The 2017 Miss’d America Pageant, hosted by Carson Kressley at Borgata’s Event Center, is offering the largest cash prize ever for it’s winning lady: $5,000! A not-to-be-missed entertainment event, the Pageant started in 1994 at a local Atlantic City club and was created as a spoof of the world-famous Miss America Pageant to raise funds for a local charity. This year’s festivities, which will take place on Saturday, October 7 at 8PM, will feature Miss’d America 2017 Mimi Imfurst, the Miss’d America Dancers, the Melanie Rice Orchestra, and special musical guest Frankie Z.
But who are the queens who will battle it out for the esteemed crown? Some of the hottest drag acts from around the country have lined up to compete to be Miss’d America 2018. Check out their fabulous photos below, and join in all the fun on October 7. Tickets ($35-$100) are available by visiting the Borgata Box Office in-person or online, or by calling 866-900-4TIX.
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- Tina Burner has been a staple in the NYC drag scene for over 7 years. She’s thrilled to be competing in the Miss’d America pageant that benefits the LGBT alliance, the Schultz Hill Foundation, and other LGBTQ charities. She has won numerous titles and crowns, but most recently placed 2nd and won both overall interview and the Tweeka Weed award (Judges Award) in the National Miss Comedy Queen 2017 pageant in Orlando, FL.
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- Sapphira Cristal is a classically trained composer and operatic singer with a five-octave vocal range, and has emerged as a constantly working performance artist, active in New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston with travels all around the the country. She is a former Queen Of Boston Pride, The Drag Queen in Residence at the First Church of Somerville UCC, Philadelphia’s Miss Everything 2015, the Reigning Miss Gay NY USofA, and was featured on Bravo TV’s “Watch What Happens Live.”
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- Pattaya Hart, named after the city famous for world’s most beautiful ‘Ladyboys’ in Thailand, is a theatrical performer, professional dancer, choreographer, dance teacher and an aerialist. Over the years, she has performed in many cities across the United States as well as in some other countries. Taking advantage of living in multi-cultural environment, Pattaya proudly embraces her Asian roots and enthusiastically welcomes the American way of life.
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- Jenna Tall is a 6-foot tall Glamazon who is determined to take the crown. She has been doing drag for over 7 years and has honed her skill set to high levels. Being a professionally trained dancer, seamstress, and makeup artist she has the talent required to not only win the title but reign over her hometown for the next 365 days.
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- By day, Nicholas Mackara dons his suit and tie as a bank manager. By night, Farrah Mascara entertains audiences clad in rhinestones, feathers and dangerous amounts of cosmetics. Nicholas always had an eye for the glitz and glam growing up a true Jersey girl in Southern New Jersey. Art and performing provided an escape to the young boy bullied thru 13 years of Catholic school.Today, Farrah helps Nicholas escape the ordinary and tackle his insecurities.
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- Adriana Trenta placed 3rd at Miss Stonewall 2017 and was in the Top 4 of season 7 of “So You Think You Can Drag.”. She has also had the good fortune of being able to use her position within the community for good, and has done her part to help those in need, including hosting a Manchester benefit at the famed Stonewall Inn and raising over $700 in one night to go to the families of the victims of the Manchester Bombing.
Bryan Buttler has covered the Philadelphia-area LGBT beat for a number of years, and also reviews theater, opera, and classical music. Along with his own writing, Bryan teaches communications at a local college. He lives in Center City Philadelphia. His favorite things at Borgata? The Water Club, the Lola Martini at Angeline, and the Table Thai Massage. Follow Bryan on Twitter @bryanb82 and Instagram @bryanbuttler.