Photography by Jacob Ritts
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
rich@dallasvoice.com
Just weeks ago, fans were watching Sapphira Cristál’s fate on Season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. After a close race, the Houston-area native doubled down on her solo journey with a new tour announcement, to be followed by a new album.
And since July, she has headlined her Cristál Ball Tour, singing, performing and chatting with fans and audiences.
“The Cristál Ball Tour is a magical musical comedy extravaganza!” Sapphira said in the tour’s announcement. “It’s a funny, interactive, audience-driven show about my life, complete with songs off my upcoming album and humorous anecdotes of things I’ve experienced.
“I sing, perform, dance and give you a guided glimpse into the crystal ball that is Sapphira Cristál!”
Fierce drag, personal stories and let’s not forget her secret weapon of being a classically-trained opera singer. Expect Sapphira to bring it all to her show. And she’s ready.
The Cristál Ball Tour stops in Dallas on Friday, Aug. 2, at the House of Blues.
At the time of this interview, Sapphira was two days out from her first tour date in Vancouver. She talked to Dallas Voice about striking while the iron is hot but maintaining her sanity in the middle of her star turn.
Dallas Voice: You have this new Cristál Ball Tour with your debut album on the horizon, and you wrapped up a strong showing on Drag Race and you’re among those billed for this year’s Drag Queen Christmas. Is it safe to say this is The Year of Sapphira. Sapphira: It’s exciting for sure. I’m excited. You know, though, being an international superstar is an exhausting experience. I have had no sleep, honey.
How have you adjusted to this elevated version of yourself? I like this version a lot. This version has more money, so it’s been an easy adjustment. I’ve had to make many adjustments but none nearly as accommodating to my life as being an international superstar.
This adjustment, I do have to work harder, and I have to endure people telling me how much they love me. But it’s worth it.
Fame must have its perks, but how is your mental health? I’m able to really keep myself in check; it’s how I was raised. My dad’s a trained UFC fighter, so we had famous people around, and that showed me how we’re all just people here together. No one’s more important; I learned that from my parents and my church. You know I went to church with Beyonce growing up?
Whuuut? It’s kind of wild to think about now. She and Kelly and Solange; they were just another person in the room to me. And honestly, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Destiny’s Child at the time. But really, it wasn’t this whole thing. I know how to be fabulous, but I think that upbringing and exposure has helped keep me humble and operating out of compassion and genuine grace and appreciation.
So what’s the tea on The Cristál Ball Tour? This is a show about my life but a deeper dive into who I am. I’ll sing and be the queen everyone is expecting. But this show is really driven by the audience. I really engage with the audience, and they can ask me anything. I want them to put their questions into my crystal ball, and we will see what happens!
Why was now the time to do all the things? I auditioned 11 times for Drag Race. If you’re gonna do it and get on, you have to be ready. So I was ready for all this. This was the season I was supposed to be on, and it put my name out there. I’m the first one straight out of the gate to have a one-woman show, and that’s because I am ready. I may not get the chance to later.
At the rate Drag Race seasons come out, to put it bluntly, queens can become old news fast. Okay? And the attention span of the common media consumer is not very long. I’m a “ride the wave” kinda gal, and if I don’t try to make things happen and receive what’s coming to me, that opportunity won’t always be there.
For tickets, visit HouseOfBlues.com/Dallas.