There are few things more powerful than visible, palpable queer joy, and there’s no other way to describe season 17 winner Onya Nurve's reaction when she learned that she had officially become America's Next Drag Superstar.
Were there smiles and tears? Yes. But it was the scream that seemingly began at her toes and burst from her throat when RuPaul called out her name that said more than any mere words possibly could.
It truly felt like a win for the community to see this out and proud performer from the Midwest living her best life and presenting that example for queer folks in a moment when it is especially needed.
It just hit differently.
This isn’t lost on Onya, who tells PRIDE that despite the political climate, nothing is going to change about how she lives her life — well, not much will change. "I've always lived my life as my true self. So, fame is not necessarily going to change that I'm still going to be the exact same person that I was before I won RuPaul's Drag Race and that person is standing on business, baby," she explains, adding with a life, "It's just going to be the same me but with a lot more money."
While Onya isn't the first queen from Ohio to compete (Nina West, Penny Tration, India Ferrah, and Akashia all hailed from the Buckeye State), she is the first to snatch the crown, and the timing couldn't feel more meaningful, considering the other Ohioan currently making headlines. But Nurve sees herself and what she represents as the antithesis and antidote to what JD Vance and his ilk are bringing to American policy and discourse.
"I know that Ohio is sometimes a red state, sometimes a blue state, and knowing that I've won the crown during a very red time in our lives, it feels like I am the kryptonite to a really bad person," she says. "I love to be here to fight the good fight. It's honestly my job, and it's what I'm here to do."
We couldn't think of a better "fighter" for the cause of queer joy. PRIDE caught up with Onya fresh off her epic win to talk about her big moments from the season and her even bigger plans for what she's manifesting next.
PRIDE: You’re a winner, baby! Has it sunk in yet?
Onya Nurve: It has not, honey. I go through moments where it feels like it’s real, but it constantly feels so, so, so surreal.
Watching the live reveal was incredible. You let out a scream when you were announced as the winner that I could feel. Take me back to the moment at the live reveal. What were you thinking and what were you feeling when she said your name?
After filming, there’s always been this level of relief because we’ve been done, but also this weight that continued to linger and I had to carry for what felt like a very, very, very, very long time. Not knowing whether you won or not is like a feeling that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. And so when RuPaul said my name, it was kind of like this weight being lifted off of my shoulders that I’ve been carrying for a long time. That’s where the scream came from because I just didn’t have to carry that anymore.
Drag Race isn’t something that just happens to you, it takes hard work and dedication to be cast. Now that you have done it, did the experience live up to the dream?
Absolutely. It was way harder than I thought it was going to be, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. It truly felt like a race. It truly felt like you were moving so fast that your first idea was always your last idea. It was 14 bitches racing to the crown, and it was everything I wanted to be. And I’m so glad I do not have to do that shit again.
Oh, interesting. Because now the question on everyone’s lips is going to be: All Winners? Yes or no?
If I was to have to go back to do another season of Drag Race, it would have had to be an All Winners, because, baby, that’s the only way I was doing it again.
So the door is open?
Mmmhmm, absolutely.
All the girls in your cast were incredible, but there’s always a moment in the season where you say, ‘Oh that’s where she won the season.’ Do you have a proudest moment or a moment where you really felt like you had pulled ahead of the pack?
Snatch Game, because it’s the most iconic challenge on Drag Race. Anybody who gets on Drag Race knows that they’re going to have to do a sewing challenge and Snatch Game for sure. It was a challenge that I was looking forward to the most and looking forward to doing well at the most. So winning it was definitely my standout moment. I mean, come on, I did Eddie Murphy, who is a comedian, actor, and an icon. So it was amazing to win that challenge.
You really set yourself up with an extra challenging challenge by picking a comedian and having to find a way to make him funny without just using his material, but you did it! Have you heard from Eddie?
No, but Eddie, wherever you are, please hit me up so we can do a duo of some sort, puh-lease!
You are our first Ohio winner, which feels especially poignant at this moment. It’s weird how fate works in strange ways. How does it feel for you to represent your state right now, considering that the other most prominent Ohioan may be JD Vance?
It feels really good being in Ohio, and I know that Ohio is sometimes a red state, sometimes a blue state, and knowing that I’ve won the crown during a very red time in our lives, it feels like I am the kryptonite to a really bad person. I love to be here to fight the good fight. It’s honestly my job, and it’s what I’m here to do.
We’re in a very heightened moment right now. There’s a lot of scrutiny of queer folks. It’s always a political act and an act of bravery to be out even in the best of times, and right now is not the best of times. How are you navigating being out and visible at this moment? Are you? Is that something that’s even on your mind?
Not really, because I’ve always lived my life as my true self. So, fame is not necessarily going to change that. I’m still going to be the exact same person that I was before I won Ru Paul’s Drag Race and that person is standing on business, baby. Yeah, it’s just going to be the same me, but with a lot more money.
I love that. Now that you’ve conquered Drag Race, what’s next for you? What is Onya’s new dream?
I am open. The world is my oyster. I do want to be getting on Broadway. I definitely want to get on Abbott Elementary and SNL. I would love to work with some of my favorite actors, be it Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, or Denzel Washington. I would love to be in the play with any of those people. Yeah, I just want to get my EGOT. It’s on the way. I’m manifesting it now.
I mean, you were blessed by an EGOT winner in the finale, so…
Yes! See, that was a sign.
Yes! We got to meet your beautiful family this season, so I would love to know how your dad felt about Law Roach’s proposal, and what your mom said when she saw the episode.
My dad was very, very flattered, honey. He is on cloud nine, just like me. I feel like he and my mom just got done crying like yesterday. They have been so overwhelmed with joy, and I am so happy to have a new stepmom, Law Roach. I wouldn’t ask for anything different in the world.
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