It do take Nurve — and Onya Nurve has more than proven it. After a powerhouse run on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 17, Onya took home the crown and the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar on April 18, delivering a grand finale performance that had fans and judges alike on their feet.
Already a fan favorite before the final episode aired, Onya made history by racking up more than 700,000 likes on her #TeamOnya social media post, the most ever for a finalist. Her season-long display of charisma, talent, and fierce dedication to celebrating Black culture earned her four maxi-challenge wins — including the iconic Snatch Game — and the love of a global audience.
But when it came down to the final lip-sync battle, it was Onya’s performance of “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga that sealed her fate. Clad in a commanding red ensemble, she chose not to rely on any dramatic costume reveals, opting instead to let her talent and stage presence do all the talking.
“I’ve never been a goop-and-gag kind of queen,” Onya said in an interview with GAY TIMES. “I am the goop and gag. I knew I just had to go out there, trust in myself, and leave it all on the stage.”
Since her crowning moment, Onya has been caught in a whirlwind of appearances, including a stop by Good Morning America — all on virtually no sleep.
“I haven’t even had time to eat!” she joked. “Everything’s been happening so fast, but I’m beyond grateful. Over the moon, honestly.”
Support from her family has played a central role in her journey. Her mother, Nina, stood by her side during the finale, while her father made an emotional appearance earlier in the season during the makeover challenge. “They just stopped crying yesterday,” Onya said with a laugh. “They’re so proud, and that means everything.”
The theater-loving queen brought that same passion and energy to the Drag Race stage all season long. Whether impersonating Eddie Murphy during Snatch Game or hosting the Drag Race Live! challenge, Onya’s background in performance arts clearly shined through.
“The hosting challenge was the one I was most proud of,” she said. “I host a lot outside of Drag Race, so it felt like home for me. That, and Snatch Game — taking on someone as legendary as Eddie Murphy wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”
Onya’s presence on the show was more than just entertaining — it was meaningful. She consistently celebrated Black culture and identity, both in her looks and her storytelling. That authenticity resonated deeply with viewers who saw themselves represented in her.
“There are so many entertainers who look like me and feel like they have to work twice as hard to get half as far,” she said. “I just want to be living proof that if you work hard and stay true to yourself, you can do it — you can be a Drag Race superstar.”
Looking ahead, Onya isn’t just stopping at Drag Race fame. Her next goal? EGOT status — an elite group of artists who’ve won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.
“I want the full set,” she said. “I’ve always dreamed of Broadway, and now that I’ve got this momentum, I’m going for it. I also told my mom I want to buy a house. Big dreams, baby!”
In addition to Broadway, Onya is already setting her sights on Hollywood. Her dream project? Starring alongside powerhouse actors like Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, Kerry Washington, and Lupita Nyong’o.
“That’s not even a dream — it’s a plan,” she said. “It’s going to happen.”
And yes, fans, she’s manifesting a future guest role on Abbott Elementary, too. “Oh, that’s happening,” she declared. “Already set in stone in my mind.”
While many queens aim to build beauty brands or launch music careers post-Drag Race, Onya’s ambitions feel even more expansive. She hopes her legacy is one that future generations of drag performers, especially Black queens, can look to for inspiration.
“I hope people see that drag isn’t just what we put on — it’s who we are,” she said. “The heart, the spirit, the love we bring to that stage. That’s what really matters.”
As her star continues to rise, Onya Nurve isn’t just basking in the glow of victory — she’s charging full speed toward an empire of her own making.
For now, though, she’s just soaking it all in. “It hasn’t fully hit me yet,” she admitted. “But one thing’s for sure — it took Nurve to get here, and I’ve still got plenty more to give.”
