Reflecting on a Drag Pageant

My Journey Through the America’s King Pageant: Learning, Growth, and Gratitude

Last week, I competed in the America’s King Pageant, and wow, what an incredible experience! From the moment I committed to the competition to the final day, I went through a whirlwind of emotions, challenges, and triumphs. Now that I’ve had time to reflect, I’m filled with a sense of pride and gratitude for everything I’ve learned and the people who supported me.

The pageant itself was broken down into four main categories: Interview, Presentation, Talent, and Fashion, with a final On-Stage Q&A for the top five contestants. Although I didn’t make the top five this time around, I’m completely okay with that—it was my first pageant, and I walked away with more than just a title. I left with knowledge, connections, and a renewed sense of purpose for my drag career.

Preparation Stress and Personal Challenges

Going into the pageant, I was beyond stressed. To add to the pressure, I quit smoking about two months before the event and gained around 20 pounds after my costumes had already been fitted! It’s funny to look back on now, but in the moment, I was feeling the stress of both physical and mental changes. I’ve also seen firsthand that some people can pour thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars into pageant prep. But if you’re like me and don’t have that kind of financial cushion, don’t be discouraged! You have resources, and creativity is your best friend.

I managed to raise around $2,400 through a combination of two benefit drag shows (one solo and one shared with my drag family member Venus) and online fundraising. I also took as many tip spots and open stages as possible to save up, though I did make the mistake of taking gigs out of town, where all my earnings went to gas! Lesson learned. I saved money by working closely with my friend Jane, who donated her time to help create my costumes, and I reused a suit, adding stones to freshen it up. My drag mother helped choreograph my talent number after I mixed my music and put together a video using a program that cost around $100. A lot of work, but totally worth it!

The Pageant Experience: From Interview to Campy Superhero

While I didn’t make the top five (I placed 6th), I walked away with so much knowledge that will make me a stronger competitor next time. Here’s a breakdown of how I fared in each category and the lessons I learned:

Interview
This was my weakest category. I suffer from generalized anxiety disorder and ADHD, and being put on the spot is tough for me. The nerves got the best of me, but I’m grateful for the feedback from the judges and can’t wait to work on this area. I plan to lean on the community, my friends and mentors for tips and tricks to improve. One of the judges even said that he relates and will be able to help me to improve!

Talent
My absolute favorite category! I’m incredibly proud of the number I created with the help of my friends and drag family. Transitioning out of the military has been a challenging and emotional process, and this pageant helped me channel those feelings into my performance. I repurposed a military uniform, dyed it, and spent hours stoning it with my friends. I performed an emotional number in front of a video I made, telling the story of my journey from military life to drag. I also made the video match the superhero theme, just to add a little flair. While the judges gave me some helpful critiques, like polishing my performance and costume and possibly adding backup dancers, I’m excited to refine it further. I also learned the importance of focusing on the judges more than the crowd—another valuable lesson for next time.

Fashion
My fashion look was inspired by Captain America, tying into the superhero theme and my military theme, with my current rank symbol stoned onto the back of my jacket. I strutted in a suit that was completely redesigned with sequins and rhinestones by Jane. The suit featured a leather male corset, which was absolutely stunning. However, I made a few technical errors, like sewing glass beads that caused the jacket to wrinkle and not lay flat. And those 20 pounds I gained? Yeah, they made the pants a little tighter than intended! But hey, these little things are lessons, and I’m better prepared for next time.

Presentation
Day three wrapped up with a campy and fun presentation look, where I felt most at home in my drag persona. I strutted across the stage dressed as a large superhero maxipad and announced myself with a catchy tagline. My friend Josh helped me with the concept and my drag mother helped me with the performance while my friend Jane helped me to make the costume and Ben helped me get dressed. This entire package was a reflection of my entire community. This category was pure joy for me, and it helped me rediscover who I am as a performer. This is the energy I want to keep embracing in my drag career.

Doing It on a Budget

It’s important for anyone considering competing in a pageant like this to know that it can be done on a budget—but it’s not easy. I figured my total expenses to be around $4,500, and though I raised a lot of money through benefit shows and online fundraisers, there’s always room for improvement. My promoter covered half of my hotel room, I saved on costume expenses with Jane’s help, and I had a fantastic friend, Ben, who came along as my dresser. I’ll be keeping better track of my spending next time and finding new ways to cut back while still pushing for quality.

The True Value: Growth, Networking, and Fun

In the end, this pageant wasn’t just about competing—it was about growth, learning, and making lasting connections. I met so many talented and kind entertainers from across the country who showed me new perspectives on drag. They’ve inspired me to incorporate different styles and techniques into my own performances. I also gained valuable friendships and feedback from the judges that will help me continue growing as a performer.

Challenging myself

I challenged myself to channel a different personality with each category. During fashion I was an overly confident and sassy b*tch. Talent I channeled a theatrical, expressive, and emotional drama king with a strong message. My presentation was my favorite, a goofy camp king with nerd energy. I found out where I shine and where I am comfortable. I am so excited to see where I go from here.

More than anything, this experience reminded me that it’s not about winning or taking the crown (though, let’s be honest, that would be nice). It’s about becoming the best version of myself, learning from others, and continuing to build a platform that gives a voice to marginalized and oppressed communities. A title would definitely help in those efforts, but it’s not the end goal. I’m here for the journey—and I’m ready to keep going.

Reflections on the America's King Pageant: A Journey Filled with Gratitude

The America’s King Pageant was an unforgettable experience, and I’m still buzzing with excitement and gratitude for all that I gained from it. One of the best parts of this journey was the opportunity to meet and connect with so many incredible drag artists and creatives from all over the country. I had a blast getting to know the other contestants, sharing laughs, and learning from each other’s unique approaches to drag. It was inspiring to be surrounded by such immense talent, passion, and creativity as part of the America’s King class of 2024.

This was a journey that pushed me beyond my limits, tested my creativity, and reminded me of the deep support I have around me and the support that I have gained from an entirely new group of artists. From the moment I committed to competing to the moment I stood on that stage, I was constantly filled with a sense of gratitude for the people who stood by me and helped me bring my vision to life.

First and foremost, I have to give a huge thanks to my friends, family, and community. Winning the presentation category was a dream come true, but it wasn't a solo victory. Josh’s brilliant idea for the subject, Flo’s guidance on how to present it, and Jane’s unmatched costume design made this a true collaborative effort. I was involved in every part of my package, but together we built something that went beyond just me. It was a representation of the love and support I’ve been lucky enough to receive.

The people in my corner deserve more than just a mention—they deserve my deepest appreciation. My sponsors, thank you for believing in me and giving me the resources to compete. Indiana promoters, your adoption and unwavering support and presence at the pageant meant the world to me, especially when I was confused and worried about what to expect.

I want to give a special shoutout to Lacey and everyone who helped me financially along the way. Your contributions allowed me to focus on perfecting my craft while reducing some of the financial pressure. I am endlessly grateful for your generosity and belief in my journey.

Special thanks to the Cooch Crew! Ben and Asha, you both came through when I needed it most. Marina and Aimee, you poured your time into helping me perfect the costume, and it sparkled all the more because of your efforts. And to Ben, thank you for being my dresser and handling everything with ease and grace—you kept me calm and on point.

I owe so much to my drag mother, Miss Flo NoMo'. You’ve helped me grow into a king capable of competing at a national level, and I’m forever grateful for your guidance and belief in me. Thank you for shaping me into the performer I am today.

I also want to express my deep appreciation for the judges and the invaluable feedback they provided. Their insights have already sparked so many ideas on how I can continue to grow, challenge myself, and elevate my drag to new heights. I sincerely respect their drag and was excited to meet two of the talented kings that I had seen and followed on social media – Oliver Woodstock and Damian Matrix. Hearing their perspectives has filled me with motivation, and I’m eager to put their advice into practice. I also absolutely appreciate the pageant professionals, male entertainers, and drag queens that I had learned from and that judged this pageant. I have learned so much from the queens and pageant promoters in my life. Early on in my drag career I was told that I wouldn’t be able to learn from a queen, but I think that it is pretty obvious that I have learned from entertainers of all gender expressions. I love the camp queen look and try to capture that in a more masculine vibe as a king. Mystique Summers has looks and expressions that I would love to emulate in my own way, and Ruby Scott was stunning and demur. Brenda Quayle put my mind at ease a bit by sharing some of her experience and expertise with pageantry and I am excited to hear more from her when I reach out. Khamillion Adonis Dickerson Dartanyan was a queen that I didn’t have the chance to get to know very well, but her feedback was so helpful! Then there was Suki Lee, a male entertainer, that had great feedback and incredible performances. That man is very talented! This pageant reminded me that there’s always room for growth, and I’m excited to embark on this next phase of improvement with a renewed sense of purpose.

Networking with drag artists from across the country wasn’t just beneficial—it was downright fun! We had the chance to exchange ideas, talk shop, and share our unique experiences from different regions. I am so inspired by the drag king Axel Andrews, from Florida. He is a drag king that also lives as a male out of drag and was assigned male at birth. This is one of the things that America’s King had made it a point to embrace, and I feel so lucky to have met some incredible performers of all genders, this pageant felt very inclusive, and I am grateful and honored to have shared the stage with performers as talented as those that graced the stage last week. The connections I made will undoubtedly help me develop as both an artist and a performer, and I’m grateful to have met such a diverse and inspiring group of people.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Eclectic Designs by Jane. The fashion and presentation costumes you helped me build were simply breathtaking. Every detail was immaculate, and your hard work was reflected in every stitch. Your talent brought my ideas to life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

This pageant experience has been about more than just competing—it’s been a reminder of how fortunate I am to have such an incredible community behind me. I am filled with gratitude for every person who helped me along the way. This victory isn’t mine alone; it belongs to all of you who lifted me up. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here’s to many more unforgettable moments ahead!

This pageant was not only a competitive experience but also an enriching one that has left me with a sense of community and a renewed commitment to pushing my drag even further. Thank you to everyone involved for making it so special—this is only the beginning!