Miss Continental is an annual drag queen pageantry system founded in 1980 by Jim Flint. The pageant takes place at the Baton Show Lounge in Chicago, Illinois, and it usually is held over Labor Day weekends.
History Jim Flint organized the first Miss Continental Pageant in 1980. He started the competition as an inclusive pageant for all female impersonators, including those who have taken hormones or had surgical enhancements.
The first competition had 14 contestants. Ten years later in 1990, there were 44 contestants and 25 preliminaries in the United States.
Competitions Also known as the Continental Pageantry System, the pageant features different competitions.
Miss Continental Plus debuted in 1991, a pageant for competitors weighing or more. Miss Continental Elite was created in 2004 for entertainers who are over the age of 40. Mr. Continental was formed in 2003 for male entertainers. Mr. and Miss Continental Newcomer was added in 2023 for those with three or fewer years of experience.
Contestants show five looks and a talent. More than 40 preliminary competitions occur around the world, and the finalists then come to Chicago for the event.
Winners Sources
Legend: † indicates that the contestant is deceased.
YearMiss ContinentalMiss Continental PlusMiss Continental EliteMr. ContinentalMiss Continental NewcomerMr. Continental Newcomer1980Chilli Pepper †1981Heather Fontaine1982Tiffany Arieagus 1983Chena Black1984Cherine Alexander †1985Maya Douglas1986Tandi Andrews †1987Dana Douglas 1988Kelly Lauren1989Lakesha Lucky1990Chanel Dupree1991Amber Richards †Ginger Grant †1992Mimi MarksDenise Russell1993Monica MunroLady Catiria †1994CézanneErica Christian1995Lady Catiria †Carmella Marcella Garcia †1996Paris FrantzVictoria Le Paige1997Tasha LongDena Cass1998Michelle DupreeSantana T. Summers †1999Tommie RossTerri Williams2000Danielle HunterTumara Mahorning2001Candis CayneAngel Sheridan2002Yoshiko OshiroChevelle Brooks2003Erika NorellVictoria ParkerCarl Harris (dethroned)Ray Matthews2004Erica Andrews †Anjelica SanchezNikki AdamsAntonio Edwards2005Domanique ShappelleAmayaBarbara HerrTony Desario2006Victoria Le PaigeDesiree DeMornay †Maya DouglasSimba Hall2007Necole Luv DupreeTajma Hall †Danielle HunterRasean Montrese2008TulsiMercedes TylerAngel SheridanDavid "Freklz" Hunter2009ArmaniCoco Van CartierMichelle FighterChristopher Iman2010Mokha MontreseRoxxxy AndrewsElectraNick Gray2011Alexis Gabrielle SherringtonChelsea Pearl †Daesha RichardsPhillip Alexander2012Sasha ColbyTanisha Cassadine †Dana DouglasAngel Saez2013Naysha LopezWhitney Paige †Farra N. HyteKourtney Paige Van WalesKalil Valentino2014Brooke Lynn HytesTahjee ImanLady Charisse Estrada †Joey Taylor2015Tiffany T. HunterKofiChantal ReshaeMykul J. Valentine2016Jazell Barbie RoyaleNatasha DouglasTeryl Lynn FoxxAntwuan Steele2017Shantell D’MarcoKeke Velazquez-LordFontasia L'AmourRamon Ventura2018Stasha SanchezChy'enne ValentinoLorna Vando /Misty Knight (honorary) †Sir Valentino2019Vanessa Van CartierDarcel StevensA'zsia DupreeDesi M. Andrews2020Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic2021Britney TaylorYosmein C. Starr2022Juliana RiveraRachel MeredithLayla LaRueTravis Stancil2023Sunny Dee-LiteLindsay PaigeTaylor St. JamesSyvon Sinatra2024Zhané DawlingzAlvion Arnell DavenportLee Ann Feathers /Fantasia Dior (honorary)Noel AnayaDomininkDioscar Montesino2025Raquell LordTashae R. SherringtonAlexis MateoRaul Griffith-ValentinJoey YoungKing Adonis2026Gadfrie ArbuluDina Jacobs(honorary)Alexandrea DiamondKirby KolbyIsaiah Sanchez HiltonSting Dion2027Pattaya HartJoshuan AponteParker Phillips
Popular media The Queens, a documentary directed by Mark Saxenmeyer, premiered in 2020 and focused on the 2011 competition.
See also Miss International Queen Miss Trans Star Internacional
References
Richard Knight Jr. (January 17, 1990). Glamazons: Here she comes, with a few hundred pounds of sequins and a massive will to win. Chicago Tribune Barbara Brotman (August 2, 1992). Gender gap: Lines blur as drag contestants give it all they've got-and more. Chicago Tribune
External links