Nina West to compete on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 9'
Nina West, the Columbus drag queen who sashayed away from "RuPaul's Drag Race" into a touring role in "Hairspray," is to return to TV in May.
West, the drag persona of Columbus actor Andrew Levitt, announced on Instagram on Tuesday afternoon that she is to compete in the upcoming season of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars," which premieres May 17 on Paramount+.
"I'm back to snatch that crown," said West, who finished in sixth place during season 11 of "Drag Race" in 2019, but won the title of Miss Congeniality and the hearts of fans nationwide with her parting message for people to be kind to one another.
Related: Nina West grapples with stardom in post-“Drag Race” world
In 2021, she toured the country − and brought down the house at the Ohio Theatre during a run in Columbus − as Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray."
The All-Stars series of "Drag Race" brings back contestants from prior seasons of the show. This season, the ninth for the franchise, is to feature eight contestants. In addition to West, they are:
- Angeria Paris VanMicheals, season 14
- Gottmik, season 13
- Jorgeous, season 14
- Plastique Tiara, season 11
- Roxxxy Andrews, season five
- Shannel, season one
- Vanessa Vanjie, seasons 10 and 11.
This season, "All Stars" contestants are to compete for $200,000 to be donated to the charity of their choice. West, who has raised more than $2 million during her career for LGBTQ+ causes in Columbus and nationwide, is to compete for the Trevor Project, which provides crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth.