Freeda Kulo
Miss Hell’s Kitchen 2025
IG: @freedakulo Photocredit: @jonas.visions
Drag in this city is constantly evolving. It’s bold, resilient, emotional, glamorous, political, messy, inspiring and deeply human all at once. Beyond the wigs, lights and late nights are artists who pour their hearts into every performance and continue pushing our community and culture forward.
For this Pride issue, I wanted to spotlight a few entertainers who have truly been standing out in their respective spaces. From pageant legends and nightlife staples to rising stars creating their own lanes, each of these artists represents a different piece of what makes our drag community so powerful.
We attempted to gather everyone to make this shoot possible, but thankfully a lot of us have the not-bad problem of being booked and blessed. Besides, the only person who can successfully get so many iconic drag artists in one room is the incredible Miss Leidy Rodriguez, a creative director and producer.
( IG: @missleidyrodriguez)
Their stories, perspectives and artistry deserve to be seen, celebrated and remembered.
Please be sure to follow and support these incredible individuals–not just during Pride season, but all year long.
As my reign as Miss Hell’s Kitchen begins to approach its final chapter, I’m also excited to announce that I will be crowning the next Miss Hell’s Kitchen 2026 on October 11 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater.
Applications officially open June 1, and I cannot wait to see the next generation of entertainers step into this legacy and show us who they are.
Alicia LoveMiss Stonewall 2025
IG: @alicialove0 Photocredit: @jonas.visions
By the time this issue is released, Alicia will have stepped down and crowned the next Miss Stonewall 2026. Nevertheless, she made history as the first-ever trans winner of this pageant.
What does visibility and representation mean to you right now?
“Being visible means life or death for me. That isn’t abstract. For many trans people, visibility can bring danger, but invisibility can erase you just as painfully. Choosing to be seen anyway — especially through the tears — is an act of courage and protection for others who may not yet feel safe enough to stand in the light themselves.
Representation matters because people often learn what is possible from who they see reflected back at them. Positive, human, nuanced representation.
How do you stay true to yourself as an artist?
I put all my trauma and past hurt into my stage performances. For many artists, performance becomes a way to reclaim experiences that once caused suffering. Instead of hiding those wounds, I channel them into something expressive and powerful. That’s part of why audiences often remember performers like me; they’re not just watching entertainment, they’re witnessing someone reveal something real.
What do you hope for the future generation of drag?
“Drag conversations in mainstream culture have often centered queens, while drag kings, trans performers, bio queen and other artists receive less visibility.
I advocate for broader representation within drag itself, making sure more performers get recognition. Less gatekeeping, less infighting and more celebration of each performer’s individuality. Drag is strongest when it makes room for many voices and styles instead of rewarding only one image of what drag should be.
Beyond the parties, what does Pride mean to you?
“For many LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people, Pride can mean continuing to love yourself even in moments of struggle, doubt, discrimination or exhaustion. Pride has become too much about partying and not enough about educating and uplifting. Pride is not just entertainment, but remembrance, resistance, healing and collective responsibility.
Athena
Ultimate Diva Cycle 8
IG: @itstheathena
Photocredit: @jonas.visions
By the time this issue is released, Janelle will have already crowned the Cycle 8 winner, but we wanted a chance to chat with this native New Yorker.
What makes someone an “Ultimate Diva” to you?
An artist who is comfortable in their art! Someone who truly believes in themself and has the confidence to be that Ultimate Diva, whether they win a crown or not.
What’s something drag has taught you about yourself?
Drag has taught me so much about myself, but the biggest thing it’s taught me is professionalism. With so many spaces and so many performers, it truly takes the most professional of all to keep getting bookings!
What’s your favorite part of NYC drag culture?
It’s how these bitches aren’t afraid to spread drag all over this city! You can find drag in the most random bars and restaurants, with divas just trying to entertain.
What keeps you motivated as a performer?
Living to work and not working to live. It is an honor to say drag is my job and something I decided to make into a career. I love this art form more than anything. From being on stage myself to seeing shows in dive bars and on main stages, it all keeps me motivated and wanting to do more.
Lolita StarrDrag Wars All Stars 9
IG: @thelolitastarr
Photocredit: @jonas.visions
By the time this issue is released, the iconic Shequida Hall will have announced a winner for All Stars 10, but that won’t stop Lolita Starr from shining brighter than ever before.
What’s Pride in NYC feeling like for
you this year?
Pride for me is always an exciting time because it reminds me of the joy it brings to me and so many others in the community.
For some of us, we only have each other, and Pride is that time to celebrate our individuality and show the tenacity of our queerness. So to me, this year feels like love and community.
How would you describe your drag style in three words?
Hyperfeminine, edgy, and sexy.
What’s been one of your favorite nightlife memories lately?
One of my favorite nightlife memories has been working with Shequida Hall for her Balcon Rouge show. I had a five-month run, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It gave me a real taste of nightlife and what it means to be a working girl. I learned so much from Shequida about professionalism, and I applied everything I learned to my drag. It really helped me navigate my way through nightlife.
What keeps you inspired to keep performing in New York?
What keeps me inspired is the passion I have for drag. For me, it’s about wanting to grow as an entertainer and artist and pushing my limits to become the best version of myself. I’ve found amazing friends in nightlife and have been given amazing opportunities like this one. I don’t think I would be where I am if I hadn’t put fear aside and stepped onto NYC nightlife stages.
Mariyea
Miss Bushwig 2025
IG: @mariyeaaaa
Photocredit: @alexisshootss
Edited by @itslolowrld
You balance both acting and drag. How do these two creative worlds inspire each other for you?
I would describe my drag performance style as an actor who moves well. I approach each performance with the goal of embodying the mood or emotion of the song. Telling the story if you will. In turn, my performances as a drag artist have contributed to my growth as an actor. I find myself more intentional, bold and confident in the choices I make on stage or in film. Both of these art forms have a big influence on each other when it comes to my work.
What’s been the most rewarding part of building a career both inside and outside of nightlife?
The most rewarding part of building my career has definitely been the opportunities I’ve been blessed to experience. My work in nightlife has allowed me to accomplish many of my dreams. From movie to television appearances and opening for pop stars, I’ve accomplished things I
thought would take years, and I’m just getting started. The relationships and connections I have been able to foster through my work are among my biggest joys.
Bushwig celebrates artists who push boundaries. How do you think you reflect that energy?
As the reigning Miss Bushwig, I find it a huge honor to know that my work pushes boundaries. For me, I think that exists through the multiple intersections in which I present any of my work. I am a black trans woman, who is also an actress, entertainer and educator. In addition, I am beautiful, fly, hot and sexy. My work is about combining every aspect of my identity and personhood into one well constructed performance. I don’t push the boundary, I shatter it every time I touch a stage.
What’s next for Mariyea – in drag, acting or beyond?
The next thing for Mariyea is continuing my work on a greater scale. Larger audiences, bigger stages, grander opportunities and a lot more fun and joy through it all!
Vanity LaVain
Miss Paradise 2025
IG: @thevanitylavain
Photocredit: @jonas.visions
In just a short amount of time, this powerhouse entertainer has made a name for herself all over the tri-state area and is now continuing the legacy of an iconic crown.
How has life changed since becoming Miss Paradise?
Becoming Miss Paradise has widened my connections to so many performers and venues! Working with new performers every week has been an amazing adventure. I’ve definitely become a busy bee, but I’m so grateful for it!
What does that title mean to you personally?
I fought for the title of Miss Paradise three years in a row, and the third time was the charm. The title ultimately meant joining a staff and former titleholders who have become family over the years.
What’s your favorite part about performing in queer nightlife?
My favorite part is watching and feeling the power of a drag performer and how it affects an audience in a bar, club or anywhere else. A drag performer creates a place and a moment to escape from the outside world. It’s my job to bring people joy.
What’s one thing you want people to feel when they see you perform?
When people see me perform, I want them to feel love and attention. When I grab a dollar, I make sure to share a small moment with each person because everyone deserves a little glimmer of love and attention.
ShowPonii
Final Diva Cycle 1
IG: @showponii
Photocredit: @seekaxiom
What does “First Final Diva” mean to you?
First Final Diva to me as a king is very special as no kings have won Diva, let alone made it to the top. I wanted to prove to myself and showcase that kings are fierce competitors and deserve the limelight and I adore all my drag brothers that killed it before me and I definitely could not have gotten to the top if not for them and all their help.
What’s your approach when putting together your package for the competition?
I wanted to showcase and elevate who I am as a performer. Every time I do any competition, I go in with the mind set to sell myself to the audience. I always want to showcase why I’m good, why kings are good and should not be overlooked and that we are also fierce competitors. I took references from my favorite horror icons that have influenced my drag and me as a person, along with my number being very centered around my experience as a trans person and the difficulty I
faced navigating the scene as a gay trans man.
What’s been one of your favorite moments in drag so far?
Some of my favorite moments in drag are definitely winning Best King and winning Final Diva and seeing all my friends and family there to support me.
Truly anything where I get to be surrounded by my drag family is always a cherished memory for me, whether it’s doing shows together or supporting each other’s endeavors.
Who would you like to see compete in the next Final Diva?
I would love to see more kings and things in the next Final Diva, like Xana Whoria, but two queens I would love are my drag sister, Venus Babes, and of course, C’etait BonTemps. They would absolutely kill a horror themed competition.
Sophya Medina
Miss Fire Island 2025
IG: @sophyamedina
Photocredit: @jonas.visions
With Fire Island’s peak season among us, this reigning queen is excited to give it her all before stepping down in August.
What does being Miss Fire Island mean to you?
It’s a big step for me and a milestone for my Latino community. I’m really happy and excited to reign and show everyone all sides of myself.
How would you describe your drag aesthetic?
Classic, Latina, pageant queen, competitive and always ready to help everyone
Aside from Miss Fire Island, you’re also the current titleholder of another crown. Tell me more about it — and how many crowns do you have in total?
In total, I have 14 crowns. I recently traveled and represented the USA for Miss Turismo Universo XL and brought the crown home. Less than two weeks later — and super scared — I joined the Miss Fire Island pageant and became the 59th queen of the world’s longest-running drag pageant, according to the Guinness World Records.I’m also Miss Dominican Republic Universo Latina USA Plus, and the final night of that national competition will be in Washington, D.C., this October.
What’s queer joy to you right now?
Queer joy, to me, is the feeling of being fully seen without needing to shrink, translate or apologize. It’s not only happiness — it’s relief, freedom, play, intimacy, resilience and self-expression all tangled together.
Myster E Mel Kiki
Mr Bushwig 2024
IG: @myster_e_mel Photocredit: @koo.rah
Do you feel like drag kings are finally getting the visibility they deserve in
nightlife and media?
Ever since I started doing drag in 2018, I’ve seen a huge shift in how visible drag kings have become in nightlife and media by 2026. In 2022, I won Best Drag King at the Glam Awards after the category had been gone for over 20 years, which felt pretty surreal.
Then, in 2024, Bushwig named me the very first Mr. Bushwig. And thanks to Dragula, more people finally got to see just how creative and impactful drag kings are within the art form. Landon Cider’s big season win was such a major moment, and Tenderoni winning DQOTY really showed the range and talent that exists in the drag king community.
Last year also brought the first-ever drag king reality competition series on Revry TV, which was a huge milestone for the community. Watching King Molasses take the crown was honestly incredible.
Even though drag kings are getting a lot more visibility now, I still think there’s a long way to go. A lot of performers are still fighting for equal billing, fair pay and more recognition in different spaces. There are so many amazing drag kings, trans masculine performers and gender-expansive artists who deserve the same mainstream opportunities that other types of drag have had for years. The progress so far has been exciting and meaningful, but there’s still plenty of work to do before visibility turns into real equity.
What do you hope the future of drag kings looks like in the next few years?
I truly hope for continued success for all drag kings. In the next few years, I hope to see much more representation across the board, both in mainstream media and within local communities.
I’d love for drag kings to have more consistent opportunities to perform and be celebrated, with weekly drag king shows becoming the norm instead of just monthly events.
What does it mean to you to be seen as a role model for queer and trans performers who don’t always see themselves represented on stage?
It means a lot, because representation can change what someone believes is possible for themselves. For queer and trans performers, especially those who grew up rarely seeing people like them centered on stage, visibility isn’t just symbolic — it can be affirming, empowering and sometimes even lifesaving. I don’t see being a role model as being perfect. I see it as being honest, showing up fully as yourself, and making space for other people to do the same. If someone watches a performance and feels a little more confident in their identity, a little less alone, or more willing to pursue their art without shrinking themselves, that’s incredibly meaningful to me.
I also think it’s important to recognize that queer and trans artists have always existed and shaped culture, even when they weren’t acknowledged or protected. So part of being visible now is honoring that history while helping create a future where the next generation doesn’t have to fight quite so hard just to be seen.
What’s something people still misunderstand about drag kings and the artistry behind it?
A big misunderstanding is that drag kings are somehow the ‘less interesting’ side of drag, when in reality the artistry is incredibly layered. People often reduce it to ‘women dressing as men,’ but great king performance is about character work, storytelling, physicality, musicality, fashion, comedy and social commentary all at once. Kings also play with masculinity in ways audiences aren’t always used to analyzing. We’re taught to scrutinize femininity constantly, but masculinity often goes unquestioned. Drag kings expose how constructed masculinity is — the swagger,
posture, ego, vulnerability, bravado — and that can be funny, unsettling, sexy or deeply emotional.
Another misconception is that drag kings are automatically more ‘low effort’ because the makeup can look different from high-glam drag. But creating believable facial hair, reshaping the body silhouette, building a stage persona and performing masculinity convincingly takes a huge amount of skill and intentionality. And honestly, some people still expect drag to center only one kind of queer performance. Kings, trans masc performers, nonbinary artists and gender-expansive performers have always been part of drag history. The scene gets richer when audiences stop treating them like a niche side category and start recognizing them as essential artists in the culture.
