Drag pageantry


Drag pageantry is a developed form of pageantry for female impersonators, drag queens and trans women, styled after traditional beauty pageants or contests for cisgender women. It has also evolved into a pageantry for male impersonators, drag kings and trans men.

National pageants in the United States

National drag pageants became enmeshed within the gay community during the 1960s with a national circuit of pageants organized by Flawless Sabrina and have become increasingly prevalent since. Drag pageants were held in individual gay bars, and discothèques during the post Stonewall era. Drag pageants evolved independently, in the decade subsequent to the first gay Mardi Gras coronations.

Miss Gay America

Mirroring the format of the Miss America contest, the first national gay pageant Miss Gay America was held in 1972 at the Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville's first gay dance and show bar. Jerry Peek opened this bar in 1971, and it was an instant sensation, not only with gay patrons, but also with the straight crowd. Norma Kristie, state representative of Arkansas, was crowned as the winner of the 1973 Miss Gay America Pageant, and in 1975 Norman "Norma Kristie" Jones took ownership of the pageant from Jerry Peek, who founded the Miss Gay America Pageant. Norman Jones would form Norma Kristie, Inc. and operate the pageant and its network of preliminaries for the next 30 years.
Since its inception, MGA has prided itself as a showcase for pure female impersonation: Contestants must be men who live as men, achieving a convincing feminine illusion solely through their own ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness. Bodily feminization via female hormones, breast implants, and/or injectable fillers such as liquid silicone is strictly forbidden. An interview in male attire is a key component of the pageant; contestants are judged not only for their poise and articulateness but for their overall masculine presentation—points may be deducted for feminine aspects such as overly plucked eyebrows or long fingernails.
In February 2005, the Miss Gay America pageantry system was purchased by Larry Tyger and Terry Eason of L & T Entertainment. Currently, contestants are judged in 5 categories: Male Interview, Solo Talent, Evening Gown, Stage Question & Answer, and Production Talent.
On February 4, 2016, Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman of Mad Angel Entertainment purchased the Miss Gay America pageant From L & T Entertainment.

Former titleholders

As Miss Gay America grew in popularity and prestige, many professional female impersonators who lived full-time as women found they were unable to compete in the pageant due to its longstanding rule barring transgender contestants. Aside from the prestige of holding a national title, MGA afforded its winner guaranteed show bookings at every state preliminary held during the title year; thus, the MGA crown turned what was often local, part-time work into a full-time job. Because many trans women also use drag shows as a source of income, it was only natural that a pageantry system would evolve to meet their needs.
In 1980, Chicago nightclub promoter Jim Flint, owner of the Baton Show Lounge, filled this void with the creation of the Miss Continental U.S.A. Pageant. Contestants were scored in interview, swim wear, talent, and evening gown; for the finalists, an on stage question. A number of notable winners either were "boy queens" at the time that they won or have never pursued gender transition—including Chilli Pepper, the first Miss Continental, Michelle Dupree, Miss Continental 1998, Naysha Lopez, Miss Continental, 2013 and Brooke Lynn Hytes, Miss Continental 2014-15—but over time the Continental Pageantry System became renowned for its "titty girls," or pre-/non-operative transsexual contestants. On January 7, 2019 Jim Flint released a statement that Continental would be the second pageant out of the top 5 to allow post-operative contestant to compete in its pageants, the only other National System that allowed that until this time was All American Goddess. Today, Miss Continental has preliminaries representing various U.S. states as well as Canada and Europe.
YearTitleholderFirst alternateSecond alternateThird alternateFourth alternateFifth alternateNotes
1980Chilli PepperAndrea NecoleDina JacobsTiffany ArieagusAmber RichardsActive
1981Heather FontaineTiffany ArieagusAmber RichardsDana DouglasChena BlackActive
1982Tiffany Andretta ArieagusDena JacobsCherine AlexanderAndrea NecoleJahna ReisActive
1983Chena BlackCherine Alexander??Retired
1984Cherine AlexanderDina JacobsDawn DupreeCandi StrattonKelly LaurenDeceased
1985Maya DouglasCandi StrattonAlana KelaShanté Tissy MaloneActive
1986Tandi AndrewsDana DouglasGinger GrantShantéAlana KelaDeceased
1987Dana DouglasShante'Denise DarshellLauren MichaelsGriseldaGinger GrantActive
1988Kelly LaurenShantéWhitney CarlysleNikki AdamsAmber RichardsActive
1989Lakesha LuckyChristina D’AngeloChanel DupreeGinger ValdezAmber RichardsRetired
1990Chanel DupreeLauren MichaelsMonica MunroMimi MarksBobbie BlakeActive
1991Amber RichardsChena KellyMonica MunroBrandy LeeKerrin AlexanderDeceased
1992Mimi MarksCézanne BlincoeChristina PiagetSasha ValentinoTasha LongActive
1993Monica MunroKelly AndersonMichelle MitchellsNatasha MillsTasha LongRetired
1994Cézanne BlincoeParis FrantzNatasha RichardsAngela CarreraSherri PayneDanielle HunterActive
1995The Lady Catiria ReyesNatasha RichardsParis FrantzSasha ValentinoJasmine BonétDeceased
1996Paris FrantzTasha LongBasiaDanielle HunterTommie RossWOMAN/SRS
1997Tasha LongAshley KruizMartina DiamanteDanielle HunterDamianne Dee-Vine Active
1998Michelle DupreeSilkie MunroSasha ValentinoErica AndrewsArmaniRetired
1999Tommie RossErika NorellMichelle MitchellsKourtney Paige Van WalesSasha ValentinoActive
2000Danielle HunterErika NorellCandis CayneAmalia BlackTina SparklesActive
2001Candis CayneYoshiko OshiroRaquell LordSasha ValentinoAmalia BlackErica AndrewsActive
2002Yoshiko OshiroBarbra HerrArmani StevensRaquell LordStasha SanchezActive
2003Erika NorellFontasia L’AmourStasha SanchezLorna VandoRegine PhillipsActive
2004Erica AndrewsSasha ValentinoAlexis Gabrielle SherringtonBarbra HerrRegine PhillipsDeceased
2005Domanique ShappelleSasha ValentinoAlexis Gabrielle SherringtonJasmine BonetSasha ColbyActive
2006Victoria LePaigeNecole Luv DupreeRegine PhillipsMokha MontreseJasmine InternationalActive
2007Necole Luv DupreeArmani StevensAlexis Gabrielle SherringtonLorna VandoJasmine InternationalActive
2008Tulsi BalramSasha ColbyMokha MontreseShantell D'MarcoMelania CortezActive
2009Armani StevensMokha MontreseNaysha LopezKim MooreAurora SextonActive
2010Mokha MontreseSassy DevineFontasia L’AmourAngel CavaliMelina VarelaActive
2011Alexis Gabrielle SherringtonFontasia L’AmourTiffany T. HunterStasha SanchezJennifer St. CartierActive
2012Sasha ColbyFontasia L’AmourKourtney Paige Van WalesStasha SanchezQueen Bee HoTiffany T. HunterActive
2013Naysha LopezBrooke Lynn HytesStasha SanchezAurora SextonTiffany T. HunterShantell D'MarcoActive
2014Brooke Lynn HytesJoan Jullian StrattonQueen Bee HoAria B. CassadineRegine PhillipsActive
2015Tiffany T. HunterKourtney Paige Van WalesFontasia L'AmourSerenity LopezRenaita FerraraActive
2016Jazell Barbie RoyaleSunny Dee-LiteBrittany MooreSerenity LopezRegine PhillipsActive
2017Shantell D'MarcoSassy DevineJasmine RiceStasha SanchezPattaya HartActive
2018Stasha SanchezRaquell LordMelony VonKruzPattaya HartYeisa JovovichActive
2019Vanessa Van CartierKaina JacobsJessica MansonMelony VonKruzYeisa JovovichWOMAN/SRS

In 2019, Jim Flint, owner of the Continental Pageant announced that long time competitor Sasha Valentino would be named an HONORARY Miss Continental. Sasha passed away 12/26/2012

Miss Continental Plus Winners

This contest was created by George Stinson and Ed Lewis, owners of the successful Connection Complex in Louisville, Kentucky. They drew their inspiration from Female Impersonator of the Year, a one-time pageant event held in Houston in 1985, hosted by Ruth Buzzi and Lyle Waggoner, and released as a cable-TV special and home video. The winner of that contest, the late Naomi Sims, is honored as EOY Emeritus. The headquarters for the contest was also in the Connection.
YearTitleholderFirst alternateSecond alternateNotes
Emeritus Naomi SimsMichael AndrewsTasha KohlDeceased
1991Tasha KohlCharity CaseLeslie Rage
1992Amazing GraceCharity CaseAshley KruizDeceased
1993Shayla SimpsonTandi AndrewsTerri Vanessa ColemanDeceased
1994ElectraSweet SavageDanielle Hunter
1995CocoAshley KruizNatasha RichardsDeceased
1996Monica MunroBianca PaigeStephanie Wells
1997Maya DouglasAshley KruizAngel Sheridan
1998Daisy DeadPetalsNecole Luv DupreeAngel Sheridan
1999Stephanie BofillWhitney PaigeRoxie HartDeceased
2000Roxie HartRavenVersage Holt
2001RavenAshley KruizNecole Luv Dupree
2002Necole Luv DupreeVictoria ParkerTamisha Iman
2003Nina DiAngeloWhitney PaigeTamisha Iman
2004Tasha LongCamille SimpsonJordan Kennedy
2005Angelique AliCatia Lee LoveDeeRanged
2006Erica AndrewsDeeRangedMokha MontreseDeceased
2007DeeRangedArmani StevensKitty Litter
2008Nina WestArmani StevensDomanique Shappelle
2009Bianca NicoleVanessa DeMornayDeangela Shannon
2010Vanessa DeMornayShangela Laquifa WadleyErika Norell
2011Aurora SextonTrinity TaylorKristina Kelly
2012Mokha MontreseRaquell LordShae Shae LaReese
2013Raquell LordBrooke Lynn HytesAlana Steele
2014Trinity TaylorAlyssa EdwardsEureka O'Hara
2015Sunny Dee-LiteDelores T. Van CartierShontelle Sparkles
2016Alexis Gabrielle SherringtonAria B. CassadineKarime Lazaldi
2017Ginger ManchesterVersage HoltParis Campbell
2018Danielle HunterEva Angelica StrattonBuff Faye
2019Buff FayeJessica JadeSabrina White

Mr. Entertainer of the Year

In 2011, after years of pushing from EOY promoters and a final agreement from major sponsor Anheuser Busch, National EOY introduced an MI division. On a preliminary level, the first MI crowned into the EOY system was Joey Paige, who captured the title of Kentucky EOY King at the preliminary pageant in Louisville on July 3, 2011. This was the only EOY MI prelim contest held that year. Michigan EOY also sent a representative to Nationals that year, Spacee Kadett, though Spacee was appointed the title in the state. The remaining contestants for the first EOY King contest entered as open competitors, and such open entry into EOY King competition continues to this day.
In July 2011, after national competition, EOY crowned Spacee Kadett as the first national king in its system. Spacee's victory and reign of outrageous drag helped push drag kinging to a more daring and theatrical level across the US, and set a standard for kings in the EOY system.
YearTitleholderFirst alternateSecond alternatesNotes
2011Spacee KadettRichard Cranium
2012MystikalSpikey Van DykeyTanner Taylor
2013Owen McCordMichael ChristianBruno Diaz
2014Chase McGroinGunner Daimon Gatlyn
2015ChaosBruno Diaz
2016Preston DickersonJordan ReignLeo Scott
2017Romeo WhiteRocky Valentino
2018Liam ScottScrappyChristian Gaye
Femme Entertainer of the Year
In 2015, EOY promoters and owners expanded the contest to include the Femme counterparts with the first National Pageant held at the Connection Complex theatre.
YearTitleholderFirst alternateSecond alternateNotes
2015Tymisha HarrisNova LozaTaylor Rene
2016Bella Nicole HarlowIvy Les VixensNevaeh Sweetness
2017Cass Marie DominoMiranda CasadaQtip Chanel
2018Olivia JaneMiranda CasadaVenus Envy

Miss Gay USofA

based MGA promoter Jerry Bird purchased the bankrupt Miss Gay USA pageant from former MGA Jimi Dee in 1985. Within a few years he took the pageant from a small twelve contestant affair to a national showcase with over eighty participants. In 1986, the first Miss Gay USA Naomi Sims crowned Michael Andrews. In the mid-1990s the pageant was renamed Miss Gay USofA after complaints and legal threats from the owner of Miss USA, Donald Trump, who placed a cease and desist order until verbiage could be agreed upon that allowed for both competitions to continue without confusion or discrimination.
There have been a wide range of contestants in the Miss USofA System, and many USofA titleholders also count the Miss Gay America crown as accomplishments in female impersonation. These include:
Naomi Sims, Miss Gay USA 1979 ;
Michael Andrews, Miss Gay USA 1986 ;
Jacquelyn DeVaroe, Miss Gay USofA 1997 ;
Lauren Taylor, Miss Gay USofA 1998 ;
Alyssa Edwards, Miss Gay USofA 2006 ;
Dominique Sanchez, Miss Gay USofA 2010 ; Luscious, Miss Gay USofA 2011, and, Asia O'Hara, Miss Gay USofA 2007.
The following is the list of the winners of the Miss Gay U.S.A. Pageant — then a complete change of ownership — Miss Gay USA winners 1986 through 1994 and Miss Gay USofA winners from 1995 through present:

Miss Gay USofA

Miss Gay USofA at Large

During the 1990s, the range and variety of drag pageantry continued to expand; however the "big four" pageant systems of MGA, Continental, USofA and EOY still dominated the market. New competitions with new requirements brought a wider variety of performers to drag pageantry. Contests for plus-sized, mature and African American female impersonators became popular.

All American Goddess

This pageant system was created by Scott Gonyaw. Unlike the "Big Four" of drag pageantry, AAG welcomes postoperative trans women as contestants.
First held in 1972, a few months after the first Miss Gay America contest, this pageant was revived in 2014 after seven years of inactivity. Though technically a state pageant, Miss Florida FI held prestige comparable to that of a national pageant for many years, with entertainers from around the U.S. vying for the crown, and guests and judges who included international celebrities. Before Miss Continental and Miss Gay USA were created, Miss Florida was the only major female-impersonation pageant that permitted trans women to compete.
This pageant was a huge part of the "Big 5" National pageant systems in the 1990s and early 2000s. It was created by Kevin Scott in 1994. The first winner was Tandi Andrews, but she was decrowned because she requested to run for another national pageant during her National reign. Her request was denied, she ran for that pageant regardless and was then decrowned. Tommie Ross assumed the crown. The last winners were Natasha Richards in 2003 for Miss National, Chelsea Pearl in 2002 for Miss National at Large, and Monte St. James in 2002 for Mr. National. In 2009, two people from Alabama attempted to purchase the contest and appointed Mokha Montrese as Miss National 2009. That sale fell through and was never completed. The system is now owned by Josh Maywalt. In 2018, ShaeShae LaReese won the title of Miss National 2018. All three divisions will return to the stage in 2021.
Since 1984, Universal ShowQueen has been held annually in Honolulu, Hawaii. Similar to Miss Florida FI, USQ is a "local national" pageant that attracts contestants from not only Hawaii but also the mainland U.S. It is renowned for its signature category—Showgirl Costume—a showcase for lavish and elaborate Las Vegas–style costumes and headdresses.
This pageant founded for newer queens transformed into what is now Miss International Inc.
-This system is not to be confused with the hostile split with former's with the now defunct Miss Gay International Inc.
~ Chelsey took over for Lady Angelica when she was temporarily dethroned. When Anjelica was rethroned after the crowning of a new winner, Chelsey was named Honorary for her service to the pageant.
~~ Monet was initially crowned in 2006 but shortly after it was discovered there was a scoring error and Amaya had actually won. They shared the title briefly before Monet was de-crowned for unknown reasons.

Miss Gay International Plus

In 2016 this system was founded to provide individuals who did not fit the "standard norm" of drag. National Bearded Queen is a system that provides an opportunity for Bearded Queers to compete and showcase their talents. This system is open to individuals of all genders with the only requirement to compete being they must perform regularly as a bearded performer. Prelims started in 2017 with the first National Competition held in May 2018.
YearWinnerFirst AltSecond AltLocation
2018Joey GallagherJerFayKC StarrCash Inn,
Phoenix AZ
2019Dion Dior BlackBearonce BearKiara ChimeraPlay, Louisville KY