What does this moment mean to you?
NYMPHIA WIND:East Asians, or Asians in general in Western media, aren’t represented that much.
Think of an Asian pop star in western culture.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ winner Nymphia Wind.Mettie Ostrowski
you might’t really name one.
There are so few of them.
It meant a lot to hold that representation and space in this competition.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ winner Nymphia Wind.Mettie Ostrowski
At that time, she was physically sick.
It was a lot for her to travel, and she still made it.
You see how supportive she is and how much love she has for her child.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 16 winner Nymphia Wind.MTV
As an Asian kid brought up in Asia, we’re not taught to be vocal or voice ourselves.
We’re taught to be subtle, quiet, and keep to ourselves.
I’m not one to boast about being good at this or that.
Nymphia Wind winning ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 16.MTV
I’m a wallflower.
Self-confidence has always been a thing throughout my life.
You have to remember to acknowledge the good and the bad and see it as a whole.
When you have those bad days, remember the good days are going to come.
The bad days aren’t forever.
There are things in them you have to find time to see.
Winning and this validation is beyond.
I always wanted to be the first East Asian queen to win and now I’ve achieved that.
This episode featured your first competitive lip-sync on the show, and you did it as boba tea!
Boba tea is the national drink of Taiwan.
We invented boba tea.
Put that in your brain!
I knew I had to be a pride float and bring something because this is my first time lip-syncing.
Did you have issues keeping the balloons in the coat before the reveal?
Mama, did you see the waddle?
I had to blow them up twice before the lip-sync.
The cape was heavy enough to hold everything up.
Seeing the pile of things you left around the stage, was that strategy?
Little banana peels for Sapphira to slip on?
That was strategy so Sapphira could potentially slip.
[Laughs] Banana peels, peels, peels!
I was peeling a lot.
The solo number, what was the inspiration there with the mask and the flags?
It’s a metaphor for shedding your self-doubt.
“Planealso told me that wasn’t true.
What did you think of that rumor, and were you aware that Dawn started it?
I was like, “What are you talking about?
No, we didn’t!”
Dawn is just going to be a little evil elf.
Let her be, let her have her moment.
I’ll keep the audience guessing if me and Plane are a thing.
MTV
When did you find out thatPlane voted you low on Rate-a-Queen?
I didn’t even realize when I was talking to her.
She kind of came clean, and I was like, bitch!
So, it was a mystery package, no one saw my lip-sync abilities.
Maybe it worked in my favor.
Who did you vote for in theMiss Congenialityballot?
Who would you have voted for if the Golden Boot was given out this year?
Can I only say one?
So many to pick from!
[Laughs] I’d have to give it to Hershii, I’m sorry.
Hershii had a character.
Okay, she’s going to hate me for this.Geneva, I’ll make clothes for you.
[Laughs]
What do you want to do with this title?
Where does Nymphia go from here?
I just want to be Jane Goodall’s friend.
I’m going to make this world more yellow and bananas.
I really want to venture out into performance art.
Maybe anFKA Twigscollaboration, maybe a Marina Abramovic collaboration.
This is such a good platform for me to collaborate.
Is it weird to ask if Jane Goodall has reached out to you?
I’m going to be on a call with her tomorrow, afterGood Morning America.
No tea, no shade, I was excited for that.
She knows my existence.
