A little over a week ago, drag queens and fans traveled from across Louisiana to Splash Nightclub in Baton Rouge to take a trip “Around the World” for the 2019 Miss Gay Louisiana America Pageant. View photos from the 2019 Miss Gay Louisiana America event on Facebook.
The Miss Gay Louisiana America Pageant System began in 1991 with Tiffany Alexander being crowned Miss Gay Louisiana America. Thirty female impersonators have been crowned since then, including Tiffany being crowned again in 1993. Ivy Dripp of New Orleans recently captured the 2019 title. Additionally, Ivy Dripp captured the Fly Fashion Glamour Award at the 2019 Gay Appreciation Awards last month.
So what is Miss Gay America all about? According to missgayamerica.com, Norman Jones (a/k/a Norma Kristie), was the first man to be crowned Miss Gay America in 1972. “Through the vision of Jerry Peak, the original owner of the Miss Gay America Pageant, Norman Jones, Miss Gay America Emeritus, not only desired to enhance the art of female illusion as a competitor but also to one day create his mark in history as a promoter of the art form.”
Norman purchased the pageant in 1975 and worked to make this the most prestigious pageant in the country. After 30 years, the pageant was sold to the current owners, Mad Angel Entertainment, and is the oldest and largest pageant system for female impersonators.
The Gay America Pageant System has nearly thirty State and Regional preliminary pageants generally held June-September. Each preliminary pageant may send the winner and first alternate to compete in the four day Miss Gay America Pageant. The Miss Gay America Pageant winners are known as the “Symbol of Excellence”, as they are required to represent professionalism and be extraordinary entertainers. This system is much like the female pageants, except all competitors are female impersonators. The pageant rules state that there can be nobody augmentation below the neck, which means contestants have to rely on breast and hip pads to give them a womanly figure.
This year, eleven contestants competed in Male Interview, Evening Gown, On-Stage Question and Answer, and Talent. The top six were selected on the first night of competition and returned for the final night of competition The winner and the first alternate will travel to St. Louis in October to compete for the title of Miss Gay America.
2019 Contestants: (Only top 4 are in placement order)
- Ivy Dripp – Miss Gay Louisiana America 2019
- Josalyn Royale – 1st Alternate
- Jinesys Sinclaire Ace – 2nd Alternate
- Ella Royale – 3rd Alternate
- Alexa Milano – Top 6
- Starr Alexander – Top 6
- Tori Taylor Alexander
- Chicka Larouxge
- Mya Shanell
- Trinity Alexander
- Karli Lacorre
Congratulations to all of the contestants in this year’s Miss Gay Louisiana America Pageant and best of luck to Ivy and Josalyn as you compete for Miss Gay American in October.
