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DRAG QUEENS IN SPACE!
Nation’s Ultimate Drag Competition Returns to St. Louis October 2-5 for Miss Gay America Pageant
Nearly 50 contestants from across the country to compete in spectacular “Beyond the Stars” themed 48th annual Miss Gay America pageant.
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Scroll for listings info, about Miss Gay America, photo of Honorary Miss Gay America Lady Gaga, additional video.
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Above: The crowning of Miss Gay America 2019 Andora Te’tee of New York City last October at Miss Gay America in St. Louis.
(New York, NY) September 16, 2019 – Thanks to “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” drag, the art of female impersonation, is huge. Whether you are an entertainment reporter or drag fanatic, you won’t want to miss the 48th annual Miss Gay America pageant taking place October 2-5 in St. Louis.
Established in Nashville in 1972, The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious nationwide female impersonator (aka drag) competition.
Nearly 50 contestants from over one hundred city, state and regional preliminaries currently happening across the country will compete for the Miss Gay America 2020 crown.
Contestants will compete in five judged categories: Presentation (themed costume), Male Interview (in suit and tie), Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers), Evening Gown, and On Stage Interview.
The pageant will honor the reigning Miss Gay America 2019, Andora Te’tee of New York City (below), and feature performances by a dozen former Miss Gay Americas, known as “Forevers.”
The pageant’s theme, chosen by the Andora Te’tee, is “Beyond the Stars.” “We are taking Miss Gay America into the future,” she says about the theme. “Miss Gay America 2020 contestants will dress in futuristic space couture, creative costumes for the Presentation category on the final night. Former MGAs will dress as space goddesses. I chose a space theme because the future is unknown, so the contestants can be extremely creative. I can’t wait to see the future of drag come to life right before our eyes!”
Miss Gay America 2020 happens from October 2 – 5 in St. Louis. October 2 and 3 are preliminary nights, after which the remaining top 10 contestants will compete for the Miss Gay America crown on October 5. On October 4 is the big revue show, featuring performances by former Miss Gay Americas from across the U.S.
The first three nights take place at the enormous Hamburger Mary’s drag themed restaurant and nightclub in downtown St. Louis (owned by Miss Gay America owners Rob Mansman and Michael Dutzer with partner David Pardue). The final night will take place at the Gateway Events center in O’Fallon, IL, about 15 minutes drive from St. Louis.
The official hotel for the event is the Hampton Inn Downtown at the Gateway Arch across the street from Hamburger Mary’s at 333 Washington Ave. Those attending the pageant who wish to stay in the hotel at a discounted price should mention the group name “Miss Gay America.”
Videos
Above: Promo video for Miss Gay America 2020.
Above: Former Miss Gay America’s appearing at Miss Gay America, including Deva Station (2018), Suzy Wong (2017), Asia O’Hara (2016), and Coco Montrese (2010).
Listings Info
Listings info below, followed by a dazzling collection of images of the reigning Miss Gay America 2019 Andora Te’tee by Kiet Thai (tap any image to view as a slideshow) and more about the Miss Gay America pageant and more about the pageant.
Miss Gay America 2020 Listings Info
Miss Gay America 2020
October 2 – 5, 2019
St. Louis, MO 63102
Preliminary Nights October 2 & 3 ($15.00)
Revue Show October 4 ($20.00)
Hamburger Mary’s St. Louis
400 Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO
Tickets both nights at the door
Final Night & Crowning of Miss Gay America 2020
Gateway Events
1237 Central Park Dr.
O’Fallon, IL. 62269 (about 15 minutes drive from St. Louis)
Doors 5:00 p.m.
Showtime: 7:00 p.m.
Final night reserved and general admission tickets $65 – $650 at http://www.mgatickets.com
www.missgayamerica.com
Miss Gay America @missgayamerica
Miss Gay America 2019 Andora Te’tee @andoraofficial
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, Talent (fully produced stage production; sets, dancers, permitted), Evening Gown and 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 Dior 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.
Related MGA Giving Back: 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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