Who is Nehellenia? Meet ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: Global All Stars’ queen with a legacy
ROME, ITALY: 'RuPaul's Drag Race: Global All Stars' is already on the horizon! This highly anticipated reality competition will feature twelve talented drag queens from international versions of RuPaul Charles' hit TV show. They'll go head-to-head for a chance to win a grand prize of $200,000 and earn a coveted spot in the prestigious 'Drag Race' Hall of Fame.
One of the queens vying for the crown on 'RuPaul's Drag Race: Global All Stars' is Nehellenia Aruta. A seasoned performer in the drag scene, Nehellenia has already made her mark on the international stage, bringing a wealth of experience and talent to the competition.
In 2020, Nehellenia, with 11 years of drag experience, captivated audiences on Season 7 of the popular Italian talent show 'Tú sí que vales'. Alongside fellow queens Farida Kant, La Petite Noire, and Law Light, Nehellenia delivered a mesmerizing lip sync and dance performance. The quartet earned high praise from all four judges and an impressive 78% approval rating from the audience.
Nehellenia's impressive resume also includes several pageant titles, such as Drag Factor All Stars Lazio 2018, Miss Drag Queen Lazio 2014, and Miss Drag Queen Facebook Emergenti 2013. With her unique blend of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, Nehellenia is poised to leave a lasting impression on the global drag community.
'RuPaul's Drag Race: Global All Stars' queen Nehellenia previously competed on 'Drag Race Italia' Season 2
Nehellenia, a 33-year-old drag queen from the vibrant city of Rome, Italy, left a lasting impression as the runner-up and Miss Congeniality on the second season of 'Drag Race Italia'.
With over a decade of experience in the drag industry, Nehellenia has built a reputation for her captivating performances that blend emotional depth with unyielding strength. Now, after undergoing significant personal growth and evolution since her time on the show, she is more prepared than ever to showcase her mature and refined drag on the global stage, ready to take on new challenges and prove herself as a fierce competitor.
When did Nehellania begin performing drag?
Nehellenia began her drag journey on March 24, 2012, initially learning makeup techniques from online tutorials. She started as 'Aurora Toxica' before eventually adopting the name Nehellenia, inspired by mythological figures like Hecate and pop culture icons such as Queen Nehellenia from Sailor Moon. This new moniker pays homage to both ancient tales and modern storytelling, combining elements of fantasy and reality in her drag persona.
'RuPaul's Drag Race: Global All Stars' contestant Nehellania's sister Farida Kant is also a drag queen
'RuPaul's Drag Race: Global All Stars' queen Nehellenia isn't the only star in the family—her sister, Farida Kant, is also a talented drag performer. Farida gained recognition as the runner-up on Season 1 of 'Drag Race Italia', showcasing her impressive skills and leaving a lasting impact on the competition.
However, after the show aired, Farida caused a stir on social media by expressing her disappointment with the opportunities available to Italian contestants within the Drag Race franchise. Specifically mentioning Lady Camden, Farida Kant later apologized for her remarks, clarifying that her criticism was aimed at the Italian drag scene rather than the show itself.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars’ premieres on August 16, 2024, on Paramount+.