“Who am I, to judge?”  I ask this almost as often as I say “People in glass houses, sometimes get stoned.”  But, to be fair, I’m actually exactly who the Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization should have judging the Miss Nevada and Miss Nevada’s Outstanding Teen pageants; so, I was delighted that they agreed, and asked me to don my judging hat (which, in my case, was a gold-sequined turban, designed by my friend, Julia Clancey).

What I didn’t know, was that – for the sake of propriety (and to prevent us from being influenced/harassed/bribed/threatened by any of the contestants’ parents) – we would be sequestered, for three days and two nights; under the watchful eyes of our ever-present Judges’ Chairs, Amy Close and Sean McAlister.  This was especially amusing to me, as I’d just completed watching FX’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, so the episode about the jury kept running through my mind.

After receiving my Judge’s Book (a two-pound tome that would be my bible), packing my bags, and boarding my dogs; I set-off for The LINQ.  I’ve gotta give a shout-out to the design-team at Caesars Entertainment, who have completely transformed the former Imperial Palace into the Las Vegas version of the Ace Hotel.  In a room where every inch matters, it was laid-out ideally, and with more electrical outlets than I had chargers to plug-in (and that’s never happened)!

Anyhoo – my fellow judges were a fascinating group, that included actress Farah Galfond (Days of Our Lives, One Life to Live); Eric Watts, a Muay Thai/MMA fighter; Jet Mitchell, a professor of Business Administration; Don Chareunsey, Senior Editor, Las Vegas Sun and Vegas DeLuxe; Maria Fletcher, Miss America 1962; and our Judge’s Chair, Cass Ho.  With personalities that ranged from mellow and low-key, to kooky and amusing, to well, I’m gonna go with “eccentric” – we were a decidedly motley crew.  And yet, it worked. 

I’m not sure what I was expecting.  My previous judging experience had been the 2010 Miss Exotic World Pageant for the Burlesque Hall of Fame, and simply living, as a gay man, in this day and age.  And while I was hoping for something akin to the “Just between us squirrel-friends” atmosphere of RuPaul’s Drag Race, this was anything but casual. 

Judges were not allowed to discuss anything regarding the contestants.  Even after we’d judged them!  Now, I’m a rather chatty fellow (Hi!), so, you can imagine the stern looks and admonitions that fell upon me.  And I tried my best to adhere to the rules.  Honestly!  So, I decided that it would be in the interview questions that I’d break from the herd.

Now, most of the judges asked questions based on the accomplishments listed by each contestant, and/or the philanthropic platform she had chosen.  But not yours truly.  Oh no.  I found little pop-cultural nuggets for each girl, and went to town.  And while most allowed for some comic relief, I was completely serious.  For instance, one girl had chosen as her talent to perform a dance number to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” – so I asked her if she felt that that promoted a feminist ideal.  I’ve gotta say, this was an impressive group of young ladies.  They really knew their stuff.  They were poised, well-spoken, and charming.

A favorite moment came when preparing for the Miss Nevada interviews, and reading that Bailey Gumm (who went on to be crowned Miss Nevada 2016) had written under Interesting Facts that she was “related to a cast member of The Wizard of Oz.”  Gumm?  As in Frances Ethel “Baby” Gumm, better known as Judy Garland?!?!  (Hello.)  What struck me was that she hadn’t just said “related to Judy Garland.”  So, when the time came to pose my question, I asked her.  And – genuinely taken aback – she asked me how I’d figured it out; to which I immediately replied “Uh, I’m gay, and I’m breathing?”  Well, the room fell out.  I mean one of our Judge’s Chairs literally fell off of his chair!  Good times.

But it was tough work, made possible by the curious camaraderie that forms among strangers who are thrown together in incredibly close proximity, for three jam-packed days.  Thanks to the Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization for allowing me to be a part of awarding nearly $100,000 in scholarships to some incredible young ladies who are certain to make a difference in the world.  It was an honor.

Miss Nevada 2016 | Miss Nevada’s Outstanding Teen 2016
Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization
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