In Sheffield, England, on his 16th birthday, Jamie New, a young gay boy living with his single mother, Margaret New, attends Mayfield school. While his teacher scolds the students for their unrealistic career aspirations, Jamie secretly harbors a dream of becoming a drag queen, envisioning his debut onstage with the phrase, > "And You Don't Even Know It."
To prepare for Jamie's birthday festivities, Margaret consults her friend Ray for assistance as they anticipate the arrival of Jamie's estranged father, Wayne, who lives with his partner Cheryl. However, at the last moment, Wayne cancels his visit, leaving Margaret to fabricate a tale about his absence. As a thoughtful gift, she surprises Jamie with a pair of remarkable red high heels, which he had longed for but couldn’t afford. Jamie, heartbroken by his father's absence, reflects on their complicated relationship and recalls a painful childhood remark that continues to haunt him, embodied in the song, > "Wall in My Head."
At school, Jamie shares his excitement about the heels with his best friend, Pritti Pasha, who faces her own challenges due to her faith. Encouraging Jamie to embrace his uniqueness, Pritti supports his dream of showcasing his drag persona at the prom, rallying him to wear the heels as a statement of self-expression—an anthem captured in > "Spotlight."
Later, Margaret confronts Wayne at Cheryl's home, expressing her frustration over his absence in Jamie's life. Wayne reveals his bitterness towards Jamie's failure to conform to traditional masculine standards, further complicating their already strained relationship.
Determined to pursue his dreams, Jamie visits a drag shop called House of Loco, where he meets Hugo Battersby, the shop owner and former drag superstar. Here, Hugo shares touching stories about his drag family, emphasizing the impact of the AIDS crisis on their community. He offers to mentor Jamie, revealing that drag is a powerful form of rebellion. Jamie informs Margaret and Ray about his plans for a drag debut, while Margaret struggles to reveal Wayne's true feelings to Jamie, who remains hopeful that his father will show up for the performance.
As the show approaches, Jamie enlists Pritti's help to fix an eyebrow mishap, only to be caught by their teacher, Miss Hedge, who humiliates him. Despite the mockery from classmates, Jamie decides to boldly announce his upcoming performance, expressing his determination not to be shamed—echoed in > "Work of Art."
On the day of the show, when confronted by Dean, the school bully, Jamie momentarily hesitates but is encouraged by Hugo, who helps him channel his inner queen, giving him the drag name Mimi Me. As Jamie takes the stage, Dean attempts to disrupt the show but is swiftly removed, allowing Jamie to perform triumphantly in front of his friends and family.
The morning after the show, whispers circulate through the school, with Jamie making a grand entrance dressed in makeup. However, confrontation looms as Dean vows to boycott prom if Jamie appears in drag. Facing backlash from Miss Hedge, who attempts to undermine his identity, Jamie seeks solace from Pritti, who inspires him to embrace his true self without relying solely on his drag persona.
With renewed confidence, Jamie pays a visit to Wayne, only to confront the harsh reality of his father's disappointment and rejection. This painful encounter leads Jamie to lash out at Margaret, tearing apart the Loco Chanelle dress before storming off into a darkened spiral, expressing self-destructive impulses through shoplifting and an impulsive drunken confrontation with his father at a sports event.
Eventually, Jamie finds solace and support from Hugo, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation with Margaret, as they address their struggles and love for one another in the emotional ballad, > "My Man, My Boy." As prom night arrives, Pritti takes a stand against Dean, inspiring Jamie to attend as his authentic self in a beautiful girls' prom dress.
Despite initial resistance from Miss Hedge, Jamie’s classmates, led by Pritti, show their unwavering support, ultimately allowing everyone to celebrate together. Amidst the backdrop of acceptance and unity, Jamie and his peers dance into a brighter horizon, capturing the essence of belonging in the powerful finale, > "Out of the Darkness (A Place Where We Belong)."
