Q&A: Nymphia Wind Reflects on Her Historic Win

On the finale stage of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” season 16 winner Nymphia Wind pumps her winning specter up as she shouts out the first official words of her reign: “To those who feel like they don’t belong, just remember to live fearlessly and have the courage to live your truth,” she proclaims before adding: “Taiwan, this is for you!”

It’s a milestone in “Drag Race” herstory for API queers everywhere, Nymphia is the first contestant of East Asian descent and only the third API winner following the crowning of Indonesian queen Raja Gemini and Native Hawaiian queen Sasha Colby.

While typically shown as one of the quieter contestants in the “werk room,” it didn’t stop Nymphia from highlighting her culture throughout the season — the most viral moment undoubtedly being her final lip sync battle when she dresses up as boba tea, the national drink of Taiwan. 

Since being crowned the S16 winner in April, Nymphia hasn’t had much time to catch her breath. She’s performed for world leaders and crossed paths with global superstars like Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan. She even represented Taiwan at the 2024 Paris Olympics by performing in the Paris Cultural Olympiad alongside her Taiwanese Drag Family, Haus of Wind.

Amid all the hustle and bustle of tours and performances worldwide, we caught up with her in June to chat about how she’s been riding the winning wave, what her future endeavors look like post-“Drag Race,” and more. 


Character Media: Congrats on your win! How has it been performing as: “Nymphia Wind: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 16 winner?”

Nymphia Wind:  Well, I’ve been flying and not sleeping, so that’s pretty great. Meeting many people. I’ve met Jane Goodall, [the] former president of Taiwan [and] Vice President Harris in the span of a month. it’s been pretty wild to do all that after winning. I feel great. I feel happy. I feel like I’ve accomplished a lifelong dream.

CM:   Have you noticed any differences within yourself since winning?

NW:  I’m not really feeling anything. I’m kind of just trying to survive these few months, so my “feelings’ department” is taking a backseat — which is not the best? (laughs) No. It’s been great taking one step at a time.

CM:   

It’s been less than two years since you decided to do drag full-time in 2022, and now you’re the winner of “Drag Race!” Looking back on the moment you decided to audition, can you recall how you felt?

NW: I was feeling, “Let’s try this out.” I [didn’t] have any high hopes, but you never know if you don’t try. And [now] here we are: the main stage of the world.

CM:  Did you feel then that you were ready? Or was it more of a mixed bag of emotions?

NW:  I wrote down on my notes app that I would get on Season 16 and win, so I kind of manifested that in a sense. So while I was auditioning, I had that thought….But you never know if it’s actually going to happen. [I was] just excited to do my tape, present it…and see what happens.

I remember seeing my audition tape in moments of weakness where I thought maybe I didn’t get cast, and I was like: “B*tch, how the f*ck are they not gonna cast this b*tch?” This is a great audition tape. I did a good job.

CM:   You’re going to perform at the 2024 Paris Cultural Olympiad. Can you explain the prepping process for a stage like that?

NW:  The process is constantly working with the people in the Haus of Wind. There’s a lot that goes into producing these types of shows. This is the international stage. You want to represent your country to the best of your ability. The pressure has been high, but I think we’re getting there. This is gonna be a great show, so do not miss it, ‘cause with the Formosa Follies, we are putting Taiwan to the forefront. Because, you know, we can’t say that we’re Taiwan…So I guess in a sense, through this performance, I want to show a soft power in standing for: We are Taiwan. I want to be able to put focus on Taiwan and my performance.

CM:  Haus of Wind also performed with you for the ex-president of Taiwan recently. Can you talk about them? 

NW: Really, it didn’t start as: this is going to be at a house. It started with a group of people I wanted to perform and do drag [with] because I felt like they were so interesting. Eventually, it turned into a house where it was a mother-daughter situation. There’s so much opportunity and possibility for Haus Of Wind. I want to do so many shows in Taiwan, or one day, tour with Haus Of Wind [and] really showcase the culture of Taiwan.

CM:   You’ve explained in the past that Leo Tsao (Nymphia’s birth name) and Nymphia are fused together — and that Nymphia is an extension of yourself.  Looking back, can you pinpoint when you first met Nymphia?

NW:   I don’t know when I actually met Nymphia. I guess when I slapped makeup on my face and looked in the mirror, I saw Nymphia Wind. 

But Leo before Nymphia? It was pretty much the same — like it was still the same person. I’m also very shy [so] I think drag really challenged me to be in situations that I’m typically uncomfortable with. Drag pulled me out of my comfort zone and showed me how to be confident. With drag… it’s like faking it till you make it.You fake your confidence and you slowly learn how actually to be confident.

CM:  And what’s been keeping you grounded through all this buzz these past two months?

NW: Honestly, I don’t know. Nothing! 

CM:   You talk about having a really good support system. Do you think that helps?

NW:  Oh yes, for sure. But I also [usually] want not to communicate my feelings [and] just exist. My own demise. 

CM: And what’s next for Nymphia?

NW: Trying to survive this year. And then we’ll talk about future endeavors. But all I can tell you now is: I’m just excited for the different possibilities that could potentially happen. And my goal is — Do I even have a goal? (laughs) I swear I do… Just have fun and really enjoy this process. There is a goal in my brain…But, that goal is a vision. I don’t know how to turn it into words and tell you, but there is a goal.