Did anyone catch the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race? Well if you didn't watch it, then you missed one hell of a fierce show with a ton of hair flipping and lip-syncing drag queens. The fiercest drag queen? Miss Nina Flowers. Check out our interview with Nina Flowers and tune in for the second season of Drag Race this fall on Logo.
– Andy
Photo credit: Ninaflowers.com/Norman Dillon
For more pictures of Nina Flowers and the interview, follow the JUMP:
How did you find out about the show Ru Paul’s Drag Race? What made you try out?
When looking back, for that moment it was very unexpected. A friend of mine that has LOGO (GLBT focused cable network) phoned to tell me about this website contest. I had recently moved from Puerto Rico to Denver, CO and had only lived here for a few months. At the time nothing was happening, and I decided to sign up. It looked like a good network opportunity and I also saw that if I was successful it would be another step forward in my career as a performer. The next day I called my friends in Puerto Rico, and the word spread like wild fire.
I was overwhelmed by the support. In Puerto Rico they had “Nina Flowers” campaigns in the clubs, flyers were put up, and El Nuevo Dia, a local newspaper back home ran a full page ad about me.
It only took two days for me to be one of the top five contestants within the website race. To this day, I’m still blown away at the love I received and the response to my running for this race. Before I knew it, I won the website contest and became one of the contestants.
When did you realize you wanted to be a Dj? Do drag?
Wow, music has been part of my life before I even became a teenager. I bought a set of turn tables when I was 12 years old, and then started spinning professionally at private parties when I was 14. By the time I was 16, I started working at a night club, KRASH and became a resident DJ there. Three years later at age 19, I discovered drag and started getting involved with that form of art.
Which one do you love more?
While I have love for both because it allows me to express myself in different ways, though if I had to choose, I believe spinning is what I love more.
I’ve read that you were inspired by the likes of Annie Lennox and Boy George. What about these figures inspired you to be become the fabulous drag queen you are today?
Well, they both are good examples of not being confined by gender roles. I believe I do that with my art in drag. I have the freedom to explore…
It’s no secret that you have lots of tattoos, which is unusual for drag queens. Have you gotten criticism for that in the past?
Yes, I have – but I also think that’s what makes me different. I work it into my art and my tattoos are part of me that I’m very proud of. Besides, criticism is a point of view different from my own. They don’t bother me.
Congratulations on finishing Runner-up! That’s quite a feat, though I’m sure you would have liked to win. Was it hard not to win after all the hard work? Or are you the gracious type?
Sure, I would have loved to win, but if I were to lose, I’m glad I lost against Bebe. She was fierce!! I was just happy to have had the experience. Even though I didn’t win, I still felt like a winner, and with all the hard work – I wouldn’t change a thing.
Do you keep in touch with any of the girls from the show or do you all secretly hate each other? You can tell us…
No – no hate. Not in my part. Infact, I’ve stayed in touch with everyone of them. They are all coming to do the show I produce in TRACKS, called “DRAMA DRAG.” They’ve been coming in the order in that they were eliminated. It’s been very successful and the audience keeps growing for every show. It’s done every last Friday of the month. For the month of July, Jade will be our special guest, others that can make it will follow.
Has the show opened up more opportunities for you? Tell us about some of them!
Yes, very much so. As of now, I’m booked all the way to Febuary 2010, and I’m still getting phone calls for bookings. But especially rewarding is that I’m also being recognized as a DJ. I’m currently holding residency in both Tracks, Denver, CO; and the party EPIC, Boston, MA. I’m soon to be going for DJ gigs at the RITZ, and Club RUSH, in NYC. The experience has been very rewarding.
You’ve had many different looks, and you’re make-up is always amazing! But it also seems like hard work. Does it come naturally to you or did you have to learn? Who taught you?
Well, I went to school as a make-up artist, and as an artist I experiment, so I say a little of both. I love my paint!!
Since this is MANHUNT, we have to ask… have you ever used MANHUNT to find dates, hook-ups or whatever!?
Absolutely, in the past – in Puerto Rico.
With a Season 2 of Rupaul’s Drag Race confirmed, what advice would you give to the next round of aspiring queens?
Yes, I listed this on my profile on the RuPaul Casting website, but I would say the following…
- Make sure you bring out your personality and remember that they are looking for Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent.
- Be original.
- Don’t pay attention to other people and focus on your work. Attacking others won’t get you anywhere.
- Don’t be a freaking hater. There are many styles of Drag Form, and if we all think and feel the same way, then we be all wearing the same things and we all look alike, and that my friends would be very freaking boring. Respect everyone and stop been so freaking CRITICAL. We all have the right to express this art in our own VISION. Some have more experience than others, but don’t ever forget how you look when you first started and were you came from.
- Enjoy every single minute of it. Don’t forget that this is a great moment to showcase your talent and make new friends.
- Don’t ever give up. A WINNER NEVER QUITS, AND A QUITER NEVER WINS.
Well keep doing your thing girl, you’re fabulous! Any last words?
Thank you for this opportunity of speaking out to my friends and fans. If you would like to keep up to what I’m doing or my latest projects, you can stay in touch with my work by visiting www.ninaflowers.com. I’m also listed on myspace (dj-flowers and NinaFlowers), facebook (Nina Flowers Fans Page) in which I also keep people informed about what’s going on. I also am listed on twitter as “djninaflowers”.
i love nina flowers. .. LOCA!
Nina is the BEST!