By Kevin Ferrisi –

After 10 consecutive weeks of some of Connecticut’s best drag performers competing head to head, a new Legend was crowned at the season 11 finale of Chez Legends.

Presented by Mia E. Z’Lay, Chez Legends is a bi-annual 10 week drag performance competition at the Chez Est, located on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford. Every Thursday during the 10 weeks, any and all drag artists are welcome and encouraged to sign up and compete for the winning spot in the night’s line-up. At the end of the 10 weeks, the winning finalists from each week, as well as a Golden Buzzer wildcard winner chosen by Mia herself, all compete against one another at a season finale and the top contestant is crowned winner of the season’s competition. This season’s finale judges panel consisted of BeBe Galini, and Chez owners John Pepe and Luis Pepe.

This season crowned Judah as the winner, after a rosebud performance featuring her very own brother Christian Catalanotto. Judah won week 1 during the competition after she performed ‘Contortionist’ by Melanie Martinez, which guaranteed her spot in competing at the finale. Judah’s finale performance was full of campy innuendos and choreographed surprises, performing a mashup of ‘Wish You Roses’ by Kali Uchis, ‘Pure/Honey’ by Beyonce and ‘Daisy’ by Ashnikko.

Judah "Roses" (7/29/23) from CT Drag Fans on Vimeo. Watch the full winning performance by Judah at the Season 11 finale, July 29, 2023. Featuring Christian Catalanotto.

There was not a dull moment the entire night. Weekly winners hit the stage and left the crowd screaming for more. The finale included performances by the season’s weekly winners (in order); Zella Cullatore, Midnight, Moxie Aura, Rory Roux Lay, Jade Rivers, Felicity V. Lay, Onixx, Mystikuntt, Barbelle Maxim and Golden Buzzer winner Enigma Jones.

The night’s top finalists were chosen based upon a voting system, via text message, for audience attendees to place their vote. 

After the first round of votes were tallied, the top five finalists were announced for a second round of voting to occur, choosing the winning top three performers. The top three finalists of the night were Judah, Midnight and Jade Rivers. Then it came down to the top two, Judah and Midnight. Runner-up Midnight performed an Aladdin mashup that included ‘Friend Like Me’ and ‘Prince Ali’.

Midnight "Friend Like Me" (7/29/23) from CT Drag Fans on Vimeo. Watch the full performance by Midnight at the Season 11 finale, July 29, 2023.

The crowd clutched their pearls and eagerly waited for the winner to be announced. After two heart-stopping, sickening performance by both Judah and Midnight, it was anybody’s game. Finally, the votes were in! Judah was announced season 11 winner of Chez Legends!

Judah was the recipient of the grand prize package which consisted of; $150 from Shay Noelle Real Estate, $150 from Paul of CE Electrical, $200 from Jack of The Pink Drink Social, $100 Gift Card to Sephora from Domingo of DCJR Events, Custom Legends Necklace from NeedForBling.com, $200 Gift Card from ShopWillBeauty, 7 paid bookings at The Chez, $250 in cash and the title of Chez Legend!

The night finished off with performances by Tatiana Melendez, Mia E. Z’Lay, BeBe Galini and from our reigning season 10 winner Rozz Aura.

Season 12 of Chez Legends is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 31st, 2023. Local drag performers are welcome to sign up and perform to compete for their spot at the season 12 finale. To sign up visit their website here.

Congratulations Judah on becoming the Season 11 Chez Legend! Click here to check out all the photos from the Chez Legends Season 11 finale in the events gallery.