Itdotake nerve (and a hell of a lot of talent) to earn a crown from Mama Ru.
Mettie Ostrowski for EW.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Im so thrilled for you, Onya!
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 17 winner Onya Nurve at the finale event in New York City.Mettie Ostrowski for EW.
What are you feeling in this moment, and what does this victory mean to you?
ONYA NURVE:It feels so unreal.
As a result, money will chase after you.
Thats whatDrag Racedid for me.
You said on the finale that youd tell your younger self, You are Black enough.
There have been moments in my life where I didnt feel that way.
What did you mean by that?
How dark of a place did you get to, and how did drag pull you out?
Right out of high school, I went to college and got my degree in art.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 17 winner Onya Nurve for Entertainment Weekly.Mettie Ostrowski for EW
I thought if you went to college out of high school, youd be successful.
That wasnt my story.
I had bartending jobs, serving jobs, I was a substitute teacher.
Jewels Sparkles and Onya Nurve during the final ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ finale lip-sync.MTV
I was really depressed, and I didnt know what I was going to do.
Once I realized there was a road to success through drag, everything was kosher.
Lets talk about the lip-sync againstJewels Sparkles.
Onya Nurve, winner of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 17, at the New York City finale party.Mettie Ostrowski for EW
I think this might be one of the only recent finale lip-syncs that didnt include reveals.
Why did you approach it that way?
I dont do tricks, gags, and goops in my regular life.
It came to be about what bang out of queen I am.
I figured if I never did reveals before I got onDrag Race, why would I do them now?
Im a great performer, and I put all my bets on that.
She doesnt need the reveals!
I dont need em.
Iamthe gag and the goop!
Did you feel underestimated by the cast and fans?
I always felt underestimated, since day one.
That made me work even harder to prove myself to the judges and the girls.
MTV
Have you heard fromEddie Murphy afterSnatch Game?
Did any other celebrity fans reach out?
It was literally amazing.Speaking of stars, has your father done drag since his makeover?
He done grew his beard back.
That beard is full throttle!
The sisterhood this season has been interesting, especially the big moment between you and Arrietty.
Was Arrietty’s apology last week the full interaction, or had you discussed privately?
We talked outside the show.
I need people to understand that I dont hold grudges.
I forgave Arrietty the day after, I just didnt get a chance to have a conversation right after.
She is forgiven and weve moved on.
It takes more energy to hate someone than it does to love them.
In that first interview we did, you joked, Im coming for you, Viola.
I look up to her so much because of how she does her thing.
So, yes, I am coming for Viola Davis.
Now that Ive won the crown, I am!
[Laughs] I want to do some stage acting, some film, I would love to hostSNL.
The sky is the limit.
Is there anything else you want to say?
I just want to say that I f—ing did it.
Im so proud of myself.
