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] His first exposure to opera was at the age of 4, when he attended a Houston Ebony Opera Guild performance of La bohème at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston.[7] He practiced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai as a child.[8] Haynes attended Houston's Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.[9]
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.[10] His first experience singing opera was when he attended a voice lesson dressed as Leontyne Price while attending the Eastman School and his teacher, Karen Holvik, allowed him to sing as a soprano for the first time. After transferring to the Longy School of Music, Haynes' father discovered his sexuality and cut off his financial resources, eventually leaving Haynes homeless. He was subsequently expelled from the school after cursing out a pair of administrators who refused to help him with his housing situation.[7]
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]
