The Columbus icon will compete in season 11, which begins airing later this year

It’s official: Nina West will be competing on season 11 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

The announcement was made during a live VH1 YouTube stream on Thursday afternoon.

Rumors of West’s inclusion started swirling in May 2018 when she disappeared from social media and canceled appearances, stoking speculation she was off filming the series rather than recovering from minor surgery — the stated reason for the missed gigs.

“All we can confirm is that she is having foot surgery,” Sam Schisler, chief marketing and promotions officer for Union Café and Axis Night Club, said via email at the time, as reported by Prizm.

Andrew Levitt, who performs as West, has long aspired to a spot on the series.

“I auditioned for ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race.’ If I actually got on I’d probably shit a brick,” Levitt said in a 2014 interview with Alive. “But I am fully prepared to not get the call, and I am totally fine with that. People would kill for the performance opportunities I’ve been given. I have big plans for you, Columbus.”

Those plans expand nationwide when the new season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” begins airing on VH1 later this year.

Not part of the cast: Any of the current or former Alive staffers who received drag makeovers via Nina West and Co. in 2014.