• Drag Race season 17 winner Onya Nurve completely chats with EW after her win towards Jewels Sparkles.
• "The one reminder I have to know that I’m Black sufficient is wanting within the motherf—ing mirror," Onya says.
• She reveals Ariana Grande reached out to her and "informed me how proud she was."

It do take nerve (and a hell of quite a lot of expertise) to earn a crown from Mama Ru. So, buckle up, as a result of RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 winner Onya Nurve's fabulous reign is about to get beneath your pores and skin in one of the simplest ways attainable.

Her identify may be a tongue-in-cheek nod, however the Drag Race fandom will study to place some respect on it (and her four-win-strong run of excellence by season 17) after RuPaul topped the Cleveland queen because the winner of among the finest seasons in current her-story.

Now, in her first coronation interview, Onya completely tells Leisure Weekly moments after her Friday night time victory that she may've been in it to win it, however she's additionally staying true to her roots as a queen of the folks with an inspiring message for all: "Discover the one factor you like to do, and do this!"

Earlier than All Stars 10 debuts on Might 9, learn on for EW's full unique interview with RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 winner Onya, wherein she reveals her ideas on the season, the state of her relationship with Arrietty after their mid-season drama, and what she desires younger Black children to see in her victory after she constructed a profession on giving again to her local people.

Liza Minnelli performs for first time in years at 'Drag Race' finale Onya Nurve forgives Arrietty for villainous 'Drag Race' message (exclusive)

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: I’m so thrilled for you, Onya! Congratulations. What are you feeling on this second, and what does this victory imply to you?

ONYA NURVE: It feels so unreal. I simply needed so exhausting to not solely get on Drag Race, so I used to be already proud that I bought on the present. I didn’t know I’d do issues so effectively.
You informed me in our first interview final yr: “I need to encourage folks of coloration and Black folks to not surrender and to maintain on going…. as a result of your time will come.” Since a lot of your profession earlier than has been about inspiring others to achieve and out of drag, what do you hope younger Black queer folks see in your victory?

I hope they know and perceive that success isn’t a financial worth; it’s about discovering one thing that makes you cheerful and brings you pleasure. Because of this, cash will chase after you. That’s what Drag Race did for me.

You mentioned on the finale that you just’d inform your youthful self, “You’re Black sufficient.” What impressed that?

There have been moments in my life the place I didn’t really feel that manner. I felt I used to be considerably shunned from my tradition due to my queerness and gayness, and due to me not marching to all people else’s drum. I mentioned that to myself as a reminder; the one reminder I have to know that I’m Black sufficient is wanting within the motherf—ing mirror.

You mentioned on X the opposite day that drag actually saved your life at a time if you have been misplaced and didn’t know what to do. What did you imply by that? How darkish of a spot did you get to, and the way did drag pull you out?

Proper out of highschool, I went to school and bought my diploma in artwork. I believed for those who went to school out of highschool, you’d achieve success. That wasn’t my story. I had bartending jobs, serving jobs, I used to be a substitute instructor. In any case that work, I nonetheless wasn’t glad, I wasn’t making sufficient cash, I didn’t know what I needed to do. I discovered Drag Race and there was one thing concerning the queerness, the household, and the inventive endeavor that I used to be drawn to and I put my entire coronary heart into.

I used to be actually depressed, and I didn’t know what I used to be going to do. Drag pulled me out of that place artistically and as a performer, and it gave me one thing to f—ing do. As soon as I spotted there was a street to success by drag, every little thing was kosher.

Let’s speak concerning the lip-sync towards Jewels Sparkles. I believe this may be one of many solely current finale lip-syncs that didn’t embody reveals. Why did you strategy it that manner?

I did have a few reveals I used to be engaged on, however I’ve by no means been a queen of reveals. I don’t do methods, gags, and goops in my common life. It got here to be about what kind of queen I’m. I figured if I by no means did reveals earlier than I bought on Drag Race, why would I do them now? I’m a fantastic performer, and I put all my bets on that.

She doesn’t want the reveals!

I don’t want ‘em. I am the gag and the goop!

There was drama this season with Lexi Love feeling that Suzie Toot was large competitors, although followers famous she ought to’ve been anxious about you — which was true! Did you are feeling underestimated by the solid and followers?

I at all times felt underestimated, since day one. I used to be glad I used to be underestimated, as a result of I used to be beneath the radar and queens weren’t eyeing me to win the crown. That made me work even tougher to show myself to the judges and the ladies.

Have you ever heard from Eddie Murphy after Snatch Game?

No, sadly, however hopefully in the future I’ll be in a film with Eddie Murphy or he’ll attain out to me.

Did some other movie star followers attain out?

Ariana Grande! She positively reached out to me personally and informed me how proud she was and the way a lot of a star I used to be. It was actually wonderful.
Talking of stars, has your father accomplished drag since his makeover?

Hell no. He accomplished grew his beard again. That beard is full throttle!

The sisterhood this season has been fascinating, particularly the large second between you and Arrietty. Was Arrietty's apology final week the total interplay, or had you mentioned privately?

We talked exterior the present. I would like folks to know that I don’t maintain grudges. I forgave Arrietty the day after, I simply didn’t get an opportunity to have a dialog proper after. That’s my sister. She is forgiven and we’ve moved on. It takes extra power to hate somebody than it does to like them.

In that first interview we did, you joked, “I’m coming for you, Viola.” Now that you just’re a winner, the query stays: The place does Onya need to go, and will Viola Davis be scared?

She ought to solely be scared if she casts me in a film together with her. Fences is one in every of my favourite performs, Viola as Rose is one in every of my favourite characters. I look as much as her a lot due to how she does her factor. So, sure, I’m coming for Viola Davis. Now that I’ve received the crown, I’m! [Laughs] I need to do some stage performing, some movie, I might like to host SNL. The sky is the restrict. I’m excited now as an artist to color once more and make some artwork, and simply discover my avenues, child. Onya every little thing!

Is there anything you need to say?

I simply need to say that I f—ing did it. I’m so happy with myself. This was an exquisite group of entertainers, and I’m so grateful that the sunshine is shining down on me.

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