INDEX
“Drag: A Beacon of Inspiration and Hope” (Nymphia)
Just 48 hours before her arrival in Tokyo, I had the chance to chat with Nymphia through a brief email interview.
Nymphia Wind
A Taiwanese-American drag performer, Nymphia began her performances in Taipei in 2018. In 2024, she made history by becoming the first East Asian winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16. Her victory was praised by Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, leading to an invitation to perform at the Presidential Office. In May, she was featured in Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30 Asia 2024” in the Arts category.
Nymphia describes drag as “the act of creating, following my passions, becoming a catalyst for change through artistic expression, and inspiring others to embrace their pride.” She adds, “Through my performances, I proudly showcase my history and queerness.”
Her journey into drag began in middle school, when she first dabbled in girlhood cosplay, eventually falling in love with the culture. “Though I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do with my life, I knew I had a deep passion for crafting beautiful clothes. Drag offered me the perfect medium for self-expression, combining fashion, makeup, and hair into one powerful form of art.”
When speaking of Nymphia’s drag, the word “Taiwan” is impossible to overlook. During the final lip-sync battle that secured her victory on RuPaul’s Drag Race, she chose an outfit inspired by bubble tea. “Bubble tea is a national symbol of Taiwan, and in the finale, I wanted my look to deeply reflect the essence of my homeland.”
“One cannot sever the bond with their homeland. Taiwan has always been a part of my heart and will always be within me.” On the stage after winning, Nymphia called out, “Taiwan, this victory is for you.” After the win, Nymphia performed in front of former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office in Taiwan. Nymphia shared that this performance was the most memorable moment of their life.
Taiwan, known for being the first in East Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, is a sanctuary for the queer community. Nymphia expressed, “I’m immensely proud of being from Taiwan. The country is leading the region in promoting equality for all genders and sexual minorities.”
For Japan, which still faces challenges on gender minority issues, Nymphia shared some encouragement: “Don’t be afraid to be who you are, and never back down. It’s tough, but as a community, united, you can keep driving change.”
During our conversation, Nymphia was jetting from Taiwan to New York and then on to Australia, performing across the globe with the spirit of someone who truly embodies freedom.
