Recognizing the difficulties of breaking through in the drag industry, South Florida drag queen Velvet Lenore’s mission to help up-and-coming performers is personal.

“If it wasn't for [my drag mothers], I wouldn't know what I was doing with my career,” Lenore said. “I just want to show them that somebody has their back the way somebody had my back.”

Lenore, who has done drag for 30 years, is taking this sentiment to a talent search event she’s hosting this Friday at Pub on the Drive.

Lenore has hosted five talent searches every Friday since late August for drag queens with under five years of experience. She said the winners from each of those events, along with two wildcards picked by Lenore, will compete in a finale this Friday at 9:15 p.m.

The event is free and on a first come, first served basis. The winner of the finale will receive $500 and a booking to perform with Lenore at the pub once a month. The runner-up will get $200 and third place collects $150.

Lenore started the talent search last year, where drag queen Mindy Lenore took the grand prize. This year’s judges include Lenore’s own drag mother Melissa St. John, South Florida entertainer Antonio Edwards, television host FayWhat?!, and local drag stars Candy Cox and Tiffany Fantasia.

Lenore said it’s important to shine a spotlight on new performers because many just need a push to get the recognition they deserve.

“I'm trying to give the future of drag kings and queens an opportunity to show their talent and to show themselves,” Lenore said. “Because there [are] not a lot of outlets for them to have a place to call home, or have a home bar to perform at.”

Giving them this outlet does more than just support local queens, Lenore said –– it invests in the future of drag.

“I'm always going to be there for the youth, because they are our future,” she said. “They're the ones that are going to keep drag alive. And I think they need to be a little bit more respected than they have been getting from people.”