Hello lovelies! August has came and gone before my very eyes. My son started back to school as a first grader which is WILD. He will always be my tiny little baby angel but when they say kids grow up in the blink of an eye, it's true. He has acclimated well and likes his teacher so fingers crossed he has a great year! 

I had my first preliminary this month as well. We opened the season with Miss Gay Metropolitan America, with Trixie LaRue as the promoter. Trixie went above and beyond to welcome me and keep me in line. Congratulations to your new Miss Gay Metropolitan America, Venus O'Hara and her 1st alternate, Angel Sedique!! What a fabulous team they will be at state! Metro, was my first prelim and also a learning experience for me. I made several notes as it commenced lol and sometimes things just can't help but go wrong. Little things like my tooth brush falling in the toilet at the hotel, a dress that I had taken in didn't fit, I brought no back up options so I had to borrow a dress to sit at the judges table. Shoutout to Kaycee Adam's for being a sister and lending me a dress! We were a little crunched on time with events going on at the venue before and after the pageant so we definitely had to keep things moving! I can be a bit of a perfectionist especially when it comes to my look and I was running like a chicken with its head cut off. Miss Gay Missouri America has DUTIES, honey, and you have to be prepared to be at certain places at certain times and when I got done with my first number I had to change to sit at the judges table for the pageant to begin and baby, I was sweating. My forehead makeup was gone, I had to borrow a dress because the one I brought didn't fit, I had no time to change shoes so I wore black thigh high boots that I wore for my number, threw a wig on and the crown and off I went. These things might not sound big to some but I always want to look my best and represent excellence in the best way and I felt like a hodge-podge troglodyte sweaty mess lmao. It was fine though. I did my job and the pageant went on and I LEARNED. I also got to spend quite a bit of time with #49, Akasha Royale. She was a judge and we got to go to lunch and out for drinks and she even surprised me with a lovely gift basket full of letters from formers, special trinkets, and things I would need to help me reign as successfully as possible. It was so sweet and I enjoyed seeing that side of her. You may go into the competition thinking you're fully ready for the job that is Miss Gay Missouri America but you really don't know what it's like until you actually do it. The one who filled the shoes before you will play a role in your reign and be a guide for you. I am thankful to have an amazing guide and a coven of sisters that love and respect me and have my back. I learned from my mistakes and I am making sure to be more prepared and polished then I was the last time but I am human and I am sure there will be many other things that will arise as I reign but each time I'll be more prepared than I was the time before. Onward and upward into my reign. Til next time...
 Xoxo, 
The 50th, 
Miss Gay Missouri America, 

Vivian Versace

Much more coming.  Keep watching.👀

XOXO,
Viv 💋
​The 50th. 👑

Wow, the month of June has come and gone. That was FAST lol. I hope you had a great Pride and an awesome 4th of July.  This is a special edition covering the end of June festivities!

I was blessed to be booked in numerous shows and pride festivities all month long and it was truly amazing. Sometimes we can feel judged or maybe even like an outcast within our own community and it's nice to come together and all celebrate our pride, our community and how far we have come in this country even if it seems like we are sometimes taking steps backwards. 

Thank you, Warrensburg Pride for having me again, it's always inspiring seeing the sense of community that you have at your Pride.

One thing that I love about Pride and something I saw specifically at Saint Louis Pride was the diversity. So many cultures, individuals, families, allies, and just a variety of people. Everyone just having fun and indulging in the moment and not a single soul judging any of them, just authentically living their life. Participating in the Pride parade was something I'll never forget. Everyone was so kind and supportive and I truly appreciate that energy.  

One of the many reasons I love the America system, Missouri America specifically, is because of the people that I have met by participating. This story is especially true for Greg Coleman (better known as Karma T. Cassidy) and Luis Acevedo (aka Lola Vergara). We met the very first year of me competing ten years ago and we are friends to this date. These amazing folks went above and beyond during our recent trip, welcoming my husband and me into their beautiful home for most of our stay.Not only are they incredible hosts, but they're also great friends. We always have a blast together! Luis deserves a special shoutout for his contributions to the MGMA website, we're incredibly grateful to him.

Whilst in the Lou, I was also blessed to have some pool time with my forever MGMA sister, Adria Andrews (2014) and be in a show with her. It's always a good time with her and sweet partner, Craig. I also got to have some drinks with forever MGMA, Trixie LaRue (2021) and many laughs were had per usual! Had the pleasure of seeing forever MGMA's Dieta Pepsi (1991), Alexis Principle (1998), Ali Kat (2003), Akasha Royale (2023), and Erica Foxx (2009)! MGMA's Herstory is rich and I love seeing these beautiful people around! Thank you to Promo for having me! We had a lovely time. Also thank you to my MGMA sisters Jade Sinclair (2007)  and Krista Versace (1997) for having me at Prism. I had a blast! 

The Mama Mystery podcast episode has yet to be executed due to Kelly having her baby girl, Ellie! Congratulations, she is beautiful! 

Well guys, onward into the thick of summer. Don't forget your SPF. Rays today, raisins tomorrow. 

The preliminary calendar will be announced soon and the MGMA 2025 theme teaser will be also coming out soon...I might have had a photo shoot and I am EXCITED!! 

XOXO, 
The 50th, 
Vivian Versace

Time seems to be moving at a rapid pace. One day flying by after another. I have been trying to balance my life, devoting time and effort to all avenues: my husband and son, my fur babies, my business, Miss Gay Missouri, bookings, keeping up my house and laundry, friendships, family & of course self-care. It seems like a lot, but someone once told me not to get overwhelmed and just to focus on one thing at a time. It works for me most of the time lol.

​I am also a list maker, and it makes me feel accomplished to check things off of my list. One of those things on my list was my first official photo shoot as Miss Gay Missouri America. It was with a dear friend of mine; her name is Lura Landis. Fun fact, she has done my headshots every single time I have competed at MGMA and most of them winning "Most Photogenic". She is located in Saint Joseph, MO and has her own photography business. She has always made me feel comfortable and confident. We like to say we make magic together and the photos are proof of that. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out and I am excited to collaborate with other photographers and get as many photo shoots in as possible while I reign.

It's such an amazing thing to accomplish something you have wanted for so long. You feel validated and appreciated. You pay attention to who congratulates you and I hate to say it but even those that don't, my advice is don't. Nourish the relationships and people that truly matter, the ones that you never have to question their intentions. Also, get out of your own head. Trust and believe from someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, in your head sometimes is the worst place to be. That is one of the reasons why I feel I was triumphant this year. I was focused. I saw a quote and it truly spoke to me. It was "What could you accomplish if you got out of your own way". So much of my life everyone would say such encouraging things to me, and I would never believe them. I had to believe it myself. Once I did that, I got out of my own way and magic happened. The crown happened.
I am so excited for what is coming! Pride month is almost here, and I will be making appearances at Kansas City Pride, Warrensburg Pride & Saint Louis Pride. I am also excited to speak at the Promo Gala in Saint Louis. In case you didn't know, Promo is Missouri's statewide LGBTQ+ Advocacy organization.

They confront systemic inequities to liberate the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination and oppression. They want Missouri to be a state in which LGBTQ+ people and every demographic to be valued and thriving with equality. That is definitely something I support, and I am so honored to be able to represent Missouri and speak at their gala.
Another thing I have planned for June is to be on one of my best friend's podcast. Her name is Kelly Evans, and she has a true-crime podcast that is widely popular. In honor of pride month, she is going to cover the story of Matthew Shepard. I will be her co-host. It's called Mama Mystery and can be streamed on almost any streaming platform. I usually listen on Spotify. So, keep a lookout!

​Miss Gay Missouri America is out and about and spreading love, kindness, and pride!

Until next time, my dears.
Love always,
The 50th,
Vivian Versace