a big role in raising me... I'm sure he's proud that I'm now a drag queen and not a basketball player.'
Star then went on to give details about the connection and explained, 'He is my godfather! So he went to high school with my mom and they're best friends'; Barkley seen in January in Philadelphia
Star also shared that Barkley has always been supportive and added that the former sports player 'actually come to my drag shows before!'
Star also shared that Barkley has always been supportive and added that the former sports player 'actually come to my drag shows before!'
A selfie of the pair then appeared during the episode and RuPaul asked Star, 'Did he tip you?'
The media personality answered, 'Of course he tipped me!'
Star further opened up about the relationship during an interview with People in February and expressed, 'My mom's name is Leslie Blair, and she met Charles in high school. They were actually really close.'
The reality star also gushed about how 'supportive' Barkley is and said, 'Obviously, he's a big celebrity always busy doing things. But whenever he was back in town, he always stopped by and was always very supportive.'
Star recalled how his mother had to work many jobs to provide for them and how the former pro basketball player 'was always someone that she could look to to help us whenever we were drowning.
The former basketball pro was known for playing on teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and also the Houston Rockets; Barkley seen as #34 for the Phoenix Suns in 1993
Star has been keeping busy and recently made a statement in an eye-catching look at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month (seen above)
'So I owe a lot to him, for us being able to keep our house and all these fabulous things.'
The media personality added, 'I also promised myself that one day I would do something big so my mom wouldn't have to work so hard. So hopefully I'm on the right path for that.'
Star has been keeping busy and recently made a statement in an eye-catching look at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month.
The reality star opted for a black and blue-patterned gown with shimmering details as well as a black feathery coverup. For a final touch, Star opted for platinum blocks that were styled into a high up do.