The Ultimate Drag Pageant is rounding out its sixth triumphant season on Thursday, March 8th at 11:00pm at the West End. Hosted by Marti Gould Cummings and Nedra Belle, eight girls will fight for the crown and prize package sponsored by House of La Rue! Before you cheer them on, let's meet the eight queens battling it out!
Allura Borealis
What has been the best part about being a part of the Ultimate Drag Pageant?: Finally getting to explore my drag and build up my repertoire, also having the chance to build some relationships with other Queens who were relatively new to the scene as well. In all honesty, each of them gave me some inspiration for the future.
What was your favorite performance of the first 7 weeks?: If I absolutely HAD to choose, I'd say Bambi's entrancing number from week 7, cause that was just POWERFUL and live for a number with a strong social message behind it.
What can we expect from you in the finale?: I like to think it'll be very different look-wise, my performance is a bit of a redemption for my own piece of mind.
Bambi
What has been the best part about being a part of the Ultimate Drag Pageant?: My favorite thing about participating in the Ultimate Drag pageant is meeting all these freakishly talented and beautiful queens! #sisterhood.
What was your favorite performance of the first 7 weeks?: My favorite performance (of mine) thus far was my number for comedy week. I never considered myself a comedic performer but I surprised myself. Favorite performance of all... Nicole, week 7, performs a live colonoscopy on stage!!!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
What can we expect from you in the finale?: A royal procession.
Carlos the Uber Driver
What has been the best part about being a part of the Ultimate Drag Pageant?: I've had so much fun learning about who I am as a drag performer and what my style of drag is/ how I can affect an audience with my drag! It's also been fun to compete with all the girls, who I've come to really love over the past weeks, and especially my "girlfriend" Tiffany!
What was your favorite performance of the first 7 weeks?: My favorite performance was my "Le Jazz Hot" performance for Glamour week! It was so fulfilling to nail one of my favorite numbers from the Julie Andrews cannon!!
What can we expect from you in the finale?: This week look forward to Something very theatrical, exciting, and possibly even moving! 😉
Celah Doore
What has been the best part about being a part of the Ultimate Drag Pageant?: I wanted to join this show because I was as a new girl who wanted to meet other up-and-comers in the drag world of NYC, and I've been a huge fan of Marti since I met her and I wanted a chance to watch her and learn, as well as meet queens who are exactly where I am. It would be nice to win, but my biggest goal for this was to learn about my own drag, and I really feel I did that.
What was your favorite performance of the first 7 weeks?: That I did it that someone else did? I was a REAL big fan of Tiffany's 90's week number, I think that one sticks out at me the most. As for myself, I really liked my last weeks number, singing live, because I feel I really learned what i wanted my drag to he and what direction I wanted to steer it. I also loved my Broadway number (Killer Instinct). I think it was clever hahah!
What can we expect from you in the finale?: She went through a creative journey this competition, and she came out on the other side having discovered why she likes to do drag. So I think you can expect a killer lewk, a fierce beat, and some good old fashioned musical theatre comedy. That's where I think she thrives.
Foolisha
What has been the best part about being a part of the Ultimate Drag Pageant?: The most wonderful thing about being part of this pageant has been getting to know my sisters and the audience and showing them who I am as an artist and performer. It was such an honor to share my work here and to witness the work of my pageant sisters.
What was your favorite performance of the first 7 weeks?: Honestly, I was not able to see all of the performances because I need to focus and keep to myself before I go on BUT seeing Bambina as Eartha Kitt's Cat Woman was a real treat and I was living for her diamond heist story. As far as my own, it's hard to say, from week 3 on, I was having a blast. PrimaDonna Girl was probably the most fun though;)
What can we expect from you in the finale?: shock, madness, confusion, disorder...you know, the usual😏
Nicole Onoscopi
What has been the best part about being a part of the Ultimate Drag Pageant?: It truly has been a treat to get to know the other girls. Our styles of drag could not be more different and it has been a wonderful asset to be able to learn and draw inspiration from them. When I first moved to NYC, Marti Gould Cummings was the first drag queen I ever saw perform and she quickly became a big inspiration for me. To compete in this competition with Marti and Nedra at the helm has meant so very much to me and has affirmed my passion for the art of drag.
What was your favorite performance of the first 7 weeks?: With all of the effort that has gone into each week I imagine that answering this question is very much like choosing a favorite child, but I if I HAD to choose I would pick my parody of Grow For Me for Broadway Week. I always feel so at home in the musical theatre canon and I feel that having earned me my first win of the competition, this number really started my momentum and taught me that I have a skill for comedy. Week 7's colonoscopy number would certainly come in a very close second.
What can we expect from you in the finale?: Throughout this entire competition I have been giving high-energy comedic numbers with a bit of a shock factor, but for the finale I want to take the opportunity to do something a bit more heartfelt. I am so grateful for the immense love and support that has been sent my way over the course of this competition. This pageant has provided me an opportunity for such immense growth and for that I couldn't be more pleased. Thursday will be about appreciating this journey and those that have come out week after week to support.
Shelby Late
What has been the best part about being a part of the Ultimate Drag Pageant?: The challenge and creative push.
What was your favorite performance of the first 7 weeks?: My Moira Rose mix for Comedy week.
What can we expect from you in the finale?: Like every other week... I'll be serving looks and a killer mix.
Tiffany Anne Coke
What has been the best part about being a part of the Ultimate Drag Pageant?: I have had so much fun boppin around the stage each week in UDP- my favorite part has been getting to experience and learn from so many great minds in the industry. (Pageant answer, you are welcome)
What was your favorite performance of the first 7 weeks?: My favorite performance was absolutely musical theatre week, being able to perform with my boyfriend/girlfriend Carlos The Uber Driver was a dream. She's taught me a ton, you could say I luh her.
What can we expect from you in the finale?: Tiffany is going to have a good time doing what she does best...moving too much and wearing nothing. Let me entertain you.
