Onya Nurve Wins 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17
- Mykel Montana Hilliard
- 10 minutes ago
- 2 min read
TV & Film
Last week was the epic season 17 finale of RuPaul's Drag Race. Out of 14 hopeful queens, Cleveland native Onya Nurve was crowned Next Drag Superstar, winning the $200,000 prize.
Throughout the 16-episode season, Onya Nurve proved to be a standout competitor, racking up four challenge victories, and wowing audiences with her uncanny Eddie Murphy impersonation during Snatch game.
Her looks and comedic timing would eventually lead her to besting peers Lexi Love, Sam Star, and runner-up Jewels Sparkles.
During the jam-packed finale, which aired last Friday, the queens were visited by Hollywood icon Liza Minnelli, who was awarded the Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in entertainment and her work as an LGBTQ+ ally.
“I don’t know what else to say except if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be me. You made me," said Minnelli, following receiving the award.
In the end, Nurve and Sparkles battled it out on the mainstage, performing a lip sync to Lady GaGa’s “Abracadabra”. Despite several grand reveals, Sparkles was ultimately defeated by Nurve, who donned an all-red outfit.
Last season’s winner, Nymphia Wind, also appeared on stage, passing the crown to her successor. "Hell yeah! It do take Nurve!" said Nurve after being crowned.
Following her win, Nurve appeared on Good Morning America to celebrate her win, which she called surreal. "You hear RuPaul call girls' names for 16 seasons now, so to hear her say my name, and as a winner, it was amazing," she said.
Nerve also shared one of her highlights from the season, a moment where her Father appeared in in drag. "It has meant the world," she said.
"My dad has always been a huge support, but he hasn't always been in my life for some big moments like graduation, for instance. So for him to come on Drag Race and not only come on Drag Race, but get into drag with me was amazing. He has always supported my drag, but I didn't think it was to the point where he would come on the show and dress up as a woman."