When IndieWire sat down with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Onya Nurve and first runner-up Jewels Sparkles after that dazzling Season 17 finale this spring, we held our interview till after the 2025 Emmy nominees bought introduced. We had been assured the five-time Excellent Actuality Competitors winner would have one other probability at extra Emmys, and we had been proper! So, we’re operating the dialog now.
However simply because anybody who follows the unscripted class — which additionally contains “Survivor,” “The Traitors,” “The Superb Race,” and “Prime Chef” — had the MTV present’s nomination on their radar, that doesn’t imply the continued success of “Drag Race” isn’t actual information. Since 2009, the legendary selection competitors present hosted by RuPaul has put the previously fringe artwork of drag on popular culture’s important stage. Audiences have spent not simply hours and weeks however years asking, “Who can be America’s subsequent drag tremendous star?” And, for a choose contingent, the apparent follow-up, “Is it me?”
With greater than a dozen spinoff collection, a lot of them worldwide, “Drag Race” stays a vital platform for LGBTQ+ artists and the adoring followers who worship them. Politicians are splitting hairs by attempting to guard the human rights of homosexual, lesbian, and bisexual People whereas our trans and nonbinary brothers, sisters, and siblings proceed to undergo. In the event you’ve ever been to Hamburger Mary’s — or you know the way to “Sissy That Stroll” — then the judges’ desk on “Drag Race” stays an important image of misplaced justice.
The present has 79 Emmy nominations and 29 wins thus far. It’s produced tons of of world-class performers, from Trixie Mattel and Bob the Drag Queen to Sasha Colby and Bianca del Rio. Sitting down with IndieWire, smack in the course of their preparing course of for World of Surprise’s FYC Satisfaction Occasion on June 6 in Los Angeles, Season 17 queens Onya Nurve and Jewels Sparkles mentioned the important thing to harnessing that legacy was having enjoyable.
Learn on for extra gracious insights, messy takes, and the key to creating a successful “Drag Race” audition tape from the reigning queen and her glittery right-hand.
The next interview has been edited and condensed for size and readability.
IndieWire: Have you ever been doing all the promo tour collectively? Are you loopy bonded at this level?
Jewels Sparkles: Yeah! We’re fortunate to get to do loads of stuff collectively. Onya is somebody who’s so chill and it by no means looks like it’s a must to be “on” on a regular basis round her. There’s some people who it’s a must to be “on” round 24/7 — however when it’s us two, we will simply chill and loosen up.
So, it’s been chill.
Onya Nurve: No! [Laughter.] Chill internally. It’s truly been actually loopy for the reason that finale. It’s been nonstop place after place with little or no sleep. However truthfully, I’m hella grateful. It’s loads of work, however we signed up for this, so we’ve bought to be joyful and humble and gracious.
Sparkles: We’re dwelling the dream. I’d’ve by no means anticipated as a little bit child queen — effectively, truly, I in all probability would have anticipated this — however different little child queens doing native expertise nights simply can not think about doing this. I’d’ve by no means thought that two years I’d be right here with you and Onya, and now I’m headlining excursions. We’re going to Australia collectively, and we’re going to South America. Now we have main levels and I was combating for greenback payments at gigs in my hometown. Every thing’s modified, which is the craziest factor, and I’m having a blast now.
We’re 17 seasons into “Drag Race,” however in case you had been introducing somebody to the present now, how would you clarify the scope of it?
Nurve: Properly, I’d say that in the event that they didn’t know what drag was in any respect — and people persons are nonetheless on the market! — I’d say that it’s a bunch of people who come on a present and gown up in masculine and female methods, nevertheless they need. However the principle focus of the present is a contest to beat challenges and see the way you overcome these challenges and wait to see who will get to the top of the race.
Sparkles: I all the time inform folks it’s just like the homosexual Tremendous Bowl. It’s one of many few tv exhibits that actually celebrates every little thing that it’s to be queer — the great components, the creative components, the messy components, the true components. There’s not loads of exhibits that actually have a good time all points of queer humanity like that.
I’m not precisely a sports activities lady, however does Tremendous Bowl undersell it a bit due to that international group? Do any of us know nothing concerning the World Cup?
Nurve: [Laughter.] Truthfully, it’s nearer to the Olympics.
Sparkles: Or the homosexual Starvation Video games. [Laughter.] You choose your favorites. You cry when somebody goes dwelling. 14 ladies go in however just one comes out!
Stroll me by means of your respective journeys, beginning in your hometowns in Ohio and Florida after which taking us to this worldwide second. What was your favourite reminiscence from the beginning of Season 17 or earlier than you started manufacturing?
Nurve: Discovering out must be the perfect half since you put a lot work into these audition tapes, not realizing in case you’re going to even get a name. After which even after the decision, there’s a lot work to get that closing name. I feel that first name was the largest second for me as a result of they even let you know that you just’re not on the present but. However the truth that they referred to as me, they mentioned they noticed my video, they usually mentioned, “Congratulations!” that was sufficient for me to really feel so pleased with myself. Whether or not I’d’ve gotten on the present or not, that decision would’ve propelled me to do it time and again.
Sparkles: Actually, with the tape itself, everybody tells you, “Oh, my God, the ‘Drag Race’ audition tape necessities are loopy.” However it was my first time doing it, so I used to be actually like, “Holy shit, this can be a lot of labor.” It’s mainly an entire season of drag. You need to present 20 outfits. You need to movie a whole interview portion — by yourself! You need to do a expertise quantity.
How do you interview your self?
Nurve: They assign you these 20 questions.
Sparkles: And it’s a must to reply them in 5 minutes.
Nurve: “What’s your drag title? How’d you get your drag title? What’s your least favourite kind of drag queen?” There’s a bunch of questions after which it’s a must to do a written and video portion.
What’s your least favourite kind of drag queen? That’s a tough query.
Sparkles: Oh, they’re getting messy. However that’s a straightforward query, babe. [Laughter.]
Inform me.
Sparkles: My least favourite kind of drag queen is somebody who takes themselves means too severely and forgets to have enjoyable after we’re doing all of this. In the event you’re not having enjoyable, why are you doing it? The very last thing I would like is to be within the dressing room with somebody who’s careworn and overwhelmed and taking it too severely. It’s not going to be excellent, bitch. Let it go. That’s so annoying. It takes the enjoyable out of it — and in case you can’t deal with it, it’s not for you. Go dwelling.
Nurve: That may be a actually good level. Precisely. As a result of earlier than we bought on this platform, we had been simply having enjoyable and I hate that folks count on us to not proceed to have enjoyable simply because we’re on “Drag Race.” We’re younger. We’re having enjoyable. It’s nonetheless a foolish factor for us to be doing, even when we’re on a TV present. We take it severely as a result of it’s our job, however we keep in mind the enjoyable.
Sparkles: How will you not have enjoyable if you’re dressing up in outfits that you just picked and also you designed, and hairstyles that you just picked, and placing on the make-up you wish to put on? You actually get to remodel your self into the last word diva of your desires. How are you not having fun with that? And in case you’re not having fun with that, babe, go stay your barista fantasy or one thing.
Nurve: No shade to the baristas on the market. Us drag queens couldn’t be you. You retain us alive.
Do you are feeling such as you had been having enjoyable in your audition tape? Is that why you bought picked?
Nurve: Completely! I used to be undoubtedly having enjoyable. I keep in mind when the tape was completed and I noticed the primary draft, I used to be like, “Rattling, I bought a very good probability of getting on this present as a result of this tape is tea!” I used to be actually pleased with my tape and it was loads of work. To even see a completed product, it was virtually like a 20-minute reel of your self.
Turns you into one thing of an indie filmmaker.
Sparkles: Completely. You get to direct. And these are each of our first “Drag Race” audition tapes. There’s some form of blissful ignorance there. We didn’t take it too severely. It was our first time. We had nothing to lose. We had been simply attempting out auditioning and I really feel just like the extra that folks audition, they will begin to choose themselves aside and get a little bit too choosy with what they resolve to place in — and it turns into this perfectionist factor. We had been fortunate it was our first time doing it, as a result of we had been like, “OK, lady! Let’s throw all of it within the kitchen sink and see what occurs.” We didn’t have the psychological factor of like, “Oh, my God, final 12 months what didn’t they like?” “Oh, my God, I’ve to vary this however what do I do?” We simply had enjoyable and I imagine that bought us in.
There’s a lot to dig into all through Season 17, and I’ve cherished seeing you two paired for all of this press — Onya because the winner, and Jewels filling this form of narrator function that we see get naturally chosen by the editors of actuality TV on a regular basis. What are you able to inform me about that dynamic, and the way every of your variations of occasions helped form what we noticed on the present?
Sparkles: Season 17 was a lot. There’s simply a lot that’s occurred. There have been so many battles to beat, each problem sensible and sister sensible. [Laughter.] A lot occurred.
Nurve: There have been so many attention-grabbing personalities. I imply, y’all noticed what occurred. After we would movie what we filmed after which undergo the issues that we went by means of, sitting down with professionals it was really easy to inform that story. There’s a lot substance there.
Sparkles: And personally, for me, it’s very rooted in Latino tradition to have the ability to speak shit. It’s very rooted in our tradition to be like, “Oh, my God, did you see what she did final night time? Did you see who she was out with final night time?” It’s simply so embedded into who we’re as folks. You set me on TV? Me being a homosexual Latino crossdresser and all that is taking place on the identical time? Ask me the questions now, lady.
You sparkle!
Sparkles: [Laughter.] You’re cute.
When had been you having essentially the most enjoyable throughout manufacturing?
Nurve: Truthfully, on Sundays after we weren’t filming, I used to be having a very good time as a result of it’s a lot work. Monday by means of Saturday, it’s nonstop. You go 12 to 14 hours a day, and it’s rather a lot. So, I actually loved the day that I didn’t need to get in drag. I might simply lay in mattress and take heed to my little MP3 participant or no matter. However on the present, I really feel like I had essentially the most enjoyable doing [Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program nominee] “Untucked.” “Untucked” was a blast as a result of it was the final a part of the day and there was no strain. As far challenges, “Snatch Recreation” was actually enjoyable, in fact. It was extra work than play, however there have been some good play moments.
Sparkles: Among the most enjoyable moments for me had been rehearsing manufacturing numbers. I cherished the Rusical a lot. I had a lot enjoyable with the Rusical. I had a lot enjoyable any time we had been going to choreograph one thing after which put it on stage. My thought course of behind each time we did that was, “When’s the subsequent time I’m going to have this a lot manufacturing worth? When am I going to have these lights and backup dancers and a tune written only for me and the cameras in my face? When’s the subsequent time I’m going to have this?” I used to be by no means certain, so I simply stored having fun with it. You’re actually dwelling your pop star fantasy doing that. You might be.
You’re performers as a lot as craftspeople. Is there a second that you just’re essentially the most proud, feeling like, “I deliberate for that for weeks, and I engineered it precisely the way in which I wished” and also you pulled it off?
Sparkles: The ultimate numbers.
Nurve: Undoubtedly.
Sparkles: For the finale, we bought to do one minute and 30 seconds of no matter we wished to do. You ship them tune inspirations, like, “OK, I really like this tune. I really like this tune. I really like this tune. I’d love my lyrics to be one thing like this.” Then, two weeks later, you get a observe and we just about go to set and the choreographer, Jamal Sims, is like, “OK, and what do you wish to do?” We give them the concept after which they put it collectively. It comes from us, you recognize what I imply? That imaginative and prescient comes from us and getting to do this complete course of was so unimaginable. It’s us at our core.
What had been your inspirations?
Sparkles: Oh, my god, sure. So, for my quantity, I used to be impressed by an previous Goldie Hawn selection present second. Sabrina Carpenter additionally referenced it on the Grammys. I actually was impressed by doing one thing campy like that — as a result of for my quantity, I wished it to indicate that it doesn’t matter what occurs, it doesn’t matter what goes unsuitable, you’ll be able to nonetheless come out on prime. And that I felt was the right illustration of it. Issues are going unsuitable. I’m operating into backup dancers. Issues are falling off. All these items are going to occur they usually’re going to go unsuitable, however you’ll be able to nonetheless come out victorious it doesn’t matter what. That was my journey on the present, and that’s my journey in life. I’ve all the time had loopy issues occur. The universe has examined me with so many obstacles, however they’ve solely ever propelled me to higher.
How about you, Onya?
Nurve: We had a lot management over what we had been doing on the present and for me, I despatched them a few of my favourite artists and it was simply actually cool to see what they got here up with. I used to be very chill within the course of. I used to be like, so long as it offers my vibe — which is like rap meets Barbara Streisand — so long as it was these vibes, I used to be completely OK with it. My complete focus was simply ensuring my outfits turned out proper, and I used to be going to carry out no matter they gave me. It was some of the enjoyable occasions on the present, even on the finish.
Given your backgrounds within the pageant world, do you’ve gotten any favourite magnificence queen competitors films? Or favourite visible movie references?
Nurve: “Miss Congeniality.” one hundred pc. With Sandra Bullock. Each time I feel pageant film, I all the time consider that.
Sparkles: It’s not a pageant film that impressed me visually, however the “Valley of the Dolls” is a film that’s impressed a lot of my drag. That’s why it’s all ’60s, huge hair, very delicate, babydoll aesthetics, form of clueless. I really like that pageantry. To me, anytime a lady goes and overdramatizes every little thing about herself — and in that film, simply her in her bed room, please — that’s a lady.
I’m all the time so taken with the response to the finale crowning as a result of it’s filmed earlier than the winner is definitely introduced, and I simply cherished the way in which that you just screamed, Onya. How do you put together to carry out a second like that? If you don’t know if the response can be used?
Nurve: Aw, thanks. When my title was referred to as, there was simply this second of aid. Whether or not I gained the crown or not, it was throughout at that time. I simply felt like there was a weight off my shoulders, and this wanted relaxation for all of us had arrived. That’s what that wailing actually was, like, “Fucking lastly.”
There are loads of feelings in that second. What did you make of the ultimate choice, Jewels?
Sparkles: Oh, the best individual was completely topped. She did the perfect within the season, you recognize what I imply? I used to be fortunate to be up there subsequent to her. It was an honor to be up there subsequent to her. I keep in mind going into it, I used to be like, “No matter occurs, the best individual can be topped. Whoever that is meant for it’s meant for.” I’m somebody who very a lot believes within the universe and if one thing is supposed for you, it’ll be yours. And if it’s not for you, it’s not going to be fucking for you — irrespective of how a lot it hurts or no matter. So, I went into it with that mentality. If it’s for me, it’s going to be for me. And if it’s not, it’s not and I’m joyful.
What’s been your favourite second from the present for the reason that season aired?
Nurve: It is a random one, however Suzie Toot’s outfit within the finale, with the claws and the arms, I nonetheless take into consideration that outfit on a regular basis. Once I’m asleep, I dream about it. It was top-tier drag and I simply cherished it. I really like seeing issues like that on TV. So, to see it on in-person, it was insane.
Sparkles: My favourite second was truthfully after we walked in and our lives fully modified after that. I watched that second again and I see the one that was strolling into the work room and that’s such a special individual to who I’m now, however I see the marvel in her eyes. She’s simply so excited. She has no concept what’s about to occur. She has no concept what her life is about to turn out to be. However it’s very sentimental to look again at how nervous I used to be, how scared I used to be, how clueless I used to be. It’s actually stunning.
Forward of the Emmys, I preserve eager about previous contestants who’ve mentioned the true race begins after “Drag Race” — that the platform you get will solely take you so far as you wish to go. Is that true?
Sparkles: Completely. There’s a lot strain proper now. The present’s over and we don’t have the weekly runways, however that’s what we had been utilizing to advertise ourselves on social media. Drag queens don’t get new outfits each week. Outfits are so costly. We spend a lot cash to do “Drag Race” and whereas the present is airing, we’ve got all this content material. We’re posting not less than one look every week — our runways each week, our challenges each week. It’s simply really easy, however then it’s over and it’s as much as us to remain engaged. It’s undoubtedly more durable than I believed, particularly if you’re on the street three or 4 days every week. It’s undoubtedly a stability that I’m nonetheless studying to play with and teeter on. It’s onerous. Some ladies, like Kori King, are doing it. Kori is somebody who’s touring 4 days of the week however continues to be developing with a lot recent content material each single day. Like, geez lady, she’s at prime of the race proper now. It totally does begin when the season ends as a result of it’s about who’s going to maintain folks’s consideration.
Nurve: I’m discovering my very own lane and my very own journey. I really feel like drag has come to a spot the place there’s not just one factor that we will do. We’re singers, we’re dancers, we’re actors, we’re producers, we’re make-up artists. We’re so many alternative issues. So I really feel like after the present is if you lastly can ask your self, “Moreover drag, what’s my dream?” You need to ask your self these questions as a result of that’s the race that’s beginning, following these desires that aren’t “Drag Race” as a result of you have already got that.
What dream are you chasing now?
Nurve: Lady, I wish to be on Broadway. I wish to get a Tony. I wish to get a Tony after which be on “Abbott Elementary.” Ask me about my desires all day. I’ll let you know.
Quinta Brunson reads IndieWire. Who is aware of? Possibly we will get you guys snuggling on the Emmys.
Nurve: Sure, you go forward and put her in contact with my staff. [Laughter.]
How about you, Jewels?
Sparkles: I actually wish to go into the style world.
Nurve: Sure, sure, sure. [Clapping.]
Sparkles: I wish to get into the entire huge style homes and rise up on that runway. I’m so captivated with runway, and I’d love to do this on the highest degree. I’d love to do extra TV stuff. I cherished “Drag Race,” so anytime I’m in consideration for that stuff, I’ll be excited.
Are there some other actuality TV worlds you wish to discover?
Nurve: “Survivor.”
Sparkles: Bitch, I couldn’t.
Nurve: Severely! “Survivor.” I’d do “Survivor” in a second — not as Onya, however as Justin. I’m such a fan of that present. Once I began watching “Drag Race,” I additionally began watching “Survivor,” they usually’ve lived in my head alongside one another for years. So, Jeff Probst, name me. I’d like to do it.
They simply introduced Mike White was heading again to “Survivor,” didn’t they?
Sparkles: Oh, my God, I wish to do “The White Lotus!” I wish to do “The White Lotus” so dangerous.
Nurve: You’d be so good on that present!
Sparkles: That’s an actual dream come true. In the event that they write a task that’s like a drag queen working at a resort, I’d love to do this.
What nation are you taking us to?
Sparkles: Let’s do a Latino nation, bitch! Let’s go to Mexico. Or Puerto Rico! That will be so fierce.
Is there something you wish to add about “Drag Race” or your time on Season 17?
Nurve: I simply wish to say that this has been an enormous accomplishment for all of us entertainers and I simply encourage everybody to proceed to observe their desires. That is one path of many and I encourage any entertainers which are doing something remotely near what we’re doing to be good. Observe your desires and do your analysis, and sooner or later they could come true.
Sparkles: And have enjoyable in your audition tape! If it’s not enjoyable, don’t do it.
