You’re a winner baby…
con-drag-ulations to Nymphia Wind!

University for the Creative Arts alum, Leo Tsao, is the toast of Taiwan – and UCA – after winning season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race as his banana-themed glamazon Nymphia Wind!

22 Apr 2024

A close up head and shoulders shot of RuPaul's Drag Race winner Nymphia Wind, also known as Leo Tsao. Picture by Mettie Ostrowski

Above, Nymphia Wind in her finale outfit. Credit: Entertainment Weekly/Mettie Ostrowski 

Watch parties around the world were cheering as Nymphia was named champion – taking home the crown and a $200,000 prize – by RuPaul herself. Nymphia’s boba tea-inspired final lipsync against fellow finalist Sapphira Crystal, complete with floating boba balloon reveal, was the icing of the cake.

Leo, who graduated in 2017 in Fashion Atelier, had never been in the bottom two across the competition, and had won three challenges. Aside from Nymphia’s strong banana theming, runway looks included many references to Asian heritage, and high fashion. Leo made almost all the costumes seen in the series.

As Nymphia collected her crown and sceptre, she told the audience: “To those who feel like they don’t belong, just remember to live fearlessly and have courage to live your truth – and Taiwan this is for you!”

Among the high-profile people congratulating Nymphia on her win, was the President of Taiwan, Tsai ing-wen, who said: “Congratulations to you, Nymphia Wind, for being so accomplished in the difficult art form of drag, and for being the first Taiwanese to take the stage and win on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

“Right after being crowned queen, you said ‘Taiwan, this is for you’. Taiwan thanks you for living fearlessly.”

Nymphia has since appeared across television and other media, including Good Morning America:

UCA President & Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane Roscoe, said: “The whole of UCA, and especially our School of Fashion and Textiles, is celebrating the unique and incredible talent of Nymphia, and her victory in RuPaul’s Drag Race. As ‘America’s Next Drag Superstar’, we are so excited to see what she does next!”

Leo Tsao, year two tailoring course at UCA

Leo Tsao, pictured in a garment he made for his second-year Bespoke Tailoring unit.

UCA’s BA (Hons) in Fashion Atelier & Tailoring is the only course of its kind in the UK – if you’re keen to follow in Nymphia’s footsteps, this is the start of the path. To see what Nymphia does next, follow her on Instagram.