'Drag Race' season 16 winner Nymphia Wind on mental health: 'I definitely have a bit of performance anxiety'

Nymphia Wind has always been hard on herself.

The RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 winner recently revealed that the "pressure to do well in my career" has long impacted her mental health. Writing in an essay for the Trevor Project in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Wind opened up about the "moments when I would feel down and unsure of where I fit in my drag, Asian, or queer communities."

"Coming up in drag takes a lot more than the average person would assume," she wrote. "They say we are our own worst critics; I was always hard on myself if I didn’t perform up to my own high standards, or if my look wasn’t perfect."

Wind's essay was penned as a chapter for the fictional book she created during episode 14 of her Drag Race season, “Booked & Blessed." Now, the queen is using Breaking Wind, the Art of Letting Go to reach out to LGBTQ+ AAPI youth.

68 percent of AAPI LGBTQ+ youth reported feeling symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder in the past two weeks, according to the Trevor Project, but those who have social support and access to affirming spaces are less likely to experience negative mental health impacts.

Trending stories

Yes, Superman is an immigrant. He's also a gay icon.

Watch: 'Before We Forget' clip proves gay love isn't lost in translation

VIDEO: A man living with HIV discusses his journey to fatherhood

BREAKING: Supreme Court rules to save free access to preventive care, including PrEP

'King of Drag’s Pressure K says drag is the 'cheat code' for defeating their trauma (exclusive)

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

Ethel Cain (and her fans) say she is the victim of a 'transphobic hate campaign.' Here's why

Trump admin guts $258 million in funding for HIV vaccine research

Out and About with Christian Cooper

Wilderness, woods, and Wigstock: Drag icons light up the Catskills

Gays went feral at an iconic Pride celebration in Pensacola, Florida

Bobby Berk's next gig after 'Queer Eye'? A new show with John Cena

Checking out: nhow London, the city’s coolest hotel

Christen Press and Tobin Heath celebrate dog adoption in new PETA campaign (exclusive)

Watching JD Vance's motorcade get ruthlessly roasted will recharge your soul

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

This HIV Long-Term Survivor Day, listen to this leader from God's Love, We Deliver

1985: the year the AIDS crisis finally broke through the silence

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

11 lesbian & sapphic reality dating shows & where to watch them

Electric Forest is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community

Drag Race All Stars 10: These queens will lip sync for the crown at the finale

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

5 lesbian power couples who play on rival sports teams

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

Wind said that "it’s bananas how closely that research mirrors my own experiences," noting that surrounding herself with friends and spending time in the queer community "has really helped my mental health."

Despite her success, Wind said that "I definitely have a bit of performance anxiety." Even after doing shows for years, she explained that "sometimes I still get nervous." What gets her out of them is remembering that she may not be in control of her feelings, but she can control her reaction.

"I personally can’t stop intrusive thoughts and negative feelings, but I can choose how I navigate those moments for myself," Wind wrote.