‘I’m Scared’: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Winner Nymphia Wind Causes Huge Stir on 2024 Emmy Red Carpet

Nymphia Wind, known offstage as Leo Tsao, turned heads at the Emmys on September 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Famous for her banana-themed looks, the performer did not disappoint. However, not everyone was pleased.

As the first East Asian winner of RuPaul‘s long-running show, her appearance carries significant cultural weight, and she strutted onto the red carpet in a daring, fruit-inspired ensemble that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.

In this image, her outfit—a dramatic, green-yellow banana ensemble—was a showstopper. The costume featured exaggerated fruit peel elements that wrapped around her body and flared out, creating a striking silhouette that commanded attention. The look was accessorized with a tree-looking hairdo and ankle-bending stilettos, adding even more theatrics.

She was also seen taking photos alongside fellow drag performer Megami. In comparison, her fellow competitor’s red dress looked much more understated. But she was carrying a replica of “Handbook for the Recently Deceased” and a rose, which are nods to the Tim Burton film, “Beetlejuice.”

The red carpet also saw the entire cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 16 posing together. Stars like Mirage, Amanda Tori Meating, Xunami Muse, and more got close for the shot and captivated the cameras with their particular styles. Nymphia can be seen behind Plane Jane, who is in a show-stopping outfit herself.

Upon seeing the photos, fans and online users reacted to Nymphia’s red-carpet shocker. Many were left bewildered by her daring choice, with comments ranging from outright disapproval to enthusiastic support. One person on Facebook didn’t hold back, calling the ensemble “completely ridiculous,” while another criticized, “Just how stupid can we get [sic]!“

A comment on TikTok read, “I’m scared, someone send help [sic].” Another user sarcastically remarked, “Halloween is still a month later [sic].” However, not all responses were negative. Some fans celebrated Nymphia’s unique approach to fashion, with one Instagram user exclaiming, “She ate [sic]!“

Another fan cheekily commented, “Now I’m hungry for a banana split [sic].” One fan simply wrote. “ICON.” Someone else declared, “I’m so obsessed with this 👽[sic].” And finally, another fan joked, “That’s B-A-N-A-N-A-‘S [sic].“

While many people were left scratching their heads, Nymphia’s signature looks are anything but new. The performer often shares her yellow creations on Instagram to celebrate her “banana journey” and her passion for creating her own costumes. “Crowned imported banana queen!” she wrote in a post from June.

This unwavering commitment to her unique aesthetic also extends to her cultural pride. During an interview with Good Morning America, Nymphia said, “It’s very important for me to represent my country. Because I love Taiwan, and to be able to showcase that on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ means so much to me.”

Back in April, Season 16 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” culminated in Nimphia’s victory after a fierce lipsync battle with Sapphire Cristál. Unfortunately, despite the competition’s reigning popularity, the reality show fell short at the Emmys this weekend. They lost in all nominated categories, including Outstanding Reality Competition Program, which went to “The Traitors.”