Miss Jungle Atlanta Pageant

Okay kids, I finally had a chance to catch my breath after the pageant and put together some cohesive thoughts about Miss Jungle Atlanta.

Overall, the feedback has been extremely positive and I appreciate all the kind words about this event. The glitches were handled as quickly as possible and anyone in attendance can vouch for the show's quick pace. Now, I *sorta* understand why some of these damn things take three fucking days to do.

With that said, I'd like to congratulate the Dancing Diva Shawnna Brooks for capturing the title. Her victory was well deserved and the package she brought was impeccable. Every category was well thought out and executed for the sole purpose of winning the pageant. In short, she came to win and anything else was unacceptable.

The exceptionally talented Myah Monroe came in as the 1st Runner Up and was knocking on Shawnna's door the entire night. On a personal note, I've come to admire Miss Monroe for her absolute professionalism and perhaps more-so as an entertainer. Great job, Myah.

Jade Daniels nabbed the 2nd Runner Up spot with a package worthy of a National title. From her Presentation to her emotional roller coaster of a Talent and her ever changing Club Wear, this bitch will have a crown around her head in the near future.
Angelica Diamante was also a crowd favorite throughout the pageant. She, arguably had the most energetic package of the entire night. Every time she hit that stage, the crowd went absolutely UP.

Isabella Diamante did a phenomenal job with her Miss Jungle Atlanta package. With the difficult position of drawing the Number One contestant, Isabella showed exactly why she has all those titles under her belt. Everything she did was clean and eye popping.

Finally, Jason Jupiter the Dark Horse of the contest was quite a spectacle to behold throughout the night. She added an element of surprise and unique attitude to the night.

To the entertainers: GiGi Monroe (ATL's first Drag Idol), thanks for all the encouraging words and energy; Necole Luv Dupree -- you're amazing, simply amazing; Monte St. James -- thank you sir, you're truly a gentleman; Tamisha Iman -- it was truly an honor.

To the judges: Bubba D. Licious, Niesha Dupree, Randall and my dear friend Ruby Redd -- thanks for keeping it real. A huge thank you to the MC, Mr. Charlie Brown and her sidekick Nicole Paige Brooks -- you two kept it moving at the speed of light.

Last and certainly not least, to my partner in crime the lovely Ashley Kruiz -- you never cease to dazzle me with your talent, intelligence and brilliance.

Cheers,
Arman

Diary of A Drag Pageant. Part Three

Time goes by…so quickly. I only have three more days until the Miss Jungle pageant. So, in the past week, we’ve picked out the overture and I’ve enlisted DJ Diva Kim Crawford to create a mini-set of pumping tunes for the contestants to walk the house down during Creative Club Wear. She played me a preview yesterday and yeah, it’s gonna be a stomper.

All the judges are ready to go – wanna know who they are? Sorry, hon no can do. All of the contestants are ready to go and it’s going to be quite a bloodbath methinks.

All right, so the Rumor of the Week goes out to the three names I’ve heard that are *supposedly* entering the pageant. So, to Raven, Jasmine Bonet and Stasha Sanchez, Ashley and I will see you at registration. Well, maybe.

Rumors are just that: unverified bits of gossip. I love me some gossip.

Curses, I just realized I’m going to miss the Project Runway reunion show on the night of the pageant.

Shit.

I know, I know; I’m such a fag.

You Remind Me Of..

Drag Idol II: Illusion Night

Okay, sorry it’s taken so long to throw my quickie review on here, but I’ve been in Pageant Hell. (Miss Jungle: three days and counting.)

All right, so the category this past week was Illusion and Characterization. Last year, the top illusions were Alexandria Martin with her Miss Piggy, Jade with her Madonna (from the “Frozen” video) and Destiny Brooks with her Lil’ Kim goes to jail talent.

This time around, I honestly felt everyone played it a bit safe. There weren’t any *real* surprises or outstanding illusions, but there were some good numbers, some with props and extra people, almost full on productions.

Tazaria was voted “Charlie’s Cherry” with her Chaka Khan routine. It was cute, she had the outfit, hair and lip synch down, but a bit lackluster.

Also in the Top 3 was Destiny Brooks with her Alicia Keys illusion and Jazzmen with her Janet Jackson “If” characterization. Both girls received mixed reviews as far as crowd response and judge critiques went -- Destiny for picking a so-so Alicia Keys song and Jazzmen because she opened up Drag Idol with a Janet illusion.

The middle girls were Knomie More and Diamond Monroe. Knomie chose Heather Daniels as her muse and Diamond Monroe channeled RuPaul for hers . Now, the crowd went up for Knomie but after relying on one or two of Heather’s signature moves over and over, they sat back down. Diamond’s routine was also pretty good, but with her mini-production had too much going on and distracted from the Monroe’s real talent. And, get your side show acts out of the bathroom girl, some of us have to pee.

Which leaves us with the bottom two – Jealouse’ and Jazelle. Jealouse’, I felt, actually had the best “pop” out of all the contestants, seamlessly transitioning from all black to all white in the middle of her set. With that said, she’s too tall for a Christina Aguilera illusion. Did she give us Christina? Well, sort of.

Then we have Jazelle with her Pink “Just Like a Pill” set. I thought she pulled it off pretty well to be honest; however it’s the crowd that has the voting power. They apparently agreed that her Pink should have been padded and more emotional. Umm, yeah, give it up for pudgy Pink. See? That’s not right.

Taylor St. Martin had actually dropped out shortly after last week’s Disco Illusion. Bye Taylor, I know I’ll miss you.

So, since Taylor dropped out, that gives Charlie a little leeway from eliminating someone. Everyone comes back for Rock and Roll week. Yay, this was one of my favorites from last season.

Last season, Alexandria Martin and her rock medley and Jade Daniels with her Evanesence medley turned out Rock Week.

Predictions for next week…

Strongest: I’ll go with last week’s bottom two, Jealouse’ and Jazelle.

Crossing Fingers For: Jazzmen and Diamond

My Own Lil' Sex and the City

I knew it. He's totally the Charlotte of the group. He's even getting hitched. Park Avenue bound perhaps?

I love ya' Chris.

And now, my Miranda is finally blogging again. Although, Sean is a lot cuter and a helluva lot more personable. That and he can't have kids, but damnit if he could, he'd make one rockin' lesbian mom.