Stephen Molinaro took home top honors at last weekend's Best in Drag Show.
Molinaro dazzled the crowd at the annual HIV and AIDS charity competiton as Vava Fanculo, a tough-talking, showstopping Italian-American drag queen who represented the Garden State as Miss New Jersey.
Fanculo had some of the most memorable looks of the evening, which is a satire of a Miss America pageant, including a bathing suit patterned after an Italian flag that was accented by a pizza slice, ice cream cone breasts, and trailing seagulls. Fanculo's evening dress, which incorporated a Ferris wheel and spinning carousel, received wild applause from the capacity crowd at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.
However, it was Fanculo's talent portion that received the most enthusiastic reaction of the evening. After splashing white paint on a large canvas in a seemingly random pattern, Fanculo spun the portrait upside down to reveal the face of Marlon Brando in character in The Godfather. The crowd gave a standing ovation.
Following the performance, judge Melanie Griffith began an impromptu bidding war for the portrait. Members of the audience began yelling amounts to Patrick Rush, the master of ceremonies, who raised the house lights to see the bidders from the stage. The painting sold for $10,000.
In total, the evening raised more than $300,000 for Aid for AIDS, a program run by the Alliance for Housing and Healing that provides shelter and food for impoverished Angelenos living with HIV or AIDS.
Check out photos of Miss New Jersey as well as the evening's other contestants, Sash Carl (Miss California: Beverly Centre), D'Nez Westmoreland (Miss Michigan: Electra Caprice Riviera), Mike Cativo (Miss Puerto Rico: Mimi E), Dajuan Powns (Miss Washington, D.C.: Ciera Lyon), and Aron Ross (Miss Wisconsin: Misty O'Portunity).
Dajuan Powns (Miss Washington, D.C.: Ciera Lyon) features feathers and ferocity in the swimsuit portion of the Best in Drag Show.
Sash Carl (Miss California: Beverly Centre) favors marijuana green and gold for California pride.
The giant box of taffy brought laughs for Stephen Molinaro (Miss New Jersey: Vava Fanculo), along with the gulls circling the Italian flag swimsuit.
Aron Ross (Miss Wisconsin: Misty O'Portunity) paid homage to Wisconsin's state bird and The Birdcage in this swimsuit.
Mike Cativo (Miss Puerto Rico: Mimi E) shows Puerto Rican pride in this starry ensemble.
The contestants pose onstage at the closing of the swimsuit segment.
Dajuan Powns (Miss Washington, D.C.: Ciera Lyon) emerges the victor of the dance in the Best in Drag Show talent portion.
D'Nez Westmoreland (Miss Michigan: Electra Caprice Riviera) shows good cheer in the talent portion of the competition.
After splashing white paint on a large canvas in a seemingly random pattern, Fanculo spun the portrait upside down to reveal the face of Marlon Brando as seen in The Godfather. The crowd went wild.
Aron Ross (Miss Wisconsin: Misty O'Portunity) unveils a stage-size quilt in honor of Lily White.
Sash Carl (Miss California: Beverly Centre) coordinates a pink and purple ensemble with a four-legged friend.
Aron Ross (Miss Wisconsin: Misty O'Portunity) is a wintry vision in white evening wear.
Fanculo's evening dress incorporates a Ferris wheel and spinning carousel.
Mike Cativo (Miss Puerto Rico: Mimi E) sends a lovely message in a dress inspired by the Red Ribbon Project.
The contestants pose onstage at the closing of the evening wear segment.
In total, the evening raised more than $300,000 for Aid for AIDS, a program run by the Alliance for Housing and Healing that provides shelter and food for impoverished Angelenos living with HIV or AIDS.
Stephen Molinaro (Miss New Jersey: Vava Fanculo) in the crowning moment.
