MEET THE STARS
CHERRY POPPINS
Columbus, OH
Miss Gay Ohio America 2022 #50th
Miss Gay Gem City America 2022
Cherry poppins has been entertaining for over 18 years. She's originally from Dayton ohio where she slipped on her first pair of pumps. Through out the years she has used drag as a platform to give back to the community and be a voice for black and brown queer people. One of her biggest accomplishments was capturing the title of Miss Gay Ohio America in 2022, making her the 10th black queen to win the title. Cherry is also the reigning Miss Southbend 2026. During the day she works as a Prevention health Navigator at Equitas Health where she gets to work Directly with the queer community to help provide HIV/STI prevention tools. She's so exicted to be back at Newark Pride for the 9th year in a row!
Heaux’Tell Onassis
Columbus, OH
MGOA Top 5
MGMA'23
MGCA'22
DM CLASS 2 WINNER
Top 10 MGOA22
Miss Union22
A forever miss gay Columbus America , a forever miss union Cafe and current Miss Metropolitan America! your newest favorite silly cousin , Heaux'Tell Onassis!
Commander Sins
Columbus, OH
A deviously charming Latin drag king that was created in the deserts of Phoenix Arizona. Who moved to Columbus Ohio in 2020 where he can be found on the stages taking you on a journey of nostalgia, horror, and sex. A proud producer of King Fest, an event dedicated to showcasing the art of drag kings, he continues to push boundaries and elevate the scene. He’s the reigning Southbend King and has worked for 11 years with no plans on stopping anytime soon!
Robyn DaCreature
Robyn DaCreatute is one of the many artists living inside Robyn’s Universe. Whether appearing as DaCreature (alternative drag/horror), DaCultyre (Nubian Drag Godex), DaFly (burlesque), DaMan (male entertainer), or DaFlame (fire artist), each persona explores a different facet of storytelling, identity, and liberation through performance.
A multidisciplinary performer and producer, Robyn is the founder of Melanated614, a production company dedicated to centering and celebrating Black artistry, and co-producer of the Paying Tribute Festival, An annual four day celebration of featuring Black performers from all over the country.
Through producing, performing, and community building, Robyn is committed to creating spaces where Black artists are celebrated, elevated, and unapologetically centered.
Currently reigning as Miss Axis Nightclub, a forever Georgia/Vibe’s Bearded Queen, and Miss Ohio All Star; Robyn continues to champion visibility for bearded and nonbinary entertainers.
No matter which version of Robyn steps onto the stage, every performance is created with the belief that authenticity is a revolutionary act. As the legendary Nina Simone said, “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times.” Robyn’s goal is to do exactly that, one performance at a time.
MADAM WOODS
Granville, OH
Miss Columbus All Star 2024
Madam Woods is Central Ohio’s Campy, Classy, Comedy Gal! Since 2022, she’s been looking good, feeling gorgeous, and serving laughs all throughout Ohio. Her drag is both a creative insight of her imagination, a tribute to the funny ladies of comedy/film/television, and a love letter to the art of drag. You can find Madam Woods performing at her home bar at District West and performing as a member of the West Family.
She is your reigning Miss District West 2026, and is a forever Miss Columbus All Star 2024 and Miss Ohio All Star 2024-2025. She is also remembered from her time competing in The Drag Master Class 3 and the runner-up for The Drag Master Post-Grad season.
ELIAS DOWN
Newark, OH
Hello again, Newark! I’m so excited to be back for another incredible celebration. As a SPARC board member heading up entertainment, I've loved helping bring this festival to life—and I’m thrilled to be performing again, having hit the stage for almost every Newark Pride so far. This year, I’m pulling double duty with two completely different vibes: a fun, high-energy daytime set the whole family can enjoy, and an adults-only show at the after-party to turn things up after dark. I can’t wait to see all your faces out there—let’s celebrate!
Lady Perez
Lima, OH
The Lady Perez got her start in Lima, Ohio straight out of college in 2022 and has since developed her vintage persona. The Lady Perez gives back to the community through benefit performances, fundraising, and raising awareness of issues affecting LGBTQ+ people. She currently works at Stonewall Columbus as the Sr. Coordinator of Center Operations, where she also is a co-facilitator of [Red] Space, a program there that provides education about HIV.
Devon Ayers
Columbus, OH
A founding member of Crimson Lace Cabaret, a Columbus, Ohio based queer performance art troupe, he has been entertaining and producing for 14 years and has earned several titles including 1st Alternate for MidWest Entertainer of the Year 2023, Mr Ohio Burlesque, Mr Ohio Gay Pride 2017, Ohio King All- Star 2018, Mr. Great Lakes Gay Pride 2017 & 2018 and Forever Mr Wall Street.
Behind the scenes in his community he works to provide safer spaces for Queer Youth and currently serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for Kaleidoscope Youth Center, serving central Ohio queer youth ages 12- 24.
You can find him monthly at Forty Duece Burlesque Club in Columbus Ohio for The Morning After Show, a draglesgue brunch- stravaganza.
Doctora AJ Quin West
Columbus, OH
Doctora AJ Quin West is a Latina Pop Star drag artist originally from the island of Puerto Rico but resides in Columbus Ohio for the past 8 years. She is currently Miss Ohio Gay Pride 2026 and she is also a co-creator, co-director, co-producer and co-host of the competitions called LipsyncMania, The Drag Master, Tease The Crown Altered Ego and D-Valley. These competitions give different art style of nightlife entertainment (drag, burlesque, lipsync) the opportunity to grow and evolve their art but also create a strong connection of unity with the community. AJ is also a recording artist releasing her single “Path To Independence” “I Don’t Give A F” “Good Enough” and “S.E.X” which has received over 200,000 streams on different musical platforms. For 6 years now AJ has been performing all around Ohio and there is no stopping anytime soon.
Aeriel Assault West
Newark, OH
My name is Aeriel Assault West, born and raised in Newark, she now takes flight all over the state of Ohio. Check the skies, cause she’s coming in for a landing.
AJAY SANDERS
Newark, OH
Ajay is 17 years old and works as a babysitter and singer/performer. Ajay began acting and participating in theater at the age of 6 years old and later came back into the spotlight at age 12. Ajay openly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Ajay has been incredibly passionate about singing since the age of 3 and has continued to work on their craft every day. Ajay has been in 23 theatrical productions and has performed 4 different comedy sets from 2021 to 2024. In their time out of the spotlight they enjoy being a role model to younger singers and the many kids they volunteer with/interact with at the Hullabaloo performing arts theater. They enjoy bonding with friends over music and have aspirations to attend college to work with kids with special needs and being a full time singer/songwriter. Ajay's life long goal is to help and inspire others to be their authentic selves. As well as to advocate for the rights of others. Ajay's YouTube page can be found @Ajay_sings_444 with the name Ajay Sanders.