Catching up with the newly-crowned Mizz Out South Florida 2025 before one of her signature, sold out shows at AquaPlex Fort Lauderdale, Velvet Lenore is excited to discuss her recent pageant win.
“I cannot thank Justin Wyse and everyone attached to the Mizz Out South Florida Pageant enough for the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the extraordinarily talented Erika Norell. I am truly honored to wear the Mizz Out South Florida crown and I will dedicate myself to raising funds for the OUTSFL Melissa St. John LGBTQ College Student Scholarship.”
Lenore’s drag mother is none other than the iconic female illusionist and LGBTQ activist Melissa St. John. OutSFL named St. John its Queen of Queens in 2024. She is also an honorary Miss Florida F.I. Supreme. The two legendary entertainers met decades ago. It was St. John who encouraged Lenore to create her drag persona and the rest is herstory.
“Melissa St. John has taught me to always be humble and to be myself,” Lenore recalled. “No matter what is happening in your life, it is important to give back and help others when you can, which can be difficult sometimes, considering the ups and downs we all face at one time or another in our lives.”
Born in Georgia and raised in Fort Pierce, Florida, Lenore has overcome personal adversity to find love, family and career success. The recipient of 19 pageant crowns during her illustrious career including the coveted Miss Florida F.I. at Large as well as her most recent crowning moment as Mizz OUTSFL 2025, Lenore is a force to be reckoned with in the world of drag. In always finding new ways to market herself, Lenore’s latest turn as the X-Men’s superhero Storm, brought to life on screen by the beautiful Halle Berry as part of the Marvel Universe’s blockbuster film franchise, Lenore has co-opted the character known for being fierce and powerful and made it her own.
It is Lenore’s life experiences that may well inform her larger than life alter egos. At one point many years ago, Lenore was homeless. She was dancing with Ballet Florida at the time and found a way to eat by participating in Sunday volleyball games hosted by the Compass Community Center.
“They served snacks. It was a way for me to have something to eat,” Lenore said.
Above all else, Lenore holds family dear. She met her husband Michael almost 19 years ago. Since that time, the House of Lenore has grown and grown. Keeping the words of St. John as a personal mantra, Lenore’s annual birthday bashes are far more than cake and party hats. This special day has become the chance for Lenore to give back to children in need through her Kids in Distress (KID) fundraisers. Her commitment to community service and the LGBTQ community have earned her numerous accolades including being voted OUTSFL’s Best Drag Activist for Broward County in the publication’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards competition.
Lenore is a true defender of the LGBTQ community. She donates not only her talent but also her time for numerous organizations including the Compass Community Center in Lake Worth Beach, Florida.
“My goal is to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” Lenore said.
And as Mizz OUTSFL 2025, she will have the chance to do just that.
