Fans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” — and even Philadelphians outside of the fandom — were shocked on April 19 when Philly’s Crown Jewel, Sapphira Cristál, lost the top prize to Nymphia Wind during the season 16 finale of the reality-competition series. The day before, Philadelphia City Council declared April 19 as “Philly’s Crown Jewel Day” with a resolution celebrating Cristál as a “walking, talking miracle.”
“We’re here to recognize and celebrate LGBTQIA resistance and affirm our neighbors for living out loud, being who they were born to be, and looking pretty damn good at doing it,” said Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke during the gathering honoring Cristál, who won the Miss Congeniality prize during the finale. “And who does that better than Philly’s Crown Jewel? I can think of no other and it doesn’t seem like a stretch to say that the nation agrees.”
During the gathering, fans stood at the back holding signs declaring Cristál a queen and shouting “Grease the poles!” anticipating her win.
Even without the “Drag Race” crown, Cristál still won our hearts. After performing her new single “DANCE!” during the televised competition, Cristál answered a few questions from host RuPaul and spoke directly to controversies surrounding drag performers in this political climate.
“The world needs to know that drag queens are just here to spread love and to entertain and if you’re afraid of drag, then you are afraid of freedom,” Cristál said.
The performer also delivered final statements at a viewing party of the finale during a private event at Edge at Hudson Yards in New York City. After her lip sync performance of Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers’ “Encourage Yourself,” she encouraged the audience to practice self love.
“We in this world need a lot more love, kindness and compassion and I think if there’s one thing that I can do, it’s to spread love, kindness and compassion,” Cristál said, to which audience members shouted in approval. “But to do so, you have to have those things for yourself. So everyone please take one hand and wave it at me and take your other hand. Now wave those hands and put them around yourselves and repeat these words: ‘I truly love and accept myself.’”
Audience members obliged to Cristál’s request before she provided more encouragement.
“Remember, no matter what anyone has to say to you or about you, to always truly love who you are, where you are, how you are, when you are because the person you were yesterday got you to who you are today and the person you are today will take you to your dreams,” she said.
Nymphia Wind did a stellar job during her lip sync against Cristál to Kylie Minogue’s “Padam Padam,” but Cristál’s positivity and grace is what gave her an extra edge in viewers’ minds. During the City Council gathering — occurring a day before the finale aired — she maintained that energy.
“We will find out what happens tomorrow — but I know in my heart of hearts, I’m a winner, baby,” Cristál said.
And it is clear to all of us in Philadelphia that she’s a winner, baby.
But that doesn’t mean we won’t need the poles greased should she return to “All Stars.”