Q: This is your first year competing in Miss Gay Iowa. Why did you decide to compete?
I’ve only been performing for about a year and a half. Miss Gay Iowa is appealing to me because it really gives you an elevated sense of perfection. You see the queens who are participating in the pageant and they are gorgeous and put together and flawless. You know it takes a certain amount of skill to pull all that together. I want to participate in that perfection.
Q: What was your reaction when you won the Miss Capital City preliminary competition in August?
It was a total surprise. I had no intention of even competing — I did it on a whim. So it definitely wasn’t something I expected. When I got out there and they announced my name, it was a mix of laughter and tears. I couldn’t believe it.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this weekend?
The crowd’s reactions. Getting ready backstage can be pretty daunting. You put your wig on and it’s uncomfortable. You put your gown on and it’s uncomfortable. But when you step on stage and see the audience, you forget about all that and it’s totally worth it.
Q: Is there anything that’s worrying you in these final moments leading up to the event?
At this point, I’m just really excited. During the past few weeks, I’ve been really nervous. But now I feel ready and I’m just excited to go out there and show them what I’ve been working on.
Q: What will your talent performance be like?
It will probably surprise some people because I’m doing something that isn’t usually done at pageants. I’m excited to perform.
Q: Do you feel that since you are young and a newbie on the pageant scene that you can get away with less conventional talent routines?
I wouldn’t say that what I’m doing is completely off the wall or has never been done before, but it will be different. Times change and the drag scene changes and I want to do something new.
Q: What is the role of Miss Gay Iowa?
I think her biggest role is basically being there for the other queens. She should be a model of the person you one day hope to be. For the LGBT community, she is ultimately responsible for getting all the prelims together for Miss Gay Iowa. It’s a big deal. A lot of people don’t see what goes on behind the scenes and how much work it takes to put these events together. She should be a model hard worker who embraces excellence. That is something I really want to be.
Q: What would you like to say to the judges?
I am your Miss Gay Iowa. I have the passion and the talent and the patience to do what it takes to do a good job with the title.
