If you’ve been to Hamburger Mary’s in Brandon, odds are you’ve met Alexis Mateo — or, at least, watched her work.
And now — not for the first time — the rest of America gets to see her, too, because last week, at Hamburger Mary’s in Brandon, she took home the title of Miss Gay Florida America.
Mateo, who has come close to winning twice (she was the alternate in 2007 and 2008), is no stranger to the limelight (and really, what drag queen worth her lipliner would ever shy away from the limelight?): In 2011, she was on RuPaul’s Drag Race (and returned the following year for RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race).
She lives in Ybor; in October, she’ll head to St. Louis, Missouri to compete for the title of Miss Gay America, the oldest, longest-running (it was established in 1972) female impersonator competition. She made time in her day to talk with us about being a drag queen and taking Florida’s top drag performer honor.
Being a drag queen is an art, but it’s not exactly something you can major in at college. What led up to you being a drag queen?
Since I was a little boy I always knew I belonged on stage. I went to college in Puerto Rico and majored in musical theater and arts. And my dance school there sent me to Disney World as a dancer/character, and that’s how I ended up in Florida. So my entire life, I trained myself to be on stage. I was always a very creative kid and loved to dress up for any play, talent show and Halloween. So being a drag queen came up easy for me.
I saw my first drag show at Parliament House in Orlando in 2000, and I fell in love with the magic of drag that night. Went back to my house and started to work on becoming a drag queen that night… that was the beginning of Alexis Mateo.
Looking back at how society’s evolved — and using Nathan Lane’s character in the 1996 film, The Birdcage, as a temporal point of reference — what do you think is easier about being a drag queen more than 20 years later?
Nothing about being a drag mother is easy. It takes time and patience. It took three drag mentors to mold me into my character. Alicia Markstone, Kori Stevens and Calvin of Orlando — all of them still mold me till today. The easy part is to show your drag kids the basic of drag and help them polish the craft. The difficult part is to let them figure out their own persona and style.
What was it like being crowned Miss Gay Florida America?
I started trying to become Miss Florida [in] 2007. It was a great feeling to know that I was finally the Miss Florida. The competition was great and I was super excited to hear my name called as the winner. This was my third time trying out for the tittle and I can finally say, “I did it!”
What does Miss Gay Florida America do — what are her responsibilities?
First off, Miss Florida America has a responsibility to go and represent Florida at the Miss America pageant in St. Louis, Missouri.
Also I will love to work with Florida’s promoter Coco Montrese this year and make Florida America the main event again. Back in the day, this was one of the most important pageants in the state and I think we can revive the contest this year and make it a great event for our community.
In 2007 and 2008, you were the first alternate Miss Gay America, and it seems the group of competitors has some of the same names some years. Are you and your fellow contestants close, or does the contest bring out the worst in people?
The America pageant is a family. Not only in Florida, but in the entire nation. Some of my best friends in the business, I met them in this contest and the amount of support I have received after winning has been a blessing. That’s why Miss Gay America has been so successful in drag history, ‘cause more than a competition, [it] is a family and every year you enjoy it more. This year I get to go to nationals with one of my favorite new divas here in Florida, Imani Valentino, and I know we will be a great team.
Some people criticize the Miss America pageant as misogynist. The same cannot be said for Miss Gay America. Other than the word “gay” in the pageant title, what are the differences between the two pageants?
Everything is different between these contests. Miss Gay America focuses on a gay male… entertainer that transform himself into a female impersonator. It’s the number one pageant in the country for drag queens who live their lives as men. And it is the longest-running pageant in the country. The history is what sets us apart, and the Miss Gay America family honors our legacy year after year.
How can folks at home help support you as you vie for Miss Gay America?
I have 30 days before [the] competition. Come and see me at one of my shows this month. It takes a lot of money and preparation for this and there will be lots of fundraising and events to support #teamflorida this month. Come out, tip us, donate and help us by sponsoring anything you can. Also, share our pics on social media and tell us why are you’re team Florida America. We love receiving love on this journey. We are ready — and hope to make you all very proud.
You can see Alexis Mateo at Thursday Night Drag Queen Battles or Sensational Saturdays at Hamburger Mary’s in Brandon.
This article appears in Aug 30 – Sep 6, 2018.