Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station. MGAZINE cover photo by Andrew Blackwell.
Though cut short by a day due to the rapidly approaching Hurricane Nate, the 45th annual Miss Gay America pageant held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans from October 4 – 6 was, by all accounts, was a screaming success.
Forty-one contestants from across the U.S. traveled to the Big Easy to compete, many with dressers, make-up artists, back-up dancers, and trailers full of sets and props in tow. For three days a panel of five judges in four categories judged the contestants: Male Interview, Presentation (in outfits to reflect this year’s “Le Cirque MGA” theme), Evening Gown and Talent (big production number).
By the final night, the competition was down to the top ten, out of which an elite group of five titleholders were chosen. The top then each put on dynamite Las Vega’s style floorshow numbers–all to a thunderous, standing ovations from the audience–followed by the Evening Gown completion, after which the top five were announced. Following On-Stage Interview and a final performance by Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, the winners were announced.
Herewith the Miss Gay America 2018 titleholders:
Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station (Columbus, OH)
Miss Gay America 2018 First Alternate Brooke Lynn Hytes (Nashville, TN)
Miss Gay America 2018 Second Alternate Kelly Ray (Durham, NC)
Miss Gay America 2018 Third Alternate Dessie Love Blake (Houston, TX)
Miss Gay America 2018 Fourth Alternate Mary Nolan (Columbus, OH)
Now, meet your newly crowned Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station, as she answer 7 quick questions:
Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station. Photo by BjKj Illusions
1 How did you get started, when did you first do in female impersonation?
I actually started female impersonation much later in life than most. I had always enjoyed watching, and had danced in pageants for many queens, but my work schedule was evenings and weekends with a lot of travel, so I didn’t have the proper time to commit to performing.
Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station "Talent" category competition performance.
Photo by Deejers Designs
2 What has being in the Miss Gay America system meant to you personally?
My time in the Miss Gay America system has literally changed my life. I have made lifelong friends that I travel to see all over the U.S. for shows and just to visit, spend time with. I’ve learned so much from studying and talking to other contestants; they, along with the formers, have become role models and teachers. My drag esthetic has changed dramatically. I have learned to believe in myself more than I ever thought possible. I competed at Miss Gay America six years in a row and won my seventh try.
Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong and Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station.
Photo by BjKj Illusions
3 How have you benefited from competing in the Miss Gay America system?
My benefits from the America system are many. I first competed at Miss Gay Ohio America having only done drag three times. I had no idea about painting my face, styling hair, or even putting together a winning package. Through the years my makeup went from “Halloween” to “pageant.” I learned how and why a talent is successful and why the execution is important. I learned that studying sub-categories taught me attention to detail, which, in turn made me a better queen on every level. You also learn how to market yourself, time management, and the importance of organization, all enhancing both my drag and my personal life.
Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station "Talent" category competition ensemble.
Photo by BjKj Illusions
4 Is your family supportive?
Sadly my family is not supportive, but the great thing about drag and our community in general is that we surround ourselves with people who become our surrogate family.
Photo by BjKj Illusions
5 What is your life out of drag? I try very hard to keep drag and my personal life very separated.
It’s easy to get lost in your character which is a nice break from reality, but its also nice to have that privacy. My husband also enjoys the separation, he doesn’t necessarily want to go on a dinner date with Deva, she draws total focus. Deva is this fantastic character I get to create and drive in any direction I choose. It’s like living your ultimate fantasy. I mean, I get to spend a year as Miss Gay America! How incredible is that?
Miss Gay America top ten contestants. Photo by BJKJ Illusions
In my two big yearly production shows I always do a final number where all tips go to my charity of choice, Camp Sunrise! This is a camp in Ohio for kids infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Usually someone in the audience offers to match the tip amount, and I end up happily handing Camp Sunrise a nice donation.
The camp provides a safe place, events, housing, and meals. It’s remarkable and humbling. Each time I have visited the camp and spent time with campers and counselors I am inspired to do better, to be better. Our world is a fragile place right now, knowing that people are selflessly helping others is something I want be a part of and hugely important to me.
My goal is to raise $15,000.00 by end of my reign, and present a check for that amount to Camp Sunrise when I do my step-down next October.
The winning moment with former Miss Gay Heart of America 2017 First Alternate, now Miss Gay America 2018 First Alternate Brooke Lynn Hytes and former Miss Gay Heart of America 2017, now Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station.
Photo by BjKj Illusions
7 How did you choose your drag name?
The drag name Deva Station, actually came from me going through a really tough time in my life. I needed a place to get away, hide, become someone else while my head cleared. The fact that life events can be devastating and cause you to almost lose hope, I wanted to take the power out of the word “devastated” and turn it to a positive. The irony is that Deva Station made me a stronger and more successful human than I ever knew I could be. •
Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station with Miss Gay America owners
Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman.
Photo by BjKj Illusions
If you live in the Columbus area or are visiting, you can catch Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station Fridays at Boscoe’s and Saturdays at Cavan Irish Pub.
On Friday, October 20, Boscoe’s will be presenting Deva Station’s Homecoming, A Miss Gay America 2018 event featuring the top 5 contestants from Miss Gay America 2018 including Dessie Love-Blake (Miss Gay Northeast America 2017), Kelly Ray Shelton (Miss Gay New York 2017), Mary Nolan (Miss Gay Northeast America 2017 First Alternate), Brooke Lynn Hytes (Miss Gay America 2018 First Alternate/Miss Gay Heart of America 2017 First Alternate), and of course Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station!!!! Showtime at 10:30!
Media Contact: Andy Reynolds at Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
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