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Miss Gay USofA 2005
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Miss Gay USofA 2005
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Kelexis Davenport and Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington are our beautiful hostesses this evening’s competition.
Layla LaRue’s opening number is “Where I Am” by Lesawn Pace. She is stunning in a black and white beaded evening gown in blocks of stripes in opposing directions. The crowd lines up to adore her and show their appreciation for a phenomenal reign.
Victoria Lace: Victoria is in blue and silver beads with aurora rhinestones throughout -- Gustavo NYC. There is a leaf design throughout in crystal and aurora stones. Her shoes are blue open toe with tiny blue bows above the toes. Her hair is smoothly styled updo. She looks comfortable and is very relaxed modeling.
Monica St. James: Monica’s gown is peach with crystal and aurora stones. The gown has flowers and pearls hanging from it. Designer is Chelsea Pearl and looks similar to a white one that Chelsea wore last night for crowning. Her hair is a short 1920s loose finger curl style. Shoes are strappy rhinestones. Modeling is smooth but somewhat hesitant.
Netasha Marques: Miss Marques is in a red and white gown. It’s red lace over a white gown with fishtail bottom. The lace is beaded and does not cover the full bottom of the fishtail, only about 2/3 but I think this is on purpose. Her shoes are white strappy with rhinestone accents. Her hair is an updo in a ball of curls.
Chandler Chubbs: Dr. Michael Linde [?] is the designer. The gown is black and made of an iridescent glitter material. She has large black cuffs and collar with rhinestone accents. Her hair is a very platinum blond updo that is very firm.
Armani: Armani is in a red and orange flowing gown. The top is a halter style that comes to a ring that closes around her neck. At the neckline is a large chiffon flower that flows over her right shoulder and down her back about halfway. The bottom is flowing chiffon with a split up the middle. Matching rhinestone jewels. Hair is smooth. Beautifully modeled as we all watch her glide gracefully around the stage.
Kofi: Kofi is in a pea green, fitted gown designed by Kofi and JD Martin. The gown is highlighted with a green leaf-like design with beads and stones that goes from right shoulder to left hip and then trails to the bottom, which it engulfs all around. Her jewels are matching rhinestone cuffs and large earrings. Her left shoulder is adorned by several matching straps that drape from her left breast over her shoulder and down to the back of the gown. Her shoes are dyed to match. Modeling was a little reserved for Kofi.
Vanessa Taylor: Vanessa is in a recognizably CoCo Vega gown of powder blue and silver. The design is similar to Sabrina White in Miss Gay America with the silver lines that come to points at the crotch, where it splits to the floor.
Justice Page Counce: Justice is wearing a gown in black and bluish-purple by Kat of Minnesota. The bottom part is in black with a glitter floral design. The halter style top is in black and purple beaded see-through lace front and back. Hair is in a chunky mountain-like style. It reminds me of the mountain that Richard Dreyfuss made in Close Encounters.
Breanna Grant: Breanna is in a red stain and beaded gown by Stephen Yearick. The reds are vertical lines in alternating beads and satin with a fishtail bottom. She is twirling and snarling [!] at the audience, who surprisingly goes up for this. I can’t tell if they are serious. Her jewels are red and crystal rhinestone.
Necole Luv Dupree: Necole is in a nude beaded and stoned gown with a deep V neckline. Her hair is in a beautiful golden color that brings out her skin tones perfectly and is styled in a beautifully done 1940s sweeping updo. The gown is flowy at the bottom and split up the middle. Some may remember this gown from Continental finals last year. Necole looks stunning and is a little tentative on stage.
Alexis Nicole Whitney: Alexis is in a very fitted pink beaded and rhinestone gown by Miss Tony’s of Houston. The bra is gathered in the middle and there is a small ruffle at the fishtail bottom. She has matching aurora stones. Her modeling is very reserved.
Monica More: Monica enters in a bright orange gown designed by herself that covers most of her body. It is adorned with aurora, crystal and red rhinestones throughout. She is wearing matching dyed shoes. Her hair is in an upsweep that leads to a pile of curls. She seemed comfortable.
Essence Zakee Iman: Essence is in an orange and silver classic and undeniable CoCo Vega. It has the Sabrina White design that leads to the middle of her waist rather than the crotch. Her gown is split up the middle. The collar, cuffs and split are accented in silver beads and crystal rhinestones. Slight slip at the front of the stage made the crowd gasp. Frederico Leone Star shoes dyed to match.
Brittany Sebastian: Brittany entered in CoCo Vega gown of leopard print, beaded and stoned, accented in chocolate beads. The neckline is a deep V to the bellybutton, revealing her cosmetic surgeon’s (but not her gym’s) work. Her hair was slightly messy and she did not seem happy to be on stage.
Taylor Madison Monroe: Taylor enters in a black and silver criss-cross style beaded gown. This gown is covered in crystal rhinestones of varying sizes. It is covered in these rhinestones. The bottom is alternating triangles of black and silver beads. The necklace is made of large alternating black and crystal stones. Hair is small and slick. The crowd was with her but her modeling was tentative and she stumbled slightly a couple of times.
[Short break]
Performances by USofA stars including Maya Douglas, Tommie Ross (Miss Tommie slayed me, doing an Eryka Badu tune pulling “luggage” with her. When the first dude got up to tip her she pulled out a matching little handbag and nodded to it. The first dollar went in and soon was filled as everyone lined up to show his/her respect. I’m sure she’ll be charged extra by her airline for an overweight bag. Kelexis tried to hold her bag for her but Tommie quickly handed her one of the “dummy” bags, not the one filled with money. Cute exchange between these two extraordinary entertainers.), Raquell Lord, and Daesha Richards. The immensely talented Layla LaRue closed out this set of special entertainment.
Sophia McIntosh is hosting the talent competition. She’s in a lovely lavender housedress with orange, pink and red flowers. She’s got her hair in a ponytail and hit this crowd running. She’s on it and bringing the contestants out fast!!!
Tersa Matthews: Large black prop with silver circle with an X in the middle. There’s a person with his/her back to us in a silver overcoat with hood. There is a space theme going on with and talkover about space. Out comes a man in black vinyl with yellow tape. Tersa is the figure in silver and turns around. She goes behind the stage. The prop leaves and Tersa stands with her back to us. The silver coat comes off and Tersa is in all blue body and face paint with red hair (clearly it wasn’t really her earlier). Her face is covered in stones. This is awesome. Two dancers pull her fingers into a long mess and pull at her in a wild manner. Then dancers enter and this number is high energy contemporary dance extravaganza. After some fantastic synchronized dance, it goes into a great short fight sequence. Tersa has this crowd on their feet. This is the way talent should start a pageant.
Lady Angelica: Judy Garland impersonation and mix. She’s small in stature like Judy and puts her whole heart into it. During the monologue section, Angelica was dead on the lip-sync. She did not miss a breath.
Victoria West: Victoria’s Barbra Streisand mix (“One More Look at You” into “Watch Closely Now”). She did this final night of Miss Classic USofA last year in St. Louis and is classic Miss West. She’s wearing a full-length black coat with black fur cuffs, collar and fishtail of black “mink.” When the tempo increases, Victoria sheds her coat to reveal a black lace over nude body suit with a corset style waist cinch. She dances.
Roxy Marquis: Props include a black velvet and brushed nickel chair in front of a set of oversized playing cards of 4 kings with a caricature of Roxy on the front. Roxy is sitting in the chair in sexy blue baby doll dress with blond baby doll curls. She is doing Gwen Stefani and is dead on the impersonation. There is a picture frame in the middle of the stage and she goes through it. The frame disappears and two dancers are there. This is the Alice in Wonderland parody. Two more dancers enter. Goes into “If I Were a Rich Girl.” Boy dancers leave, girls stay. As usual, Roxy’s talent is very well rehearsed and includes multiple elements. This time, however, it is a high energy, popping, fun, screaming, working-every-moment celebration. The chair prop turns to reveal the rapper in the song, perched on a giant mushroom. This is hot. The prop turns again to reveal the Mad Hatter serving tea to Roxy. It just keeps changing and never loses its energy level. This talent is hot!
Joy Marnier: Interesting choice: She’s doing Missy Elliot and the school set. (See Layla, circa 2003.) Her tracksuit is evidently going to rip away b/c the seams are showing velcro. Yes, it rips away to reveal a black and lime green dance outfit and boots. It’s clearly well rehearsed and would be cute if we hadn’t been served this (better) for the past three years.
Malaysia Kenyatta-Black: Person in the middle of stage in a full-length gold and black glitter overcoat. Malaysia turns to reveal herself in a matching gown underneath and she’s sitting on a chair, doing a Gladys Knight monologue (not live) over piano music. She looks stunning and lip sync is on. Song is “End of the Road.” She’s certainly putting her all into it. She “falls” on the floor for dramatic effect and a pink bra strap shows on her neckline. Maybe the judges didn’t see.
Ashlyn Tyler: There is a bed on stage with a “sick” person lying there. It’s supposed to be a bedroom, I think. Interestingly, the person who lives there has the same chair as the bar chair I’m sitting in. And the blanket is the same one on my bed in the host hotel. It’s a Misery (movie) dramatic interpretation. Lip sync sometimes is slightly off. She goes so far as doing the sledgehammer to the legs.
Deja Voo: Starts with native dance with a single male dancer and Deja. Then enter three more dancers, two female, one more male. Deja is in a large square overcoat wrap. The dancers cover her in large segments of gold and beige fabric, which then is used to simulate water/movement. We hear some Lion King music. Original dancer is slightly off the others. It turns into the disco version of LK then a ballroom dance type of dance with one of the dancers. I’m distracted by the codpiece of one of the male dancers but not for the reason you might think. It’s seems exceptionally pointy, small and floppy in that area. I am not clear. Now the music becomes Britney’s Toxic. Suddenly, it’s back into the disco Lion King for the finale.
[Break followed by special entertainment including Kitty Litter, Alexis, Kelexis, Chevelle, and Brandon.]
Layla comes out as Joan Crawford and does her full-on production with four dancers. The house goes crazy! This is the production number that put Layla on the map and the crowd is VERY appreciative.
Mokha Montrese: Mokha is alone in the middle of the stage in a full-length blue satin coat with large rhinestone “buttons.” She starts with Jennifer Holiday’s “I Am Changing.” She looks stunningly beautiful. Music change, Mokha leaves. Two male dancers enter. Mokha returns in a blue velvet dance costume accented with crystal rhinestones. The music is “Woman’s Got the Power.” She does her trademark backbend where she nearly touches the floor with her head while bending over backwards. Dancers leave and Mokha freestyles, loses earring. She does head rolls and splits. This is classic Mokha Montrese.
Mya Mokka: Solo cheerleading talent…”U-G-L-Y, You ain’t got no alibi”… into Bette’s “I’m Beautiful, Damn it.” Then goes, predictably, into “Mickey.” Followed by a bunch of stuff, including high kicks that almost touch her toes to her head.
Jennifer St. James: “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.” She has enormous hear and a full-length red satin jacket with large crystal rhinestone buttons and mirrors on the collar. The music changes quickly and two dancers enter the stage, holding Vanity Fair and Vogue with Jennifer’s face on the covers. They rip the coat from her to reveal an orange and red bugle bead dance costume with fringe around the legs and a silver and mirrored breast plate. Dancers leave, then reenter and carry her on their shoulders. Music builds with various dance tunes. Dancers spin her in mid-air. They leave and she dances alone. Dancers keep removing parts of their clothing every time they leave. They are now in mesh shirts with black fringe shorts. She danced hard. They threw her in the air repeatedly. “I Feel Good.”
Janet Andrews: Four male dancers in all white. She enters in white pants and top, trimmed in gold. She looks flawless. It’s a Destiny’s Child, high-energy talent. This is a very tightly choreographed number with lots of moves, not repetitive at all. These kids are on every turn and move. During one of the “breaths,” they surprise everyone and blow dust from their hands that came from nowhere. She turned it out and had the crowd on their feet.
Kourtni DeVayne: Billie Holliday impersonation. She’s in a gold satin gown with ruffles at the split and gold/black fringe around the bust. She’s got white satin gloves and a white feather boa. She also has large white flowers in her hair. She’s “singing” into an old fashioned radio microphone center stage. She played it Billie Holliday messed up but still beautiful.
Beyoncea Black: Native dancers, holding a animal print “fringe” curtain. She’s doing the song from Lion King. She’s dressed in a simple but colorful dress and matching turban. She brings a basket and is barefoot. Two more dancers enter. She goes behind the fringe curtain and the music builds. We can see her shedding her clothes. When the music hits, she comes through in a monkey fur bra and panty set, shakin’ her goods and dancing with the two new dancers.
Roxxy Hart: Props with checkerboard design and musical notes on bottom. She enters in a black lace over red sequin dance costume with Spanish ruffle and flair, large red roses in her hair, doing “Rhythm of the Night.” She has two male dancers, who are slightly off but very enthusiastic.
Champagne Showers: Britney Spears “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” I believe this is an impersonation. She’s in a black vinyl overcoat with black hot pants and a black hat. It’s another solo dance talent. She strips the jacket and reveals a white and black striped corset and changes into “Toxic” and “Slave 4U.” I hear a little bit of “Oops, I Did It Again” and other early Britney.
Erica Andrews is our hostess for the first part of tonight’s festivities.
Layla LaRue opens the show in a red and silver beaded gown with a red feather skirt. She looks flawless and that is not lost on this crowd. Song is in Spanish. It has the word “amore” in it so I’m going to dream that she’s singing how much she loves me (and all of us). Layla is doing an all-Spanish language evening.
Evening Gown Competition (Group 1)
Baija T. Towers: Burgundy skirt with burgundy feather bodice. Left bra is covered in aurora rhinestones. Matching jewels. Her hair is pulled tight into a small mound of curls. She has a spray of the same feathers from the left side of her hair. Matching pumps. Confident modeling.
Tamara: Gold bugle beaded CoCo Vega gown with silver scroll work throughout. The gown is covered in stones. Armes are nude material with rhinestones throughout. Hair is smooth and neat. Slightly nervous but covered it well.
Sasha Andrews: Crowd roars. This gown is a completely nude gown with beaded “featherwork” throughout. It’s accented with rhinestones. The fishtail at bottom is taupe and white tulle. This gown and Sasha’s modeling scream GODDESS. Wow! Hair is pulled tight into loose curl explosion at top.
Amaya Mann: Red and silver beaded gown with crystal and red rhinestones throughout. Gown has scoop neck and long sleeves. Bright red lips, strappy rhinestone and red open-toe shoes. Amaya is hesitant in her modeling.
Jessica Jade: True green sweetheart neckline gown, with crystal rhinestones throughout. The gown is by Donnie, jewelry by Versage. Gown is truly fitted with slight fishtail bottom. Crystal and green rhinestone straps over the left shoulder to back.
Whitney Paige: Bronze and burnt orange completely fabric gown. It has a sweetheart neckline with straps from the outside breasts to a criss-cross in back. The bottom of the gown is double layers of ruffles/fishtail. Whitney has lime green rhinestone choker and cuffs. Hair is beautifully coiffed. Whitney modeled confidently and “played” attitude with the audience.
Anjila Cavalier: The gown is a leopard print velvet-like material. The spots are lined with beads and accented with rhinestones throughout. The neckline is that of a man’s suit with a rhinestone covered “tie”. Hair is a smooth upsweep of two tones. Anjila modeled quickly and confidently.
Nina DiAngelo: Gown is purple flower see-through design with pink, blue and white flowers. It has purple ruffled fishtail at bottom. Many may recognize this as her evening gown from Miss EOY. Her jewelry is purple and crystal rhinestone. There are purple ruffles at the cuff. Confident and feminine modeling.
Coco Montrese: Pink and silver, off-the-shoulder gown. The silver comes to points at the crotch and under the breast. The skirt of this beaded gown is covered in red flowers. The straps at neck come to a choker style neck with tiny versions of the skirt’s flowers. Hesitant modeling, slight trip on hem.
Morgan Hunter: Gold miniskirt with full-length chiffon overlay. Gown has gold and orange bead accents around breasts, neck, waistline and hem. Very, very nervous during modeling.
Hope Holoway: Escorted on stage by handsome man in black tuxedo with rhinestone accent shirt. Gown is black and silver CoCo Vega covered by black foxtail wrap – left side of top is silver bead and rhinestone, right is black. It has a large collar in the back, black on the outside, silver on inside. There is a long, flowing train of silver beads and rhinestones. There were slight modeling issues.
Victoria Stiles: Gown is by Tyrone of New York. It’s a light teal satin gown with huge ruffle on left shoulder that goes down left side. It has a slight pink underneath on ruffles. Right breast is solid crystal rhinestones. Hair is pulled tight with large barrel curls on top. Modeling was more confident than actuality.
Shantel Mandalay: Purple velvet with deep V neck. V has chiffon over nude and has rhinestones scattered throughout. Middle of back has same cutout material as front neckline but goes in a stripe from the top all the way down to bottom train.
DeAngela Show Shannon: Black velvet gown with rhinestone swirls throughout. The breast is sweetheart cut that comes to a sharp point over the left breast. Accented by matching choker, cuff and earrings. Hair is smooth and well done. Back has train from hip to floor in black velvet. Her friends screamed so loudly that the audience shuddered. However, it led to very confident modeling.
Tamisha Iman: Tamisha is wearing her final night gown from last year. It’s lavender chiffon smothered in crystal and aurora stones of various sizes. Gown is over one should with slight pieces of fabric hanging from shoulder. Her choker is about 6 inches of solid rhinestones, with matching stone cuffs. Hair is beautifully swept up into large packed curls. Elegant and enthralling modeling.
Tatiyana St. James Dupree: Gown is silver mesh-like gown by Stephen Yearick. Has keyhole opening in back . Silver beads are scattered throughout. Tape and hanger ribbon showing under right arm through keyhole in back.
[Special entertainment included Alexis, Kitty Litter, Chevelle, Brandyn, etc. Layla did a Latin production with four dancers to close out the special entertainment.]
Talent Competition (Group 3)
Victoria Lace: Talent begins with Gladys Knight “Memories” monologue over music. She has six dancers on stage who are posed and not moving. They are in street clothes – four boys and two girls. Victoria is in a poodle skirt and white top. Goes into “School Days” slow tempo. Rhythm hits hard and dancers snap to life. This is tight choreography and very well could be the best rehearsed I’ve seen thus far. Dancers are energetic and emotive. This isn’t classic Victoria dancing. This is new and fresh and she’s feeling every moment. The crowd is on their feet halfway through the talent. It is non-stop high-energy high-kicking choreography. This just set the standard for the rest of the night, perhaps the week. What a way to open talent!!! WAHOO! Standing ovation!
Monica St. James: “New Attitude” intro but goes quickly into “Lady Marmalade.” She’s doing a Patti LaBelle impersonation. She struts and “sings” her heart out. She’s high-energy and emotive. Monica’s in a full-length black stretch knit gown with a white lace-like overlay bodice and sleeve cuffs. She’s also wearing strappy crystal rhinestone shoes. This is a mix from the live recording by Patti where she talks about not being one of those “skinny singers.” The mix goes into “Over the Rainbow” complete with a fall to the floor and knee-walking to the front of the stage.
Netasha Marques: Props are gold “walls” with purple Egyptian eyes on front. Two barefoot male dancers centered on stage single file. Music is Indian. They’re wearing black hotpants and black tight-fitting shirts with gold glitter and ribbons on front. Walls are removed and Netasha is on a cot covered in gold lame, reclining like and Egyptian queen. She’s carried by two more dancers. Dancers rip an overcoat from her to reveal an Egyptian inspired dance costume of gold bra and purple/gold sarong. Two dancers do a band flag routine behind her, then they add two others with Olympic ribbons. Dancers are enthusiastic but slightly off. Magic trick at the end where walls go in front of her, quickly move and she’s gone and then cover the cot again and then move and she’s back—done in very quick succession.
Chandler Chubbs: Chandler and other female impersonator on stage with monologue between movie Romi and Michelle. One exits, song begins and is Gwen Stefani. Music stops. Other comes back. Guy enters in awkward moon walk, wearing black pants, gold glitter vest and Converse tennis shoes. Both girls dance with the boy while Chandler “sings” “Time After Time.” Girls kick off shoes and dance (comedy) with no shoes on. Just when you think it’s the end, they dance to “Stayin’ Alive” off the stage.
Armani: Armani is on floor in wedding gown, crying. We can hear answering machine with message from her “father” about her groom leaving her. Music begins and it’s “I Have Nothing, If I Don’t Have You.” She removes her veil and stands up and begins ballet dancing. Misses lip sync some while doing turns and cartwheels.
Kofi: Purple velvet chaise prop plus black trunk, open to reveal shoes inside. Flowers around the stage. Music is “From a Distance,” but done by Patti LaBelle. She’s doing an “impersonation” of Patti. She enters in a short black choir-robe like dress/gown “singing” into a microphone. We can see a silver beaded dress underneath when she moves. She puts the mic on a stand for a monologue part (“I’m not one of those skinny girls,” see talent above). She takes off robe to reveal the silver beaded cocktail dress and goes into “New Attitude.” This is a mix of the live performance by Patti. Next song is “Over the Rainbow.” Lip sync is on generally but she missed a couple of entrances on this song. She threw the mic stand across the stage and kicked off her shoes, plucked a flower from a vase, came down off the stage, twice tripped on the stairs when she walked from side to side.
Vanessa Taylor: Cruella DeVille enters. It’s Glenn Close singing. She’s wearing a full-length Dalmation coat with red tassles. Six dancers enter in tuxedos with red bow ties and cummerbunds. Music builds and she sheds the coat to reveal a red fringe and nude dance costume. Nude has red stones on it. At one point she lies across the boys. They move hand over hand, moving her across stage. Dancers are on dancing. Some of them can’t decide whether to sing the backup. This is a well-rehearsed talent number, however. Overall, a very clean number.
Justice Paige Counce: Justice enters in a gold long-fringe dress with gold sequins underneath the fringe and big hair. She’s doing an Aretha mix, beginning with “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” followed by “Think.” Solo talent number. She’s wearing black (?) shoes. Miss Counce dances her heart out. Ends with “Can’t Turn You Loose.”
[Special entertainment included Erika Andrews, Tommie Ross, the newly crowned Miss Gay Classic USofA Latoya Bacall, Maya and Daesha. Layla closed out special entertainment.]
Breanna Grant: Enters in a pink costume with plastic flowers attached on bodice. She is doing a barefoot ballet number to a contemporary song – “Ordinary Day” by Avril Lavigne. Clean but lacked emotion.
Necole Luv Dupree: Necole is doing a Whitney Houston impersonation. Props are two large “walls” with the letters “W” and “H” across the front. Mic stand at front of stage, off-center to the right. “I Will Always Love You.” Necole is in a purple, lightly beaded gown, split on the right leg. She’s holding a white hand towel in her left hand, the mic in her right. Necole exits stage at musical interlude, returning and wiping a white powdered nose. Her energy level is way up. Props keep swaying in the back and you can see stagehands actual hands on the sides.
Alexis Nicole Whitney: Large props fill the stage and spell out ALEXIS with a photo of her on the middle prop. Music starts…”Deeper Love”…middle panel moves and reveals Alexis in a full-length orange robe on. She loses the robe to reveal a fringe full pant bodysuit and she goes into high-energy dance. Her limited sight keeps her from moving very far from the same spot. Lots of lip sync problems.
Monica More: She’s doing the audition song from “A Chorus Line.” She’s in a black dance cocktail dress. Wigline is very harsh. She twirls and loses the black dress to reveal red beaded fringe bra and red fringe hot pants. Her silver (?) shoes are interesting. She leaves stage and returns with a red chiffon flowing skirt over her hot pants and is doing “Last Dance” by Donna Summer. Solo talent. How sweet…all she ever needed was the music and the mirror…and the chance to dance for us.
Essence Zakee Iman: “Eve’s Bayou” Menard…Menard. Essence is sitting in a chair with a full-length black dress, talking with a little girl. Behind her Menard and the other dude act out the story as she tells it. Menard gets shot. He and Essence fall to the ground. Music starts. It’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Dead guy moves hand to keep from getting stepped on but there are greater problems here.
Brittany Sebastian: Brittany is middle stage in a full-length multicolor sequin robe. Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” live rendition comes on. She drops the robe to reveal a silver sequin fringe dance costume and roller skates. [Note to self: you must lip sync even if you are roller-skating around the stage.] She’s actually quite talented in roller-skate dancing. Out comes a guy in khakis, blue shirt and hat. He is not in roller skates. He grabs her hands and they twirl in a circle, then he exits. [Note to self: you must lip sync even when you are standing still.] There is a technical glitch toward the end of her song which she has fun with, then jumps back into the song once it restarts. She then slips a little on the stage but recovers and finishes the song with a split and then a twirl.
Taylor Madison Monroe: She enters in a black and white full-length robe with white ruffles trimmed in silver down the front. Song is “Dreaming” from the 1980s. Song has large explosion, horror flick dialogue, changes to Annie Lenox on stage. She rips off wig on the beginning beat of “Sweet Dreams,” revealing red hair and a black suit with red man’s tie. She finishes song and does the usual miming of the crown being placed on her head before an abrupt end to the music.
Raquel Lord and Erika Norrell are the beautiful hostesses for the first half of tonight’s festivities.
Layla opens show in a beautiful gold and black diamond beaded gown. This crowd lives for her more and more every single night (as if she needed even more love from this crowd!!!!).
Evening Gown Competition (Group 2) [Personal Note: This is the strongest evening gown group we have seen all week. It looks as though the contestants watched the other two nights and took lessons on what not to do.]
Tersa Mathews: Tersa enters in a silver beaded gown with gold beaded accents. The gold beads include large square and triangle gold beads. The gold comes to peaks at the collar, waist and crotch. Her hair is elegant in an upsweep to large curl ball on top. Her modeling is very relaxed and comfortable. The gown has a beautiful light-colored peacock on the bottom of the hem with the tail feathers wrapping around the back. It’s very subtle but exquisitely done.
Lady Angelica: Lady A is in a gold and purple beaded gown. She looks FABULOUS. It’s a CoCo Vega with an opening in the waist and nude illusion in the middle of the arms. It is covered in stones on the nude illusion. The hair is smooth and beautiful updo and the fit is magnificent. Modeling is relaxed and elegant – she’s giving me some Erika Norrell!!! Nude on arms is a little bunched. I am impressed with her.
Victoria West: Miss West is in a black satin form-fitting gown with fishtail. The straight bustline and above the fishtail are smothered in large rhinestones. She is wrapped in black foxtails. Her hair is smooth bubble with a rhinestone net on the back. She is wearing open-toe strappy shoes. Modeling is on point. She has more stage presence than most. Accented with crystal rhinestone earrings.
Roxy Marquis: Roxy is in a a powder blue beaded gown by Carmen. The design of the beads resembles a metal mesh. The gown has straps of the same material. She is wearing beautiful powder blue open-toe pumps, accented with the same beads. Matching jewelry in powder blue and crystal rhinestones. The fit is perfect. Hair is large curl updo with bangs, just a little messy.
Joy Marnier: Joy enters in a white and silver gown with a white foxtail wrap. There is a slight stumble at the reveal of the gown. The gown has a tiny star pattern in gold beads down the front. She’s walking on the train so much from my point of view that I can hear the beads crack as she steps. Gown is accented by a beautiful large crystal rhinestone choker. Hair is small and neat. Train is exceptionally long and lining keeps getting between her feet.
Malaysia Kenyatta Black: Gown is a lavender shell with black and purple lace overlay accented by aurora stones throughout. She is wearing a black foxtail wrap with aurora “bracelets” wrapped around each one. Jewelry is a beautiful purple and aurora rhinestone choker with a large star on the neckline. Hair is beautifully done upsweep with large curls and a curl around her forehead. Very nicely modeled.
Ashlyn Tyler: In a black and green beaded Claire’s Collection gown. Green wraps around rear to come to a point at crotch and then criss-cross to collar, which is the large stand-up type like a CoCo Vega. Back is extremely bunched. Hair is small spray across entire head. Accented by a small green and black choker. The spotlight seems to bright for her as she is squinting the whole time.
Deja Voo: Slight slip on the floor when she entered the stage. She’s wearing a sun yellow beaded gown by Catia Lee Love. It’s an off-the-sholder gown with a split. Her sweetheart neckline is accented by a strap of the morphed star black beaded that accent the breasts and split. Matching shoes in yellow and black. Modeling is a bit jerky. Hair is pulled back tightly with large barrel curls on top.
Mokha Montrese: Mokha is in a white gown with silver bead and crystal rhinestones throughout. This is a very simple design over one shoulder strap but it fits her to a T. She is wearing a sickeningly large (in a good way) bracelet and matching earrings. Hair is neat and uspswept with large ball in back. Mokha is elegant and confident.
Mya Mokka: Purple gown with silver and purple beaded accents at sweetheart neckline and split in the front. She’s wearing a black illusion sleeve and neckline that seem added to the top as an afterthought. The gown and its lining are slightly wrinkled and the gown bunches at the waist.
Jennifer St. James: Gown is teal and silver beaded gown, covered in multiple sizes of crystal rhinestones. It’s a CoCo Vega. The body is form-fitting and has the CoCo “star” design that meets at the hip. The gown is sleeveless with a keyhole neckline. Frederico Leone Star dye-to-match shoes. Hair is large curls. Modeling is smooth but hesitant.
Janet Andrews: Gown is black and white beads over nude illusion. The black and white are in the design of small flowers throughout. Sweetheart strapless neckline is done in multiple sizes of large crystal rhinestones. Hair is simple upsweep with a twist. The front bang goes to a curl to meet the back, which is a smooth bump of hair. Janet modeled simply and elegantly.
Kourtni DeVayne: Gown is red ribbon lace over black on bodice to fishtail, which includes the same lace along with black ribbon lace over black satin and crenoline. The front of the gown has a black satin wrippon criss-cross from under the breasts to the fishtail, ending in a large bow. All of this is accented by rows of crystal rhinestones. Hair is beautiful and smooth upsweep. Gown is way too short in the front.
Beyoncea Black:Pink beaded gown with small pink foxtail wrap. Gown is covered in crystal rhinestones throughout. Gown is simple and designed by the contestant. It is form-fitting and has a small V neck with straps that meet at the back of the neck. Hair is upsweep of large curls. Crystal rhinestone earrings accent the gown. She wears silver open-toe shoes. Modeling is very confident.
Roxxy Hart: Gown is orange form fitting gown that has orange “handkerchief” ruffles from the left hip and engulfing the fishtail bottom. The gown is accented by orange and crystal rhinestones throughout the top. Sweetheart neckline with small beaded straps that come straight to back of gown. She chose an orange and crystal rhinestone choker and matching earrings and bracelets. Hair is pulled back tight with a double bump. The gown bunched a little in back. Modeling was elementary.
Champagne ShowersGown is form fitting zebra strips of silver on black velvet. The gown has a high neckline with a large fold-down shirt-collar with a rhinestone pin where a tie would be. The gown is covered in crystal rhinestones throughout the silver. Hair is small but neat with a fan of hair across back. Confident modeling.
[Special entertainment included Kitty, Maya, Tommie, and Ginger. Layla closed special entertainment with Missy Elliot and tore the house down.]
Talent Competition (Group 1)
Baija T. Towers: A poem is read over some explosive music before anyone enters the stage. Baija enters in a full-length gown in white and dusty gray. Song is live version of “Didn’t We Almost Have it All?” Lip sync is about a half of a beat off at times. Mixes into “Saving All My Love.” It went into other Whitney ballads as well. This was an interesting choice: Starting talent with a mix of ballads, solo on stage. I heard it’s a tribute to her lover, who died seven months ago. She was visibly choked up at end of talent number.
Tamara: Two male dancers in all black on stage. Tamar is centered in black pants and white halter baby doll top. Music begins and is “(Dust Yourself Off and) Try Again.” Choreography is simple but rehearsed. Dancers leave and last 45 seconds is solo. Fade out.
Sasha Andrews: Large teepee in center of stage. Two small teepees flank each side. Sasha enters in a full length multi-colored feather boa coat. Hair is pulled tightly into a ponytail. The song is in Spanish. Man enters in black with bronze ruffles on sleeve. She sheds overcoat to reveal balck stretch velvet costume with copper and red beaded fringe around the hem and neckline. They do a salsa dance together. Red strap is showing over left shoulder. I suspect a costume change. Two “native Americans” come out, then two more, Sasha enters again in a red and black sequin two piece native-inspired costume with red feather headdress. She does synchronized dance with four dancers and leaves stage. She reenters in red pasties and a red g-string with beaded tassles – NO SHOES. Dance is off in many places. She dances with dancers high-energy until they lift her for the end bang.
Amaya Mann: Lights up to Amaya and four dancers center stage. They are in red sequin tops; Amaya is in a red and black large fringe dance outfit and black boots. Amaya’s dancers are working the judges but Amaya is focused on the back of the room and does not break the stare. At times, Amaya is a beat off from her dancers, who stay together expertly. Song is “Give Me the Night.” Costume keeps slipping to reveal white and black bras straps. Slight bump into dancer, then ends in an explosion where dancers hit the ground.
Jessica Jade: Props are a huge flower with stone-like walls in front of it. Girl in white coat and flower can in front. It’s a Poison Ivy parody. Hairline is hard. Opens with a PI monologue. She waters the vines and they “grow” up the wall. One of the vines grows from a “brick” that has Velcro on the bottom. A hand comes through the stones out of nowhere but quickly retreats. The walls move to reveal Jessica in the middle of the large flower. Two male dancers come from behind the walls. She leaves the flower to dance in front of the stage while her dancers are doing some odd jerky thing in the back. Now she “dances” with the two of them. Then, they circle her until she smacks them down onto the ground. Suddenly, she’s riding a dancer like a horse. Then, she kills them but they come back to life. They dance with her. Music is unrecognizable until “Tainted Love” comes on. She does a solo dance ending in a split. Dancers return and dance with her. A piece of hay or something is hanging from her costume. Dance overall was cute but could use some more rehearsal.
Whitney Paige: Whitney enters in a full-length BLUE feather coat, “singing” “Born For This.” When she “sings” the words “born for this,” she does the obligatory hand gesture placing the crown on her head. She exits and changes into a black and blue dance costume with large black and blue fringe from right shoulder to left ankle. Song explodes into “Good Love.” Six dancers are on stage. This is not your typical USofA Whitney. She’s dancing hard and in sync with dancers. Totally rehearsed with the look of “blood” in her eyes. This is a high-energy talent and she is “on” the entire time. She gets a standing ovation from this crowd. EXCELLENT. I now feel like the talent competition has actually started tonight. If you look back to Monday and Tuesday, both started with a bang. The bang finally hit tonight with Miss Whitney Paige.
Anjila Cavalier: Panel prop on stage with Anjila’s name and several photos of her. She’s doing a live talent, starting with “Hey, Big Spender.” She explains that she was supposed to play piano and sing but her piano did not work with the S4’s system. She then goes into Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” but sung by other famous stars like Marilyn Monroe, Eartha Kitt, Louis Armstrong, Ethel Merman, Jackee Harry, Elmer Fudd, Pavaroti, Fran Drescher, and Whitney Houston. Some of these voices are dead on. The crowd lived for it.
Nina DiAngelo: Four male dancers on stage in dress pants, shirts and ties; Nina in middle in black velvet gown with rhinestone accents. Nina is “singing” “It’s Too Darn Hot.” Dances a bit with dancers, then one strips off her gown to reveal a silver sequin flower petal dance costume with black fishnet hose. The music goes into “Steam Heat.” Four different dancers enter. Very rehearsed slow but sexy dance. It has such a retro feel and is completely different than we’ve seen Nina. Musical interlude hits with dancing with each person having a black hat as a prop. Six dancers round out the final dance sequence, in which they do a kickline where half the dancers face one way, the other half face the other way, and the turn in circles while kicking. The crowd serves another standing ovation.
Coco Montrese: Single stool in middle of stage. Coco enters and sits on stool. It’s a Janet Jackson “impersonation.” She’s got on black pants, black boots to the thigh, white top with black leather corset. She’s “singing” “Let’s Wait Awhile” into a microphone. She slowly drags stool off the stage. The music changes to “Control” and two male dancers enter stage. She reenters in black short overcoat trimmed in crystal rhinestones and dances with guys. Music changes to “What Have You Done For Me Lately” then “Nasty Boys.” Rapper enters, music changes again. They could use a tad bit more rehearsal. “Rhythm Nation” solo sequence by Coco in appropriate costume. Dancers rejoin but there is a definite spacing problem. Talent ends with the usual “bang.”
Morgan Hunter: “Knock on Wood” starts. Two male dancers enter in pin stripe pants and vests with fuchsia sequin trim. Morgan enters in a white tulle ruffle full-length “coat.” Dancers strip away coat to reveal black and fuchsia dance costume. Dancing and spacing is slightly off. Morgan mostly seems disinterested in what’s going on…or she’s REALLY concentrating. Fade out.
Hope Holaway: A sign says “Open Auditions.” Hope sits center stage in a black velvet cape and begins “My Sister and I” from Chicago. She’s a plus-size girl with rhythm. Song ends and goes into C+C Music Factory. Two male dancers enter. She’s workin’ it and even does The Robot while dancing. Dancers are off from each other. At one point, she bumps into one of them. This was a cute number with a slight comedy slant.
Victoria Stiles: She stands center stage in a black and white stripe beaded short dress, singing “Who Could Ask For Anything More.” Two dancers enter and they do a tap dance together. Very well rehearsed talent number and very high energy.
Shantel Mandalay: Large panels of “fire” on stage, two male cowboy dancers on stage. Shantel is in a black cowgirl outfit with red fringe accents and red boots with same fringe. She’s “singing” Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like a Woman.” She leaves stage, dancers continue to dance. She reenters in a red fringe dress. Dancers leave and enter a hillbilly with buck teeth and longjohns on. They do a little dance to “Sin Wagon.” Hillbilly leaves and dancers return. Music changes to “Fire.” Dancers are professional and way outdance her. [Note to self AGAIN: always lip sync, even when “dancing.”]
DeAngela Show Shannon: “Coffin” is on stage, with a “D” on it. Could it be Dracula???? There’s a red cross on the coffin, so it couldn’t possibly be Dracula!! Dracula gets burned by crosses. But what does the “D” stand for? Perhaps it’s DeAngela. Three dancers enter in ghoul makeup and tattered tops. Three more enter. DeAngela leaves coffin in a vampire outfit of red and black with a “crown” of red and silver. A fight ensues in which she levels all the people. Song is “Wake Me Up Inside.” Dancers leave briefly then come back and dance to the tune until she bites them all on the neck. Then they rise again to dance with her again. They take her skirt and turn it into a huge wave-like thing that they keep undulating until it accidentally takes part of the cross from the coffin and hurls it across the stage and nearly puts out Tina Devore’s eye. Dance ensues. Then, she does a split, the dancers raise her into the air and the obligatory Vincent Price laugh from “Thriller” ends the talent.
Tamisha Iman: “Last Dance” begins. Tamisha enters in a black dance costume with blue powder ruffle tie and cuffs. She’s wearing black leather boots to the knee. She ‘s emotive and draws the crowd in. When tempo speeds up, Tamisha is doing a solo dance. Occasionally, rhinestones pop off her dress and bounce across the stage. This is her last chance…she counts to five…the number of times she’s been in this contest. She has stage presence that can’t be bought. The crowd is with her.
Tatiyana St. James Dupree: T is center stage in a full-length white coat with white tulle ruffles on top. Music starts to Mariah’s “Hero.” Thunder and lightning hit and she exits stage. She reenters in a Wonder Woman costume doing “Holding Out for a Hero.” Not so surprisingly, Superman enters, but surprisingly he’s been eating well and he’s got a little bit of a swish. He flips her around and around. They do a little dance. Now Superman’s getting a sweat ring around his breasts. He throws her into the air and they both land in splits. Superman leaves and she does solo dance. OK, then she leaps from the stage and does a split in the middle aisle beside me and a stray earring nearly puts my eye out. She goes back on stage and Superman comes back. They do a little “dance.” Superman carries her off stage…I hope he doesn’t eat her.
Layla opens the show with a fabulous Asian production featuring USofA royalty including Raquell Lord, Erica Andrews, Erika Norrell, Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington, Maya Douglas, Tommie Ross, Sweet Savage and Chevelle Brooks.
Contestants are introduced.
USofA royalty in attendance but not in the opening include Ginger Manchester, Kitty Litter, Daesha Richards, Brandyn Thomas, and Latoya Bacall.
Most Beautiful Award goes to Armani.
Miss Congeniality Award goes to Kourtni DeVayne. [Upset for Justice Paige Counce.]
Best Solo Talent Award goes to Champagne Showers.
Top 12 tonight in finalist order are: Nina DeAngelo, Janet Andrews, Mokka Montrese, Roxy Marquis, Armani, Necole Luv Dupree, Sasha Andrews, Victoria Lace, Tersa Mathews, Whitney Paige, Tamisha Iman, and Kofi.
Best Finishing Non-Finalist: Victoria West
Other royalty in attendance are Miss Continental Erica Andrews (also a former Miss USofA), Mr. Continental Antonio Edwards, Miss USofA 1998 Lauren Taylor (out of drag), Miss Venus International Amanda West, Miss Black America Netasha Braxton, Miss Sweetheart International Antoinette Roberts, Miss Black Universe As’zia, and Miss Transsexual America Sasha Valentino.
Lou Haskell, president of the USofA System, presents two awards:
Preliminary of the Year Award goes to Miss Texas USofA.
Distinguished Service Award goes to Jennifer Wohl and Joey Ray of Miss Pennsylvania USofA.
Nina DeAngelo: Opens in a psychiatrist’s office with Nina as doctor and Monica West as patient, who is struggling with her pageant life. She’s talking about talent numbers that are overdone. Patient asks her what she would do for a pageant. She answers, something that’s been done but breath new life into it. She goes behind panel and “Lucy In The Sky” starts.. Prop changes to a sun and river background. Nina is in a silver fringe costume and silver boots. She “floats” on a tiny boat across the river. Four male dancers join her in lime green pants, no shirts and lime green flower petals around their necks. Music changes, lights go out and black light dancing ensues. Male flowers come out on stilts. There is a lot of basic choreography. When lights come up, there is a giant train on stage. “Lucy” continues and Lucille Ball comes out, followed by Lucy Liu. The three pose as Charlie’s Angels. Then, out comes Lucy from the Peanuts comic strip, followed by Lucy Lawless, Xena. Backdrop changes to diamonds on a blue background. This is a very creative talent with many elements but lacked a sustained oomph.
Janet Andrews: Four male dancers enter in all white street clothes. This is her talent from preliminary night. It’s “Make Me Lose My Breath” by Destiny’s Child. Hot, contemporary choreography is the highlight of this high-energy talent. It is not lost on this crowd, who loves her every move. Dancers spacing on this stage is off at times. Overall, this is a well-rehearsed talent that results in a standing ovation. This Andrews is not playing and has truly made a name for herself this week and lived up or surpassed every expectation of her.
Mokka Montrese: Male dancers with stuffed horses heads pull a chariot in Mokka inside of an elaborate Cinderella pumpkin carriage, fully lit by tiny white lights throughout. Backdrop is a stairway to a castle. She struggles slightly to exit the pumpkin. Donna Summer’s “MacArthur’s Park” begins a whole Donna Summer medley. Mokka strolls the runway in a large silver and white gown/coat with lavender fur cuffs and collar. We can see a fuchsia gown underneath. She twirls when the music tempo goes up to reveal the aforementioned gown. Music changes to “Once Upon a Time.” She strips the skirt of the ballgown to reveal a fuchsia dance costume. Two “maids” enter and then leave. Music change to “I Love You” followed by “Last Dance.” Four dancers enter stage for the last 30 seconds of the dance. Then she sits in carriage and is pulled off. Overall, visually pleasing talent but lacked energy throughout.
Roxy Marquis: She’s doing her prelim night talent. It’s an Alice in Wonderland parody and flawless Gwen Stefani impersonation. Opens with her in front of four kings of a deck of playing card with her on the front. There is a large “mirror” on the stage. Roxy steps into the looking glass. Then it exits to reveal two male dancers. The music mix is flawless. There are trademark Roxy set changes that are creative and impactful. The backdrop is a story book that continues to turn to different pages. Two male dancers leave and are replaced by two female dancers for “If I Were a Rich Girl.” Set turns to reveal Kitty Litter on a giant mushroom to do the female rapper part of the song. Mad Hatter replaces Kitty and serves her “tea.” Sauces and cups move erratically on the backdrop. All dancers join her on stage. This impersonation is dead on with the exact jerky movements that are classic Stefani. Backdrop changes yet again to moving playing cards and there are now six dancers on stage. Every single move is choreographed in this flawless rendition of Stefani songs.
Armani: She enters in a small full-length black tulle ruffle coat “singing” “Private Dancer” by someone other than Tina. It has a classical music feel to it. Music changes to an up tempo song. Male dancers enter stage and do obligatory gymnastics. Armani reenters and begins Linda Eder’s “I’ve Never Danced.” Dancers spacing is off…there are three of them and this presents a spacing challenge. It’s a high-energy version of the song. She’s in a blue dance costume. Males are in a blue shiny shirts and black pants. At times, Armani is off from her dancers. However, she looks lovely and the crowd is appreciative.
Necole Luv Dupree: This is her Supremes talent. She killed at Miss Continental during prelims with this. She has a backdrop of a jukebox. Her backup Supremes are in orange gown (Lisha Paris and Raquell Lord). Necole enters through the middle of the jukebox. Backups are slightly off from each other. Necole is in a large bouffant and really overplays this impersonation for a dramatic effect that the crowd loves. Spacing is off at times also. Necole herself lives and breathes this impersonation.
Sasha Andrews: This is her preliminary night talent with a large teepee in the middle of the stage. The smaller side teepees are not here tonight. Sasha enters in the multicolor feather boa full-length coat. She sheds the coat to do a salsa dance with a single male dancer. She’s in a black stretch velvet dance costume with gold bead fringe. He’s in black shirt/pants with bronze ruffled sleeves. Male dancers enter in Native American fringe costumes and feather headdresses. Sasha exits and reenters in a red/black dance costume with red/black feather headdress. She dances with the four Native Americans. Then she exits again. She comes back in silver pasties with red beaded tassles and a red G-string with red tassles around the waistline. They do a contemporary dance during a musical interlude. Lift ends the talent number.
Victoria Lace: Victoria is center stage in a red velvet gown and updo with blue feathers inside. Ten dancers enter the stage. She strips the coat to reveal a blue and black feather dance costume. This is a high-energy disco mix with expert choreography and precision dance moves. I have yet to see one flaw. This talent literally brought a tear to my eye. This is the type of talent that is clearly national titleholder material. It’s amazing to watch 11 dancers on stage in exact precision with difficult dance moves execute every single move!!!! I can only say WOW!!!!! This Texas crowd were on their feet serving her a sustained standing ovation that she clearly EARNED. This is the second talent from Victoria we’ve seen this week that was executed flawlessly and entertained the crowd.
Tersa Mathews: Tersa enters in a yellow coat with yellow feather trim. This is her Linda Eder talent mix. It begins with “This Time Around,” which she performs by herself center stage. Goes into “Come Dance With Me” and she strips the coat to reveal a knee-length dance outfit. Single male enters the stage to dance with her. Three more dancers enter stage. Dancers are off here and there and sometimes have spacing problems. I believe this was her preliminary night talent from last year and the talent she took to Miss Continental last year as well. Tempo changes and she strips costume to reveal nude bodysuit with yellow criss-cross ribbons and rhinestones throughout. Dance beat hits hard and contemporary dance ensues. Polite applause comes from the crowd at the end.
Whitney Paige: There is a huge framed photo of Whitney center stage. There is a zig-zag split down the middle. Photo splits to reveal Whitney in a full-length blue feather boa coat. The song is “Born For This.” This is her preliminary night talent. She goes behind the photo to shed the coat and reenters in a black/blue large fringe dance costume. Dancers in the front hold photos of Whitney. High-energy dance ensues. This is hard-rocking Whitney with contemporary dance. One of the dancers is Alyssa Edwards, Miss Texas America. Dance fringe gets caught in her mouth a couple of times. She now has a total of 10 dancers on stage, dancing in unison, although sometimes slightly off from one another. Goes into “Make Me Lose My Breath” by Destiny’s Child, which is a different ending than prelim night. She gets a partial standing ovation from the crowd. Great choreography and heart highlight this extraordinary talent number that revealed a side of Whitney that the USofA attendees (those who come only to this and do not have a chance to see her otherwise) have not seen.
Tamisha Iman: There are giant musical notes on stage along with silhouettes of musicians as well as two giant sprays of silver stars. This is her “Stairway to the Stars” “Mr. Melody” talent number. She’s in a beautiful pink 1940s dance gown. Six male dancers enter, each holding a pink and a white feather hand fan. Dancers spacing is a tiny bit off during this segment. Six more dancers enter with yellow and orange feather hand fans. They cover her in the feather fans. Two additional dancers enter and do a little gymnastic interlude. The fans leave to reveal Tamisha in a yellow and orange 1940s dance costume. Then, there are 12 dancers on stage in vest and top hats, dancing in a kick line. Six more dancers return with yellow/orange fans. Dancers are spaced oddly at times. Dancers bump into lights. Tamisha, however, is beautiful and classy and flawless throughout.
Kofi: Panels with large letters that spell KOFI are on stage. Middle panel looks like art paper with “Miss Gay USofA” and “Kofi” scrawled across it. Kofi stands in front of the panel in a full-length straight jacket. She’s in a psychiatric hospital. Doctor giver her a shot. She breaks free from the straight jacket and is “singing” “Sweetest Hangover.” Dancers enter while Kofi exits. A stagehand in a T-shirt frantically is seen trying to help her out of the straight jacket. I don’t think he was supposed to be seen. She comes out in a full red beaded fringe dance bodysuit. Dancers are a bit off from each other. There’s our old pal Alyssa Edwards. Dancers come out now and they are little girls – four ranging in age from seven to 14 or so. All dancers are on stage now. There are 10.
Kelexis, Kitty and Victoria LePaige come out for a “Watch Out for The Big Girl” piece at the end. There seems to be some slight confusion surrounding the choreography. The talent number fades out to polite applause.
Nina DeAngelo: Gown is in a peacock design. The bodice is blue beads, waist is green beaded and bottom is peacock feathers. Hair is smooth bubble updo. Front bodice has nude illusion revealing her “breasts.” Back has long train. Blue collar in back has trails of beaded straps to top of back of dress. Modeling is confident. At end of runway, she taps her leg to the music.
Janet Andrews: Janet is in her preliminary competition gown of white and black beaded flowers over nude illusion. Her hair is in same style as well, with double bubble look. Gown is adorned in crystal rhinestones throughout. Modeling is exquisite and beautiful.
Mokka Montrese: Gown is peach chiffon with peach beads and aurora stones throughout bodice and hemline and collar. Gown has fishtail bottom. Hair is smooth bump in front pulled into large spray of curls in back. Modeling is confident and elegant.
Roxy Marquis: Gown is nothing like I’ve seen Roxy in before. It is black satinform fittin with straps and scoop neck. Waist is adorned in yellow, powder blue and red stones. It has an Asian influence. Neck is adorned in matching beaded chocker. Fishtail bottom with train adorned in flower design of gold beads. Hair is a beautifully done brown wig of exotic large curls. Modeling is confident.
Armani: Gown is gun metal beaded bodice over gray/silver shell with large fishtail bottom accented with tiny black ruffles of chiffon. Top is adorned in crystal rhinestones. Neckline is V with wrap around neck strap. Hair is neat upsweep into a few large curls. Modeling is elegant.
Necole Luv Dupree: Gown is same one from Miss USofA two years ago. It is the red, white, black and nude ethnic design. It is very form fitted with deep scoop neckline in front to navel. Necklace is large beads and stones. Hair is golden smooth bubble that when she turns sideways looks like an “S.” Very confident and elegant modeling.
Sasha Andrews: Gown is nude illusion with crystal rhinestones on breasts, crotch and rear. Gown is loosely fitted but probably supposed to be form fitted. Her hair is in tall pile of curls. Modeling is hesitant.
Victoria Lace: Gown is designed by Gustavo and Javier. It’s a chartreuse beaded design over illusion. It has hook-like swirls of beads and is covered in rhinestones throughout. She is wearing matching rhinestone cuffs and earrings. Neckline is in the same hook-like design that extends beyond her chest. Her modeling was confident and elegant.
Tersa Mathews: Gown is lavender and silver beaded form fitting full coverage with faint peacock on bottom hem. The gown has silver/rhinestone “stripes” that meet at peaks at the neck and crotch. Confident modeling.
Whitney Paige: Gown is aurora stone over black nude illusion. There is a criss-cross design across waist and under bust, covering her mid-section. The left sleeve cuff is not fastened and is dangling loose. Hair is in upsweep with large smooth curls.
Tamisha Iman: Escorted on stage by man in white tuxedo. Peach “gown” stripped to reveal a peach form fitting gown with fishtail chiffon. The gown is smothered in aurora rhinestones of varying sizes. Back comes to top of her rear and sides pull away when she walks. Large aurora cuffs and a choker with a man’s tie all done in aurora stones accent the gown. Modeling is confident, elegant and beautiful. This crowd loves this gown.
Kofi: Escorted on stage by man in black tuxedo. Kofi is in large pink coat, stripped to reveal pink, form-fitting gown with vertical stripes of pink rhinestones from underneath breast to floor. Bra is same but stripes are vertical and meet at mid-breast. Matching pink rhinestone cuff and necklace accent the gown. Hair is pulled tight into large barrel curls. Modeling is confident and reserved.