With the national U. S. Mr. Gay competition taking place Nov. 13 in Philadelphia, spectators will want to watch the contestants — and the judges.
This year’s event is hosted by Sirius OUT Q radio star Frank DeCaro and local drag personality Brittany Lynn, with judges world-renowned gossip columnist Michael Musto, celebrity stylist David Evangelista and Emmy-winning TV producer Terence Noonan. But it’s a few late additions to the panel that have the potential for some super-sized cattiness to flare up at the festivities.
Ryan Nickalus and T.J. Kelly from Logo’s new reality show “The A-List: New York,” have been tapped to judge the competition.
Let the games begin!
“I have to say some of the judges don’t really like ‘The A-List: New York,” and I look forward to hopefully meeting them in person and changing their minds,” Nickalus said.
Now, who on the panel could have some choice and biting commentary on the breakthrough cultural masterpiece that is “The A-List: New York?”
Could it be Michael Musto?
Ding! We have a winner!
“He’s not a big fan of the show,” Nickalus said. “It’s funny: When it comes to Reichen Lehmkuhl, he is a dirty little man.”
Not that Nickalus is losing any sleep over anyone critical of the show. He’s too busy basking in reality-show fame and the extra clients it has brought to Ryan Darius Salon, which he owns in New York City’s West Village.
“We are getting used to being recognized,” he said about the show’s success. “That is something that I am graciously getting used to: walking down the street and people stopping, talking and letting you know, ‘I hate this one’ or ‘I hate that one.’”
Nickalus is also reaping the benefits of being one of the cast members who is somewhat stable [read: one of the least likely on the show to go bat-shit narcissistic diva bitch every five minutes].
“I’m getting a lot of people asking me for advice, asking if I would take them under my wing like Austin,” he said. “It’s very flattering. Honestly, in my 30 long years of being here, I’ve been through a lot. I’ve gone from each end of the spectrum from failure to success. I give advice on my life experience. I try to speak honestly and from the heart and I think it shows.”
Since the U.S. Mr. Gay isn’t going to be all about him, we asked what he’s looking for in a Mr. Gay winner.
“I am looking for originality and humility, which are two really strange things to look for in a competition, but I think are so important because pretty only gets you so far,” he said.
David Evangelista echoed that sentiment.
“It’s not all looks,” he said. “Like Judge Judy says: Beauty fades, dumb is forever. I want to hear what they have to say, how they present themselves and how they articulate themselves. That resonates a lot.”
Wait for it … wait for it …
“Of course, looks and body and all that stuff says a lot,” he added.
Our work here is done.
An opening reception and Q&A for U.S. Mr. Gay will be held 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Q Lounge, 1234 Locust St.; the competition will take place at 9 p.m. Nov. 13 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. For tickets or more information call (215) 735-5772.
Larry Nichols can be reached at [email protected].