“Drag Race” runner-up Sapphira Cristál learns to trust herself in season 16

The top three contestants from Season 16 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” reunited on Friday night at The Edge at Hudson Yards. Cristál, Nymphia Wind and Plane Jane, in addition to the press and fans gathered to discover who can be crowned “America’s next drag superstar.”

Typically, “Drag Race” movies the finales before airing. However, the highest two contestants won’t discover who will officially take the crown until it airs live. Just a few hours later, the queens and the remainder of the world would find out about this Wind won the coveted titlebut before that, the finalists appeared on the red carpet to recall their experiences.

Speaking to us moments before the show began, Cristál expressed her gratitude for all her time on the show, saying she was “very excited” to be in the highest three of the season.

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“It’s hard to keep it a secret,” she said. “I knew I used to be here the entire time. You just have to be yourself, love yourself and just proceed the journey. As we all the time say, ride the river of plenty.

While some “Drag Race” queens say they were surprised by the “editing” and various features of the fact show, Cristál says she was “surprised by nothing.”

“I liked this edit!” – she gushed. “It was funny. We said it when we were there, but this cast is old school “Drag Race.” It brings back the thrill, it brings back the style, the fun reading, the fun nastiness… it brings the fun back to “Drag Race.”

Competing on the world’s biggest drag stage teaches many lessons, Cristál says, and the most important lesson for her was learning to “continue to trust yourself.”

“I’ve always trusted myself and that’s why I’ve come so far,” she admitted. “I want to encourage everyone to remember to trust your gut and your heart.”