American drag performer and opera singer
Sapphira Cristál (born September 27, 1988)[ 1] is the stage name of O'Neill Nichol Haynes ,[ 2] an American drag performer who was both runner-up and Miss Congeniality on season 16 of RuPaul's Drag Race . She is also a classically trained opera singer and a composer .[ 3] [ 4]
Early life and education
Born in Bryan, Texas,[ 5] Haynes's stepfather was MMA trainer Saul Soliz . Haynes was raised in Houston and attended HSPVA .[ 6] He practiced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai as a child.[ 7] Haynes attended Houston’s Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts .[ 8]
He studied music composition and opera at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester and the Longy School of Music at Bard College , but did not complete his bachelor's degree.[ 9]
Career
Sapphira Cristál started doing drag in Rochester, New York and worked in New York City , Boston, Massachusetts and Provincetown, Massachusetts .[ 10]
Cristál competed on season 16 of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2023, after auditioning for the show 11 times.[ 6] [ 11] She won the first episode's talent show challenge[ 12] by performing the opera piece "O mio babbino caro ".[ 13] Following the premiere, Cristál released a studio version of her performance.[ 14] In total, she won four challenges throughout the season to earn a spot in the finale. She was voted by her fellow contestants as Miss Congeniality, alongside Xunami Muse , and placed as the runner-up to Nymphia Wind .[ 15]
Outside of Drag Race , she has won fourteen drag pageants .[ 16]
Personal life
Haynes identifies as pansexual , polyamorous and non-binary ,[ 17] [ 18] and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania .[ 12] [ 19] Growing up, she went to the same church as Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland in Houston, Texas .[ 20]
Discography
All credits adapted from Apple Music and Spotify .[ 21] [ 22]
Singles
As lead artist
Filmography
See also
References
^ " 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Unveils Season 16 Queens" . 6 December 2023.
^ "The Newly Crowned Miss New Hope Celebrates, Sapphira Cristal" . newhopecelebrates.com . New Hope Celebrates. 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024 .
^ "Penn statue debate; Philly drag queen debut; Mandatory masking returns | Morning roundup" . Billy Penn at WHYY . 2024-01-08. Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-13 .
^ "Philly drag queen Sapphira Cristál to compete in the next season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' " . PhillyVoice . 2023-12-08. Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-13 .
^ Nash, Suzi (20 October 2021). "Sapphira Cristál: Shining Bright" . epgn.com . Philadelphia Gay News . Retrieved July 23, 2024 .
^ a b Guerra, Joey. "Sapphira Cristál, a Houston native who attended HSPVA, is a 'Drag Race' frontrunner after 1 episode" . Houston Chronicle . Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-13 .
^ "On Point with: Sapphira Cristal" . 7 August 2016.
^ Sullivan, Paul (August 14, 2024). "Sapphira Cristál Keeps It in the Family" . Backstage. Retrieved September 8, 2024 .
^ "As Philly clubs reopen post pandemic, a day in the drag queen world. Meet Sapphira Cristál" . 11 July 2021.
^ "On Point with: Sapphira Cristal" . 7 August 2016.
^ Forman, Beatrice (2024-01-04). "What to know about Sapphira Cristál, Philly's first true 'Drag Race' contestant" . www.inquirer.com . Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-13 .
^ a b Forman, Beatrice (2024-01-06). "Philly queen Sapphira Cristál wins first episode of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' " . www.inquirer.com . Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-13 .
^ "For 'Drag Race' judges, queens & fans, Sapphira Cristál is the moment" . www.out.com . Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-13 .
^ "O mio babbino caro by Sapphira Cristál" . open.spotify.com . Archived from the original on 2024-01-14. Retrieved 2024-01-14 .
^ Frank, Jason P. (2024-04-19). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season-Finale Recap: All Hail" . Vulture . Retrieved 2024-07-05 .
^ Decaro, Frank (September 4, 2024). "What 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Sapphira Cristál Can Teach You About Embracing Your Imperfections" . Backstage. Retrieved September 8, 2024 .
^ Nunn, Jerry (August 12, 2024). "Sapphira Cristál brings the Ball to the House of Blues" . Windy City Times. Retrieved September 8, 2024 .
^ "Sapphira Cristál: Shining Bright" . 20 October 2021.
^ Valerio, Solmaira (2024-01-08). "Philly-based Sapphira Cristál on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' " . Billy Penn at WHYY . Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-13 .
^ "On Point with: Sapphira Cristal" . 7 August 2016.
^ "Sapphira Cristál on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved 2024-06-22 .
^ "Sapphira Cristál - Spotify" . Spotify . Retrieved 2024-06-22 .
External links