The first-ever season of Drag Race Philippines came to an insane conclusion last week when the top four contestants, Eva La Queen, Marina Summers, Precious Paula Nicole and Xilhouette, competed in a lip-sync smackdown for the crown. While this particular format has been met with a marmite response in recent months, the quartet reinvigorated life into said format with three fierce battles: Eva vs Precious, Marina vs Xilouette and, after winning their respective showdowns, Precious vs Marina.
Following an intense performance to Gloc-9 and Ebe Dancel’s Sirena – a song of significance to the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines – Precious emerged supreme, becoming the inaugural champion of Drag Race Philippines in the process and the recipient of a crown, sceptre and one million pesos. “[This win] means that my 12 years in the drag industry has paid off. It reminded me that I was doing the right thing, that I made the right choice,” says the star.
“It means so much to me because, upon entering this competition, my main goal was to use this platform to help more LGBTQ+ people – especially the Golden Gays here in the Philippines that are homeless, they need to be taken care of. This award, this crown, isn’t just for myself; it’s for everyone who is inspired by my story and my drag.”
In this exclusive interview with GAY TIMES, Precious Paula Nicole opens up about her Drag Race experience and the series’ impact on the drag and LGBTQ+ communities in her native country, as well as the mixed response on social media to her victory.
Precious Paula Nicole, it’s so lovely to meet you.
Mabuhay, Sam, from the Philippines!
Mabuhay! Condragulations on winning the first-ever season of Drag Race Philippines. How have these past few days been as the country’s first crowned (drag) queen?
Thank you, so much. It’s very busy! I have so many calls to answer. Everyone just wants to have a piece of me and a piece of my heart, but it’s a part of my job now. I’m so open and so ready for this.
You now join some legendary first-crowned queens such as Bebe Zahara Benet, Natalia Pliacam, The Vivienne, Priyanka and Envy Peru… That’s good company to have, right?
Very! Before the competition aired, I was looking at a picture of all the winners and I was like, ‘Maybe someday. Maybe one day, I can see myself there.’ It’s the power of manifestation, it works! Two years ago, I was asked what I want to achieve for the next five years and I was like, ‘I think I want a Drag Race title,’ and then it was all over YouTube, TikTok. It’s the manifestation, it’s living proof that it really works.
How did you react when Paolo [Ballesteros] called your name?
I was honestly expecting for a different name to be called. When it started I was telling myself to hope for the best, but you should always expect for the worst to happen. Last year I joined a drag contest here in the Philippines and I didn’t get the title. I was so devastated because I was expecting to win. It felt so bad. I was waiting for that for three months. So, when the crowning moment happened I told myself, ‘You should be prepared, bitch.’ It took me five seconds to realise that my name was called. When I heard everyone screaming my name I was like, ‘Oh my god, thank you lord! Thank you RuPaul! Thank you universe!’
You deserved that win, your finale lip-syncs… an absolute slay.
Thank you! That’s the first ever time I really let go of everything. When it ended, my divine sisters Brigiding and Viñas [DeLuxe] were talking to me like, ‘You did so great!’ I was like, ‘Really, did I? I don’t remember anything! I’m not gonna believe it until I see it.’
Because of your incredible track record, we didn’t see you lip-sync until the finale, so what was going through your mind on the stage?
I was saving the best for last. It’s the universe telling me, ‘Bitch, you didn’t win last year so we’re gonna give you another shot. Bitch, you better work bitch!’ I was like, ‘Okay I’m gonna give it my all.’ It worked. Honestly, until now, when I watch the video I don’t even believe that I did that. That’s the first time that I really let go. Maybe I did at the perfect time.
The final lip-sync song, Sirena, is important to LGBTQ+ people in the Philippines. Can you please explain why the song holds so much significance for the community?
I must admit, I hate rapping because I learn songs very slowly! When I discovered that it’s one of the songs I will be lip-syncing, I was like, ‘Okay, great.’ It tells the story of a gay guy that was being punished for being gay. Here in the Philippines, there’s still people who judge and it breaks my heart. I was surrounded by many gay friends who had the same situation before. They were told that being gay is a sin, so me lip-syncing that song is a celebration. It’s living proof that being gay is not a sin, bitch. We are here to be celebrated. That is happening now, and I’m glad to be part of that historical moment.
Being gay is fucking fabulous.
I know, right? It’s a blessing.
What does it mean to you to win this title?
It means a lot. It means that my 12 years in the drag industry has paid off. It reminded me that I was doing the right thing, that I made the right choice. I did drag and kept it a secret for years from my family, because I knew mum would be very pissed off. Twelve years ago, it wasn’t really mainstream, so I was hiding. It means so much to me because, upon entering this competition, my main goal was to use this platform to help more LGBTQ+ people – especially the Golden Gays here in the Philippines that are homeless, they need to be taken care of. This award, this crown, isn’t just for myself; it’s for everyone who is inspired by my story and my drag. This is the best Christmas gift for me.
Your brother memorably joined you in the competition for the makeover challenge. How did he react to your win?
He came to the crowning with me. I asked him to and I was really happy he was there because being surrounded by my family made me feel like I’m ready for whatever happens next. It was the first time I saw my brother cry because he was so happy. The whole day I was saying to him, ‘Baby brother, do you think I will win tonight?’ and he was like, ‘Of course you will. You can do it. You will win.’ I was like, ‘Are you sure? Do you think so?’ and he said, ‘Yes, you deserve it. You’ve been working hard for this and deserve the recognition.’ My passion is performing and I’ve loved it since I was a kid. I’m very proud.
Every single time a Drag Race winners is announced, there’s positive and negative reactions from viewers – always! How are you navigating the response on social media right now?
Before entering the competition, I already saw RuPaul’s video where he says to not read the comments. That’s one piece of advice I didn’t follow! I was so excited to read the comments but was then discovering that not all Drag Race fans were happy about me winning. I was hurt at first. I must admit, I was emotional, but what I want to do now is to look at the brighter and positive side. I’m starting to get used to it, but I still wish the negative comments would turn out positive someday.
Precious, you had so many incredible moments this season. Do you have a favourite moment in particular?
To be impersonating someone who happens to be the guest judge!
And you won!
I won! It’s very rare that an impersonator drag queen will perform in front of the star, so it’s a very rewarding moment for me. I must admit, I’m a very lucky drag queen. I’m very honoured and very thankful.
Has anything surprised you about this experience?
Well of course, winning the crown. That was surprising! I wasn’t really expecting it because Marina is very fierce competition and that girl… I love her so much. She inspires me. Me winning the competition is very surprising but I’m just happy and I really wish her the best. I’m so honoured to be competing alongside her at the end.
How has the series impacted the Filipino drag and LGBTQ+ communities?
It’s had a big impact. We’ve been waiting for this for a very long time. We only have a few Filipino queens on the other franchises, and all of them were slaying. It proves that Filipino drag queens are some of the best. It’s like Miss Universe, Filipinos are frontrunners in every competition. It’s living proof that we are deserving to be in the mainstream and on the main stage.
What’s next for Precious Paula Nicole?
A lot! It was announced earlier that I’m coming to DragCon UK. Wow, it’s really happening. Before the competition aired, I was watching the past DragCon’s and I was like, ‘What would be my reaction if I get invited to the UK?’ I’ll see you very soon, Sam!
Drag Race Philippines is available exclusively on the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus. Subscribe via https://uk.wowpresentsplus.
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