Naia Black

Naia Black
Naia Black
Born	Timothy Brian Black; Las Piñas, Metro Manila, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Education	University of the Philippines Diliman
Occupation	Drag queen;
Years active	2022–present
Television	Drag Den (season 1)

Timothy Brian Black, better known as Naia Black or mononymously as Naia, is a Filipino drag performer. She^[a] is best known for winning the first season of Drag Den and was crowned as "The Philippines' First Drag Supreme".

Career

While attending college at University of the Philippines Diliman, Black first discovered drag from watching the American reality series, RuPaul's Drag Race. Originally, he considered the name "Tanya Sativa" before choosing "Naia Black" as his drag name.^[1]

Drag Den

I only came here with love and passion for drag... I hope that my story inspires young queer artists who are afraid of putting themselves out there, because I was afraid. But thank you, Manila, for giving this platform because I was able to prove that growth is what you need to become the next Drag Supreme.
— Naia Black, thanking Manila Luzon for inspiring her, in a Manila Bulletin interview.^[2]

On 17 November 2022, she was revealed as one of the contestants competing in the first season of Drag Den.^[3] Despite never winning a challenge, she was in the finale with Shewarma and Maria Cristina. In the finale episode, she had to compete in three rounds and a lip-sync battle to Sarah Geronimo's "Kilometro" (2014).^[4] On the night of the finale, Naia was crowned by Manila Luzon at a viewing party in Taguig, as "Filipino's First Drag Supreme".^[5]^[6] She received a cash prize of ₱1,000,000, a one-year supply of Téviant Beauty cosmetics, and an "all-inclusive" trip to Palawan, Philippines.^[7]

In June 2023, Naia Black was invited as a guest speaker for a TEDx conference, at the Ateneo de Manila University, to discuss the "significance of embracing one's authentic self and the power of non-conformity."^[8]

Personal life

Black is gay, and uses the pronoun he/him out of drag and she/her in drag. He also set charity events to "raise funds for HIV research and awareness" in the Philippines.^[9]

Discography

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles, showing the year released, and album name
Title	Year	Album	Ref.
"May Kapa" with the cast of Drag Den (season 1)	2023	Non-album promotional single	^[10]

Filmography

Film

List of film credits
Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2023	Third World Romance	Trixie		^[11]

Television

List of television credits
Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2022	Drag Den	Herself/Contestant	Season 1 — Winner	^[12]
2023		Herself/Judge/Guest	Season 2 — "Kalyeah Culture"	^[13]
2023		Herself/Judge/Guest	Season 2 — "Reyna ng Gabi"	^[13]

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award	Year	Category	Recipient(s) and nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
Nylon Manila Big Bold Brave Awards	2023	Gen Z Approved Drag Queen	Naia	Nominated	^[14]

Notes

^ Black's pronouns are he/him. However, when he performs as Naia Black, the pronouns are she/her. This article uses both sets of pronouns accordingly.

References

^ Acosta, Zofiya (22 July 2022). "Introducing rising drag star Naia—who is going places". Philstar Life. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
^ Legaspi, John (1 February 2023). "Ki Ki time with Naia Black, the first drag supreme of 'Drag Den Philippines'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
^ Colcol, Erwin (19 November 2022). "Get Set! Here's the Cast of the Manila Luzon-Starring "Drag Den Philippines"". Preview Philippines. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
^ "Naia Black is first ever 'Drag Den Philippines' winner". Rappler. 26 January 2023. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
^ Tunac, Hermes Joy (26 January 2023). "Naia is the first-ever Drag Supreme of 'Drag Den Philippines'". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
^ Santiago, Camille (27 January 2023). "'Drag Den Philippines' hails Naia Black as its first ever winner". Philstar Life. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
^ "'Drag Den PH' Teases Fans in New BTS Photos for Season 2". BLTai. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
^ "Breaking Paradigms with TEDxAteneo". Wonder. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
^ Moya, Jove (27 January 2023). "The Many Faces of Drag: When Queens are Offstage". Tatler. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
^ The Cast of Drag Den (20 January 2023). "May Kapa". Apple Music (US). Retrieved 17 October 2023.
^ "Dwein Baltazar's Third World Romance caps Cinemalaya 19". Manila Bulletin. 9 August 2023. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
^ Mallorca, Hannah (26 January 2023). "Naia named as first-ever 'Drag Supreme' in 'Drag Den Philippines'". Inquirer Entertainment. Archived from the original on 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
^ "'Drag Den Philippines' season 2 to premiere in January 2024". Rappler. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
^ Batislaong, Acer (27 February 2023). "Hera are the Bold Winners for Nylon Manila's Big Bold Brave Awards: We're H3re". Nylon Manila. Retrieved 17 October 2023.