'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star NINA FLOWERS Talks Life After the Show, Boys, Beats & more
For those of you who have kept up with the MUZOPHILE BLOG, you know it's no secret that I am in love with 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season one superstar Nina Flowers. And apparently, I am not alone - as Nina was originally voted on to the show by the fans via RuPaulCasting.com (In fact, voting for season 2 has already started, so stop by now!) and ended up winning on the viewer-voted 'Miss Congeniality' award.
Nina Flowers, aka Jorge Flores, ended up coming in second place in season 1, runner up to winner Bebe Zahara Benet. I'm a Bebe fan, too, but I have to say, Nina captivated me from the minute I saw her. She's obviously gorgeous and fierce - but gracious, unique, kind...and one hell of a hot guy when not done up as Nina, too!
Which is why Muzo stalked her lol. Ok, ok, maybe not stalked, but I wanted to learn more about this drag diva...from the show alone, she seemed like someone I'd wanna be friends with. But what's more? Turns out Nina Flowers is also a hugely successful DJ in her hometown of Denver. You can imagine my excitement lol
Anyway, Nina was kind enough to take the time to answer some Muzo-style questions about everything from her DJ and drag inspirations to life with her true love to working with RuPaul, what she's been up to since 'Drag Race,' tips for younger queens...oh, and maybe Muzo will do drag: Nina Flowers style? (I dunno, I'm pretty hairy lol...) Find out:
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Nina: Since the show ended I’ve been focusing on a new show that I’m producing, called “DRAMA DRAG” which takes place the last Friday of every month at the hottest club in Denver, TRACKS - the same club where I’m also a resident DJ. I also have been traveling to different cities to perform. So far, I’ve been able to visit Tampa, FL; Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; and Carbondale, IL. Pretty soon, we will be in San Juan, PR; Vancouver, Canada; Philadelphia, PA; Austin, TX; to name a few. But you can find about my schedule at my official Website.
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Muzo: As you know, I am a huge fan of yours (lol, no secret there!). No joke, from the very first episode I saw you and was like 'I want to be friends with Nina Flowers.' For real! lol So I was beyond excited to see that you also DJ. How long have you been spinning?
Nina: I’ve been spinning since I was 12 years old, but on a professional level, since I was 16. That’s when I got my first resident gig, at a club called KRASH KLUB CAFÉ.
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Muzo: And soon you bring both worlds together - the girls from 'Drag Race' will all be making appearances at your club in Denver: Tracks! How do you feel about sharing the stage with them again? And what can the fans expect?
Nina: I’m extremely excited to work with the girls again, and this time in my territory. Being able to meet the girls and learn from every one of them was a great experience. So far, I’m the only one in the group who is generating job opportunities for the other cast members and also the local divas. This is a great satisfaction.
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Nina: Wow!! There are so many...but my favorites are Ralphi Rosario and Abel (I love when these two bitches get together and create Rosabel). I also love Manny Lehman, William Umana and some great Brazilian DJs like DJ Ranny, Altar, E-Thunder, Edson Pride, DJ Lapetina and many others.
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Muzo: Where do you draw inspiration for your look?
Nina: Music is a great source of inspiration, and I’m also inspired by nature, birds, abstract art, anything with vibrant colors, and a sense of liberty.
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Muzo: What is the hardest thing about being a drag queen?
Nina: There is a lot to keep up with. Learning new songs all the time, creating new costumes and the preparation itself can be exhausting. By the time I’m done with the performance, I’m dying to take it all off.
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Nina: I love to go out to the movies, to go shopping, to go dancing, to go work out, and I also love to stay home with my husband, Antonio and our baby Mylo. I have a lot of fun staying home and playing with my music and coming up with new ideas for my feature presentations.
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Muzo: And Nina, as you know I interviewed RuPaul, and he asked me if I had ever done drag, which I haven't. But seriously, if I ever did do drag, I'd kill to look like you - hands down. So whadya say, you paint my face one day?
And I want a cool mohawk or something, too!Nina: I would love to play Barbie with you, and do your makeup and hair. I guarantee – lots of fun.
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Muzo: In your experience, what cities have the best drag communities?
Nina: From my experience, there are great entertainers all over the nation, but to me the biggest drag communities are concentrated in Chicago, Texas, Florida, New York, Atlanta and Puerto Rico. I’m looking forward to visit other cities and learn about their drag culture.
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Nina: I think you're right on. For me, that’s the way I want to be approached. I am “Jorge” so I would like to be referred to as “he,” but when I’m in drag, I become a whole different persona, and I rather be referred to as “she.” In other cases, it might be different, because some guys decide to live their lives as women, and they find the gender confusion an insult.
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Muzo: And congratulations on your relationship with your man. You guys are the cutest couple!! Like I told you before, if you ever get married, I wanna be the 'Flowers' boy lol How long have you been together? How did you meet?
Nina: We met two years ago at Club KRASH in Puerto Rico, a night that I was DJing. The music was pumping and he was curious about my beats, so he approached the DJ booth wanting to buy some CDs, and the rest is history.
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Muzo: And who wears the pants - really?
Nina: We both do…LOL. He is great with me, and has a lot of patience to understand me.
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Nina: Being close to Ru, was an amazing experience because I always looked up to her, and there I was, standing so close to him, and having him face to face. At first, it was nerve racking, but then I got use being close to him being on the set working with us.
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Muzo: What advice would you give to the upcoming season 2 contestants?
Nina:
1. Make sure you bring out your personality and remember that they are looking for Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. (Muzo sidenote: This was one of the 'Drag Race' mantras. Did anyone else ever notice what that acronym spells out?? lol 'C.U.N.....' Moving on...)
2. Be original.
3. Don’t pay attention to other people and focus on your work. Attacking others won’t get you anywhere.
4. 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.
5. Enjoy every single minute of it. Don’t forget that this is a great moment to showcase your talent and make new friends.
6. Don’t ever give up. A WINNER NEVER QUITS, AND A QUITER NEVER WINS.
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Nina: I text all of them every now and then, but my closest relationships are with Bebe, Jade and Ongina.
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Muzo: What makes the perfect drag queen?
Nina: To be original, glamorous, sexy, sweet, extravagant is what I consider to be a great combination.
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Muzo: What advice would you give to younger guys who want to become female impersonators? (I can say 'younger' cuz you and I are the same age, lol...)
Nina: Bitch!!! LOL. The first thing I would recommend is to study the culture, so that they learn about our roots. This will also allow them to find role models, so that they can define what kind of performers they want to be. Find some inspirations and create your own style.
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Muzo: What will you be doing in five years?
Nina: It’s hard to say. I live day by day and focus on the “now.” I do know I want to start producing my own music and in the future would love to dedicate full time to the music industry.
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Muzo: What's next for Nina Flowers?
Nina: I’m working with two great DJs, DJ William Umana and DJ Ranny, on a music project, that hopefully will be out in the summer. For now, lots of traveling for this year and hopefully an appearance on the next season of 'RuPaul’s Drag Race.'
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Posted by MUZOPHILE at 5/13/2009 11:03 PM 
Categories: RuPaul's Drag Race,0News,0ALL LISTINGS,Nina Flowers,0Q and As,Q and As
Tags: William Umana Altar Abel DJ Lapetina Ongina E-Thunder Nina Flowers Ralphi Rosario Manny Lehman Bebe Zahara Benet RuPaul's Drag Race Rosabel Edson Pride DJ Ranny RuPaul
Categories: RuPaul's Drag Race,0News,0ALL LISTINGS,Nina Flowers,0Q and As,Q and As
Tags: William Umana Altar Abel DJ Lapetina Ongina E-Thunder Nina Flowers Ralphi Rosario Manny Lehman Bebe Zahara Benet RuPaul's Drag Race Rosabel Edson Pride DJ Ranny RuPaul
I love Nina Flowers - she's an inspiration and very genuine
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Great article but the godaddy banner that sticks to the top of my browser window is annoying as fuck.
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MS. Flowers is . . . . what can I say? She so intense yet sincere and genuine. She one of the few drag queens I've ever desired to know as a buddy. Most I've met are truly mean evil people. Nina doesn't even come across that way.
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