Youth's Lives Every Day
By: Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project
Sapphira Cristál, a standout icon from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, released her debut album: The Cristál Ball. We spoke with the classically trained singer about her new music, where she finds inspiration, and how she takes care of herself.
Jaymes: Congrats on the release of your debut album! What do you want your listeners to feel when listening to your music?
Sapphira: Thank you! I want my listeners to feel good about themselves, their lives, and the people in their lives. The Cristál Ball is an album full of gratitude and self-appreciation.
Jaymes: Tell us about the experiences that inspire your music and artistry.
Sapphira: I try to draw from all the experiences of my life when it comes to my music and performing in general. For this project, I meditated on being grateful, appreciating who I am, and being a strong example of self-love and self-acceptance. I hope to inspire others to feel the same way about themselves.
I firmly believe that the greatest exercise for the heart is to reach down and lift someone else up. And since this is my first album, I wanted to do everything I could to lift up everyone who listens to it. There’s something for anyone and everyone on The Cristál Ball!
Jaymes: Drag queens have a famously busy – and physically demanding – performance and travel schedule. Can you share more about your support systems and how you take care of yourself?
Sapphira: I’m so thankful to have the support I do. I have a great therapist. I have an excellent assistant who keeps things clear and concise for me. I have a wonderful management team. I have a phenomenal housekeeper. I have amazing friends and lovers. And I have the best mother on the planet! I keep myself surrounded by love.
I also go to the gym and try to eat healthily. I think it’s so important to take care of your body, because your body is the vehicle that takes you everywhere in life. I drink plenty of water—and coconut water because it’s full of electrolytes and potassium (which I need a good source of since I’m allergic to bananas). My house has more supplements than a pharmacy, because the body needs what it needs! When I say I truly love myself, I mean mentally, physically, and in my heart!
Jaymes: Please share some words of inspiration for LGBTQ+ young people.
Sapphira: Do you, boo! Whatever you want to do, do it! Be the best you can. Do the most. Don’t let anyone make you feel small or like you aren’t good enough. You are powerful, capable, and worth it.
I invite you to make a gratitude list every morning when you wake up. Write down the things you’re grateful for. There’s a lot in this world you can’t change, but you can choose gratitude here, now, and every day. You’ll feel a shift happen inside yourself when you adjust your focus to center on this.
Finally, remember that you are beautiful, wonderful, and perfectly made. Always make a point to truly love and accept yourself exactly as you are, where you are, when you are, and how you are! A great habit to develop now and keep for the rest of your life is to put your hands up in the air, wrap your arms around yourself, and say: “I truly love and accept myself!”
