With the 2nd annual Mizz OUTSFL Pageant & inaugural OUTSFL Gala looming on the horizon, it seems like the right time to catch up with OUTSFL’s Queen of Queens herself, Melissa St. John.
St. John is the reigning, honorary Miss Florida FI Supreme and was recently recognized for her steadfast volunteerism by the domestic violence service agency, Our Sister’s Place, with their Courage Award. It is the organization’s highest honor.
As a community leader, civil rights activist and LGBTQ defender, St. John has championed anti-violence initiatives, marriage equality and numerous other non-profits, charities and causes. She is also an ordained minister.
St. John will once again serve as co-host of the Mizz OUTSFL Pageant. She will be joined by Pageant Director and OUTSFL CEO Justin Wyse. The duo were quite the fashion sensations at last year’s pageant, so be prepared for what will undoubtedly put New York and Paris Fashion Weeks to shame.
But enough of the narrative and on to the tea. So just sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy an old fashioned kiki with the Grand Damas of Drag herself, Melissa St. John.
It’s been a year since you were crowned the Queen of Queens by OUTSFL. Has the glitter finally all worn off?
You can never have enough glitter. I find it everywhere. Even in my unmentionables. But seriously, being crowned as the Queen of Queens by OUTSFL was a true highlight of my career. I’ve been performing for more than 40 years, so to receive this honor, and others, has been incredibly humbling.
OUTSFL created the Melissa St. John LGBTQ College Student Scholarship in your honor. What has that meant to you?
I am so proud to have a scholarship named after me. But more importantly, the scholarship will help LGBTQ identifying students have the chance to earn a college degree. I am asking everyone to be generous and contribute to the scholarship. Your support will help ensure the higher education goals of LGBTQ college students. Donations can be made through Our Fund, headquartered in Wilton Manors, Florida, or by emailing OUTSFL CEO Just Wyse at
Your commitment to community service is well documented. Our Sister’s Place, voted as the Best Thrift Store in Palm Beach County in OUTSFL’s Reader’s Choice Awards for 2024, recently presented you with their Courage Award. The honor recognizes individuals committed to ending domestic violence through their volunteer efforts. Did a specific event start you on your path of public service?
Well, it wasn’t a single event but rather the influence of my great grandfather and my aunt. In my family, we were raised to help others when we could. My great grandfather, Will Coleman, was the President of the NAACP in Andalusia, Alabama, and was a deacon in his church. He was my North Star, so to speak, when it came to dedicating myself to community service. He was a great man and was truly supportive of the residents of his community. Also, I have stood in awe of my aunt, Edith Bush. She has been recognized for her volunteerism including her leadership in establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Landmark Memorial at Currie Park in West Palm Beach, Florida. I can only hope to one day touch as many lives as they both have over the years.
You recently won Bronze honors in the Best Local Drag Queen category by GayCities in their annual international “Best of GayCities 2024” competition. How does it feel to be known as one of best drag queens in the world, a female illusionist extraordinaire, if you will?
I don’t know about all of that now. So, let’s not get carried away. But I feel blessed and honored. Being mentioned in the same breath as Karah I Doll from Medellin, Colombia (Gold winner) and Poison Waters from Portland, Oregon (Silver winner), is really a dream come true. If we were at the Olympics, it would have been the three of us on the winner’s podiums. I am proud to have represented the United States as well as South Florida, especially Fort Lauderdale, in the GayCities competition.
You are always dressed so glamorously, is it true that you make many of your own gowns?
That is correct. I enjoy sewing and have been known to stitch up a costume in an hour or two. But I tip my hat to Erika Norell and Lupita Hollywood. Now those gals can sew. And they are both legitimate fashion designers as well. Erika even allowed Janet Jackson to copy one of her original pageant gown designs to wear to a red carpet event.
Do you have a favorite color?
Yellow. No question about it. I can recall numerous yellow gowns that have been named to a variety of Best Dressed Lists over the years but two stand out for me. The yellow silk taffeta Valentino gown that Cate Blanchett wore to the Oscars in 2005 was sublime. And Angelina Jolie should have been awarded the Palme d’Or for just wearing her canary yellow, St. John gown at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. As always, she was simply stunning, Ms. Jolie knows how to wear clothes. Of course, being so breathtakingly beautiful, helps a tad.
You’ve performed songs made famous by a who’s who of extraordinary singers including Tina Turner, Anastacia, Eartha Kitt, Beyonce, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle and others. Do you have a favorite song and recording artist?
Actually, I do. I have to truly feel the songs I perform. As an artist, I have to connect with the music. My favorite song is “I Believe I Can Fly” by Yolanda Adams. The song is soulful and resonates for so many audience members for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, a single song can lift someone’s spirits when they need it most.
Which drag performer or performers have inspired you the most throughout your career?
Tiffany Arieagus, Nikki Adams and the late Dana Manchester. Fabulous. Fabulous. Fabulous. I need to say no more.
When you’re not working, you’ve been reported to be a fixture on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. What draws you to the area?
Well, it really is a great dining and entertainment hub. I love O’Sheas Irish Pub, Hullabaloo and the coconut cake at Subculture is to die for. I could eat a slice every day and still want more. But then I wouldn’t be able to fit into any of my costumes, and that would be challenging.
You have been referred to as The First Lady of the Palm Beaches for years.
A lady never tells her age.
That wasn’t going to be the question. But to be clear, a gentleman never asks, either. Who started calling you The First Lady of the Palm Beaches?
It was entertainer Ricki Rollick who introduced me that way at Palm Beach Pride years ago. The moniker stuck even though I am now officially known as the Queen of Queens thanks to OUTSFL.
And we have heard and read that you are also called the Queen of All Queens.
I can’t dispute that. But just don’t call me late to happy hour and we’re all good.
While we’re on the subject, do you have a favorite cocktail?
Need you ask? Tito’s and Tonic. So, now that you all know that I do enjoy adult beverages in moderation, belly up to the bar, boys. Buy a single girl a drink? And always remember to be generous when tipping your bartenders.
If you were to select the Sexiest Man Alive for People Magazine’s yearly cover competition, who would it be? Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Javier Bardem, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Zac Efron, Alan Ritchson, Michael B. Jordan, Nick Polus, Taylor Zakhar Perez?
Any man with a perfect credit score. Drag is expensive!
With everything you do including performing, volunteering and working at Austintatious Designs in West Palm Beach as a designer, you are also the Entertainment Director for H.G. Rooster’s located just a few miles from the Palm Beach International Airport. There was a serious fire in 2020 that has kept the bar shuttered ever since but word has it that the doors are about to re-open. True or just wishful thinking?
True! True! True! And the bar is spectacular. There has been a complete rebuild in some sections of the original structure with all kinds of new features. H.G. Roster’s opened in 1984 and is arguably the oldest gay bar in Florida. Rooster’s has also been named to the West Palm Beach Local Register of Historic Places. We are all so very proud. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re almost there. So many people have worked very hard to get Rooster’s over the finish line. I’m not going to ruin the surprise, so you will have to wait to see it for yourself. But I will say that the grand re-opening is just weeks away. And grand doesn’t even begin to describe what we have planned.
Changing gears a bit, what advice can you give contestants in the upcoming Mizz OUTSFL Pageant 2025?
Please make sure to read all of the rules carefully. This is very important. Community service and volunteerism are the cornerstones of the pageant, so be prepared to explain your advocacy work in detail while you’re on stage. The standard categories will be part of the pageant including presentation, Q&A, evening gown and talent. Listen to the question carefully. Be thoughtful with your answer. All contestants must come prepared and bring your “A” game. Be consistent. There is no margin for error. The judges will be looking and listening closely. Don’t let a loose thread or a missing button result in a point deduction. Your makeup and hair must be flawless. Your lipsync spot on. Your gown awe inspiring. Your talent must be pageant worthy. Remember, you are not performing a bar number. Think pageantry. The competition will be very close, so every point counts. Also, please remember to help your fellow contestants whether it be with sharing some hair spray or a few bobby pins if you have them to spare. Also, there is no place for rude or diva-like behavior. Name calling will simply not be tolerated. The Mizz OUTSFL Pageant is a drama free zone. And really, we’re all grown adults. Never forget, good manners never go out of style. The pageant does have a Miss Congeniality award named for LGBTQ icon Marsha P. Johnson. The award carries its own very generous cash prize. Oh, just one more thing, the cash and prize package for this year’s pageant is valued at $30,000. And Aquaplex is so amazing since the remodel. It’s the perfect venue for the pageant. I encourage everyone to enter. It’s really a no brainer. And don’t forget to have fun!
There is also an inaugural OUTSFL Gala this year. Can you share any details?
Absolutely, the pageant will be held on Monday, May 19 at Aquaplex in Fort Lauderdale. Now, this is very important information, at the conclusion of the pageant, Mizz OUTSFL 2025 will be crowned and her court announced as well as the winner of the Marsha P. Johnson award. Scores will be provided to all contestants after the crowning. Then, at the OUTSFL Gala on Thursday, May 22, at the Venue’s Crystal Ballroom in Wilton Manors, the grand crowning, or a second crowning if you will, takes place in front of the expected hundreds of attendees. The official pageant photos will also be taken at the gala and Mizz OUTSFL 2025 will perform. The title sponsor is Grieco Ford of Fort Lauderdale and this is the second year the company has sponsored the Mizz OUTSFL Pageant and now also the OUTSFL Gala. The evening is going to be amazing. Mizz OUTSFL 2024 Erika Norell will be performing her stepdown. The bubbly will be flowing, there will be delicious tapas selections, dancing and a chance to win a VIP cruise from Dublin, Ireland to Lisbon, Portugal, valued at almost $25,000. Raffle tickets for the cruise are $100. Gala attendees will also have the opportunity to donate to the Melissa St. John LGBTQ College Student Scholarship. As I mentioned previously, this is a great cause that will help our future LGBTQ leaders.
Any final thoughts?
Drag is an art, pure and simple. It takes talent and practice. It certainly isn’t a crime, no matter what anyone says or believes. My sisters in this amazing genre of entertainment have all taught me so much about performing, friendship and myself. Though, you know, to be honest, I really do like to dress up. Like Stanley Tucci’s character in “The Devil Wears Prada” says: “Well, you know me, give me a full ballerina skirt with a hint of saloon and I’m on board.” I so agree. A girl can’t always be the diva in sequins. Now can I?
