A Groundbreaking New Series Uniting Ten Legends of Drag in a Powerful Celebration of Legacy, Artistry, and Sisterhood
Pageant Queens: Our Story Behind the Crown, the groundbreaking 12-episode docuseries that redefines what it means to compete, create, and connect through drag, begins streaming its first ten episodes this Fall. Directed by Travis Stancil with Michael Silas as Artistic Director, the series follows ten legendary national titleholders who move into a South Florida mansion to prepare for the ultimate crown – “The Queen of Drag” – and a $50,000 cash prize.
But as Stancil emphasizes, Pageant Queens is not a race, it is a revolution. “From the first episode, viewers see that these queens are here to share what drag truly means to them,” he says. “It’s an emotional journey that reveals their struggles, triumphs, and untold stories. We’re shining light on the experiences that shaped this art form.”
Unlike traditional competition shows, Pageant Queens replaces elimination rounds with collaboration, introspection, and authentic storytelling. Viewers witness the queens living together, forming chosen family bonds, and even designing their own pageant by voting on judges, scoring systems, and final performances.
“That strategic layer keeps things exciting,” Stancil explains. “But what makes the series especially powerful is that it’s rooted in truth. We showcase how drag queens truly live between their brunch shows and nightlife performances. We offer a real behind-the-scenes experience.”
The women of Pageant Queens: Our Story Behind the Crown hold over thirty-eight national titles from some of the most prestigious drag systems in existence, including Miss Continental, Miss Gay USofA, Entertainer of the Year, Queen, Miss Black Universe, Miss Black America, Miss Glamorous, and Miss Gay America. These women are more than competitors; they are the architects of an entire art form.
They include Kennedy Davenport from RuPaul’s Drag Race; Layla Larue, a Texas powerhouse, best known for her explosive Missy Elliott impersonations; Laguna Beach’s Shae Shae Lareese, affectionately known as “Mother Gangster”; A’zsia Dupree, “The Bazooka Girl” from Jacksonville, Florida; Tonica E. Cavalli, “The Diamond of the South,”; Joan Jullian, “The Amazon Beauty” from Paris; Tatiyanna Voche from Raleigh, North Carolina; Tiffany T. Hunter, affectionately called “America’s Sweetheart”; Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington, who stands among the most decorated entertainers in drag history; and Buff Faye, a former Entertainer of the Year known for her charisma, humor, and authentic storytelling.
South Florida and the vibrantly queer cities of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, South Beach, Wilton Manors, and Lauderhill, act as a backdrop to the series. “We considered filming in a more drag-friendly location, but we decided that staying in Florida would be more powerful,” Stancil shares. “You can’t create change by staying in safe spaces. By shining bright here, we send a message of perseverance, visibility, and hope.”
And shine they do. Throughout the first ten-episode arc of Pageant Queens: Our Story Behind the Crown,viewers watch as the queens share their stories of identity, family, and the fight to be seen.
Though the $50,000 prize adds stakes to the pageant competition, it’s evident that the true reward is deeper. “The ladies are not only fighting to win,” confirms Stancil. “They are fighting for respect, to make their mark in history and for their pageantry to be recognized as the best in the world.”
The first ten episodes of Pageant Queens: Our Story Behind the Crown will be available for streaming this fall. The two-part finale will release soon after. “This is just the beginning,” Stancil promises. “We’re building something bigger than a show. We’re building a legacy. One crown at a time.”
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