Forever Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station talks about her reign, offers advice to those competing for the crown and has answers RPDR fans who are dismissive of drag pageant systems.
Back in October you stepped down from your year as Miss Gay America 2018. Emotional night, tears, what was going through your mind that night, during your last performance as Miss Gay America?
As the curtain opened for my final number, several things were playing in my head. First of all, 7 years of competition and preparation were about to be over and this was the last time I would ever wear the crown. The most incredible moments were seeing all of the contestants who you spent a year getting to know and realizing one of them was about to carry on the legacy, and the moment you turn to see all of the Miss Gay America’s crowned before me, it’s overwhelming!
I slept for about 14 hours.
Prior to winning, as you competed in the prelims to enter MGA, what did you think winning would be like?
I knew there would be a lot of travel and work involved. I didn’t realize the amount of communication required on a daily basis.
Revisiting a few questions from your Q&A in MGAZINE just after being crowned, what has being in the Miss Gay America system meant to you personally?
It has taught me confidence, work ethic, and actually that I am capable of more than I ever knew.
Photo by Scotty Kirby
How have you benefited from competing in the Miss Gay America system?
I have made connections and friends throughout the United States, the benefits of this are endless.
Is your family supportive? (In Oct 2017, they were not. Did this change due to your becoming MGA?)
Sadly, no.
Not long after you won, you spent a few days with MGA owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman, holding meetings in their home in Key West to plan your year. What kinds of things did you discuss?
Most of the time was spent going through our many rules and regulations, learning the back story of why each one was important and the root of its existence. We talked about what type of year I wanted to have and I learned the tremendous support each MGA receives from Mike and Rob.
Read Deva's first interview for MGAZINE, just after she was crowned Miss Gay America 2018. Photo by Scotty Kirby
Many do not realize the work that comes with the MGA crown. It’s a full-time job. Did you keep your “day job”? If so, how did you juggle your dual responsibilities? If not, did you say why you had to leave, take a hiatus? Can you return?
I 100% kept my job along with a few additional contracts that needed completed. I’m lucky that I work in the performing arts outside of drag, so I learned to really establish effective time management. It was exhausting, but no regrets. The crown comes with many administrative duties, including overseeing the judging at all of the state and regional preliminaries across the country. Lots of travel.
How many days were you on the road for MGA?
At one point in July I was gone for three weeks straight. The experience was incredible, but honestly a fight. I learned the importance of Airborne and vitamins AND, to wash drag in hotel bathtubs! Can you share some advice, secrets to surviving life on the road? FeBreeze, Dryer Sheets, Downey Wrinkle Release, and sleep anytime you get a chance.
Aside from the considerable prize package, which for Miss Gay America 2019 was valued at nearly $70,000, your title comes with a paycheck. In addition, you get lots of bookings. So, how was the money during your reign?
I can tell you that it was very lucrative if you manage your money. Drag is expensive, and when the Nation's eyes are on you, it’s a constant reinvestment. Keeping my regular job was very helpful.
Photo by Laura Dark Photography
How hard was it to juggle drag and non-drag life?
I didn’t have a hard time with it. I’ve been playing characters my entire life, so being able to separate the two is necessary for your own sanity. LOL.
For many being MGA is a big learning curve, but in the end career, the personal and professional benefits can be life-changing. What has being MGA done for you? What did you learn about yourself? Has your life changed since?
MGA has taught me selfworth more than anything. I learned that I can handle anything that is thrown at me in any situation and still hold myself with dignity. I’m still traveling quite a bit due to the national exposure. You are forced to hold yourself to a higher standard across the board. MGA also tests your strength because along with the accolades, there are many who just simply won’t be happy in your success, so you learn to let that go and hold your head high.
What was the biggest challenge of being MGA?
Probably the 5:00 a.m. flights after finishing critiques at 3:30 a.m. Wondering if you should just go to the airport in an evening gown. It’s also very challenging when you become close and attached to contestants and for whatever reason they don’t do as well as expected or anticipated. It can test friendships and test your own strength, but in the end, there can only be one winner.
What was the biggest reward of being MGA?
Hearing your name announced as Miss Gay America 2018 at each appearance, very surreal. There is also the MGA sisterhood, to be accepted and embraced by this incredible history is overwhelming.
What’s is your advice to others as they prepare to compete for a chance at the ultimate female impersonator entertainer crown?
Be true to yourself. If the package you present isn’t authentically you, the judges will see through it. Trust yourself and believe that you are worthy of the crown. If things don’t go your way, really look at the sub categories in which you competed, and within yourself, verses pointing fingers and becoming angry. I competed for seven years consecutively to become Miss Gay America, and I simply was not ready until the year that I won.
What do you feel are the biggest misconceptions about MGA?
I think people see MGA as a conservative system, but just as everything else in life, we continue to grow and evolve. If you saw the parade of contestants in presentation this year, you saw growth and change in a very big and fashion forward way. I love this system with all my heart and am forever changed due to my year as Miss Gay America
Moments after being crowned Miss Gay America 2018 with Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong. Photo: BjKj Illusions
What do you want RPDR fans who are dismissive of MGA (and perhaps drag pageantry in general) to know?
RPDR is a pageant, period: there is a crown, a title, a prize packages, and challenges/categories you must score well in to win. Several Miss Gay America’s have done incredibly well on RPDR and RPDR All Stars. Pageantry teaches you the discipline needed to be successful in all walks of life.
Looking forward, as a former, a Forever, what’s next as far as your drag career goes?
I guess that remains to be seen! Currently I’m just looking forward to watching our beautiful and incredibly talented Miss Gay America 2019 Andora TeeTee make her mark on the system. She’s already doing wonderful things!
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