After an enthralling season with 15 episodes filled with electrifying lip-sync battles, unexpected turns, and behind-the-scenes drama, RuPaul crowned Nymphia Wind as the winner of Drag Race Season 16.
Hailing from Taiwan but now based in New York, Nymphia Wind, also known outside her drag persona as Leo Tsao, has made history by being the first East Asian descent to clinch the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar.
The finale saw Nymphia performing her number “Queen of Wind” donned in a stunning outfit inspired by Taiwanese culture, which she transformed into a pastel bodysuit for the climax of her performance. This achievement garnered attention from the highest office in Taiwan, with President Tsai Ing-wen extending her congratulations on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting Nymphia’s groundbreaking win as the first Taiwanese to achieve such a feat on the American version of the show.
President Tsai Ing-wen’s message read: “Congratulations, Nymphia Wind, for mastering the intricate art of drag and for being the first Taiwanese to grace the stage and emerge victorious on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Taiwan is grateful for your dedication…”
This acknowledgment from the president was warmly received by the public, with many thanking President Tsai for her endorsement of equality and support for the LGBTQ+ community. President Tsai Ing-wen, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Taiwan’s first female president, is known for her support of the LGBTQ+ community, her love for animals, including her two cats and three adopted retired guide dogs, and for being the country’s first unmarried president.
Besides President Tsai, international superstar Lady Gaga also expressed her admiration for Nymphia with a heartfelt comment on Instagram, leading Nymphia to express her overwhelming excitement and gratitude.
