Nymphia Wind’s journey to the Drag Race crown was marked by firsts. As the first East Asian queen, the first Taiwanese queen, and the first queen to actively dislike words, she stood out from the start. Nymphia’s aversion to writing, speaking, and comedy became a central arc throughout season 16, with her preferring to showcase her incredible dance and sewing talents. However, she overcame this challenge in the penultimate challenge, a marathon of words that tested her writing and interviewing skills. Her victory in that challenge marked a significant breakthrough, proving that she was not just a looks queen but a versatile performer.
In the finale, Nymphia reminded us of her exceptional abilities, delivering a powerful original song performance and an unforgettable boba-themed lip sync to ‘Padam Padam.’ The win solidified her status as one of the most captivating queens in the show’s history.
Despite her success on the show, Nymphia remains humble and grounded. When asked about her reign, she says, ‘It’s a day. A lot of press? Lots of talking. And that’s your favorite thing?’ with a touch of sarcasm.
When planning for the finale, Nymphia drew inspiration from her Taiwanese heritage. She wanted to represent her country without relying on clichés. ‘I thought, what other ways could I do it? Let’s just make a bubble tea outfit, because bubble tea is the national drink of Taiwan. We invented it. It was a fun way to do it.’
While her ‘Padam Padam’ performance seemed effortless, Nymphia reveals that she planned certain elements, such as the timing of her bubble tea reveal and cartwheel. ‘The rest was just feel the music and do it as you go.’
Reflecting on her finale performance, Nymphia says, ‘I felt good because even if I didn’t do well, at least I had fun. That’s always my motto. Have fun in everything, otherwise it’s not worth doing. The rest is not up to me.’
Despite the pressure and nerves leading up to her performances, Nymphia developed a strategy for building self-confidence. ‘Before any performances, when I’m about to walk onstage and do the challenge or perform, I would hypnotize myself by saying I am that bitch. I can do it. Just have fun, relax into it. I have to force self-confidence onto myself.’
While the version of Nymphia portrayed on TV was undoubtedly entertaining, it was only a fraction of who she is. ‘The mellow and deadened side of me didn’t get shown that much on TV. You want to make TV; no one wants to see you not talking or just sitting in a corner. I am a wallflower, essentially. If I could, I would not talk, but it’s TV. You’ve got to show the best side of you.’
The interview challenge was particularly daunting for Nymphia, but she saw it as an opportunity to share her story and reconnect with her true self. ‘The last challenge was about re-centering myself and finding myself again.’
Nymphia’s determination and resilience serve as an inspiration to all who dream of overcoming their obstacles. Her reign as America’s Next Drag Superstar is sure to be filled with groundbreaking moments and unforgettable performances.
