Filipino drag star Precious Paula Nicole has elevated local drag to new heights after clinching Best Lead Performance for Lip Sync Assassin at the CinePride Film Festival in West Hollywood, Los Angeles.
The film, directed by Jon Galvez, also earned him the Best Director award. Nicole later received a Special Citation for Best Performance at the Sinag Maynila 2025 Awards Night, further cementing her rise as one of the country’s most celebrated drag artists.
The duo returned to Manila to share their victory through a press conference and special screening of Lip Sync Assassin, a short film that follows Sampaguita, a drag queen who moonlights as a contract assassin to support her daughter and ill mother.
Speaking with Manila Standard Entertainment during the special screening, Galvez said he had Nicole in mind while writing the role.
“From the start, I knew Precious would bring Sampaguita to life. The character needed heart, someone willing to give everything for family, and Precious has always done that,” he said, adding that he had long admired Nicole’s work since Drag Race Philippines.
Nicole, who manifested the role weeks before receiving the offer, said the opportunity felt destined.
“I believe in manifestation. It’s happened so many times in my life,” the A-list drag superstar shared. “I always ask the universe what more I can give. I’ll never refuse what’s meant for me.”
Nicole added that the win serves as a reminder of how far drag artists can go. “Maybe someday, we’ll win awards abroad again. We’re not just drag artists — we’re artists, truly. There are no limits to what we can do.”
show off the trophy from CinePride Film Festival in Los Angeles
Jon Galvez reunite in Manila to celebrate their CinePride Film Festival victories for ‘Lip Sync Assassin’
The film also stars Star Magic’s Argel Saycon and drag favorite Hana Beshie. Galvez described the story as a “breadwinner tale” inspired by his experiences as an overseas Filipino worker in Singapore.
Lip Sync Assassin was screened at select cinemas across Metro Manila until the end of September as part of Sinag Malaya 2025.
The CinePride Film Festival, held from Sept. 11 to 14 in Los Angeles, celebrates LGBT stories through film debuts, workshops, and panel discussions. This year’s lineup featured drag legends BenDeLaCreme, Monét X Change, and Jinkx Monsoon.
