Nina West Went from ‘Drag Race’ to a Piece of Zombie History

Nina West Went from ‘Drag Race’ to a Piece of Zombie History

As a fan of the vibrant and versatile world of drag, witnessing the journey of Nina West has been an absolute delight! From her memorable stint on RuPaul’s Drag Race to her recent role in Queens of the Dead, this powerhouse performer continues to defy stereotypes and push boundaries.


Nina West got her largest acting opportunity yet thanks to a phone call from her friend, Zelda Williams.

“Last time I chatted with Zelda Williams, she mentioned that a pal of hers wants me in their upcoming film project. She asked if it’d be cool if she set up an introduction for us. So, here’s hoping!” (Andrew Levitt, the drag queen also known as West)

The common acquaintance they shared was Tina Romero, a filmmaker who is also the daughter of the late George A. Romero, famously known for directing “Night of the Living Dead.”

In 2017, before her father passed away, Romero, who was younger then, wrote a note to West. In it, she mentioned that her father had given his approval for her project – a film titled “Queens of the Dead“. This horror-comedy revolves around drag queens and club kids fighting against an undead outbreak at a fashion show in Brooklyn. One might wonder if West would be interested in joining this movie.

Previously, West, who gained fame as a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race, also appeared on screen in the biopic about Weird Al Yankovic, titled “Weird”. In this production, West portrayed the iconic drag persona, Divine.

This summer, she filmed a new movie featuring actresses like Katy O’Brian, Margaret Cho, Brigette Lundy-Paine, and Cheyenne Jackson as part of the main cast.

West remarks, “It’s a unique blend of extraordinary magic,” he says. “It’s campy. It’s terrifying. I’ve never come across an undead film quite like this one.”

During the summer, West found herself with a hectic schedule, as it was sandwiched between the launch of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season nine and her obligations related to promotion. These promotional tasks took place on days off from filming. Not only did she utilize this show to collect funds for The Trevor Project, but she also introduced a T-shirt aimed at raising money for the LGBTQIA+ youth charity.

At present, West is performing in a solo act and is considering taking on additional film roles following her appearance in Queens of the Dead. Regardless of whether these roles require her to perform in drag or not, she is open to both options. As she puts it, “I don’t have to be in drag to take on a role, but it is definitely a skill I possess, and one that has also played a significant part in the storytelling abilities I have developed.”

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2024-08-26 22:54