Marks' Milestones

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This edition of my newsletter combines December and January, highlighting my journey leading up to Miss Gay America and the pageant experience itself. It was a time filled with preparation, growth, emotion, and unforgettable moments—ones I’m excited to finally share with you.

December was an incredibly busy month for me. Between rehearsals, fittings, balancing my day job at M.A.C., and shows, I was constantly on the go. On top of that, the holiday season was in full swing at work, making for long days and packed schedules.

My first weekend of shows kicked off with two brunches back to back—talk about a hectic start! The morning was nonstop, moving from one venue to the next, but it was such an exciting and fun way to begin the season. The first show was at The Twisted Waffle, hosted by Miss Gay Emerald City America 2025 KozMik, where I had the pleasure of performing alongside Qween Quan and Sonika Boom.
Immediately after, I headed straight to my second brunch at the Marigny Brasserie. This show was hosted by the Mistie Bonet, and I was honored to perform with Miss Gay Gulf Coast America Femme 2025 Roslyn Aphrodite-Alexander. It was a whirlwind of performances, quick changes, and great energy!

My next outing was at the Diamond of the South pageant, and it was truly a wonderful experience. I had the pleasure of attending alongside my Louisiana America sister and the reigning Miss Gay Louisiana USofA 2025, Aubrey Synclaire. Congratulations once again to Trinity K. Bonet and Wendell King II on capturing the title.

Next on the calendar were some wonderful holiday festivities at the home of Lana O’ Day/Craig, and Brandon. Michael and I attended their Christmas party alongside so many of our friends and family. The evening was filled with a lively dirty gift exchange, an abundance of delicious food and drinks, and plenty of laughter shared throughout the night. It was truly a special gathering and without a doubt one of the highlights of the holiday season.

My next performance took place at the Golden Lantern for the Playgirlz Christmas Show, hosted by Gia GiaVanni and featuring Sheeya Mann and myself. It was a wonderful show and such a pleasure to be part of an evening filled with holiday spirit and great entertainment. Immediately following that, I headed over to The Bourbon Pub and Parade for our Holiday Lipstixx Show. The show was hosted by Aubrey Synclaire and featured Tiffany Alexander, Mercedez Loreal, my sister and Louisiana’s Bearded Queen, Lana O’Day, and of course, myself. It was an incredible night of performances making it a perfect way to continue the holiday festivities.

Finally, Christmas Day arrived—one of my favorite days of the year. I truly am a holiday person, and this day always holds a special place in my heart. This year, we chose to celebrate with a smaller, more intimate gathering, spending the day with just our close family. It was an absolutely wonderful day filled with love and quality time. I even had the chance to make my lasagna, which made the celebration feel even more special. It was a beautiful way to enjoy the holiday and create lasting memories.

Right after Christmas, I kicked off a full weekend of shows, and one stop was extra special—Shreveport! I finally made my debut at Central Station! Even better, I got to spend the weekend with my sister Sarina Styles, Miss Gay Louisiana America 2024, and her husband Bradley. Sarina hosted the show, which featured some incredible local talent, including Taylor Summers Miss Gay USofA Newcomer 2025, Estara Knowles Katz Louisiana America’s Queen 2025, and Luna Katz. What a weekend to remember!

Michael and I hit the road again the next day, heading back to New Orleans. I was back at the Bourbon Pub & Parade with Aubrey Synclaire hosting, alongside my castmates Tiffany Alexander, Mercedez Loreal, and Zhane Kennedy. It was definitely a long weekend, but such a great one.

Then it was time to celebrate the New Year! I rang it in at The Bourbon Pub & Parade surrounded by my castmates Aubrey Synclaire, Tiffany Alexander, and Love Latonia. We laughed, performed, and soaked in every moment together as the countdown drew closer. As the countdown began, the excitement only grew, and we welcomed the New Year in the most perfect way—with a balloon drop! It was the perfect way to close out one chapter and step joyfully into the next, surrounded by amazing people and great memories.

Now it’s January 1st, and Miss Gay America is just two weeks away. Rehearsals with my dancers have been going incredibly well—we’ve practiced so much that I’m literally dreaming about choreography in my sleep! I’ve been preparing for all of my categories for months, and I truly can’t wait to finally share everything that my team and I have worked so hard to create.

The journey hasn’t been without its highs and lows—because nothing ever goes exactly according to plan—but that’s part of the process. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is to never let my emotions get the best of me and to always stay focused. Control what you can, adapt when you need to, and trust that everything happens for a reason.

Before I headed to Little Rock, I had the chance to enjoy two more incredible shows! My daughter, Rosesha, and I made a trip to Baton Rouge to celebrate my Louisiana America sister, Santana A. Savage, on her birthday at Mother’s Lounge! I also had the pleasure of performing alongside the talented Andy Black! It’s nights like these—sharing performances, celebrating friends, and connecting with the community—that remind me why I love what I do.

Now comes my final show before heading to Miss Gay America—my very special benefit show. I will never forget the overwhelming love and support I felt that night, both from everyone performing and from the incredible audience. The show featured the Aubrey Synclaire, Dominique DeLorean, Tiffany Alexander, Rosesha Frozea Marks, The Dutchess Donatella, and Destiny Sterling. Each of you brought so much energy, creativity, and heart to the stage, and I cannot thank you enough for donating your time and talent to support me and my dreams. Your dedication and generosity mean more than words can express.

But what made the night truly unforgettable was seeing all of my co-workers there to cheer me on. I have never worked for a company or establishment where I have felt such genuine support from the people you spend so much time with. From the first smile to the last cheer, I felt a love that was palpable and inspiring—it reminded me of why I do what I do and how lucky I am to be surrounded by such incredible people.

This night was more than just a show—it was a celebration of community, friendship, and shared dreams. It reminded me that no matter how challenging the road may get, having the support of those who believe in you makes all the difference. I am so grateful for everyone who came, performed, or simply sent their love from afar. You all helped make this a night I will never forget, and you’ve carried me forward with confidence, excitement, and gratitude as I head into Miss Gay America.

The day before I left was filled with final preparations—my last rehearsal with my dancers, my final fitting for presentation, and picking up my evening gown that morning. Everything was finally coming together. Packing, however, was no joke, and I am so incredibly thankful for my sister Lana O’Day for coming over to help me pack and start loading everything up.

That morning I picked up my evening gown, ran a few last-minute errands, and then it was time to hit the road to Little Rock. Michael and I loaded up the car and were officially on our way. Thankfully, the drive was smooth, and I was beyond grateful that we didn’t have to deal with snow this year.

We arrived at the hotel that evening and met up with my sister Lana O’Day and my dresser, Aubrey Synclaire. It was truly a bonding moment for all of us. Without going into too much detail—because I certainly could—the entire week was an incredible experience from start to finish.

One of my favorite parts of the whole journey was the camaraderie among the contestants and the friendships built along the way. At the end of the week, I placed 12th overall out of 49 contestants. When my name wasn’t called for the Top 10, I felt a mix of emotions—proud, yet naturally disappointed. But I was okay. Things don’t always go according to plan, and that’s part of the process.

What matters most is that I am truly happy with everything I presented. For my first year competing, it was an invaluable learning experience—one that has only prepared me for when I return. As the saying goes, it’s not about if, but when.