Yes, Hunnies....the Cristal Ball Era... as in Sapphira Cristal. I don't think that shade of blue has ever looked better on a queen! Now that the 16th season of Drag Race has ended, many I know, queens, close friends, and viewers, obviously were upset and felt sad for Sapphira Cristal not winning the crown. I'd be remiss if I didn't say I too, was a bit bummed. Philadelphia and the surrounding area have got some phenomenal drag queens, with fresh and raw talent, a mix of old and new school rolled into one, very colorful style, and very community riddled personalities which I adore. So yes, I was bummed about her not winning the crown as it has taken 16 seasons to get a Philly queen on. And it took one to do just that well. But I have on good authority Sapphira is just fine girls. After all she came away with over $50,000, a trip for two to an exotic locale, and Miss Congeniality, not to mention a broad and widen pulpit to preach from henny. And as we have seen from herstory, the runners up often go on to have even bigger drag careers then the actual winners. Miss Sapphira is already getting ready for a huge one queen tour, The Cristal Ball, to visit over 40 US cities so far, has another show, All That Glitters, with Plasma, Langoo Blu,Selma Nella, Pink Pancake, and Danilla Darling. All that, and a forth coming, dance single, Enough, getting ready for release soon. Girl is just fine.
Even though we may have seen some queens close to Sapphira in style, this bitch just has that something special, to be able to wrap the old school and new school together in one very entertaining queen, Style, talent, singing, hosting, room mother, activists, all with varied style and ensembles. Sapphira for those not in the know, is a classically trained opera singer, composer and full time drag queen, full of spectacle with glitter, glam and groundbreaking talent.
For I and other queens Sapphira getting on Drag Race was such a huge honor for everybody, but especially the drag youth who is coming up in the ranks in Philly, and she showcases the Philly style to a T. It was also cool to see fellow queen Maddelynn Hatter's handy work with Sapphira's wigs. Queen does some sickening hair. Sapphira originally hails from Houston but has called Philadelphia home now for some time. Her name Sapphira is a nod to her birthstone, Sapphire, and her favorite pre-sober drink, Cristal champagne. This dive is easily set apart by her singing, with a remarkable six-octave vocal range. I can recall the show held for her right after the historic moment she got on the show. The air buzzed at the Brooklyn Bowl, with a screening of the premiere followed by a campy stage drag show with Sapphira, and graced with the performances of Avery Goodname, Iris Spectre, VinChelle, Eric Jaffe, Onyx and DJ'D by Honey Davenport, who all and one, mesmerized and captivated the audience. I hand it to these queens for holding their tongues, because they know by time the show premieres who's still on the show, at least up to the top four, and they keep mum.
Here's to Sapphira Cristal for a great season, representing the City of Brotherly Love with such style, camp and grace... long reign a Royal Blue Era!!!!
Some pretty spectacular looks! And in those first 3 photos, I'm sorry, but all I can think of is Marge Simpson's hair!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! And yet another example of Saphira's sense of humor with giving an ensemble a twist
DeleteShe was my favorite all season long and these looks and what you say about her is exactly why.
ReplyDeleteAlways so kind during the season, she was my pick for Miss Congeniality.
ReplyDeleteIncredibly stunning, sweetpea! I missed this past season, so I have some binging to do! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt was a good season Savvy!
DeleteYou’re so right about that shade of blue. But the orchid is amazing.
ReplyDeleteADORED!
ReplyDeleteI also thought for sure Sapphira had it in the bag -- she's exactly the kind of queen Ru rewards, in addition to being phenomenally talented and possessing a stage presence that no other winners, save maybe Jinkx or Bob, have come close to. And her (justified) confidence outmatches Nymphia by several magnitudes, definitely. But your also right, some winners have gone on to be quite or not even doing drag anymore....runners up have often been the ones to watch...even Alaska and Jinkx, who technically didn't win their seasons till All Stars. They blew up after their seasons hugely eclipsing the actual winner.
ReplyDeleteI think your right...if she ever does an All Stars she will so Chad Michaels or Jinkx Monsoon that shit!!!
DeleteWhen she came back it was like winning the Superbowl again!!!!! LOVE Sapphira! I liked Nypmhia too, but when one goes into a drag show, Sapphira is what is more memorable and fun to see...as she does it all, and that's a good recipe for a long-varied career like our drag legends. And should she ever do an All Stars she will take it. But I don't know by then she will need to do an All Stars.
ReplyDeleteShe is goregous and what I like seeing in a drag queen...big hair, big outfit and big personality. I was trained as a opera singer, and one of the biggest concerns in the industry is getting younger people in the theater. Things like this and Sapphira would GREATLY help invigorate the genre.
ReplyDeleteMore classically trained drag queens in opera, please.
Your right! I only know of two others who can singing like Sapphira. Never thought of that angle about the opera and the younger generation.
DeleteYou know gurl, when someone just exudes winner energy?? But didn't win? Yeah that’s Sapphira Cristal.
ReplyDeleteI think your right Tits McGee.
DeleteAlways rooting for Sapphira because she's my local Philly queen and her talent is beyond. I saw her live show two years ago, and that voice left me shocked for days, as I didn't know about it. Now that's talent.
ReplyDeleteBrava! She's something else - I put her in a category all her own.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen her perform, but she definitely has a lot of looks down.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a Sapphira photoshoot in the Galerie des Glâces, Palais de Versailles. That would be beyond stunning.
ReplyDeleteOh wouldn't it just? Not to mention ruffle a few feathers.
DeleteI got all caught up and adored Sapphira..Id love to see one of her shows. I hope she comes to Rehoboth. As you know there is also a great drag scene here. I mean that last look is insanely creative.
ReplyDeleteShe does a lot with New York queens too. You can tell she is going to have a longggggh career. Her looks are what get me...so over the top.
ReplyDeleteYep. Sapphira doesn't do anything small.
DeleteDoes campy so well....and the shot of her in the elevator??? She is pretty than Beyonce!
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong...we both loved Nymphia and were happy she won...but Sapphira....man...she is beyond. Very well rounded and knows it all. When we go to see drag shows, that's our form of drag. She is killing these looks.
ReplyDeleteI think she will go down in the Drag Race herstory as one of the more popular and loved queens.
DeleteTundra Bunny here...
ReplyDeleteWow, I LUV Sapphira's blue looks and locks, though her up-do does channel Marge Simpson, LOL! That orchid outfit is stunning too. Sapphira's live shows must really be something to see!
Sapphira and her looks makes me want to be a Drag Queen. Can a cisgender woman be a drag queen? Whether we can or not, she will forever be my Drag Mother in my head.
ReplyDeleteThese style and ensembles are absolute favorite looks of hers. Stunning. I am a new fan of hers.
ReplyDeleteI gasped more than a few times when I saw some of her looks. She has incredible charisma and talent.
ReplyDeleteSapphira instantly became one of my favorite queens when I moved here.. not just because she’s representing Philly but because of all of the amazing qualities she has. Shes resilient, kind, talented, and beautiful. I am team Sapphira forever!
ReplyDeletelove the dress #1 (so Ancient Regime) and the last one! so floreal!
ReplyDeleteWow !
ReplyDelete