Onya Nurve Can Win ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 17
Yes, there is still a full half of a season to go, but through 8 episodes, Onya Nurve has proven that when she’s on stage, you simply cannot take your eyes off of her. At this rate, if RuPaul crowns her the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, it should not come as a shock. Thus far, Onya has presented high-class drag, an effervescent personality, and television drama that keeps us invested. Sure, when she’s not stealing someone’s trim or spray-painting over someone’s outfit, Onya has been a champion of her sisters. She is in her congenial era in confessionals while keeping it professional in the Werk Room.
When RuPaul takes a liking to an individual, it shows. This season, Onya has been compared to people Ru has known from her past. Ru even thinks she resembles Glodean White, Barry White’s wife. She may not know the reference, but she’s gladly taking the moniker! Onya Nurve is an enticing contestant because she continues to excel. Is there anything she can’t do? The versatile Cleveland, Ohio-based queen has the charisma, uniqueness, and talent, but it’s that nerve that is making her a frontrunner.
Onya Nurve Brings Reality Drama to Life on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
When it comes to RuPaul’s Drag Race, it takes more than just being an exceptional drag artist to pop off the screen. This season, some queens have proven that they have the drag delusion to be a star, like Joella. Other queens, like Crystal Envy, have brought a polish to the screen, but it may not have been ripe for reality television. But when you find that middle ground between excellent drag and riveting reality television character, that’s when you become the one to watch. Onya is a subtle star. She’s let the action unfold around her, and pounced in when she was ready to make a moment. And when she does, baby, she’s giving!
From a drama perspective, somehow, Onya has gotten herself involved in two design challenge riffs. First, the battle between herself and Jewels Sparkles and the trim caused tension and animosity, but she held her own and ended up receiving praise from the judges. Second, she accidentally spray-painted over Lexi Love‘s tarp, causing a near-blowup in the Werk Room. While she eventually owned up to her mistake, Onya’s ability to not back down has provided for this season’s water cooler moments. To be the queen of the season, you have to be remembered for the things you can do beyond the runway. And Onya, is giving us reason to pop that popcorn.
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“I don’t consider them safe silhouettes. Thank you very much, Mr. Interviewer.”
Onya’s track record at this point of the competition is exceptional. She’s won two performance challenges. She’s been in the top for three other challenges. Her talent show got us moving and grooving. Her Achilles heel thus far is the design challenges and runways, and it’s not as if she even flopped! She’s never landed lower than safe. Never having been at risk may be nerve-wracking as you don’t know when the bottom could fall out, but at this point, is there anything Onay Nurve can’t do? Seems unlikely.
Onya Nurve Can Do It All
At the heart of RuPaul’s Drag Race is the competition element. With mainstream drag centering so fervently on performance, queens who leave the show must be able to entertain beyond a club setting. We have seen individuals break through into the world of television and film. After Quinta Brunson‘s recent appearance as a guest judge, her championing of Onya into the world of sketch comedy is the validation she needed. In fact, Quinta Brunson’s Abbott Elementary has previously cast Drag Race legends Shea Coulee and Symone. Could Onya Nurve be next? Having previously won the “RDR Live” challenge, taking on the host role, and her impeccable Eddie Murphy impersonation for Snatch Game, her ability to transform in characters should help her reel in acting roles post-show. She doesn’t brag about her theater background the way that Suzie Toot does, but the proof is certainly in the pudding. Her performance in “The Wicked Wiz of OZ the Rusical” was like watching Diana Ross in The Wiz today. She could easily have walked away with another challenge victory.
It’s possible RuPaul sees a bit of herself in Onya, which may be the root of her taking to her so fondly. And, she’s celebrating Black excellence in her drag. But as longtime viewers of the show know, Onya Nurve is a comfort. You can feel safe when she’s on screen. You know she will continue to serve. You know she will spill the tea as she kikis in the Werk Room and with us in confessionals. Onya Nurve has an aura that reminds us of the old school days of the show. She may not be what some deem as the “future of drag,” but she is certainly a queen who maintains the art of drag for generations to come. She’s a silent assassin. She checks off every box you need from a drag queen and Drag Race contestant. Onya Nurve’s highlight reel is what other contestants can only aspire to. We always hope that whoever wins a season of RuPaul’s Drag Race is a great representative of the season and the franchise. Onya Nurve is that person. Whether she’s crowned or not, Onya Nurve will cement herself as a legend of the franchise.
