Texas Native Captures Miss Gay America Crown in St. Louis

BY: COLIN MURPHY - SENIOR WRITER

    At long last the wait has ended for female illusionist Alyssa Edwards (whose real name is Justin Johnson) in his years-long quest to become Miss Gay America (MGA).

    On Nov. 1, the Texas native was crowned the storied pageant's 39th "Symbol of Excellence" by Missouri's-own Victoria DePaula (MGA 2009) at the Millennium Hotel grand ballroom. 

    This is the second National title that the entertainer has won, having previously triumphed at Miss Gay USofA 2006. The wins place the 29-year-old in rather elite company and the rarified air of having captured the top prize in two of the art forms "big four" pageant systems.

    MGA is the oldest and one of the most celebrated female impersonation pageants of its kind and was held in St. Louis for the second consecutive year, Oct. 28 - Nov.1, 2009. Sometimes called "the boys pageant," MGA requires all of its contestants remain male in every sense. Hence, no hormones or surgical augmentation is allowed below the neck.

    50 contestants from across the nation battled it out before capacity crowds over three nights of preliminary competition for the top ten spots to compete for the coveted crown and scepter. Contestants qualify for MGA by winning or placing first alternate at one of the many state or regional preliminaries held throughout the country.

    In addition to Edwards (First Alternate, Miss Gay Heartland America), the top ten included former Miss Gay Missouri America, China Collins (First Alternate, Miss Gay Mid East America) and Show-Me-Stater, Tajma Stetson (First Alternate, Miss Gay Missouri America). The trio was joined by CoCo Montrese (Miss Gay Heart of America), Symphony Alexander Love (Miss Gay Ohio America), Monica Moore (Miss Gay Florida America), Jessica Jade (Miss Gay DC America), Sally Sparkles (Miss Southern Elegance America), Kristina Kelly (Miss Gay Mid Atlantic America), and Tatiyanna Voche’ (Miss Gay Mid East America) who competed in the categories of evening gown, on stage question and talent.

    "Miss Gay America 2010 will go down in history as a transformational year," St. Louis native Vicki Vincent (MGA 1989), told the crowd. "I'm just so thrilled to have it in my back yard."

    Indeed, it is the rarest of events to enjoy consensus among pageant watchers but this year most everyone in attendance seemed to agree; the crown went to right individual. Edwards has been a perennial crowd favorite since bursting onto the MGA stage in 2003 with the sleek and feminine illusion earning third place overall at MGA 2005 and fourth place overall at both MGA 2006 and 2009.

    This year's pageant in St. Louis is earning rave reviews for producing one of the best top ten's since the "glory days" of MGA in the 1980s and early 1990s. Multiple contestants were rewarded with standing ovations throughout the final night of competition but Edwards' strong and consistent presence shined brightly from the graceful silhouette of the siren's lavender evening gown to show stopping performances in solo talent ("I Want to be a Rockette") and long talent ( an intricately choreographed ballet offering.)

    Joining Alyssa Edwards to round out the MGA 2010 Court were CoCo Montrese, Jessica Jade, Sally Sparkles and Kristina Kelly who earned first, second, third and fourth alternate honors, respectively.

    Other final night awards announced from the stage included the Lady Shawn Male Interview Award (CoCo Montrese), the Ramona LeGer Evening Gown Award (Sally Sparkles), the Lady Baronessa On-Stage Question Award (Symphony Alexander Love), the Naomi Sims Solo Talent Award (Alyssa Edwards), the Leslie Rage Talent Award (Alyssa Edwards), the State Preliminary of the Year Award (Miss Gay Ohio America) and the Regional Preliminary of the Year Award (Miss Gay Heart of America).

    As MGA 2010, Edwards will travel the country throughout the year administrating over and performing at the franchise of preliminary contests which include Miss Gay Missouri, the second oldest prelim of its kind.

   Sources close to MGA state that next year's pageant will be held in Columbus, Ohio although no offiical anouncement has been made from pageant owner L & T. Entertainment.

MGA Returns to Millennium Hotel (2009), MGA Glitz Comes to StL (2008), 2009 MGA Pageant (2008), Miss Gay America Dethroned (2010), Coco Montrese Crowned MGA (2010)

For more information check out www.missgayamerica.com

You can email Colin Murphy at colin_murphy@sbcglobal.net