EDGE Interview: Sapphira Cristál Spreads Love on Tour Before Heading to Ptown Carnival

Anyone who watched "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 16 will never forget the moment in the first episode when Sapphira Cristál performed. The sensational Cristál finished 2nd, and is now on tour with "The Cristál Ball." She also heads to Ptown to be a Grand Marshall for Carnival.

In that first episode of "RPDR" season 16, dressed in a sumptuous, flowing deep purple gown adorned with gold and silver jewelry, Cristál looked every inch a great operatic diva, but one clearly rooted in drag humor. She gave an impeccable and hilarious twist on the popular Puccini aria "O mio babbino caro," with new lyrics that expressed her sexual urges for men. And when she did a split to the words "Daddy, forgive me," while sliding across the floor sideways, the judges (including guest Charlize Theron) were floored. Not surprisingly, she won the challenge.

But such is the genius of this Philadelphia drag queen, who has become an overnight drag sensation. Later this month, she will be the Queen of Provincetown, first with an appearance on August 21 at Town Hall where she will perform her touring cabaret show; then the following day (Thursday, August 22) as one of the Grand Marshalls for the 46th annual Carnival Parade. (She is joined in that honor by actor/singer Kevian Aviance and politician Sarah Peake). No doubt in her show she will be joined by her drag daughter and Ptown resident, Qya Cristál.

Introduction by Robert Nesti.

Her Provincetown appearances are sandwiched in with the current national tour of her show "The Cristál Ball" that continues through early September. For a complete list of dates, follow this link.

Cristál is no stranger to drag competition, having won 14 pageant crowns – including Miss'd America 2020/2021. As a performer, she has appeared twice at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival: first in 2019, when she sang on the same bill as Metropolitan opera star, soprano Stephanie Blythe, and again in 2023, when she was featured as a headlining artist where she displayed her astounding six-octave range.

EDGE spoke with Cristál about her current show, her new music, and her message of self love.

EDGE: For many of our readers, you don't need any introductions, but please introduce yourself.

Sapphira Cristál: Hello, I'm Sapphira Cristál: the Grand Diva, the Crown Jewel of Philadelphia, and Miss Congeniality of RuPaul's Drag Race season 16. It's a pleasure to be here with you all.

EDGE: What has life been like for you since you appeared on season 16 of "RuPaul's Drag Race"?

Sapphira Cristál: Life has been wonderful. I make a lot more money, and I am recognized a lot wherever I go. I could be on a plane, train, or bus. Well, not a bus; I don't go anywhere on a bus. Just walking down the street, people stop me. It's lovely, especially because they stop me and thank me for being so sweet and genuine. It's been lovely to be able to have made a difference in the lives of others. Many people thank me for getting them through whatever they were going through while watching me on "Drag Race," which brings me great joy.

EDGE: Tell us about your newest singles, which were recently released.

Sapphira Cristál: I have "Enough" and "Get Your Flowers." "Enough" is a song I wrote for people to sing to themselves and sing about any situation they're going through. My music is full of what some might call earworms, and they will stick with you whether you like them or not. "Enough" is one of those songs that makes you feel good about yourself. I want people to know that they are enough, and instead of saying, "You are enough," we should say, "I am enough." You can sing this song to yourself whenever you need it. It's a song that I hope will inspire and uplift you.

EDGE: Are these songs attached to a new album?

Sapphira Cristál: Yes, I'm working on a new album that I'm really excited about. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my music, so I won't release anything until I'm sure it's something you'll want to listen to. I'm aiming for a release this month, but it might be closer to the end of the month.

EDGE: Season 16 ended in April, and you started your tour on July 11. Have you had any time to breathe?

Sapphira Cristál: What? Breathe? I can breathe when I'm dead. It's okay. I've had lots of time to breathe up to this point. I'm prepared in many ways for this tour. I really need to figure out how to eat right. I'm the kind of person who wakes up and will go four to five hours without eating before realizing I'm hungry. I've been like this my entire life. Now, I go with the flow, and things will get done.

EDGE: How did you prepare for your show in such a short time?

Sapphira Cristál: Well, you kind of run it when you can. You do what you can when you can. We've been writing this show since February. Luckily, we got to run a small preview in Provincetown at the Art House. We basically ran the meat of the show that needed to be run. It went well and was well received. We figured out what we needed to cut, add, and what needed to be worked on. I will tell you this: Everyone who comes will get a lovely Cristál Ball.

EDGE: How would you describe your show?

Sapphira Cristál: It is a multifaceted musical, magical comedy extravaganza. It has pretty much anything you would want to have from me. There are characters; there are stories about my life. There is a lot of audience participation. The audience can write questions and requests for me and then drop them into the crystal ball. Someone asked me the other day, "What should I name my child?" I said, "Angela." "What if it's a boy?" The name is Angela. Don't change it. I'm telling you, Angela will be successful. I love to give answers to questions.

EDGE: What are you most excited about sharing with your fans on tour?

Sapphira Cristál: I am a simple gal, and one of the things that I love the most is sharing the art and beauty of loving oneself. I went through some really rough times when I was younger, and it's amazing to be able to remember that I am enough, that I'm worthy of the space that I take in this world. I really want to share the message that no one can love you like you do. No one can treat you as well as you can. If you love yourself first, you'll make many more great decisions for yourself. If you spread that love, it will return to you tenfold. We all need to learn how to operate out of love and not out of fear and hatred.

EDGE: Why do you want your voice to be heard?

Sapphira Cristál: I want my voice to be heard because I have a fabulous message of self-love. I've also been through a lot of turmoil in my life. So, to be able to come out on the other side and say, "You know what? It really is that simple. It really boils down to whether I love myself more than anything. Do I love myself more than I hate this? Do I love myself more than the way this person is treating me?" Once you get there, you will grow and grow, and you can honestly say you love yourself. RuPaul says, "How can you love someone else if you can't love yourself?" Just love yourself. Let's start there. Let's be active in that. That's why I think my voice needs to be heard. Not only do I have that belief, but I also live it, and I have shown it. I've shown what happens when you can and truly love yourself.

EDGE: Tell us about how you went to the same church as Beyoncé growing up.

Sapphira Cristál: I went to the same high school, too. I ran into Beyoncé at church. We were not in high school at the same time because she is a bit older than me. I have definitely run into her at church a couple of times. The first time I met Beyoncé, I didn't even know who she was. She and Kelly walked down the stairs, and I was with Mr. Lee. The service had just ended, and they walked by and said, "Hey, Mr. Lee." They looked over at me and said hi. I said hi. I asked him who they were, and he said that was Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. At that time, I wasn't really into pop music or R&B. I was mainly listening to gospel and classical music. I knew who they were, but I wasn't a fan at the time. I am a big fan now of their work.

"The Cristál Ball" tour continues through September 5. For more information on the tour, follow this link.

For more information on Provincetown Carnival and Cristál's Town Hall date, follow this link.