Drag Queen Spotlight: Nova Jina Talks Drag Influences, Advice, and Dressing Room Shenanigans!

Hello!! This week's Drag Queen Spotlight is none other than Southern California's own Nova Jina! Besides her having one of the greatest drag names EVER, she's one of my favorite people to follow online. Her Instagram stories are hilarious, and her feed is stunning! Nova Jina has body, face, personality, and the talent to top it all off. If you get the chance to see her live, do it! She's amazing, and I'm so excited for you to see the interview we did! Check out her answers below and follow her on Instagram!

 

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How did you get your drag name?

I looked down between my legs and realized I didn’t have a vagina!

How long have you been doing drag?

My 1-year dragversary is this February! My first stage performance was competing at 340 Nightclub for the Drag Championships. I won that night and was on cloud nine. Such a powerful memory. 

When is your birthday? How old are you?

January 25th… a lady never divulges her real age.

Relationship status?

Single.

What was your first time in drag like?

Painful. I made the mistake of wearing fresh out-the-box 6-inch pointy-toe stilettos. Not to mention the fact they were size 15 and I should be wearing a 16. Can we talk about how shoe manufacturers are size-phobic? I need to date a cobbler. Between the contact lenses, waist cinching, tucked testicles, and foot binding, I thought I wasn’t going to make it!

What made you want to start drag?

The need to express myself from a richly feminine perspective.

Who inspires your drag (celebrities, other queens, etc.)?

Angela Bassett, Naomi Campbell, Elvira, Jazell Barbie Royale, Jessica Lange, Octavia St. Laurent, Trannilish, Azealia Banks, Roger from American Dad, Jessica Alba as Dark Angel, Pamela Anderson, any female in a Quentin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez film, and the many women in my personal life I’ve been blessed to know.

Favorite song/artist to lip sync to?

At this point in my drag, Sade “Is it a Crime?” or Beyoncé “Find Your Way Back” are very therapeutic to perform. I love dynamic music with meaningful lyrics. 

Have you ever hooked up in drag?

Not yet. I’m actually a virgin.

What’s your favorite thing about drag? 

Being valued and acknowledged for expressing myself in my purest form. Nova gets appreciated in a way Derek rarely receives. 

What are your hobbies outside of drag?

I love to dance, hike, watch movies, be a sexual creature, and smoke. Beyond that, I’m mostly straight chillin’.

 

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What’s the craziest thing you’ve witnessed in a dressing room?

Dicks getting sucked.

Biggest pet peeve about working with other drag queens?

If you see a queen concentrating on a task that requires their full attention to get ready, please don’t keep bombarding them with small talk. Let them get fucking ready.

Biggest pet peeve about audiences in nightclubs?

When they’re not paying attention or paying us period. Like bitch you came to this drag show, no one made you come here. Give us your undivided attention and give us fucking money! 

 

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Any advice for someone wanting to start drag?

Don’t allow the opinions and actions of others to warp how you feel about yourself. Listen to the supporters and lovers, and continue going where you’re celebrated.

Don't forget to follow Nova Jina on Instagram!

Don’t forget to follow me as well on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok!