Philadelphia drag queen Sapphira Cristál just missed out on the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar on Friday night, placing second on season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

But she was crowned Miss Congeniality alongside Xumani Muse of New York City. The prize, which recognizes the friendliest competitor, includes $10,000, plus $25,000 for Cristál’s second place finish.

“Well, now you know what it’s like to be invited to Cristál’s dance,” Cristál joked in front of a packed house at The Edge in New York City during MTV’s official viewing party. “We’re going to continue doing it for the rest of our lives.”

Cristál was bested by New York’s Nymphia Wind in a lip-sync performance of Kylie Minogue’s club anthem, “Padam Padam,” during which Wind had not one but two costume changes and twerked on a handstand. Cristál, however, knocked out Plane Jane, the Boston bomb.

Cristál, who grew up in Houston but is the first contestant to represent Philadelphia on the reality show, is the first queen to endurance race story to win three main challenges in a row. She is also the first contestant to win a mini challenge, a main challenge, and a lip sync battle all in a single episode.

“You should be very proud of yourself,” judge Michelle Visage told Cristál during the episode.

A mainstay of Fishtown cabaret Fabrika, Cristál is a classically trained opera singer and self-proclaimed “stunt queen” who moved to Philadelphia in 2014 after performing on stages throughout the Northeast, from clubs in New York City to Sunday religious services in the suburbs. from Boston.

” READ MORE: What you need to know about Sapphira Cristál, the first real ‘Drag Race’ contestant from Philadelphia

This moment was years in the making for Cristál, who had auditioned for RuPaul’s Drag Race 11 times before appearing on the show. Season 16 was supposed to be his last attempt, Cristál previously told The Inquirer, the process requiring him to submit an audition tape that had to combine a mix of comedy, acting and a compelling personal narrative.

“My attitude for this year was more of a ‘take me or leave me’ attitude,” said Cristál, 35. “When you occupy the place where you are supposed to be, you are ready for it.”

Cristál was an immediate contender and a fan favorite: During the first episode of the season, Cristál wowed the judges with a performance of the opera aria “O Mio Babbino Caro” that had her gradually breaking down while hitting high notes. She would later excel in almost every comedy challenge, playing a motherly nun in a drag version of the story. sound of music one week and a murky version of James Brown the next.

” READ MORE: Philadelphia queen Sapphira Cristál wins the first episode of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

In the end, Cristál, Nymphia Wind, and Plane Jane were tasked with preparing an original song to perform in front of a studio audience. Cristál showed off her six-octave vocal range and her dancing skills, with her moving, flipping and kicking around the stage after ripping off the skirt of her orange dress. When Cristál split at the end of her performance, she earned the audience’s first ovation.

Philadelphia had bet on Cristál even before she entered the shop: About a dozen of the city’s drag artists and clients had worked on Cristál’s list of biggest runway looks, sewing ballgowns and styling wigs in townhouses. throughout South Philadelphia and Kensington.

” READ MORE: Meet the team of drag artists behind Philly queen Sapphira Cristál’s spectacular look on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

And before Cristál had even lip-synced for the endurance race crown, the City Council had passed a resolution officially deeming it “the crown jewel of Philadelphia.”

“When I arrived in Philadelphia, it was the first time I felt at home,” Cristál said while wearing a regal pink trench coat and a sky-high wig. “I have never seen so much freedom.”

In Philadelphia, endurance race The hardliners were prepared to storm Broad Street in celebration, as is customary with all city victories. Meanwhile, at the New York City watch party, the crowd chanted Cristál’s name when he took the stage to congratulate Wind.

“There are people who have never seen endurance race before, who started watching because they know I was on the show,” Cristál told The Inquirer. “That’s the kind of support that a home gives you. “Philadelphia is a place like no other.”