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 byMiss Gay America
Mirroring the format of theFormer titleholders
* *1 Lady Baronessa's full name was "The Lady Baroness Maria Andrea del Santiago." * *2 Shan Covington had his title revoked for conduct unbecoming a Miss Gay America titleholder. The title was offered to the 1976 First Alternate, Michael Andrews, who passed it up because he wanted to win the title. The title was then passed to the 1976 Second Alternate, Dani Daletto. Dani Daletto was crowned in a special ceremony at the 1976 Miss Gay South Pageant held at Vapors Nightclub in Hot Springs, AR. * *3 Ramona LeGer' died 5 months into his reign. 1995 First Alternate, Patti Le Plae Safe, requested not to be crowned or wear the crown during the pageant year in Ramona's memory. Patti La Plae Safe served as the official Miss Gay America Representative, until the night of the 1996 Miss Gay America Pageant, at which he was finally crowned the official 1995 Miss Gay America in a special ceremony. * *4 Alyssa had his title revoked due to scheduling conflicts with previous engagements and his Miss Gay America duties. The title was passed to the 2010 First Alternate, Coco Montrese, who was crowned in a special ceremony at The Grey Fox Nightclub in St. Louis, MO. * *5 Coti Collins was the longest competing Miss Gay America winner. His first appearance at Miss Gay America was in 1988 as the First Alternate from the Miss Gay West Virginia America franchise.Miss Continental
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 barringMiss Continental Plus Winners
* 1991 - Ginger Grant (Deceased) * 1992 - Denise Russell * 1993 - The Lady Catiria Reyes (Deceased) * 1994 - Erica Christian * 1995 - Carmella Marcella Garcia (Deceased) * 1996 - Victoria LePaige * 1997 - Dena Cass * 1998 - Santana T. Summers (Deceased) * 1999 - Terri Williams * 2000 - Tumara Mahorning * 2001 - Angel Sherdian * 2002 - Chevelle Brooks * 2003 - Victoria Parker * 2004 - Angelica Sanchez * 2005 - Amaya * 2006 - Desiree Demornay * 2007 - Tajma Hall (Deceased) * 2008 - Mercedes Tyler * 2009 - CoCo Van Cartier * 2010 - Roxxxy Andrews * 2011 - Chelsea Pearl (Deceased) * 2012 - Tanisha Cassadine (Deceased) * 2013 - Whitney Paige (Deceased) * 2013 - Farra N. Hyte (Succeeded) * 2014 - Tahjee Iman * 2015 - Kofi * 2016 - Natasha Douglas * 2017 - KeKe Velazquez-Lord * 2018 - Chy’enne Valentino * 2019 - Darcel Stevens * 2019 - Ivy White - HONORARY* (Deceased) * 2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 * 2021 - Britney Taylor * 2022 - Rachel MeredithMiss Continental Elite Winners
* 2004 - Nikki Adams * 2005 - Barbra Herr * 2006 - Maya Douglas * 2007 - Danielle Hunter * 2008 - Angel Sheridan * 2009 - Michelle Fighter * 2010 - Electra * 2011 - Daesha Richards * 2012 - Dana Douglas * 2013 - Kourtney Van Wales * 2014 - Lady Charisse Estrada (Deceased) * 2015 - Chantel Reshae * 2016 - Teryl Lynn Foxx * 2017 - Fontasia L'Amour * 2018 - Lorna Vando * 2018 - Misty Knight *HONORARY (Deceased) * 2019 - A'zsia Dupree * 2020 - Ginger Manchester *HONORARY (Deceased) * 2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 * 2021 - Yosmein Cambell Starr * 2022 - Layla LarueMr. Continental Winners
* 2004 - Carl Harris (Dethroned) * 2004 - Ray Matthews * 2005 - Antonio Edwards * 2006 - Tony Desario * 2007 - Simba Hall * 2008 - Rasean Montrese * 2009 - David "Freklz" Hunter * 2010 - Christopher Iman * 2011 - Nick Gray * 2012 - Phillip Alexander * 2013 - Angel Saez Amador * 2014 - Kalil Valentino * 2015 - Joey Taylor * 2016 - Mykul Jay Valentine * 2017 - Antwuan Steele * 2018 - Ramon Ventura * 2019 - Sir' Valentino * 2020 - Desi M. Andrews * 2021 - No pageant due to COVID-19 * 2022 - Prince Travi * 2023 - Syvon Sinatra SanchezNational Entertainer of the Year
This contest was created by George Stinson and Ed Lewis, owners of the successful Connection Complex inMr. Entertainer of the Year
* 2002 - Carl Harris * 2003 - D'Andre * 2004 - Romeo Avila * 2005 - Rasean Montrese * 2006 - William Benion * 2007 - Monte St. James * 2008 - Savion Simpson (Deceased) * 2009 - Xavier Valentino Litter * 2010 - Alex Stabler * 2011 - Mykul Jay Valentine * 2012 - Xavier Cole * 2013 - David "Freklz" Hunter * 2014 - Matthew Jay Kelly * 2015 - Judas Elliot * 2016 - Rolly Villaverde * 2017 - Charlton Alicea * 2018 - Prince Travi * 2019 - Prince Cole * 2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 * 2021 - Zodiacx Iman * 2022 - Jericho HabibKing 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.=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.Miss Gay USofA
Miss Gay USofA
Miss Gay USofA at Large
*1989 - Carmella Marcella Garcia - Deceased *1990 - Denise Russell *1991 - Jeana Jones *1992 - Nancy Newton *1993 - Jaqueline St. James - Crowned at Club Cabaret in Hickory, NC *1994 - Maxi Houston - Deceased *1995 - Chelsea Pearl - Crowned in Dayton, OH - Deceased *1996 - Stacey Holliday *1997 - Whitney Paige - Crowned at Club Cabaret in Hickory, NC - Deceased *1998 - Dena Cass *1999 - Victoria LePaige - Crowned in Indianapolis, IN *2000 - Kofi - Crowned in Houston, TX *2001 - Niesha Dupree- Crowned at Club Odyssey in Winston-Salem, NC *2002 - Alicia Markstone *2003 - Kelexis Davenport-Crowned at Village Station (Station 4) Dallas, TX *2004 - Kitty Litter-Crowned at Throckmorton Mining Company- Dallas, TX *2005 - Raven St. James - Crowned at The Rose Room (Village Station) in Dallas, TX *2006 - Kathryn York - Crowned at Inergy in Houston, TX *2007 - Mahogany Knight - Crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX *2008 - Tajma Hall - Crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX - Deceased *2009 - April Reign - Crowned at Talbott Street in Indianapolis, IN *2010 - Tahjee Iman - Crowned at The Honey Pot in Tampa, FL *2011 - Desiree DeMornay - Crowned at the Honey Pot in Tampa, FL *2012 - Dorae Saunders - Crowned at The Parliament House in Orlando, FL *2013 - Angelica Sanchez - Crowned at The Parliament House in Orlando, FL *2014 - Danielle DeLong - Crowned at The Parliament House in Orlando, FL *2015 - Ka'aliyah McKim Diamond - Crowned at Axis in Columbus, OH *2016 - Sasha Lauren - Crowned at Axis in Columbus, OH *2017 - Kenya M. Black - Crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4)- Dallas, TX *2018 - Shavonna B. Brooks - Crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4) - Dallas, TX *2019 - Des'ree St. James - Crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4) - Dallas, TX *2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2021 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2022 - Armani Nicole Davenport - Crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4) - Dallas, TXMiss Gay USofA Classic
*2003 - Tina Devore - from Atlanta, GA - Emeritus- Deceased *2004 - Ginger Manchester - from Ft. Wayne, IN - crowned in St. Louis, MO - Deceased *2005 - Latoya Bacall - from Lexington, KY - crowned at the Rose Room in Dallas, TX *2006 - Chelsea Pearl - from Lexington, KY - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX - Deceased *2007 - Anita Mann - from Springfield, IL - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2008 - Shae Shae LaReese - from Laguna Beach, CA - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2009 - Lawanda Jackson - from Houston, TX - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2010 - Whitney Paige - from Little Rock, AR - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX - Deceased *2011 - Catia Lee Love - from Tulsa, OK - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2012 - Layla LaRue - from Dallas/San Antonio, TX - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2013 - Amy DeMilo - from Tampa, FL - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2014 - Chevelle Brooks - from Orlando, FL - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2015 - Roxie Hart - from Oklahoma City, OK - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2016 - Nancy Taylor - from Houston, TX - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2017 - Dominique Sanchez - from Little Rock, AR - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2018 - Tasha Long - from Birmingham, AL - crowned in the Rose Room at S4 in Dallas, TX *2019 - Stacey Holliday - from Hereford, TX - crowned in the Rose Room at S4 in Dallas, TX *2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2021 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2022 - Myah Ross Monroe - from Atlanta, GA - crowned in the Rose Room at S4 in Dallas, TXMiss Gay USofA Newcomer
*2010 - Phalon M. Steele - crowned at Talbott Street in Indianapolis, IN *2011 - Arianna Evans - crowned at the Honey Pot in Tampa, FL *2012 - Ka'aliyah McKim Diamond - crowned at Angles Events Center in Oklahoma City, OK *2013 - Tonica E. Cavalli - crowned at Angles Events Center in Oklahoma City, OK *2014 - Kira Daniels - crowned at the Park Inn Champagne Ballroom in Dallas, TX *2015 - Mari Jane - crowned at Love Field Inn and Suites Champagne Ballroom in Dallas, TX *2016 - Vanity St. James - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2017 - Domita Sanchez - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2018 - Eva DeLeon - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2019 - Alexxa Oasis - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2021 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2022 - Stacie Alexis Davenport - crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4) - Dallas, TX (Stepped down) *2022 - Sapphire Davenport - Crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4) - Dallas, TX (Succeeded)Mr. Gay USofA
*2008 - Ram Crawford - crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX *2009 - Simba Hall - crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX *2010 - David "Freklz" Hunter - crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX *2011 - GQ - crowned at Club Crystal in Houston, TX *2012 - Rasean Montrese - crowned at Club Crystal in Houston, TX *2013 - Christopher Iman - crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX *2014 - Jeffrey Kelly - crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX *2015 - Michael LaMasters - crowned at the Heat in San Antonio, TX *2016 - Desi M. Andrews - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2017 - Dione Kelly - crowned at Rich's in Houston, TX *2018 - Angel - crowned at Rich's in Houston, TX *2019 - Roman Tajoure - crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4) - Dallas, TX *2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2021 - Ky'Ron Iman Dickerson - crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4) - Dallas, TX *2022 - Q Dominican Sanchez - crowned at Club Crystal - Houston, TXMr. Gay USofA at Large
*2008 - Samson - crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX *2009 - Seymour Chilton - crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX *2010 - Ty Juan Davis - crowned at the Saint in San Antonio, TX *2011 - Felix "Big Fee" Correa - crowned at Club Crystal in Houston, TX *2012 - Nikko Andrews - crowned at Club Crystal in Houston, TX *2013 - O'Dey D. Brooks - crowned at The Heat in San Antonio, TX *2014 - Zayer York - crowned at the Heat in San Antonio, TX *2015 - Kane Connors - crowned at the Heat in San Antonio, TX *2016 - Dakota Whitney - crowned at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, TX *2017 - Ade' Tajoure - crowned at Rich's in Houston, TX *2018 - RyYon Tajoure - crowned at Rich's in Houston, TX *2019 - La’Darius Mirage Jackson - Crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4) - Dallas, TX *2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2021 - Lil Nugg - crowned at The Rose Room (Station 4) - Dallas, TX *2022 - JC Anthony-Crawford - crowned at Club Crystal - Houston, TXMister USofA MI
*2008 - Xander Kinidy - crowned at Angles in Oklahoma City, OK *2009 - Richard Cranium - crowned at Angles in Oklahoma City, OK *2010 - Amedeus K. York - crowned at Angles in Oklahoma City, OK *2011 - Jordan Allen - crowned at Angles in Oklahoma City, OK *2012 - Damian Matrix - crowned at Angles in Oklahoma City, OK *2013 - Will Ryder - crowned at Angles in Oklahoma City, OK (resigned) *2013 - Ivory Onyx - replaced Will Ryder after resignation *2014 - Eazy Love - crowned in Nashville, TN *2015 - Papa Cherry-Matrix - crowned at Angles in Oklahoma City, OK *2016 - Abs Hart - crowned at Angles in Oklahoma City, OK *2017 - Eddie Broadway - crowned in Dayton, OH *2018 - D'Angelo - crowned in Dayton, OH *2019 - Dustin Riot - crowned in Dayton, OH *2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2021 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2022 - Brandon KC Young - crowned at Discovery Night Club in Little Rock, ARMister USofA MI Classic
*2012 - Marc Meridian - crowned in Oklahoma City, OK *2013 - D Luv Savyion - crowned in Oklahoma City, OK *2014 - Brandon Packer - crowned in Nashville, TN *2015 - DC - crowned in Oklahoma City, OK *2016 - Valentino Rios - crowned in Oklahoma City, OK *2017 - Ivory Onyx - crowned in Dayton, OH *2018 - Ken Dartanyan - crowned in Dayton, OH *2019 - Freddy Prinze Charming - crowned in Dayton, OH *2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2021 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2022 - Justin Case - crowned at Discovery Night Club in Little Rock, ARMiss USofA DIVA (femme)
*2014 - Brandi Amara Skyy - crowned in Nashville, TN *2015 - Bella Nicole Harlow - crowned in Oklahoma City, OK *2016 - Victoria Rios - crowned in Oklahoma City, OK *2017 - Seduction D. Dickerson - crowned in Dayton, OH *2018 - Ruby Scott Jacquet - crowned in Dayton, OH *2019 - Glam Davenport - crowned in Dayton, OH *2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2021 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2022 - Khamillion Adonis Dickerson Dartanyan - crowned at Discovery Night Club in Little Rock, AR 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. As of January 7, 2020, AAG is now promoted by former AAG, Nikki Vixxen. *2007 - Latoya Bacall *2008 -All American Goddess at Large
*2009 - Lawren LaMoore (Deceased) *2010 - Kelexis Davenport *2011 - Dena Cass *2012 - Whitney Paige (Deceased) *2013 - Danielle DeLong *2014 - Brooklyn Starr *2015 - Juliza T. Alezae *2016 - Kristina Kelly *2017 - Alexis Nicole Whitney *2018 - Adriana P.T. Fuentes *2019 - Sandra Onassis Lopez *2020 - Monica Moore *2021 - Lindsay Paige *2022 - Nadine HughesAll American Gent
*2013 - Monte R. St. James *2014 - Rasean Montrese *2015 - No Contest *2016 - Jose Manuel Vega *2017 - Cielo Whitney *2018 - Jeffrey Kelly *2019 - Antonio Edwards *2020 - Matthew Steele *2021 - Mykul Jay Valentine *2022 - Jovan Cardin IVThe Female Impersonators’ Miss Florida Pageant (Miss Florida FI)
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 (now Miss Gay USofA) were created, Miss Florida was the only major female-impersonation pageant that permitted trans women to compete. (Jim Flint, owner and founder of the Continental Pageantry System, has acknowledged Miss Florida as his inspiration for creating Miss Continental.) *1972 - Tricia Marie *1973 - Emoré DuBois *1974 -Miss Florida FI at Large
*1988 - Angel Sheridan *1989 - Joey Brooks *1990 - Andrea Lovelace *1991 - Robin Knight (dethroned), Lola Lush *1992 - Luna *1993 - Alicia Brooks *1994 - Sierrah Foxx (Deceased) *1995 - Lorrie Del Mar *1996–1999 - Inactive *2000 - Carmella Marcella Garcia (Deceased) *2001 - Nicolette Ashton *2002 - Jasmine Skiies *2003 - No contest *2004 - Jocelyn Summers *2005 - Sasha Sommers (Deceased) *2006 - No contest *2007 - TP Lords *2008–2015 - Inactive *2016 - Nicole T. Phillips *2017 - Angelica Sanchez *2018 - Noel Leon *2019 - Kimberly Venom *2020 - No Contest due to Covid *2021 - Velvet Lenore *2022 - Tayanna LoveMiss Florida FI Supreme
*2018 - Dana Douglas (Emeritus) *2019 - Erika Norell *2020 - No Contest due to Covid *2021 - Kelly Anderson (Stepped down) *2021 - Joanna James (Succeeded) *2022 - Tasha LongMr. Florida M.E
*2016 - Jose Manuel Vega (Emeritus) *2017 - Antonio Edwards *2018 - Carlos Roque *2019 - Raul Vegas *2020 - No Contest due to Covid *2021 - Gustavo G. Rivers *2022 - Rolly Villaverde *''Note:'' In 1989, ownership of the pageant fell into dispute after its creator-owner, Keith Landon, died. An alternative pageant called Miss Florida State was held that year; Shanté (Universal ShowQueen
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. *1984 - Linda DeCrimsen *1985 - Cher Marisa *1986 - Michelle Tomas *1987 - Yoshiko Oshiro *1988 - Whitney Carlysle *1989 - Brandy Olsen *1990 - Dina Jacobs *1991 - Coco Vaughn *1992 - Kelly Ray *1993 - Angela Carrera *1994 - Aiko *1995 - Sharee L'Amour *1996 - Cézanne *1997 - Keisha *1998 - Jacqueline *1999 - Maya Douglas *2000 - Tasha Lee *2001 - Kaina Jacobs *2002 - Raven *2003 - Zia De Zaneiro *2004 - Erica Andrews *2005 - Cassandra Colby *2006 - Raquell Lord *2007 - Maddalyn Ashton *2008 - Cocoa Chandelier *2009 - Yuni Carey *2010 - Perla Welch *2011 - DeeRanged *2012 - Christina Doll *2013 - Shalani Dante *2014 - Marina Del Rey *2015 - Jerrica Benton *2016 - Sofia Andrews *2017 - Vicky Chavarria *2018 - Alina Malletti Galore *2019 - Chevelle Brooks *2020 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2021 - No pageant due to COVID-19 *2022 - Gadfrie ArbuluMiss Gay International
(Formerly Miss Amateur National) 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 (Vicki Valentino & Marlowe Septimius) with the now defunct Miss Gay International Inc. *1999 - Christine Mancini - From Clinton, MD *2000 - Stefani Valentino - From Toledo, OH *2001 - Lady Angelica - From Akron, OH *2001 - Chelsey Clinton *honorary - From Nashville, TN ~ *2002 - Jessica Spaulding - From Washington D.C. - Deceased *2003 - Starr Powers - From Harrisburg, PA *2004 - Kiarra Marlowe Fontaine - From Toledo, OH - Deceased *2005 - Miss D. Meanor - From Wilmington, DE *2006 - Monet Dupree - From Washington, D.C. ~~ *2006 - Amaya Mann - From Bloomington, IL *2007 - Vicki Valentino - From St, Louis, MO *2008 - Takiya Valentino Wynters - From Atlanta, GA *2009 - Sierra Spaulding - From Newark, DE *2010 - The Minx - From Orlando, FL *2011 - Rachel Mykels - From Austin, TX *2012 - Adora Blake - From Richmond, VA *2013 - Amanda Love - Parkersburg, WV *2014 - Danielle Revlon - From Baltimore, MD *2015 - Ivy Profen - From Charleston, WV *2016 - Pageant discontinued ~ 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
*1999 - Gayla DeLust *2000 - Samantha Styles *2001 - Miss Peaches *2004 - Dena Cass *2005 - Victoria Parker *2007 - Kitty Litter *2008 - Danielle Revlon *2009 - Chevelle Brooks *2010 - Adina Ronee *2011 - Pageant Was DiscontinuedNational Bearded Queen
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 (Real or Prosthetic). Prelims started in 2017 with the first National Competition held in May 2018.See also
* Ball culture *References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Drag Pageantry * Cross-dressing culture