Victoria's Voice

Greetings my friends... I am so excited to be in production rehearsal for Miss Gay America 2010. I cannot believe the time has already arrived! The feeling is bitter sweet in a way I can’t describe- not traveling every week to amazing places all over the USA, not getting “dolled” up every weekend to partake in stunning shows, but on the other hand, I am excited about joining the sisterhood of the former “Miss Gay Americas” and supporting the contestants as they fulfill their dreams of becoming Miss Gay America. In my experience of being MGA I find myself so emotional sitting alongside the judges watching the girls compete, while in my head I’m thinking “this was me for the past eight years”! It is mind boggling to experience the full circle of winning and fulfilling the duties of being the Symbol of Excellence. Although my reign is not over, I have grown so much already as a person, performer and an administrator and if my last months are as beautiful as the past I will be ecstatic for life! I look forward to learning and growing more and more each day as I complete my journey.

July started off with a bang-no pun intended! I was back in St. Louis for Miss Gay Mid-West. What a great contest it was! I got to spend quality time with Miss Alana Steel and finally got the chance to bond with her. We had a great time laughing and carrying on about everything! It was a pure joy spending the evening with her. She had a wonderful step down and I wish her all the luck in whatever comes her way. The promoter of the pageant, Joe Bradley and I have known each other for years now. He is so dedicated to the art of female impersonation and is a staple in the MGA system. I would like to take a moment to thank him for all he has done; he has been there many times with words of encouragement and sends special cards year round-thank you for being a truly treasured friend! The pageant was nothing short of entertaining- Summer Breeze, Kitty Litter and Jade Sinclair fought it out to the last minute. The judges were Kirk Nelson, Dominique Sanchez, Keith Moore, Erika Leigh Foster and the owner of The Complex, Howard Meyer. Thanks to all of you for being so great at what you do, it was a pleasure working with you all, especially with Howard for opening up his bar for Miss Gay Midwest! It was wonderful to get the opportunity to work with formers Melinda Ryder, Dieta Pepsi and Vicki Valentino. Special congratulations to Jade Sinclair for capturing the title and Kitty Litter First Alt.-welcome back to the MGA system Kitty!

Just a couple of days later I arrived in PA for Miss Gay Pennsylvania 2009. WOW is all I have to say. I was so impressed with this state as well as the pageant. The kindness overflowed from the time I arrived to the time I left. It was so nice to see the true love of our art form! The line-up was endless with professional and passionate Formers including Tequila Daniels, Kitty Mame Dietrick, Lequitcha Rodriguez, Poison, Morgan Wells, Rebbecca Finn and Joanna Blunt. Also in attendance was MGA 2006 Nichole DuBois, MGA 1998 Maya Montana and Tatiyanna Voche. The weekend was full of fun and entertainment. The pageant was held at Club Liquid; the owners Tim and Jeff could not be any more on the top of their game. They were so sweet and worked their behinds off- I don’t think they ever stopped, but they made sure that everything was at its best. Thanks for allowing the festivities in your club; it would be a true honor to get to come back. The pageant was loaded with contestants with the dream of becoming MGPA. Bianca De Monet, Shatara, Jamayka Stephyns, Desiree, Sofonda Cox, Scarlet Feva, Aurora Fontaine, Electra Fearce St. James, Ashley Lynn, Salsa Caliente, Lady Tabitha, Madelyne DeDa, Guadalope Del Fuego and Angelica were team players all weekend long, I was blessed to have met them all!  To Vicki Dominatrix- it was so nice getting to know you! Keep the faith and follow your dreams, you are a wonderful person. One person I am saving for last and that is Miss Michelle Leigh Sterling the Promoter of MGPA. I was so impressed with how she has taken this prelim and made it what it is today- it was nothing short of FABULOUS! The contestants, formers as well as spectators have nothing but exquisite things to say about Miss Michelle and you can add me to that list! We are so lucky to have wonderful promoters that are not focused on their own success but the success of others. I was grateful that I got to work with Michelle and would like to thank her for the inspiration she gave me. Thanks for everything (earrings too) you are truly a chapter in my book! Congratulations to Electra Fearce St.James for capturing the title her first time and to Aurora Fontaine First Alt. I wish you both the best of luck at Nationals!

So I'm now in the middle of the month wondering where the time went, and still cannot give you an answer. I found myself arriving in Columbus, Ohio for Miss Gay Ohio. My plane had been delayed for a bit and I was missing the annual formers dinner but I did finally arrive (in style of course). I knew from the moment I walked in the door that this would be a trip I would never forget. I was presented with a cup when I arrived that was hot pink and said “Miss Gay Ohio” on one side and on the other “Victoria DePaula”- how cute it is and the contents in it were delicious too (LOL)!  Aron and Nick hosted the party, as of course, the promoters. After the party they took me on a tour of the night life. I must say how impressed I was with the city as well as the gay lifestyle- who would have thought Columbus would be a Mecca for everything! The pageant up to this point has been the largest contestant base yet. Bella Dolce, Mercedes Marie Anderson, Honey Below, Rhoda Horse, Maquaila Jaa, Holly Below, Brionna Brooks, Elegance Black Lourdes, Delta Blake, Erica LaRue, Natasha Styles, Madison Avenue, Daray Lorez, Zena Kay Diamonte, Bitsy Spider, Symphony Alexander, Rachel Torrez-Kolbe and Destiny Fate were vying for the job of Miss Gay Ohio and it was close! They gave the judges a run for their money. Lita Mannon, Nina West, Alex Morgan, Trisha Hart and Virginia West were right on with what they were looking for- it was an amazing panel. A special thank you to Nina West, National Entertainer of the year for supporting our system, it was more than everything getting to know you! The pageant was full of events from start to finish with catered lunches, the review show and a fabulous party at former MGOA Miss Sonja Ross' house. There were also other formers I had the pleasure of befriending-Melissa Ross, Erika Evans, Heather Lane, Tiffany Taylor, Paige Passion, Sashay Lorez, Erica Rae O'Hara, Vivi Velure, Jade and Darah Landon. Let’s not forget the newest former… Hellin Bed! She is a breath of fresh air- love you gal!  The pageant was held at Axis and it was truly amazing. Thanks to the staff for all of your efforts in making a successful event, thanks also goes to Maria and my newest girls Tonya and Christina. Also to Aron and Tiffany thanks for all of your help over the years and for making me feel so welcomed in your city- you are truly what makes me proud to be MGA! Last but not least, congratulations to Symphony Alexander Love for capturing your dream and to Brionna Brooks for letting the kids have it! Can’t wait to see you both at Nationals!

So the time passed right by and here I am at the end of July with one more pageant to finish before August hits full force. This pageant has a special place in my heart because it is my home state! Being a former Miss Gay Missouri and getting the honor to walk the stage as Miss Gay America was a feeling I will forever hold in my heart. I realized that many people have reached for their dreams but for some reason or another it hasn’t happened for them yet. I stand before you as a truly blessed person who is so thankful and honored to have had my dreams become reality. As I arrived in Springfield, MO I was thinking back to the year that I competed and how much that year prepared me for MGA. I guess our state is one of the lucky ones, because for the last several years it has been the largest prelim in the MGA system. With that said, it gives the winner a chance to experience what MGA would be like but on a smaller scale. Without this endeavor I feel like I would not be where I am today, so my heart lies deep with this contest! The pageant was packed with twenty five contestants striving to be MGM. Scarlett Rivers, Kimi Laurel, Dayonna Hilton, Adara Starr, Mariah Candy,Deja Brooks, Tajma Stetson, Victoria Von Dutch, Crystal Lace, Bianca Bliss, Kate Spade, Noel Winters, Kyla Breeze, Chocolate DeMornay, Devon Blaine, LaDreama Funn, Valari Knyte, Adaria Andrews, Tasha Romaine, Musica Malone, Trixie Larue, Bianca Hilton, Nikki Stevens, Dee Dee Cupps and Erica Foxx, all made me very proud and glad that I had already won so I would not have to compete against these talented and fierce ladies! LOL! It was so wonderful to have my mother with me the entire weekend, along with my best friend Eddie and good friend John. Sparkle Iman, Melinda Ryder Sasha Nicole, Athena Voche, Jade Sinclair, Loretta Martin and Promoter Tumara Mahorning… all embraced our friendship and I cherish the bond between us- it was a beautiful experience. I would like to thank the judges Terry Eason, Desiree DeMornay, Nicole DuBois MGA2006, Sasha Nichole and Loretta Martin for taking the time to select our next symbol. To Tumara- I don't even know where to begin. You have done so much for me over these last few years that I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you! You are truly a driving force that inspires me to always be my best. I could not ever ask for a better person to have come into my life. Thank you for all that you do and for the beautiful portrait that now hangs in my home, the jewelry, crowns and our beautiful duet dresses. You and your family have been so instrumental in my personal success and I thank you from the bottom of my heart, your pageant is a complete reflection of you! You should definitely be proud of what you bring to the table because I am surely proud of you! The MGA system has been graced with a valuable asset and that is you!  Congratulations to Miss Gay Missouri 2009 Erica Foxx and 1^st alternate Tajma Stetson, both on the way to MGA!

From the desk of Larry & Terry
  

                The Newbies…  

Wow…is it the end of July already? Where did the month go? It seems like just as soon as we were being invaded by family members, for a nice 4^th of July celebration, it was then time to write this article, at the conclusion of the month. But in between, we managed to remain very busy with our day jobs, and make a few more arrangements towards the Miss Gay America 2010 pageant in St. Louis , which, by the way, has promise to be one of the best Miss Gay America pageants, to date.

We were fortunate enough to attend the Miss Gay Ohio America pageant in Columbus , Ohio . We never knew that the gay community of Columbus was so large and what seemed to be unified in so many areas. The City was beautiful and to see such a large area of gay owned businesses and restaurants was incredible. This City (and State) has something to offer any female impersonator as each of the “big four” are represented and supported in this state. We received the “red carpet” treatment the entire weekend and we thank all who worked so hard to make our weekend so enjoyable. It seems as though the America system has the bulk of the support, which could be yet another reason why our experience was so great. Club Axis was incredible from start to finish, and their staff was there to make sure that this contest ran smoothly…thanks to all who contributed to making this such a well run and smooth contest. Aron and Nick, your professionalism and dedication to your business was exceptional, before even beyond that, your heart and passion into your state contest, makes winning Miss Gay Ohio America something meaningful and worthwhile. The formers were very instrumental in seeing the success of this contest as well.. This pageant has seen significant improvement since Aron and Nick became promoters and they truly deserve the recognition they have received in this Newsletter, from both L & T and Miss Gay America 2009 Victoria DePaula. Congratulations on an incredible contest! Kudos to Symphony Alexander Love (Miss Gay Ohio America 2009) and Brionna Brooks (1^st alternate)…you both are examples that consistency is the key to success. We look forward to seeing you again, at the nationals in St. Louis .

Then, as soon as we returned home, from Ohio , we unpacked, just to pack again, in order to head to Springfield , Missouri , for the Miss Gay Missouri America pageant. This contest was also well managed. Joie Dimercurio, in past, has done an incredible job maintaining the standards of excellence, and this year was no exception. It is no secret why this country thinks that the Miss Gay Missouri America pageant is among the elite in state pageantry. From start to finish, this contest was efficient and smooth. The assistance from the formers is better than most and this contest has a strong support system in being the leading State contest. Martha’s Vineyard was a great venue for preliminary night competition and is one of the best kept secrets in the mid-west. If ever in the Springfield area, you should stop by Martha’s Vineyard to experience first hand, the incredible support that they provide to the art of female impersonation. Congratulations to Erica Foxx (Miss Gay Missouri America 2009) and Tajma Stetson (1^st alternate to Miss Gay Missouri America 2009). We look forward to seeing you both at the Miss Gay America 2010 pageant, at the end of October. You are also shining examples that consistency is key and attention to detail is crucial to scoring well.  

In attending the Ohio and Missouri pageant this month, we were simply amazed at the talent of the new comers (newbies). The  newbies have really been coached and it is obvious that the city preliminary promoters are investing lots of time into their contestants. The newbies are prepared in every category. The most common mistake that we see is that minor things are sometimes overlooked, which accumulate, in terms of point deduction. Our greatest advice to the newbies is that the attention to detail is key, in EVERY category. More often than not, consistency wins and most often when someone wins by being consistently good in each category, they have invested attention to detail. “Giving away” points to the competitors, is usually a result of the lack of attention to detail. We witnesses first hand, small things that were overlooked, that certainly affected the placement of the contestants.  Some contestants were very worthy of making the Top 10 or the Top 5, but the smaller things is what kept them from doing so…  We encourage each contestant to take a deep look at the subcategories and all the detail that can make or break each subcategory score. If you have a competition package that is classy, talented, has a nice look and is not full of minor flaws, you will likely score well. Kudos! to each of the city preliminary promoters who have coached their contestants, (which is obvious) especially with the newbies. It is all about being prepared for competition… Preparedness combined with talent that is seen by the judges as being “entertaining”, plus a nice look in gown, added to intelligence and a good ability to communicate in interview will have positive results.

It is humbling to see the contestants desire to win their preliminaries and to want to be the next Miss Gay America and it is an honor to continue to provide a venue for these entertainers to be recognized, for being exceptional in their craft. Equally humbling is seeing the promoters invest their hard earned dollars and energy into their contest… The pride of both the contestant and the promoters is evidence of what this pageant system means to them and to the community. We appreciate the efforts of all involved and daily recognize that without the dedication and hard work of the contestants, promoters and supporters, there clearly would be no Miss Gay America pageant system.

Until Next Time!  
Larry and Terry

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