Miss Gay USofA 2006
The Dish

by Celeste Holmes

Miss Gay USofA Preliminary Night 1

 

Kelexis Davenport, goddess, is the hostess and emcee for tonight’s festivities.

 

Opening number is by the reigning Miss Gay USofA Tamisha Iman – Anita Baker.

 

EVENING GOWN COMPETITION

 

  1. Diva De Paris:  Silver bugle bead and rhinestone accent gown.  Gown is by Claire’s.  Hair is now; Gown is yesterday.  Modeling is smooth and elegant.  Back diamond pulls from skin, gaping a little.  Crystal rhinestone jewelry to match.
  2. Dina Demarco Jones: Gown is gold bugle bead with silver star accents on breasts.  Makeup is too light for gown.  Shoes look copper in this light, although they probably match.  Gold rhinestone earrings to match.  Hair is neat but a little too stiff.  Modeling is reserved.
  3. Trinity Taylor: Red form-fitting gown with black overdlay.  Fishtail bottom in similar, but not matching,  fabric.  Hair is a little wiggy for my tastes.  Figure is severe hour glass.  Matching black and red rhinestone jewelry.  Her waist is about 20 inches…bitch!
  4. Aurora Sexton:  Gown is nude/gold form-fitting with gold rhinestone jewelry that is hot.  Modeling is elegant and smooth.  She’s really studied the system.  Hair is awesome.  I can’t clock a thing on her.
  5. Lisha Paris:  Gown is green leaf design with gold beaded leaves.  Hair is red upsweep.  Modeling is elegant and smooth.  Matching green rhinestone jewelry.
  6. Chanel Cavalier: Nude with gold beads.  Chopsticks in hair.  Very Macy’s.  Modeling was comfortable.
  7. Melania Cortez:  Crowd lives as she enters.  Gown is gold flat-back sequin, laces up like corset.  Hair is stunning.  She is BEAUTIFUL.  Matching gold rhinestone jewelry.  Modeling is elegant and she is living as the diva of the night so far.  She brought the house down.
  8. Vivian Belle: Pink beaded gown with lavender beaded accents.  She looks pretty and will make a fierce competitor in the future.  Her hair is a snatch back with lots of curls on the back.  She’s probably a size 2, unless she doesn’t have dinner, then she’s a 0.  Modeling reflects her inexperience.
  9. Jessica Jade:   Gown is blue crepe bodice; hips are bead and rhinestones;  bottom is feather.  Hair is a little wiggy and stiff.  Very tiny matching blue and aurora stone earrings.  Modeling is OK.
  10. Mya Mokha Iman:  Gown is mocha colored illusion with beads and rhinestone saccents.  Hair is interesting explosion out of a snatch back.  Modeling is a little rushed.  Fishtail is made of the same mocha illusion.
  11. Maryssa Raye:  Gown is black and silver bead and rhinestone.  It looks like a cocktail dress with black chiffon added at the bottom and in the sleeves/shoulders.  Crystal rhinestone jewelry to match.  Gown is a little boxy.  She has acrylic shoes.  Her modeling is unique.
  12. Chane Jordan:  Gown is a purple and aurora stone designed by herself but very Coco Vega circa 1994.  Hair is bangs with snowball of curls.  Shoes are dyed to match…a blue gown.  Modeling is confident and relaxed.
  13. Tersa Matthews:  Gown is silver bead and rhinestone bodice fading into a blue fishtail.  Covered in rhinestone.  Makeup is flawless.  Matching aurora and blue stones.  Texas crowd is living for her. 
  14. Brionna Brooks:  Copper gown with copper beading on bodice.  Copper fitted skirt with fluffy overlay.  Matching jewelry.  Hair is a little stiff for my taste.  Rolls of fabric for bustle.  Modeling is confident.
  15. Kara Belle Collins:  Pink beaded bodice with rhinestones.  Bottom is fabric.  Fitted gown.  Modeling was very dramatic.
  16. Mariah Spanic:  Coco Vega gown but not typical.  Chocolate satin with rhinestone criss cross design in bodice, very long train.  Hair is neat and elegant.  She could’ve used one size larger. Modeling is confident and elegant.

 

 

Natasha Richards joined the emcee team.

 

Special entertainment includes the newly crowned Miss Gay USofA Classic Chelsea Pearl, Tanesha Cassidine, Chevelle Brooks, Kitty Litter, Maya Douglas, and Tamisha Iman.

 

TALENT COMPETITION

 

  1. Mia Inez Adams:  Eartha Kitt mix starting with “Liar all my Life.”  She’s in a black and white lacey evening gown. She’s very emotive and having fun.  It’s a solo talent with very slow energy to begin.  Music changes to “Come on a my House” but no one in the audience wants to accept the invitation. 
  2.  Natasha Braxton:  1950s costumes, rendition of “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog.”  Four dancers in period costume.  A couple of the dancers struggled with the choreography at times and the audience seemed unforgiving.  I, however, thought it was cute and it had a lot of gymnastic moves that were difficult to execute but she pulled off extremely well. 
  3. Asia O’Hara:  Music and lyrics start and then she enters in a silver “gown.”  Hair is jacked with rhinestone eye makeup.  Small struggle with stairs to get to stage.  Her face is beat.  Music changes and four dancers enter.  She takes off gown to reveal white, red and black dance outfit. “Love is a Healer.”  Music changes again, cut to two dancers.  She is wearing it out and the audience is living.  This is very well rehearsed.  High energy talent.  I have no idea what the songs are.  One of the dancers is off about half way through.  Crowd lives.
  4. Jaida Kiss:  Jaida stands in middle of stage with back to audience in a black “gown.”  She turns around and does a line of the song then leaves.  Dancers in red catsuits enter and run into each other.  She re-enters in a red dance outfit to join them.  Her lip sync is spotty.  For a while, Jaida forgets the choreography and does her own thing.  Music goes into SOS.  Jaida bumps into a dancer.  A little more rehearsal and this talent would’ve slayed.
  5. Angel Velez:  Angel enters in black suit with white shirt, sultry music, folding chair in middle of stage, flat white shoes.  Music changes to “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” by Britney Spears.  She strips to the Britney nude pants and bra form the MTV Awards and the music changes to “Oops I did it Again.”  Six Pennsylvania dancers join her.  Dancers are on it, of course.  She’s a little ahead and behind of them at the same time.  Hair in the face is distracting.  Music changes to Four women and two more male dancers enter to build to the end explosion.
  6. Shannon Dupree:  She enters in a purple stretch velvet gown and huge hair.  It’s a Patty Labelle illusion from her live show.  Monologue about love and acceptance into live version of “New Attitude”.  Enthusiastic interpretation.
  7. Victoria Weston:  She enters in a navy blue satin coat and large hat.  She’s singing live version of “Broadway Baby.”  She takes the hat off and then struggles with the belt.  Once the coat is removed, she reveals a multi-colored peacock beaded cocktail dress with gold bugle beaded fringe at bottom, singing “Smokey Joe’s.”  Her voice is very fishy but crowd is giving her dust, which I don’t understand.  She begins a tap routine and the crowd goes up a little.  She’s seems a little reserved and movements are restrained.  Her voice is really good and she goes back into previous song.  Crowd respectfully gave her her due at the end.

 

Special entertainment includes Natasha Richards (don’t read me you bitches who know I accidentally call her Netasha Edwards, my USA idol), Raven St. James, Tommie Ross, Kelexis Davenport, and Tamisha Iman.

 

  1. Denile:  Red and black cracked ice pantsuit type costume. Live singing of “Get Here.”  Very soulful and her voice is right on every single note.  Pretty singing but overall look doesn’t match glamour of song.  This voice is flawless.
  2. Myah Monroe:  Opening is a plane crash.  Myah worked this “Save Me” talent out and the crowd lived.  I know I’m biased but she never stopped.  Her energy was high from beginning to end.  She was emotive and hot.  Her dancing was phenomenal.  This Texas crowd lived and if they hadn’t already been standing, there love for Myah would’ve resulted in a standing ovation.  Dance, dance, dance.  Her backups were on point and the crowd screamed as she was dragged off stage.
  3. Alyssa Edwards:  Linda Eder talent.  Opens with “I want More,” but music pops and cracks like a 70s lp record.  Music changes to “Big Time.”  She leaves and re-enters in black dance outfit.  She’s clearly a trained dancer and this Texas crowd loves the hometown girl.  Lip sync was a little off in this solo talent but the crowd was very forgiving.
  4. Jade DeSante:  “Little Shop of Horrors” talent.  Opens with the trio singers from the show singing the show’s theme.  Male lead misses lip sync intro.  Turns into a really cute and realistic representation of the stage play.  Seymour is excellent.  Prop opens to reveal the plant in all its glory. The music changes to “Rocky Horror’s” Touch Me. And then into “Mean and Green” from the stage show of Little Shop.  Lots going on. 
  5. Misty Meanor:  Cats, yes Cats, Broadway show Cats.  Really.  I’m not kidding.  I feel nostalgia. Am I in the 80s?  “Memories.”  That says it all.  She has five “cats” on stage with her.  Each was on point.  This would have slayed 20 years ago.  I spoke too soon.  The music changes to “We are Siamese” from the Disney film.  She exited and changed from “cat” to Asian outfit for a little up tempo action with an awkward ending.
  6. Kirsten Grey:  This talent is a Chicago talent.  Begins with jailhouse number.  She’s doing this solo.  She begins the first piece, very emotive.  She has a table full of wigs.  She changes wigs for each part of the number.  Very funny; very entertaining.  She is FULL of talent.  Standing ovation.  The crowd LIVED for this number.  It was the singularly most well received number tonight.   This is the one people will be talking about tomorrow.
  7. Empress Vizcaya:  Joan Crawford from Mommie Dearest.  Excellent look but her emotion was a cross between Joan and Lily Tomlin’s telephone operator character.  Music changes to Jennifer Holiday’s “I am Changing.”  More Joan dialogue then back to Holiday and back and forth.  The mandatory Christina came out.  Cute overall.

 

 

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

 

Emcee is Erica Andrews, looking as stunning as always.

 

Opening number is the reigning Miss Gay USofA Tamisha Iman.

 

EVENING GOWN COMPETITION

 

  1. Coco Couture:  Blue and silver beaded over chiffon form-fitting gown. It’s a little big in the breast area.  Modeling is appropriate.
  2. Bebe Benet:  Lavender criss-cross beaded design.  Purple satin “belts” come to point in front with material hanging down.  Fit is perfect.  Modeling is diva-esque.  Gown is covered in lavender aurora stones inside the squares of the criss cross.
  3. Whitney Paige: Two shades of pink crepe in a zig-zag design down the front.  Matching pink rhinestone jewelry.  Fishtail bottom.  I think this is her gown from Texas FFI.  Makeup is done!  Fit is perfect.  Not a bead or stone on the whole gown.
  4. Victoria Lace: Final night gown from last year.  Candy canes.  ‘Nuff said.
  5. Lady Rage: Black velvet form fitting gown with clusters of beads that give a multi-colored reflection.  Green inlays weave throughout.  Hair is severe.  Modeling needs work.
  6. Sage Summers:  Burgundy taffeta gown, form fitting.  Face is LOVELY.  Gown comes off to reveal.burgundy strapless gown with flatback laser sequins, fishtail bottom.  Jewelry is beautiful.  Modeling is a little rushed.
  7. Deja Voo:  Blue and purple swirls of fabric.  Accented by solid rhinestones in straps and pattern throughout.  Blue shoes match top of gown and stand out too much.  Beautiful gown for someone with smaller shoulders.
  8. Carissa Carmichael:  Blue and silver Coco Vega;  Hair is stiff and gown is a little big in hips and back.
  9. Roxy Marquis:  Steel blue beaded gown with straps.  Back of gown gapes when she walks or moves.  Hair is classic Roxy.  Matching rhinestone jewelry.
  10. Danielle Hunter:  Prelim gown.  Pink top with flower beaded and rhinestone accents.  Hair is classic Danielle…big, perfect and adorned with matching rhinestone accents.  Blue and pink satin bottom.  This is where Danielle shines with elegance and class.
  11. Victoria LePaige:  Enters with a black velvet wrap.  Removes wrap.  Top is black and  crystal rhinestone checkerboard.  Bottom is gold bead fringe.  Inside of cape is giant black and crystal rhinestone checkerboard.  Black velvet evening gloves.  Face is flawless.  Crowd lived.
  12. Diva:  Pink fade to blue bottom form fitting gown.  Great figure.  Modeling is elegant; Hair is very Continental. 
  13. Victoria Stiles: Pink satin with one strap.  Rhinestones scattered throughout.  Modeling was good.  Crowd gave her dust.
  14. Kiarra Cartier-Fontaine:  Red strapless gown that comes to points at breasts.  Covered in aurora stones of varying sizes.  Matching rhinestone jewelry.  Shoes are plain red satin and stand out b/c the gown is so bright.

 

Special entertainment includes Raven St. James, Layla Larue, Kitty Litter, Tommie Ross, Kelexis Davenport, and Tamisha Iman.

 

TALENT COMPETITION

 

  1. Diva de Paris:  Linda Eder mix.  Enters in gold lame ruffled coat singing “This Time Around.” Music changes to “Big Time” and she drops the coat to reveal pea green fringe dance outfit.  Dancing was a little frantic.  Really offered nothing new to the song.
  2. Dina Demarco Jones:  Two bar tables with red tablecloths and two patrons each.  Waiter interacts with patrons.  She enters in a black gown.  Gown strips to reveal black dance outfit and tap number “Who Could Ask for Anything More.”  Hair is an odd Joan Crawford deal.  Makeup needs work.  Music needs work.  Music changes to scat and then “Blackbird.”  She does “cocaine” off the waiter’s tray.  The boys at the tables are still sitting there watching and it’s easily 2/3 into the number.  They NEVER moved.  I didn’t get it.
  3. Trinity Taylor:  Story of a boy and a girl in black and white.  Music begins to a Britney Spears mix.  Contemporary dancing.  Lots of gymnastic moves incorporated into the number.  Three costume changes.  One dancer.  The crowd really responded.
  4. Aurora Sexton:  Dolly Parton mix.  Big Dolly name backdrop at opening.  Illusion is not dead on but movements are very Dolly.  She has four dancers who seem very inexperienced.  Kenny Rogers does duet with her.  Crowd responds well.  Mix goes into “Baby I’m Burning.”  Costume change.  This could use more rehearsal.  She’s really into it but the dancers seem, at times, lost.
  5. Lisa Paris:  Dancers surround her in a circle.  Music begins as they fall away to reveal her in a black dance costume.  She’s doing “Good Love.”  Very contemporary dancing.  Lisha looks beautiful.  She lost her place once but recovered quickly.  Crowd enjoys and responds accordingly—screams and pandemonium.
  6. Chanel Cavalier:   “Mickey” cheerleader talent.  Music changes “Oh, No Wait a Minute.”  Red, white and blue cheerleader costume.  She’s doing some gymnastic moves that please the crowd.
  7. Melania Cortez:  Dressing table, chair and changing screen.  Joan Crawford sitting in chair.  She’s much too pretty for this illusion.  Monologue of many Joan quotes from movie.  Music begins and it’s “My Life.”  More experience will make this a great talent for her someday.

 

Special entertainment includes Erica Andrews, Chelsea Pearl, Maya Douglas, and Tamisha Iman.  By the way, either the apocalypse is upon us or the walls are about to cave in: in the audience is Norman Jones, aka Norma Kristie, former owner of the Miss Gay America pageant.

 

  1. Vivian Belle:  Backdrop with “Vivian” written across it.  She stand in the middle with a purple and black disco dance outfit.  New Madonna music and mix.  Four dancers, three portly, one very cute and thin.  She’s a size 0, probably b/c the boys are eating all her food.  Her illusion is EXCELLENT.  Choreography is not Madonna enough..  It’s slow and sultry and “Hung Up” is upbeat and hot.  Simple and pleasing but not great.
  2. Jessica Jade:   Set is large semicircle of fabric in red, black, orange and yellow.  Linda Eder talent starts with “One Night in Rio.”  She’s in a black coat with ruffles.  She exits and takes off the coat to reveal a black and silver gown with small ruffles.  Skirt gets pulled off to reveal short dance outfit.  Girl enters too.  Four dancers total.  Dancing was good.  Dancers were good.
  3. Mia Mokha Iman:  Enters in blue satin “gown” singing “Music is My Life.” Short time then music changes to “Can you Keep Up” and she changes to a blue dance costume and she re-enters with a baton, as in the real Miss America type talent.  Solo talent.  High energy talent and she seems to lose her momentum toward the end.
  4. Maryssa Raye:  Tina Turner impersonation starts with video of her walking backstage.  She enters from stage left.  She’s in a black tuxedo coat with black beaded lapels.  “She’s a Star.”  I would NOT want to be on stage doing a Tina Turner talent with Hot Chocolate on the judges’ panel.  Looks like Tina Turner has had a few cheeseburgers.  Music changes to “Proud Mary.”  She has a problem with the costume change and gets caught in the jacket.  Then she reveals a chocolate brown dance costume.  Giant TINA letters prop lights up.  Solo talent.
  5. Chane Jordan:  Chicago talent begins with Chane turning around from behind the prop, “CHI…”  Two dancers come from behind the prop, do a little dance, rip away her outer costume to reveal crystal and red stoned dance outfit over black with fringe.  Boy dancers leave, two girls enter.  Dancing is on point.  Music changes to Cell Block Tango.  Prop changes to reveal cell block #6.  A little dancing .  Music changes to “If Love is A Crime” and two boys come back out in police uniforms with the girls and Chane.  More contemporary dancing ensues to explosive end.  Crickets.
  6. Tersa Mathews:  Stands in the middle with black overcoat with hood.  She’s wrapped in yellow  ribbon that leads out to two boy dancers on the floor below.  She’s doing Control by Janet.  Music changes to “Good Love.” She uses the boys like marionettes.  Boys struggle against her control.  They finally break free and exit.  She leaves and sheds the coat to reveal a yellow and black dance outfit.  Boys re-enter with her in matching outfits.  Music changes to something I don’t know but very upbeat.  Costume struggles at beginning.  Runs into a dancer later.  Strips costume to reveal mostly yellow skimpy outfit.  Boys re-enter with “Tersa Mathews” on their shirts.  Cute but needs a little more rehearsal.
  7. Brionna Brooks:  Starts with Mrs.Whan from Mad TV.  Cute.  Chelsea makes guest appearance.  Comic relief.  Crowd enjoys b/c of grueling length of night.  Nice break in an otherwise ho-hum night of talent.
  8. Kara Belle Collins:  Whitney Houston “impersonation.”  Illusion needs work.  Starts with live version of “I Will Always Love You.”
  9. Mariah Spanic:  Selena impersonation.  Illusion needs work.  Great backdrop.  She has on blue “gown” with occasional sequins.  She’s doing “Dreaming.”  She leaves and a “reporter” comes on with a cameraman to report Selena’s shooting.  She re-enters in Selena outfit of black rhinestone bra and black tights with boots.  Slow, sultry dancing. Prop changes to reveal two other “Selenas” doing their things both lip syncing the song at the same time.  Music changes.  Mariah re-enters   She re-enters in a red bra and red pants doing “I Will Survive.”  This was an ambitious talent that never really lived up to its potential.

 

Thursday, May 25, 2006

 

Raquell Lord is hostess and emcee.

 

Opening number is Tamisha Iman doing 80s hit “Nasty Girl.”

 

EVENING GOWN COMPETITION

 

  1. Mia Inez Adams:  Black velvet with rhinestone trim at neckline and waistline.  Short hair, matching rhinestone jewelry. Fit is excellent.  Modeling appropriate.
  2. Natasha Braxton:   Gold, orange and chocolate bodice to below waist.  Botom is copper and chocolate leaves.  Feather around bustline; One of them falls off during modeling.  Matching jewelry.  Slow, steady modeling but she was a little distracted by the feather on the stage.
  3. Asia O’Hara:   Enters in baby blue foxtails.  Drops them to reveal baby blue beaded and crystal Coco Vega evening gown.  Hair is lovely upsweep.  Gown is covered in stones. Modeling is slow and deliberate.
  4. Jaida Kiss:  Blue and crystal rhinestone gown with crystal bodice.  Fishtail bottom is layers of aqua crepe.  Back laces up to match fishtail bottom.  Laces have rhinestones on end of them.  Modeling seemed restricted.
  5. Angel Velez:  Silver bead and crystal gown over nude illusion bodice.  Midriff seems bare but dotted by rhinestones.  Illusion fabric bunches on sides.  Silver bunches on bottom.  Fishtail is made of white feathers turned down.
  6. Shannon Dupree:  Silver and gold beaded Coco Vega similar in design to Sabrina White’s Miss America gown.  Matching crystal rhinestone jewelry.  Fit is excellent.  Modeling is a little hesitant.
  7. Victoria Weston:  Enters in orange red and grey feather coat with 12 foot train.  Removes to reveal orange red and steel beaded Coco Vega.  Split up middle.  She struggled a little with the coat removal.  Hair is sweeping updo with orange rhinestone jewelry and hair accessory.  Fit is perfect.
  8. Denile: Lime green beaded gown with aurora stones throughout.  Fit is excellent.  Hair is smooth in front with explosion of curls in back.  Modeling is a little too dramatic.  Hem, neckline and wrists are trimmed in silver beads and stones. 
  9. Myah Monroe:Pink beaded and illusion gown covered in aurora stones.  Matching rhinestone jewelry and hair accessories.  Modeling is elegant and dramatic.
  10. Alyssa Edwards:  Purple beaded and aurora stoned gown with chiffon inlays at bottom.  Matching aurora jewelry.  Bra is totally stoned to point at back.  This is her Miss America gown.  Alyssa is comfortable and elegant on stage.  Bra pulls away from sides under arms.
  11. Jade DeSante:  Pink and silver gown with black.  Beads are in a fish scale pattern to knee, then staright beads.  Black and crystal rhinestone accessories.  Hair has matching accessories.  Modeling is dramatic.  Bunches in back.
  12. Misty Meanor:  Crystal rhinestones over black velvet.  Heavy stones at bra getting more sparse as it trails to 3 foot train.  Hair is a ball of wispy explosions.  Matching crystal rhinestone jewelry. Fit is good; modeling is appropriate.
  13. Kirsten Grey:  Pink/orange metallic thread gown.  Comes to point in front with triangle of stoned fabric falling into a scarf that dangles.  Low-cut bank that has dainty rhinestone accessory at midpoint to highlight her back.  Hair is down and very actress Veronica Lake.  Modeling was a little inexperienced but good.
  14. Empress Vizcaya:  Lime and light green chiffon gown with ruffled bottom.  Long scarf over shoulder trails to floor in back.  Slick blond hair pulled to large bun in back.  Green chiffon flower in hair. Matching green jewelry.  There’s a shininess in the gown that may be cracked ice.  Modeling was hurried.

 

Special entertainment includes Chevelle Brooks, Chelsea Pearl, Layla Larue, Tenisha Cassidine, and Tamisha Iman.

 

TALENT COMPETITION:

 

  1. Coco Couture:  American Indian sign language interpretation of “Colors of the Wind.”  Traditional American Indian outfit.  She kneeled upon a small rug with water flask and leaves.
  2. Bebe Benet:  Ten dancers dressed as savages crawl onto stage.  Bebe enters in a giant headdress of feathers and a feather lined sequin coat singing a slow song.  Dancers cover her and coat is removed to reveal a red and black dress with large dread-like hair singing “I am a Woman.”  Dancers exit and enter and there are costume changes.  Tribal feel for the whole thing.  Mesmerizing talent from a new girl who has turned it out tonight.
  3. Whitney Paige:  Dreamgirls talent.  Lip sync is off in beginning of song “I am Changing,” by Jennifer Holiday.  Solo talent.  Goes into “And I am Telling You.”
  4. Victoria Lace:  Final night talent from last year.  Excellent and on point, at times seemed a little big for the stage.  But she was on from beginning to end.
  5. Lady Rage:  Large version of a Selena in a black pantsuit with yellow and red fringe.  Solo talent. 
  6. Sage Summers: Tina Turner starts in a black “gown” with the slow intro to “Let’s Stay Together.”  Three dancers in red and black.  She went backstage to change and slipped a little on stage.  Changed to “Disco Inferno.”   Very high energy.  A couple of spacing issues with dancers.
  7. Deja Voo:  Props are a cemetery with headstones and gate.  Deja enters as a witch in  ablue coat.  Two dancers are under her spell.  They pull her sleeves and leave.  Rings covered in feathers are twirled.  One of the dancers is off.  There are a couple more costume changes and dancer changes.  Goes into Bette Midler in that witch movie then into another dance mix, ending in SOS.  Crowd lives when she spins on a torture rack.  Interesting.

 

Special entertainment includes Raven St. James, Natasha Richards, Tommie Ross and Tamisha Iman.

 

  1. Carissa Carmichael: Wynona Judd impersonation in a black coat.  Sheds the black coat to reveal black pantsuit with flames all over.  Music changes to “Burnin’ Love.”  Illusion is not dead on.  Dancing is a little more than Wynona would do.  A little air guitar?!?!  She enjoyed herself.
  2. Roxy Marquis:  Dancers in private school girl outfits.  This is dancing like I’ve never seen Roxy do.  Hit Me Baby One More Time.  Very fresh for her.  Music changes to “Toxic” with only girl dancers.  Really, this is really contemporary, fun, hot dancing.  I’m blown away by this side of her.  She has definitely re-invented herself.
  3. Danielle Hunter:  Chicago talent as Roxy Hart, starting with monologue to police about her lover’s death.  Goes into the Roxy song.  Danielle is engaging and beautiful and executes it in a way that has star power.  Four HOT dancers enter and do the last few kicklines with her.  Awkward ending.
  4. Victoria LePaige:  Red and black dance outfit with two dancers in red satin and black.  Jazzy number then two other dancers enter and it turns into a Spanish beat.  Dancers are a little off on some spins and moves but overall it was a visually pleasing talent.
  5. Diva: Announcer intros the talent as La Cage. Reba McIntyre talent starts with RESPECT.  Illusion is quite good.  Goes into “Why Haven’t I Heard From You.”  She dances and does the number then sits at a changing table.  Music changes to La Cage and she removes her makeup, wig and outfit to become a man.  OK.
  6. Victoria Styles:  Wicked talent.  Victoria is playing the Wicked Witch with Glenda doing the number with her.  Hydraulic lift at end helps her fly to the dramatic end.
  7. Kiarra Cartier-Fontaine:  White tuxedo with crystal rhinestone lapels and cummerbund.  White cane.  Music is “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”  She’s doing a live tap number.  Filled with tap, dance and even chugs.  The crowd lived for this cap to the talent competition.

 

Miss Gay USofA 2006

Final Night

 

Opening Production: A Night at the Cotton Club

 

Emcee is Bubba Licous.


In attendance: Tommie Ross, Maya Douglas, Natasha Richards, Erica Andrews, Chevelle Brooks, Erika Norell, Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington, Raquell Lord, Layla Larue, Raven St. James, Tenisha Cassidine, and Chelsea Pearl.

 

Introduction of contestants

 

AWARDS:

Miss Congeniality: Myah Monroe

Most Beautiful: Melania Cortez

Best Finishing Non-Finalist: Victoria Westons

 

Top 12

Victoria LePaige

Tersa Mathews

Whitney Paige

Myah Monroe

Kirsten Grey

Danielle Hunter

Victoria Lace

Roxy Marquis

Alyssa Edwards

Lisha Paris

Bebe Benet

Asia O’Hara

 

Special entertainment includes many of the attending titleholders and former titleholders.

 

TALENT COMPETITION: Sophia McIntosh is the emcee again.

 

  1. Victoria LePaige:  Tuxedos and white feather fans.  Victoria is in the middle in a gold beaded coate with white fur trim.  “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”  Music changes to “Main Event” by Barbra.  She changes to gold dance costume behind fans.  Eight dancers; simple choreography.  A couple of the dancers struggled with remembering the choreography.  Her face is flawless.  Another costume change to reveal a swimsuit-type outfit in gold and silver.  Crowd gave her much love.
  2. Tersa Mathews:  Prop with her name on it in middle of stage.  Opens to show her in yellow doing Linda Eder’s “This Time Around.”  Stope at line “no second places” and she gives the judges attitude.  She’s going to imitate titleholders beginning with Tommie Ross as Erika Badu taking dollar bills taped together.  Then she does Maya Douglas, followed by Erica Andrews as Joan Crawford.  Then she does Chevelle Brooks with two backup dancers and takes her hair down to twirl it as the diva.  Next up: Kelexis Davenport as cheerleader with two backups.  Crowd is living for this talent.  AGS imitation in a banana belt.  Raquell Lord gets skewered as a pole dancer.  Next up: Layla Larue as Missy.  Finally, she does herself to wrap the whole thing up.
  3. Whitney Paige:  Enters from audience in pink feather coat.  Lyrics are “future is now and it starts today.  She strips the coat and four female dancer enter.  She re-enters in a red gown/pants with ruffles on the bottom.  She misses a few cues with her dancers.  More dancers who dance in the front as she stands in back and watches.  Then it goes into Whitney and she begins dancing with them.  Still a few more misses. Her energy doesn’t seem to be there like last year.
  4. Maya Monroe:  Jungle-themed talent with bamboo fence and gate.  Plane crashes.  Maya in a stewardess outfit.  Animals begin crawling on stage.  Costume change into animal print.  Song is “Save Me.”  There were a couple of dancer issues.  This was her prelim talent with a couple of extra dancer, props and costumes.
  5. Kirsten Grey:  Same Chicago talent as prelim night.  Does Cell Block Tango, changing wigs and attitudes for each part.  Struggled a little to keep up with herself but she was having fun.  Nearly a standing ovation.
  6. Danielle Hunter:  Large backdrop with music scrolls, two girls several gentlemen in pin stripe suits.  Starts with Danielle singing “Clang Clang Clang…”  She’s in a pink full-length coat.   Dancing ensues.  Music changes and Danielle sings a slower song with only the girls with her.  “Almost Like Being in Love.”  Dances with the two girl backups.  Coat is gone to reveal white crystal and satin 40s style dress.  She ballroom dances with each of the dancers one at a time.  Very elegant and well done.  There were a couple of dancer issues.
  7. Victoria Lace:  This is her “School Days” talent that starts with “Try to Remember.”  Prop moves to show Victoria in different poses.  Props move to show boys and girls in 50s costumes and she’s in a poodle skirt.  Ten dancers of boys and girls.  This is the first talent of the night without dancer issues.  Crowd really responds to this talent.  High energy and fun.
  8. Roxy Marquis:  Giant disco ball in middle of stage.  Dancer changes music on giant boom box to Madonna’s new music.  Four dancers are on stage. They turn the disco ball to reveal Madonna and several dancers. She dances in the ball with a couple of dancer sbefore marching to the front with several.  She does a whole contemporary dance sequence that show’s another side of Roxy.  This girl has totally reinvented herself.  Best talent of the night so far by far. 
  9. Alyssa Edwards:  Dungeon scene.  She’s in center of stage in a black rag coat singing Uninvited.  Dancers are tied up and in bondage outfits all over. She removes coat to reveal green and black dance outfit.  Has trouble getting coat off.  Contemporary high energy flawless dancing throughout.  She ends at the end of the stage DEMANDING the judges consider her.  Standing ovation from the crowd.
  10. Lisha Paris:  Starts with The Look of Love and she’s in a red sequin coat with red feather trim.   Two boys in red sequin vests.  Very slow and beautiful dancers.  “Girl” comes out asking her what she’s doing.  Where is Lisha Paris?  Beat starts.  She’s in a black leather dance outfit.  More dancers join.  Music is Give Me Tonight.  Contemporary dancing.  Runs into dancers arms and they lift her straight into a full cupie doll.  More dancing and ends with explosion and her upside down.  A couple of minor choreography issues.
  11. Bebe Benet:  Same talent as prelim night.  Jungle theme.  Large feather headdress and coat.  Lots of dancers as savages.  No changes really from final night.  It didn’t seem as big as prelim night.
  12. Asia O’Hara:  Enters from stage left in a burnt orange outfit with corset.  Slow song I’m unfamiliar with.  Two dancers in outfits similar to hers come out.  Music canges to an upbeat song.  Bottom of skirt comes off to reveal pants .  There was a little costume problem.  Contemporary dancing to the extreme.  Music changes over and over.  A couple of dancer issues.  Overall one of the best talents tonight. 

 

SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT

 

EVENING GOWN COMPETITION

 

  1. Victoria LePaige:  Rhinestone chain dolman sleeves;  Green rhinestones with chain black separated by rhinestone chain.  Beautiful hair and smooth modeling.
  2. Tersa Mathews:  Purple and lavender gown with crystal rhinestone bodice.  Feathers along one side from hip to waist with rhinestone chain down the middle of them.  Backless to waist.  Very elegant modeling.
  3. Whitney Paige: Same gown as last year.  Nude illusion with criss-cross design, dripping with rheinestones.  Fit is better this year.  Coco Vega gown. 
  4. Myah Monroe:  Chocolate paillettes with chocolate satin bottom.  Bottom comes off to reveal turquoise bottom.  Gown is covered in paillettes with aurora emerald and topaz stones covering it all.  Matching jewelry.
  5. Kirsten Grey:  Same gown as preliminary night.  Hair and modeling show her inexperience.  She’s very happy to be here.
  6. Daniel Hunter:  Yellow and green gown over nude illusion.  Midriff is mostly bare with flowers covering some.  Fishtail is yellow chiffon.  Shoe gets caught in the stage at end of runway.
  7. Victoria Lace:  Pink gown with asymmetrical neckline.  Covered in stones in pink and auora and beads.  Neckline is very interesting.  Best gown Victoria has worn at USofA. 
  8. Roxy Marquis:  Royal blue and purplish beads in large chevrons.  Heavily rhinestoned in bodice.  Modeling was different.  Gown was very flowy at bottom.  Similar hair to last year.
  9. Alyssa Edwards:  black beaded gown with completely rhinestoned bra and hemline.  Bra comes to point in back at waistline and goes into rhinestone fishtail.
  10. Lisha Paris:  Baby blue with zig zag vertical design.  Completely dripping in crystal rhinestones.  Matching baby blue rhinestone jewelry.  Modeling was elegant and beautiful.
  11. Bebe Benet:  Lavender and purple gown from prelim night.  Bunches in back when she walks.
  12. Asia O’Hara:  Green foxtails completely covering her.  Lime green form-fitting gown dripping in aurora stones.  Modeling was too slow.

 

SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT

 

AWARDS

 

Interview: Danielle Hunter

Talent:  Alyssa Edwards

Evening Gown: Alyssa Edwards

Best Production: Alyssa Edwards

Best Solo Talent: Kirsten Grey

 

4th Runner Up: Victoria Lace

3rd Runner Up: Danielle Hunter

2nd Runner Up: Roxy Marquis

1st Runner Up: Asia O’Hara

Winner: Alyssa Edwards