Female Impersonator Pageant MISS GAY AMERICA Returns To New York City March 19
By: Julie Musbach Mar. 18, 2019
On Tuesday, March 19, 2019, Manhattan's Copacabana nightclub will be the setting for Miss Gay New York America, a spectacular drag show benefitting the Anti-Violence Project (fights LGBT hate crime).
Miss Gay New York (along with Mr. Gay New York America) is the first of over one hundred city, state and regional preliminary Miss Gay America pageants across the country leading up to 48th annual Miss Gay America Pageant 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 competition.
The evening's theme is "Cheer," chosen by Andora to bring attention to her chosen charity, Cheer New York, an adult cheerleading team and nonprofit organization. Continuing the long tradition of doing good works, the Miss Gay America Excellence Foundation has teamed up with Cheer to raise money throughout Andora's reign for the Anti-Violence Project, the largest anti-LGBTQ violence organization in the country.
In 2017 the Excellence Foundation crowned Lady Gaga as the first ever honorary Miss Gay America and donated $5000.00 to her Born This Way Foundation.
Contestants from regional preliminaries around the state will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers). The winner will go on to compete with nearly 50 other female impersonators from across the U.S. for the Miss Gay America 2020 crown this October in St. Louis.
For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to interpret the "Cheer" cheerleader theme in their costume and look. Andora herself will be learning a cheer for the show.
Andora promises a night of Broadway quality entertainment, high emotions, higher hair, really, really big earrings-and fierce competition! "I feel like my reign has just begun, she says, "and these queens are already coming for my crown!"
Watch Andora's winning moment at Miss Gay America.
Anticipate featured performances by Andora Te'tee, Cheer New York, Mr. Gay America 2018 Judas Elliot, and ten drag superstars from across the country.
Fun Fact: The promoter behind the Miss Gay New York pageant is none other than world renowned medium, Thomas John, host of the Lifetime Television hit show, "Seatbelt Psychic."
Andora will be touring the U.S., hosting and performing at all of the state and regional prelims. Find a preliminary near you, get tickets (to attend or enter!), and check out MGAZINE (the Miss Gay America blog), at http://www.missgayamerica.com.
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: Male Interview, Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, Talent (fully produced stage production; sets, dancers, permitted), 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 Vera Wang 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.
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