Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Some of Puerto Vallarta’s finest straight men went out on a limb last Sunday, donning garish make-up, wigs and dresses and parading around in high heels to raise money and awareness for victims of domestic violence in the Banderas Bay area.
What started out in 2015 as a fun way to raise money and awareness for victims of domestic violence in the Banderas Bay area has become one of the season’s most anticipated events, selling out every year. But this year, the organizers of ‘What A Drag’ had to come up with some creative ways to present the 7th edition of Puerto Vallarta’s annual drag competition for straight men in a pandemic safe, socially distanced way.
Thanks to the audience that filled up the limited seating at Teatro Vallarta, those who attended the live stream events at Act2PV, Casa Karma and Monzon Brewing Company, and generous donations made by both Puerto Vallarta locals and those who watched the live stream from their home countries, $1.1 million pesos were raised for the women and children who are sheltered at Casa Esperanza (formerly known as the Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter).
As it has since 2018, this year’s competition was held at Teatro Vallarta, where the 2016 Voice Of Vallarta winner, Eli Estrada, welcomed the 300 guests that sold-out the theater’s socially-distanced seating with a sampling of Latin tunes, including Sabor a Mi, Y Tu and Besame Mucho.
Her stellar performance set the stage for Mistress of Ceremony, Sutton Lee Seymour, who introduced the audience to the six straight men – Todd Adkins, John Guptill, Tirso Garcia, Ryan Bymaster, Carl Sidoti and Billy Pilawski – who all volunteered to ‘don the Drag’ for the first time and, with the assistance of a ‘Fairy Drag Mother,’ bravely and brazenly vied for the ‘Miss What A Drag 2021’ crown.
After many long hours of fluffing, tucking and rehearsing, these brave straight men took on their Drag Queen roles, and each one had their own personal style:
Todd Atkins a.k.a. ‘Berry Sweet’ became Barbra Streisand. Her performance featured marvelous choreography.
Carl Sidoti a.k.a. ‘Marilyn Hughes’ transformed into Marilyn Monroe, stunning the crowd with her on-target impersonation. Dressed in a sleek pink gown, legs crossed while she sat sideways and posed to the cameras. “Diamonds!”
Ryan Bymaster a.k.a.’Minni November’ took on the Disco Queen Barbara Tucker, performing to “Respect”. She rocked the house down.
Billy Pilawski a.k.a. ‘Lola Pop’ honored her namesake Lola in Shirley Bassey’s “Copacabana”. The audience was ready to jet down to Rio.
Tirso Garcia a.k.a.’Carolin Amor’ portrayed Courtney Love in Hole, complete with some very sexy moves.
John Guptill a.k.a. ‘Charity Fundrazor’ saluted Lady Gaga in a literal blaze of fire [safe!] and thrilling the audience, especially her huge fan club seated in the rear cheering her on.
Live performances by Eli Estrada, Kim Kuzma, Celeste Inocente, Rubin Márquez, Al Carswell, Tonny Kenneth, Amy Armstrong (who also acted as the event’s online hostess), and Piel Canela added to the fun and excitement of this 7th edition of Puerto Vallarta’s annual drag competition for straight men.
After the last ‘Drag Queen’ had amused the spell-bound audience with his/her uproarious antics, everyone in the audience was asked to vote for their choice of winner. During a short intermission, the votes were tallied…
…and The Winners Were:
Miss What a Drag! John Guptill as ‘Charity Fundrazor’ (Fairy Drag Mother: Javier Martinez)
1st Runner Up: Ryan Bymaster as ‘Minni November’ (Fairy Drag Mother: Nicky FZiccoloni)
2nd Runner Up: Carl Sidoti as ‘Marilyn Hughes’ (Fairy Drag Mother: Amberleigh Thatsall)
A new category, ‘Ms. Sweet Charity,’ was introduced this year, where contestants competed to see who could raise the most money for the Casa Esperanza women’s shelter. This title was given to Miss What a Drag! 2021 winner, John Guptill who raised over $75,000 pesos.
There was also a ‘behind the scenes’ competition for Best Makeup Artists this year…
…and The Winners Were:
1st Place: Alex Daoud
2nd Place: Poly Munoz
3rd Place: Kami Desilets
David Zude and Freda Thompson of Casa Esperanza expressed their gratitude for everyone who made What a Drag! 2021 such a Rip-Roaring success:
“Mil Gracias go out to all of the local business and members of the community who sponsored this over-the-top event in support of Casa Esperanza, and the local businesses that donated prizes to the venues that not only hosted the satellite viewing parties, but also went above and beyond to raise funds for the shelter.
Special thanks go to Show Director, Javier Martinez, Colectivo Hueco for Live Streaming the event, and to all of you who worked behind-the-scenes. There are too many to list here by name, but please know that your hard work, your talents, and your donations will help change lives this year.”
About the Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter
Operated by Compassion for the Family Inc, a US 501c3 charitable organization, the Casa Esperanza Women Shelter provides beaten, emotionally abused and broken women and their children with a warm caring place to live, food, emotional counseling, nursing care, child care, child counseling, job training, life training and, most of all, a second chance at life – free of violence. When each of these women and their children are ready to embark on their new lives, they are provided with a minimum of six-month follow-up support. For more information, please visit CompassionForTheFamily.com, find them on Facebook, or contact David Zude at compassionforthefamily(at)yahoo.com.mx.
Puerto Vallarta entertainment writer Gary R. Beck contributed to this article.