Crowning Beauty

Miss International Queen will crown a new American pageant queen in Las Vegas this December. And that’s just one part of the dazzling five-day event…

By Shane Gallagher

Miss International Queen, America’s premier beauty pageant for transgender women, will dazzle the city of Las Vegas from December 8–12, 2024, with a five-day extravaganza of empowerment, talent and unforgettable experiences. The event will celebrate the beauty and tenacity of transgender women, with contestants showcasing their stories of transformation, resilience and incredible talent. “Miss International Queen is more than just a competition: it is a celebration of life, community and progress,” says Todd Montgomery of Be The Transformational Change Fund, the non-profit hosting the event. “It is sure to inspire and spread joy to the thousands in attendance.”

A highlight of the event will be the participation of the reigning Miss International Queen–USA, Kataluna Enriquez, who will make appearances throughout the week. Enriquez, a trailblazer in the 2SLGBTQI+ community, made history in 2021 when she became the first openly transgender woman to win the Miss Nevada USA pageant, ultimately competing in Miss USA. In August, she competed in the Miss International Queen pageant in Thailand, winning the Best Talent category and placing in the top six of the overall competition. Her presence at Miss International Queen will serve as an inspiration to contestants and attendees alike, as she continues to share her story of perseverance and empowerment. Enriquez will crown her successor on the final night of the pageant, marking a historic moment in the celebration of transgender beauty and achievement.

America’s Miss International Queen competition will kick off on Sunday, December 8, with a press conference and the Sashing Ceremony. This is where the excitement will begin, as each contestant is introduced to the public, proudly wearing her sash. Open to everyone, the event will be the first peek at all of the incredible contestants.

The fun continues on December 9 when Miss International Queen combines pageantry with community service. Contestants will gather at the 2SLGBTQI+ Center in Las Vegas to participate in a holiday-themed community service project, preparing gifts for 2SLGBTQI+ youth. This powerful day of giving back embodies the pageant’s mission to support the community while celebrating its members. The day will conclude with the Miss International Queen Gala Event, a star-studded evening where contestants will walk the red carpet, meet VIP guests and mingle with the panel of judges while enjoying a fine dining experience.

December 10 will feature one of the most anticipated parts of the competition: the National Costume and Talent Show. Held at the 1,800-seat Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall on the grounds of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, this event will showcase the creativity of the contestants as they present elaborate costumes that represent their home states. The talent portion follows, where each contestant will have the opportunity to showcase her unique abilities. The evening will be hosted by Shantell DeMarco, former Miss International Queen contestant and Miss Continental, alongside Mimi Marks, former Miss International Queen and Miss Continental.

On December 11, the focus shifts to empowerment and education, with a day of workshops led by the America-based nonprofit organization Be the Transformational Change (BTTC) Fund. The BTTC Fund, which supports 2SLGBTQI+ causes, plays a critical role in making Miss International Queen possible. Their workshops will provide attendees and contestants with valuable insights on advocacy, leadership and personal growth. The day will culminate with the Preliminary Night show, hosted by Jazell Barbie Royale and featuring surprise appearances by well-known figures in the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

The Final Night: The Crowning spectacular on December 12 will be the highlight of the week. Co-hosted by Alexandra Billings, a trans American actress celebrated for her roles in Transparent and ER, and Las Vegas entertainer and dancer Jayson Michael, the evening will feature live performances by Ada Vox (who achieved fame as a competitor on the 16th season of American Idol and was later named runner-up on the first season of Paramount+’s Queen of the Universe) and the iconic Jazell Barbie Royale, along with Melony Munro, Tisci and Shantell D’Marco. Contestants will compete in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions, followed by a question-and-answer session where contestants will showcase their intelligence and charisma. Then the reigning Miss International Queen, Kataluna Enriquez, will pass on her crown to the 2024 Miss International Queen–USA winner.

Individual event tickets and discounted all-event passes are available now at Bethetransformationalchange.org/miq-usa-tickets. For those unable to attend in person, donations to Be the Transformational Change Fund can be made by texting BTTC at 302-725-4509. All proceeds go directly to support LGBTQIA+ causes. 

Follow on Facebook at Miss International Queen USA and on Instagram @Missinternationalqueenusa.

SHANE GALLAGHER is a long-time Manhattan resident who now resides in Tampa, Florida. He shares his home and life with his two cats, Milo and Snickers, and he recently joined a gay soccer league.