Onya Nurve, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17, describes her work as “a form of theater, art, and performance,” calling it “ephemeral.” Her proudest achievement this year, besides being crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar, was landing the role of Lola in a national tour of Kinky Boots.
Even after managing to personify charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, Nurve still finds that “the biggest obstacle that I honestly face every day is just getting out of my own head and getting out of my own way. It’s always easier said than done, but it’s something that I try to practice every single day.”
Looking beyond Kinky Boots, Nurve is ready to work her way to Broadway, snag a recurring role on TV, and perhaps even star in a film.
The reigning Drag Race queen and now Out100 honoree also sends a message to her fans, “especially to my young Black queers out there: Dreams do come true. As long as you keep working hard and believing in yourself, your dreams are bound to become reality. Just believe it.” @onyanurve
