Worcester has new royalty. In front of a sold-out crowd at the JMAC Brick Box, Tina Tequila took home the top prize of First Majesty at the Pride Pageant on Saturday, Aug. 15.
The competition pitted seven contestants, donning costumes to fit the show’s fairytale theme, against each other in the categories of talent, evening wear, and an on-stage question.
The show was also filled with positive messages of empowerment, and each participant must also demonstrate that they have a Community Advocacy Project, which the winners will continue with the help of Pride Worcester.
The title of Third Majesty was won by Starvenson “Star” Sanon, and the Second Majesty crown was won by Twinkette Dudette (Julianna Petraitis).
Sanon also won the Most Poised, Most Popular on Social Media and Best Performance awards.
Raeny Nights won the Most Congenial Contestant award.
Tina Tequila had competed four times, and won the “Mr.” category in 2018, and last competed in 2024.
“It feels fantastic,” Tequila said. “I put so much hard work into this and I really love my community. It feels great that I get to represent my community in a way that’s more amplified. Now I get to take this platform, build upon it, and build something larger. I’m excited do to a lot of powerful, moving and meaningful stuff this next year.”
Specifically, the new majesty will be continuing work with Pride Sports – an inclusive sports league, that highlights more physical activity for people of all abilities, age groups, ethnicities and backgrounds, as well as Pawsitively 4 Pink which provides financial assistance for women being treated for, or recovering from, breast cancer.
“I feel like the queer community has always been so supportive when it comes to people who are struggling and supporting the people who need it most,” Tequila said.
Pride Worcester Director of Development David Conner said this year’s pageant was the best yet. Having taken place for more than a decade, with some gap years, the Pride Pageant has seen new life for the past five years, due to more local partnerships and bringing in Pageant Coordinator Jerome Burke, who coached the contestants on speaking skills, walking, choreography and developing their own style.
“Each year, it gets better,” Conner said. “He’s really been putting them through a bootcamp.”
Conner said the pageant, which has taken place for several years, is part of the effort to make Pride more than a single event or even a single month, but part of the fabric of Worcester throughout the year.
“We’re trying to extend ourselves beyond the festival. We now have the largest culture festival in the city, and what we’re trying to do is have Pride throughout the year,” he said, adding that the pageant winners will be helping with community advocacy.
“They win a cash prize, then we, as a team, work with them on professionalizing their careers, so whatever they want to do – if they want to be a spokesperson and go onto college campuses, we partner with colleges across Worcester to come and do presentations and public speaking. The really important part is getting them out into the community.”
For more information on Pride Worcester and upcoming Pride events, visit www.prideworcester.org.
Steve Smith, a veteran reporter with 17 years at The Hartford Courant, now brings his passion for photojournalism to Worcester. An award-winning photographer, he has covered major events like U.S. soccer, pro football, and UConn basketball. He is also the official photographer for the Miss Massachusetts competition and works as a realtor. Contact him at steve@stevephotographysmith.com
