Meet Willow Pill, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14 – from their iconic Enya ‘quarantine self-care’ performance to their health battles and sisterhood with Kornbread and Yvie Oddly
- This season of the hit TV show saw plenty of twists – including the first straight male competitor joining a traditionally LGBT space – with Pill emerging victorious
- Diagnosed with cystinosis, the Denver drag queen collaborated with Oddly on the track Sick B*tch, dubbed ‘the official anthem of the chronic illness community’ by fans
After 16 exhilarating episodes, the season finally came to a close with Willow Pill emerging victorious.
A 27-year-old queen from Denver, Pill has been turning heads since the competitors first walked into the Drag Race “werk room”. A strategic player who keeps their cards close to their chest, they have won the hearts of the judges and fans alike with their unique formula of cute, absurd and a touch of ugly.
Here’s what you need to know about Pill, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14.
Battling their disease with art
Throughout the season, Pill talked about their ongoing struggle with cystinosis. A disorder caused by the build-up of the amino acid cystine, cystinosis causes chronic pain and muscle atrophy. Opening up to their fellow competitors on the show, they confessed, “I’m supposed to be in my prime, but I feel like my body is disintegrating.”
Despite having the odds stacked against them, they have found a safe space in drag. Dedicating themselves to joy and self-expression amid the darkness, Pill’s experiences have equipped them with a unique approach to their art.
The inspiration behind their talent show performance
It would be impossible to discuss Pill’s work without mentioning their performance in the first episode of season 14. Tasked to come up with a talent show number, most of the contestants prepared comedy skits and lip-synch performances – but not Pill. Colouring outside the lines, they showcased a now iconic quarantine self-care routine involving a bathtub, spaghetti and a toaster oven – set to the sound of Enya’s Only Time.