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June 2007 Edition Of
"The Excellence"
 The "L" Word! (L for Love, L for Life and L for
Luscious)
Hello
Friends,
I
was blessed with safe and successful travels to 2 regional prelims in May.
The first took me to
Omaha
,
Nebraska
for Miss Gay Heart of
America
on May 6th. Held at the Max in Downtown Omaha, I congratulate Cocktail
Entertainment on a 5 star event. The venue of the competition was
immaculate. You'd have to see it to believe it. The staff was
equally exceptional and were there at every beckoning call. Thank you for
making all of us queens feel important in your club. There were 2
contestants that rightfully earned their tickets to Miss Gay America 2008.
It is with pleasure that I list 2 of the sweetest and most humble contestants
I've met all year. Miss Heart of America 2007, Sasha Nicole and 1st
alternate, Chacha Chalez.
Here's a shout out to the showcast at the "Q" nightclub in
Nebraska
as well. I had an awesome time there on the 5th. Hit me up, I'd
love to come back there soon. Thank you Victoria DePaula for helping me
keep the pieces of the puzzle together during your give up… great
administration on your part.
On
May 27th, I joined Coti Collins at the Deerpark Lodge in
Boonesboro
,
MD
for her sentimental give up as Miss Gay East Coast
America
. 5 great contestants, 5 Miss Gay America's in the house to perform to a
sold out venue. Great job Brian Alexander... Each prelim I get to
has been like a mini Miss Gay America revue! I love it.
You promoters are really pulling out all of the stops. What I like most
about going to this neck of the woods is that each of the promoters in this area
supports each other. The state and regional titleholders all lend a
helping hand to make sure entertainment is locked and the contestants are well
equipped with dressers and prop handlers. I love it!!!! Congratulations
Ashley Bannks on a well deserved win and congratulations to Chantel Reshae her
1st alternate. They will make an incredible team at Nationals in
October. Thank you to the Deerpark Staff for having sooooo many cute guys
there in the audience and also for helping make my birthday a special one away
from home! I found my new ex-husband up there this past weekend. He
know's who he is!!!
Mark
your calendars girls, this month will hold at least 3 regional prelims.
Miss
Gay
DC
June 2, 2007
(
Washington
,
DC
)
Miss
Gay
Mississippi
June 9, 2007
(
Hattiesburg
,
MS
)
Miss
Gay Smoky Mountain June 24,2007
(
Knoxville
,
TN
)
In
addition, my tours will take me to the following cities this month.
Come check me out!
Meridian
,
MS
6-8-07
Raleigh
,
NC
6-15-07
Little Rock
,
AR
6-16 and 6-17-07
Wilmington
,
NC
6-29-07
Gastonia
,
NC
6-30-07
For
those of you that don't know, I celebrated my birthday on 5-28-07 (Memorial Day
this year). It was a bittersweet birthday for me, because I remember at
one point in the airport they stopped all of the announcements and said they'd
like to take a moment to show respect! You know, with my egotistical self,
I thought they were talking about my birthday....lol but they were,
indeed, talking about a moment for all of our troops both past and
present. I think I personally have become paralyzed to the news in regards
to our soldiers, who are fighting "the long fight"! You know how
you hear soooo much of 1 particular song (i.e. last dance, or anything
by Beyonce) and you're like, I just don't wanna hear it anymore. I
regret to admit, that I had gotten that way about hearing about the War on
Terror. While, I know that Memorial Day isn't specifically related to our
current war, it's a war that we are living through today. I heard a
contestant in interview say that he was once in the military. I began to
think to myself, gosh, here is one of our own that could have been sent off to
fight in this long fight! But I was, also, in a show at my home
bar recently, and our emcee brought a friend on stage and introduced him
to an exhausted audience. The emcee also allowed the gentleman (who
was definitely boyfriend material and gay) to tell his story and he revealed
that he was going to be going to
Iraq
. Even the restless, audience sobered up for a few seconds to give this
young man his respect and a standing ovation and they toasted to him a safe
journey to and from. Here is my personal shout out to any of you in our
community that may have served a tour of duty or has someone close that is/has
served. Thank them for me!
Congratulations
to Miss Gay America 2006, Nicole Dubois for placing 1st alternate to Miss Gay
USofA Classic last week.
Also
Congrats to Miss Gay America 2003, Dominique Sanchez for placing 2nd alternate
to Miss Gay US of A last week. You both made us proud!
When
I did the national walk at USofA, I felt proud to wear the Miss Gay America
crown. It made me feel even better to hear the patrons of the pageant
applaud as I showcased the crown and represented all of you that believe in our
system. In addition, I would like to touch on this one thought. The
US of A staff and titleholders all made me feel very welcome all weekend
long. They made me feel as if I was one of their very own. They all
thanked me for coming to watch and support their system and made sure that I
felt comfortable the entire time. I would like to extend that same
courtesy to each of the other systems as we invite them for our National Walk in
October. I was approached by so many people I'd seen pictures of and had
only heard their names in conversation. Many of them even told me that
they'd be there to support me during my step-down. Mind you, many vowed
never to be involved with the MGA system ever again years ago… This
means the world to me, personally. So I ask, does that mean we're slowing
turning the system around and rebuilding our ranks? What can we do to
assure that this positively continues? Hit me up! LusciousMGA2007@aol.com
Hot
Performance List
1. Fantasia -
When I See You
2. Amerie - Take Control
3. Miki Howard - Love Under New Management
Until next
time,
Luscious
 From the desk of Larry & Terry
The Risk In
Competition……….
We recently were watching the Miss Universe pageant on television, more
particularly, the Evening Gown Competition when to our surprise, the reigning
Miss U S A, fell on stage, during the competition. We are not certain which was
a bigger shock, the fact that she fell on-stage (which by the way, was the worst
competition fall we have witnessed to date) or the fact that she still made Top
5. This too is an example that sometimes, during competition, things can happen,
that can make or break the placement of the contestant. For this reason,
contestants are again urged to be prepared… rehearse walking in your gown,
including maneuvering a train. When situations, such as this occurs, hearts ache
to see this happen to a contestant, but a lot of the circumstance, could have
been avoided with better preparation for the category…. The unknown is what
makes competition so exciting… All have a level playing field, at the
beginning of each contest, and the outcome is up to the contestant, based on
their category presentations. This
is why we all have our expectations, of who has potential to score well at
competition, but in many cases, those who we expect to score well, might not
score well, sometimes because of the lack of preparedness and complacency of
doing well based on prior history… It is imperative that the contestants stay
“on top of their game”, and not take any category for granted. This new
generation of competitors is stronger than before and they are proving that they
can upset the veterans….
It is hard to believe that there are only five and one-half months, until the
Miss Gay America 2008 pageant. This is always a very exciting time of the year,
as we watch entertainers grow, both on stage and off stage, in their efforts to
become the next Miss Gay America. Then, once the judges have made their
selection, our work begins, in molding the next Miss Gay America, to be what we
think they need to be in order to better serve as the national representative of
this pageant system. There will always be obstacles for all involved, but we
always cling to our hope that when it is all said and done and the crown is
placed on the head of the new Miss Gay America, that we can
look back on our year and say that, “it was a good thing to do”…
Until
next time……
Larry and
Terry
From A
Former…
by Vicki
Vincent-Miss Gay America 1989
 Greetings
to everyone! Wow, it is hard to believe that we are already five months into
2007, and the height of the pageant season is upon us.
I would like to express my
sincere gratitude to L & T Entertainment, for believing in me and my
promotional efforts, as a former Miss Gay America. I am thrilled to once again
take part in the year’s national pageant, as well as numerous preliminaries.
When I was asked if I would
be interested in writing an article for “The Excellence Newsletter”, my
initial response was, “who me?”. I am a bit surprised and flattered and
definitely privileged to do so. It’s a great
feeling to know that words of “so called” wisdom from days gone by can still
be inspiring and help to make an impact on up and coming female impersonators
that aspire to become Miss Gay America. Having been honored with the crow, 18
years ago, I am still overwhelmed at the blessings that just keep on coming. I
have been requested to judge, emcee, and perform at numerous preliminaries these
past couple of years. I have made so many new friendships and have
re-established may old ones, especially the Miss Gay America’s crowned since
1989, Lauren, Charity, Raquel and
Nicole. You know who you are and I love you all, a great deal.
During my
travels, I am often asked by contestants and promoters, what do I look for in a
potential Miss Gay America. I have always replied, “we all have different
values and opinions however, many things hold true in the fact that the criteria
of our system helps mold, structure and regiment those who believe in the true
art form of female impersonation. A well groomed, well dressed (both as a male
and as a female), intelligent, polite, talented and respectful individual can
become famous overnight and use our art form as an instrument to enhance our
lives and the gay community that considers us
royalty.” We are female impersonators, are vital and responsible to
those who believe that our “magic” can make a difference.
In closing,
I would like to express my love and respect to Luscious-Miss Gay America
2007…What a fantastic addition to an already wonderful family. I wish the best
of luck to all of the contestants competing for Miss Gay America this year and I
am looking forward to working with an outstanding team of promoters from all
over the country. You have helped elevate the Miss Gay America system to a much
higher level which we can all be proud of…
Thanks so much…Lots of love!
Vicki Vincent
Miss Gay America 1989
_____________________________________________________________
From A
Former…
by Raquel
Chevallier-Miss Gay America 2005
 Hello
everyone! I hope you’re enjoying
life and living it up. It’s been a
few months since my last posting of Raquel’s Reality and so much has happened.
It is so wonderful to see so many new branches growing throughout the
country with Miss Gay America. L&T
Entertainment are taking us into areas we haven’t been part of in decades!
I finally feel like I’m able to step back and take a look at “life
after MGA.” All last year, being
my first year as a former, I was almost just as busy as when I was the reigning.
Nicole and I were roommates most of last year!
And I just recently had the pleasure of having a slumber party with my
new little sister, Luscious, as we were roommates for the MGA Retreat and Miss
Tri States. This was my second
trip with her, so far. Our first
trip was an amazing one. Back in
April I had the extreme pleasure of traveling back to one of my favorite places,
Tucson
,
AZ
for Miss Western States. Danny and
Daniel have simply become part of my family.
It was so much fun with Chris, my husband, Vicki Vincent, Nicole Dubois
and Luscious!
Now that I traveled so much my first year as a former and have settled down,
back to a Monday through Friday career, I only have time to go to a few prelims,
and when I do it’s actually like a vacation for me, which is such a wonderful
feeling. Also, now that I’m not
traveling that much it’s allowing me more time to dedicate promoter time to
the Miss Gay Louisiana pageant.
My advice
to contestants….If it weren’t for years of dedication and persistence, I
would not have made these special relationships.
It simply was a journey, one that I’m still enjoying.
However, you can’t look at it as entering a pageant to, wam bam, win.
You’ve got to see the whole picture of the journey and why you choose
to dedicate yourself to learning, growing and becoming Miss Gay America.
It is through this that the judges are able to see it in you through each
category. If you want to become Miss
Gay America, you really need to carry and conduct yourself like you already are
Miss Gay America. You, being part of
the system, are already representing the Miss Gay America pageant system.
Then once you work on your pageant package, and perfect every minor
detail, you are ready to wear the crown and judges can see that.
I look
forward to seeing you throughout the year and offer you to drop me an email (RaquelChevallier@cox.net)
or give me a call, even if you just need that extra kick and boost of
confidence, because I’ve been there. Enjoy
the summer!
All my
love,
Raquel Chevallier
Miss Gay America 2005
__________________________________________________
From
the Promoters Perspective….
By
Chris Wilderman (Co-Promoter of Miss Gay Louisiana America pageant)
Miss
Gay Louisiana America is a nominee for the Miss Gay America 2007 season State
Preliminary of the Year Award
I hope this article
finds everyone well and enjoying pageant season in full swing.
I would first like to tell Miss Gay America 2007, Luscious, what a
wonderful job she is doing as the reigning MGA. I
had the privilege of watching her oversee and entertain at
Miss Gay Western States
America
in April where I was able to judge my first Regional preliminary.
Raquel and I have been preparing for the 18th year of Miss Gay
Louisiana America, this year being our 3rd promoting it.
As all you promoters know, a lot of work goes into promoting a pageant,
but after it is all over, the blood, sweat and tears all are worth it when you
see the person being crowned at the end of the night. There are three things
that we strive to do, and that’s to have the best of judges, great
entertainment and a hard working back stage crew.
I have judged several city preliminaries for Miss Gay Louisiana before Raquel
and I decided to purchase it, and judging my first regional was a very exciting
event for me. Once the pageant was over I realized how an experienced judge’s
panel is a must for a successful pageant. Each
year as Raquel and I prepare for MGLA we try to get the most qualified and
diverse panel of judges to find the one contestant who will fulfill the title
and responsibility of Miss Gay Louisiana, a role that we like to think as the
state version of MGA. Even though we
pick the most qualified judges, you as a contestant must remember that it is the
panel’s opion, should you have a totally different panel you might have a
totally different outcome for the pageant.
Each year we have the best of the best of entertainers, this includes former
MGLA and for MGA’s and when possible networking those contestants who have
qualified to compete at that year’s national competition.
The right entertainers and good advertising will increase your attendance
at your pageant. When the public
sees that you will be having the reigning MGA, some formers, and other
entertainers they will come to see what you have to offer.
A hard working
backstage crew, this is a must for me!
Your pageant will run smoothly as can be, if you have attentive people
back stage making sure the next entertainer or contestant is ready, the stage is
clean, and the dressing room is not overcrowded.
This will make it easier for you so you can focus on other things that
you need to do. A little tip as
well, this is almost always a thankless job but an important one, keep these
people happy, they can make or break your pageant.
This years Miss Gay Louisiana America will be held on August 16th and
17th in
Baton Rouge
at Splash Dance Club. Our reigning MGLA Savanna Delorean has two great nights
planned out and ready to go. Please
check out our website for more info at www.misslouisianaamerica.com.
We would love to have you to come out and see us.
In closing I would like to thank Nicole Dubois for nominating us as State
preliminary of the year, Thanks Girr! Also,
to wish each and every contestant the best of luck at nationals.
Chris Wilderman-Co-Promoter
Miss Gay Louisiana
America
2007 Season-State Preliminary of the Year Nominee
_______________________________________________________________
A Note From The Editor
The Excellence strives to be an informative newsletter delivered to the promoters,
contestants, audience and other supporters of the Miss Gay America Pageant System throughout the year. Should there be any issue or topic of discussion a promoter would like to see addressed (or to write an article to be published) in a future newsletter, please contact the editor via
Email.
Please note, any article, comments, or opinions faxed, mailed, (postal or electronics),
or otherwise sent to any of our "addresses" become our property and carry an implied consent of publication should we choose to do so. No articles will be published in which one or more of the following occurs:
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