Nehellenia on Drag, Identity, and the Courage to Be Real

Nehellenia is one of those artists who makes you feel seen without even trying. Known first as the heart of ‘Drag Race Italia’ and later as a standout presence on RuPaul’s ‘Drag Race Global All Stars’, she carries her drag with honesty, vulnerability, and a quiet kind of strength. Behind the polish and performance is a story shaped by perseverance, self-doubt, creativity, and love for the art.

In this conversation, Nehellenia opens up about identity, pressure, passion, and what it really means to stay true to yourself when the whole world is watching.

It is an absolute honor to welcome a queen who defines both grace and grit. Nehellenia, thank you so much for joining us! From being the heartbeat of Drag Race Italia to becoming a global sensation on RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars, you have shown the world that Italian drag is a force of nature. I have been cheering you on from afar, and now I am so excited to officially welcome you to our corner of the world.

Well hellooo! Thank you so, so much for these beautiful words, you’re really making me blush! The honor is all mine, truly. It always means the world to me when someone wants to get to know me better; it’s incredibly sweet and so flattering!

You were crowned Miss Congeniality on Drag Race Italia and a runner-up twice. In a competition built on ‘Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent,’ which one of those four is your secret weapon, and which one still needs a little Italian sparkle?

I think uniqueness is definitely my secret weapon. I live my drag through the filter of who I truly am. Let me explain: everything I bring to the stage, my aesthetic, my performances, my energy, is shaped by what Emanuele, the boy under the wig, loves, studies, and admires.

There isn’t a real separation between the person and the character. I’m authentic, and authenticity naturally creates uniqueness. That honesty and openness have really helped people connect with me and feel my warmth. As for the four pillars… I think they’re missing a little bit of Italian perseverance!

We Italians get drunk on art and talent, we’re overflowing with charisma and uniqueness, but above all, we never give up. That is our true superpower.

Which one was the biggest challenge of the whole Drag Race show that truly tested Nehellenia’s nerve?

I have to make a little distinction between my two experiences. On Drag Race Italia, hands down, the biggest challenge was the sewing challenge. I wasn’t exactly a pro at making a garment. It was the very first challenge, I was coming off a full month of pre-race stress, carrying all the expectations on my shoulders, terrified of going home in episode one, with barely any time to breathe… I completely panicked!

I broke down many times in rivers of tears, full drama, very Italian. With Global All Stars, though, it was all the comedy challenges. Delivering jokes in another language, coming from a different culture with a totally different sense of humor?

Yeah, that really put me to the test, especially knowing I was competing against native speakers who do this kind of thing every single day. But hey… I think I held my own in the end, right?

You’re known for your “nerdy” side, citing Sailor Moon and Pikachu as inspirations (cheers for that, I am an anime fan too!) Which anime character do you look to for fashion inspiration, and what is Nehellenia’s power level the move that absolutely destroys the competition?

Oh wow, what a great question! I honestly wouldn’t even know where to start. The Sailor Moon Girls have always been a huge inspiration for me, especially since the creator herself drew so much from high fashion. I also love moving through the world like a Disney princess: a modern-day Cinderella, as delicate as Aurora, as adventurous as Ariel, and as kind as Belle.

If I had to sum it all up, I’d probably say Sailor Venus. I feel such a strong connection to her. And I think my secret weapon is exactly this very anime-style duality: I’m light, a little awkward, almost clumsy… but when it’s time to fight, I become majestic and proud, focused and fearless, a true warrior fighting in the name of the moon!

Let’s picture this: Phone rings. It’s RuPaul, and he offers you a chance to host a new international spin-off. What country would it be in, and what would be the very first rule you’d change about the competition?

I’m super patriotic, so I could never pick any country other than Italy! But honestly, Italy already has one of the greatest hosts ever: Priscilla! Not just an amazing artist and person, but always on the front lines fighting for rights and justice.

I’d love to team up with her, kind of like they do in Mexico, always staying a step behind, out of respect for the incredible value she brings. That said… who knows? Hosting Drag Race Romania wouldn’t be too bad either!

One tweak I’d love to make? No one goes home too early! Let all the queens compete in every single challenge so they can show themselves off 360 degrees. Maybe with a points system to decide the top 4 finalists, like an All Winners-style format. I think it’s fairer, smarter, and much less about luck. After all, no one should be sent home just because the first challenge happens to be their Achilles’ heel!

How is Nehellenia on stage versus Nehellenia in real life?

There’s not much difference between Nehellenia on stage and in real life, like I said, there’s no filter between Emanuele and Nehellenia. The only difference? In everyday life, I’m super insecure, full of doubts, and a little clumsy.

But the moment the music starts and the lights hit, as soon as I begin to perform, my whole vibe changes, I get confident, fierce, and unstoppable! It’s like I’m possessed by the ghost of a pop star. From Miley to Hannah Montana, from a goofy, chubby guy to the next Britney/Ariana.

You’ve spoken openly about battling depression and the importance of mental health awareness. How does Nehellenia, the empowered drag queen, help Emanuele, the artist, fight those shadows, and what is the biggest misconception you want to clear up about mental health in the LGBTQ+ community?

Talking about mental health is still super tricky; there are so many taboos, and honestly, so much gets misunderstood. I hit my depression during what was supposed to be the peak of my life, the moment I was “ready to conquer the world”… and instead, I was too tired to even get out of bed. So I pressed pause. I focused on me, even if it meant missing gigs and leaving Nehellenia temporarily in the closet.

Sometimes Emanuele just needs to be first. Shoutout to my amazing friends, my family, and especially my ride-or-die Andrea (aka “Adelaide” – don’t ask) for helping me fall back in love with myself, and making peace with both Nehellenia. Therapy? Check. Antidepressants? Check. But the real magic? My own stubborn desire to heal, to feel joy again, and to actually love myself. And in the words of one of my favorite animated shorts: asking for help isn’t giving up, it’s refusing to give in!

If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?

If I could meet little me, I’d tell him: “Yeah, things feel impossible right now… but that pain? It’s not forever, honey.” I’d tell him to be strong, be brave, but stay kind, always. Don’t fall for bullies, shake off those fears, and dream way bigger.

I’d say: don’t quit studying, throw yourself into dance and theater, because even when everyone says “nope,” you’re gonna make it your career anyway. Mess up? Sure, smile through it, because mistakes are the best teachers. And if they never crown you queen? Don’t cry, sweetie… It’s way more fun being a princess anyway!

Even though it is small compared to other countries, Romania has a vibrant and growing drag scene that looks up to international trailblazers like you. Is there a message you’d like to send to your Romanian fans who are seeing themselves in your story for the first time?

I had the absolute pleasure of performing in Bucharest a few months ago (and yes, I’ll be back on February 21, mark your calendars! (winks) and got to meet some local queens, young, fierce, full of talent, and living their drag freely! Honestly, they were such an inspiration to me.

My advice? Keep doing your thing with all the passion and love you’ve got! Even when it’s tough, even when gigs are scarce. Remember: art doesn’t always need a stage, make your life your stage! Stay humble, stay kind, but keep that fire inside roaring, darling, because passion is what turns sparkle into flame!

It has been a true privilege to spend this time with you! You’re a wonderful person, and I hope one day we’ll meet. To wrap this up, the floor is entirely yours. Whether it’s a life motto you live by, a wish for the future, or a final secret you’ve never shared in an interview before, what are the final words you’d like to leave with our readers?

Thank you! It’s been an absolute pleasure chatting with you! So, here’s a little tea: I’m working on new music with the 4tune (my drag band), but also as a solo artist, so stay tuned and make sure to stream! Sending you all a huge kiss, and as Priscilla always says: “nun facit strunzat.”