Highlights
- Las Vegas hosted the first-ever Miss International Queen USA pageant on Dec 12
- Twenty-six contestants dazzled on stage
- The winner will represent the USA at the global finals pageant held in Thailand
In a city known for its spectacular shows and groundbreaking entertainment, Las Vegas added another jewel to its crown on December 12 when it hosted the inaugural Miss International Queen USA pageant. The event turned the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall into a glittering celebration of beauty, talent, and transformation capable of making even the brightest neon on the Strip blush with envy.
Twenty-six contestants took to the stage in what can only be described as Vegas-worthy fashion, each making their first appearance in second-skin gold bodysuits that would have made Liberace proud. The evening unfolded like the best kind of Vegas show – equal parts glamour, entertainment, and heart, with a dash of Sin City sass thrown in for good measure.
Between the competition segments, audiences were treated to performances that could rival any headline act on the Strip. The highlight of the evening came when transgender entertainment icon Mimi Marks channeled her inner Ann Margret, delivering a sultry rendition of “Heartbreak Hotel” that had the crowd swooning. With her tousled red hair and commanding presence, Marks proved why she’s a legend, performing against a backdrop of pulsing Vegas neon that perfectly captured our city’s electric energy.
The evening wasn’t just about the glitz, though. In true Las Vegas fashion, where everyone gets a chance at the jackpot, each contestant was given her moment to shine from the stunning evening gown presentation to the swimsuit competition (preceded by an all-male revue performing The Swim to “Wipe-Out” – because why not? The nearest ocean is only 273 miles away!), the pageant celebrated every aspect of beauty and confidence.
When the final chips were down, it was Seattle’s own Midori Monet who took home the crown. Speaking exclusively to VEGAS411 earlier in the evening, before her victory, Midori shared what brought her to the Vegas stage: “The inspiration behind joining the legacy that is Miss International Queen USA is all of my gorgeous women of Black experience such as Stasha Sanchez and Jazelle Barbie Royale.” She added that the most rewarding aspect wasn’t the competition itself, but “the sisterhood… all of the wonderful friends and sisters that I feel like I will take on with me not only in this competition, but afterwards and for life as well.”
The event, hosted by comedian and actor Alexandra Billings and Vegas’ own Chippendales superstar Jayson Michael, featured a star-studded lineup, including American Idol alum Ada Vox and outgoing queen Kataluna Enriquez. In 2021, Enriquez became the first openly transgender woman to win Miss Nevada USA.
The pageant represented another milestone for Las Vegas, cementing its reputation as a city of firsts and a haven for groundbreaking entertainment. While the evening had its serious moments, addressing the challenges faced by the transgender community, it maintained the uplifting spirit that Las Vegas does best – creating a space where everyone can feel like a headliner. The joyous party, benefiting LGBTQIA+ causes through the Be the Transformational Change Fund, proved that here in our city, it’s not just about winning big – it’s about celebrating authentically and fabulously.
As the first official preliminary to the international Miss International Queen pageant held in the United States, the event marks another feather in Las Vegas’ already well-adorned cap. And if this inaugural celebration is any indication, we can expect this newest addition to our city’s entertainment lineup to become as iconic as our neon skyline.
