How a ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ finalist became an unlikely ambassador for Taiwan

  • 📰 washingtonpost
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 86 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 38%
  • Publisher: 72%

United States Headlines News

United States Latest News,United States Headlines

Nymphia Wind has found an international stage where China has no interest (or influence) — and is using her platform to make gains for queer inclusivity in Asia.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — From the moment she stepped onto the stage of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Nymphia Wind has embraced the color yellow not just as a fashion choice but as part of her identity.

“Yellow represents the color of my skin,” she said in an interview ahead of the finale of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” on Friday, preferring to let her outfits rather than her words remind viewers that she’s the only Asian contestant in the season. “By wearing yellow, I hope to raise more Asian awareness and appreciation.

“Even politicians who work hard abroad may not gain this kind of exposure for Taiwan,” said Lawrence Jheng, 32, part of a cheerful crowd gathered at a Taipei club for the airing of the episode in which Nymphia Wind would declare she was “very proud to call myself Taiwanese.” “The government of Taiwan is very supportive of gay rights. We are the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and I’m very proud to say I’m Taiwanese,” she said.Cross-dressing is not a new concept in Taiwan. In the years after martial law ended in 1987 and Taiwan began its transition to democracy, underground drag shows started to appear in Taipei’s nightclubs.

“She doesn’t just give you a talent show. She interacts with the audience to make everyone laugh. You see her and you just feel happy,” Chang said. Nymphia Wind’s mother, who has been supportive of her drag career since day one, often brings her friends to sit in the first row at the cafe to watch her perform.

While Nymphia Wind is a role model for younger queens, she’s trying to reach a wider — and older — audience in Taiwan.She hosted a groundbreaking drag show at a Taoist temple in Taipei in October, unfurling a giant rainbow flag from a pagoda-like stage as young and old celebrated a queen who, as she put it, had “descended from heaven to bless the queer mortals.”“Old people are my target audience.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 95. in US

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Fisker Ocean Vs. Tesla Model Y Drag Race Proves Power Isn’t EverythingThe Fisker Ocean has more horsepower than the Tesla Model Y, but it’s also heavier. So which American EV will win this?
Source: InsideEVs - 🏆 579. / 51 Read more »

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 16: How to Watch the Show Online for FreeSeason 16 of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' airs on Fridays on MTV. Here's how to stream the show online for free.
Source: billboard - 🏆 112. / 63 Read more »

Larry Hogan’s Maryland Senate race creates surprise drag on Democratic resourcesRepublican Larry Hogan has a 12 percentage point lead over Rep. David Trone (D-MD) for US Senate seat in Maryland, according to a new poll.
Source: dcexaminer - 🏆 6. / 94 Read more »

We Need to Talk About 'RuPaul Drag Race's' ShangelaJoel Medina (he/him) is a proud LGBTQ+ person of color who spent his life devouring all things horror. Studying media and its intersections with social issues in college led him to understand that the television, books, and films that he spent his childhood consuming had huge impacts on the societies that created them.
Source: Collider - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Every Lip Sync From ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 16, RankedIf Jimbo proved anything on All Stars 8, it’s that having big boobs doesn’t guarantee a good lip sync. Plane Jane won both of her lip syncs on season 16, in no small part thanks to the way she used her bouncing bosoms.
Source: billboard - 🏆 112. / 63 Read more »

Drag Race winner Yvie Oddly recalls meeting Whoopi Goldberg after Snatch Game impersonation: 'I blanked out''RuPaul's Drag Race' winner Yvie Oddly reveals what happened when she met Whoopi Goldberg on 'The View' after her 'Snatch Game' impersonation.
Source: EW - 🏆 713. / 51 Read more »