Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic America 2019 Dextaci is a familiar face to MGA fans who've been following the career of one of the system's most beloved queens. Who can forget her live, show-stopping performance of "This is the Moment" as 1st Alternate to Miss Gay Western States America 2018 at Miss Gay America 2019? (Can't wait to see what Dextaci wow's us with at MGA2020!) MGAZINE caught up with the West Monroe, Louisiana entertainer for a quick 5 question Q&A, but first we asked...
How did you choose your drag name?
I wanted to have some way to incorporate my big name Dex into my girl name. Nothing female had Dex in it so I had to creative. So Dextaci was born!
Above: The newly crowned Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic America 2019 Dextaci at Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic America. L-R: Promoter Heath Barnes, First Alternate to Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic America 2019 Patti Lovelace, Miss Gay America 2019 Andora Te'tee, Dextaci, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic America 2015 Monica Moore, and Promoter J.R. Delauter. Photo by BjKj Illusions.
Now to the Q&A:
1 How did you get started, when did you first do in female impersonation?
The way I got started was very different. In 2007 when I was in high school I was dared to participate in a gag version of homecoming for our school. Dextaci was born when I was a senior in high school.
Just in, The Dallas Morning News has posted a gallery of terrific photos from the Talent portion of the final night of Miss Gay Texas America 2019, which happened last Saturday, July 19 at the Rose Room in Dallas.
Above is just one of the great photos of the Top 10 contestants during Talent, by photographer Brian Elledge. That's Hu'Nee B of Houston. See the entire gallery on the Dallas Morning News Guid Live page.
Thanks to Brian Elledge and Shannon Sutlief for the coverage!
Congratulation to our new Miss Gay Texas America 2019 Edna Anderson of Brownsville and First Alternate Chloe Knox of Houston!
Every year in Lawrence, Kansas, Brandon Eisman, aka “Deja Brooks”, teams up with other area drag queens to turn local women into divas for a night as part of “Transformations”, a pageant-style charity gala.
But this year, Deja is only accepting local men who are not only “man enough” to go full drag for charity, but also learn a thing or two about their drag mentors.
The competition includes real pageant components such as evening gown, talent and on-stage question as well as performances by the "consultant" female impersonators.
The film was shown at five independent film festivals, debuting in Lawrence, KS at the Free State Festival, then off to New York City for DOC NYC, before traveling to California for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival and the Irvine International Film Festival. Last stop was the Kansas City LGBT Film Festival, where "Transformations" won for Best Short Documentary.
From the filmmakers, "We are still trying to reach a greater on-line presence, so if you enjoy the short documentary, please consider sharing it with your family and friends. You just never know who might see it or share it (Ellen Degeneres)!"
Female impersonator/drag queen Miss Gay Maryland America 2019 Chasity Vain threw out the first pitch at the Frederick Keys vs Wilmington, DE game this past Thursday, June 27 at NYMEO Field At Harry Grove Stadium.
Chasity Vain was crowned Miss Gay Maryland America on April 13 at the Horseshoe Casino. She will go on to compete with nearly 50 contestants from across the country for the coveted Miss Gay America crown in St. Louis this October.
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.
Below are photos from the game. Pictured are Miss Gay Maryland America 2019 Chasity Vain, Miss Gay America pageant co-owner Michael Dutzer, Frederick Keys mascot Keyote, pitcher Matthias Dietz #31, Skye and Christopher Hashemzadeh representing GLSEN Maryland (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) and Jason.
From photographer McCloud Bastidas, a few more stunning photos from Miss Gay Arizona America 2019. How GORGEOUS are our girls? Click any image to view as a slideshow.
On May 11, Phoenix queen Espressa Grande was crowned Miss Gay Arizona America 2019 at one of the Miss Gay America system's most prestigious preliminary pageants.
A spirited gal with a love of drag, family and showing us all how to be an #ElevatedYou, Espressa took a minute to answer the five questions we like to ask newly crowned MGA title-holders.
But first, as sort of an upfront bonus question, we asked Espressa Grande how she came up with her fun drag name. "Working at Starbucks was a pivotal part of my life when i was 16," she says. "I was just coming out as a gay man and navigating a life as an adult at such a young age. Grande, well, she’s definitely a large and in charge woman, henny!"
And now, a little sip and stir with Espressa Grande:
1 How did you get started, when did you first do in female impersonation?
My heart forever belongs to the stage of theatre. Theatre inspired me to take the leap into female impersonation three years ago. Also our social climate. I want to inspire new generations because after we are gone, that is who takes the reins. My drag is full of comedy and camp, but at the core ALWAYS has a message to empower and inspire.
Photo by Patrick Breen from a feature by Garrett Mitchell for AZcentral.com. See more photos of MGAA 2019 here. 2 What has being in the Miss Gay America system mean to you personally?
It means that what I am doing, being my own authentic self, is enough to show true power and excellence.
Four royal sisters came together minutes before Miss Gay New York America 2019 began this past March for this fiece photo by New York City photographer Kiet Thai @studiokiet.
L-R: Miss USofA 2018 Janet-Fierce Andrews @janetfierceandrews of Texas, Entertainer of the Year 2018 Danielle Hunter @msdaniellehunter of St. Louis, Miss Gay America 2019 Andora Te’tee @andora_official of New York City, Miss Continental 2018 Stasha Sanchez @stashasanchez of Atlanta.
See more of each on their respective Instagram pages.
