Do you have what it takes to win Atlanta’s Miss Originality contest? Well, the Jungle gays who love a good drag pageant hope you’re ready to bring it this year, because “RuPaul’s” own shit-stirrer will be in the house.
A casting call went out for contestants in the annual pageant on Tuesday. Sponsored by Brushstrokes, David Magazine and Gayborhood and hosted by Jungle Atlanta, Miss Originality 2012 picks up where last year’s Miss Originality left off: With drag queens vying for a crown between performances by a star-studded cast of local and national favorites for charity. Unlike last year, the Mr. David hunk competition is not part of the program.
Only the first 13 paid entrants will have a shot at the crown, so listen up queens: Don’t be on drag time. Hurry up and submit your online application to compete today. It’s worth the rush: The winner gets $1,000 cash, $500 goes to the first runner-up, and even third place wins $300. More motivation? Proceeds from the event benefit Pets Are Loving Support and Lost N Found Youth.
Last year, after a two-decade hiatus, Miss Originality sprang back to life (view photos) with Myah Monroe taking the win over seven competitors with “Drag Race’s” first winner BeBe Zahara Benet as guest judge. This year, the latest winner Needles (top photo) takes the guest starring judge’s role and performs two numbers — controversial stage persona, “fuck it all” attitude, and lingering conflict with Atlanta queers in tow from a local appearance in June.
If the Nov. 9 Miss Originality is anything like that show, Needles could spell another protest and sold-out crowd for Jungle, another Needles’ tirade against her “haters” (video) from the stage, and another long-lasting impact on gay Atlanta.