RuPaul’s Drag Race First East Asian Winner Victory
The Taiwanese fashion queen Nymphia Wind is the first East Asian RuPaul’s Drag Race winner.
Nymphia Wind had such an impeccable season on s16 of #dragrace! congrats winner pic.twitter.com/sSpEl9qtxN
— justin (@jusdaydreamin) April 20, 2024
Nymphia Wind, or Leo Tsao, moved to the US in 2022 to New York City. Even though she moved from Taiwan, she is still very proud of her country and its drag scene. Throughout season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Wind used all the moments she could to display her love for her country. Some examples include her outfit and performance in the first episode, the Angelina Jolie-inspired wedding dress in episode two, and the Lunar New Year-inspired outfit in episode five.
As a result of the outspoken love Wind showcased for Taiwan and her being the first Taiwanese person to compete in RuPaul’s Drag Race, she received much love from the people of Taiwan and other East Asian countries. After her victory on April 19, Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan, congratulated Wind on her win.
It is both insane that there has never been an East Asian winner of US Drag Race, and extremely correct that the first one to do it is Nymphia Wind.
— Joel Kim Booster (@ihatejoelkim) April 20, 2024
“Congratulations to you, Nymphia Wind, for being so accomplished in the difficult art form of drag, and for being the first Taiwanese to take the stage and win on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Tsai commented on Instagram.
On top of that, Wind is the second Asian winner and the second non-American winner. The first Asian winner was Raja in season three, in 2011. The first non-American was Bebe Zahara Benet in season one, in 2009. Also, some East Asian drag queens who got close to winning were Manila Luzon on season three of the regular series and season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars, and Kim Chi on season eight.
Additionally, Wind went to fashion school. Therefore, the drag winner made most of her outfits for the season. One of her strongest traits throughout the season was her style and her outstanding pieces, including the tie outfit she made in episode three for the fashion ball.
Wind also joins a select group of RuPaul’s Drag Race winners who have never been in the bottom competitors. Including Wind, seven out of sixteen winners were never in the bottom, including season fifteen winner Sasha Colby, season six winner Bianca Del Rio, and season nine winner Sasha Velour. Due to that, fans and other competitors didn’t see Nymphia Wind perform until the day of the crowning.
Nymphia Wind, the legend that you are. pic.twitter.com/vLKPP3npo0
— RAHUL KOTHARII (@rahkothari) April 20, 2024
Furthermore, second place went to Sapphira Cristal, and third place went to Plane Jane. Both gained a large following and are fan picks to go to RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars.
The newest season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars airs on May 17.
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