Written by Above: Miss Gay America 2019 by Kiet Thai
Media contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Thanks to “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” drag, the art of female impersonation, is huge. If you love drag and live in the Dallas area, you will want to attend Miss & Mr. Gay Texas America 2019, to be held at Dallas’ premiere show bar, The Rose Room from July 15 – 18.
Mr. Gay Texas America takes place on July 15. Preliminaries for Miss Gay Texas America take place on July 16 and 17, followed by a spectacular revue show on July 18, and culminating with the presentation of the top 10 contestants, talent performances and crowning of the next Miss Gay Texas America on July 19.
The new Miss Gay Texas America will go on to compete with nearly 50 other female impersonators from across the U.S. for the Miss Gay America 2020 crown this Fall in St. Louis.
Established in Nashville in 1972, The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator (aka drag) competition.
Miss Gay Texas America will be MCed by Miss Gay America 2007 Chanel LaMasters and feature performances by a slew of previous Miss Gay America titleholders (aka “Formers”) as well as a special appearance by the reigning Miss Gay America 2019 Andora Tetee of New York City. The evening will culminate in the crowning of the new Miss Gay Texas America, one of the most coveted crowns in the MGA system.
Above: Drag stars performing at Miss Gay Texas America 2019 L-R, top-bottom (tap any image to view as a slideshow): Miss Gay Texas America 2007 Chanel La Masters (Dallas), First Alternate to Miss Gay America 2019 and Miss Gay Texas America 2014 Dessie Love Blake (Houston), Jenny Skyy (Dallas), Miss Gay America 1997 Lauren Taylor (Houston), Second Alternate to Miss Gay America 2019 and Miss Gay Texas America 2016 Sofia Anderson (Brownsville), and Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong (Nashville/Palm Springs).
Owing to a line-up of mega drag stars the Miss Gay Texas America pageant theme is, appropriately, “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Pageant promoters promise three nights of Broadway quality entertainment, high emotions, higher hair, really, really big earrings—and fierce competition!
While Presentation–when we get a first look at the contestants– is a non-judged category, those competing for the Miss Gay Texas crown are asked to wear a costume that reflects the showgirl or “The Greatest Show” theme.
Contestants will compete in four judged categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie, which happens earlier in the day), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
Miss Gay Texas America is one of over one hundred city, state and regional preliminary currently happening across the country leading up to the national 48th annual Miss Gay America Pageant in St. Louis this October.
Mr. Gay Texas America, on July 15, is a preliminary to the national male drag pageant Mr. Gay America, established in 1983. The night will honor the reigning Mr. Gay Texas America 2019 Nathan Paris of Harlingen, Mr. Gay Texas America 2018 August Edwards of Grapevine, as well as Mr. Gay Texas America 1999/Mr. Gay America 2000 Kristian Kline Martinez of San Antonio. Mr. Gay America takes in St. Louis in July 2020.
Listing Info:
July 15 – 19, 2019
Miss & Mr. Gay Texas America 2019
S4 in The Rose Room
3911 Cedar Springs Rd
Dallas, TX 75219
July 15 9PM Mr. Gay Texas America 2019
July 16-17 – 10PM Preliminary Nights cover $10
July 18 – 11PM Review Show cover $15
July 19 – 9PM Final Night/Top 10 cover $25
To speak to the reigning Miss Gay America 2019 Andora Te’tee of New York City or Miss Gay Texas America Pageant Director Jenna Skyy of Dallas, just ask.
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
The Miss Gay America system is very similar in nature to the Miss America or Miss USA system, except that the contestants are men impersonating women. It is not easy to win this title as it takes much talent, creativity, glamour, elegance, sophistication and desire to entertain, to successfully create the illusion in which the judges will approve.
Currently, contestants are rigorously judged in five categories: Presentation (only judged at nationals), Male Interview, Evening Gown, Talent (fully produced stage production; sets, dancers, permitted), On Stage Interview.
With no surgical body augmentations below the neck directly related to promoting/enhancing a feminine image (female breasts, hips, etc.) allowed, contestants must rely on the skills and techniques of the art female impersonation–breast pads, hip pads, flattering clothing, wigs and make-up–to create a female impersonation that will score high enough with the judges to win the title of Miss Gay America. Read complete MGA Handbook via the About page at www.missgayamerica.com.
Contestants are in it to win it, easily spending thousands of dollars in preparation for this ultimate female impersonator competition. While some design their own gowns, others spend as much as $15,000 at houses from Vera Wang to Versace. Add in shoes and jewelry, plus fees for choreographers, props, dressers, wig stylists, make-up artists and travel and it quickly adds up.
During her reign, a newly crowned Miss Gay America can earn as much as $70,000 in cash, prizes, travel, and appearance fees. Regardless, the consensus among contestants is what matters most is not the money spent or won, but the title!
To date, over 10,000 men from over thirty states have competed for the Miss Gay America crown. •
More
• More and the history of the Miss Gay America on the About page of Miss Gay America website.
• To get glimpse into the world of female impersonator competition, check out the trailer for the award-winning 2008 documentary “Pageant” on Vimeo.
• Read the latest on the Miss Gay America blog, MGAZINE.
www.missgayamerica.com | www.mrgayamerica.net
Related: The Big Heart of Miss Gay America: Pageant Owners Announce Creation Charitable Foundation to Mentor, Benefit LGBTQ Youth: Pageant owners crown Lady Gaga (photo) the first ever Honorary Miss Gay America, donate $5000 to her Born This Way Foundation, and launch the Miss Gay America Foundation to mentor, benefit LGBTQ youth.
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