By Kevin Ferrisi –

For thirteen thrilling seasons, the local drag competition at Chez Est in Hartford has been the ultimate stage for the state’s top drag artists. This year, the stakes reached unprecedented heights, with contestants battling for the largest prize ever offered. The 10-week showdown, known as Chez Legends, takes place twice annually and is hosted by the House of Lay Entertainment and Chez Est. Every Thursday during the competition, drag performers of all kinds are invited to showcase their talents, competing for the coveted top spot in each week’s line-up. After 10 weeks of fierce competition, the season culminates in a grand finale where the weekly winners, along with a Golden Buzzer wildcard, go head-to-head, with one being crowned the season’s champion.

At the electrifying season 13 finale of Chez Legends, a new Legend emerged victorious after 10 intense weeks of Connecticut’s finest drag performers competing for the title. The esteemed judges panel featured Chez Est owners John Pepe and Luis Pepe (also known as Lulu Diamant Fierce), alongside the reigning Mx. Chez Est 2024, Moxie Angel. The night’s festivities were flawlessly orchestrated by the host, local drag celebrity and mother of the House of Lay, Mia E. Z’Lay, as the audience eagerly awaited the crowning of the newest Chez Legend.

The season finale of Chez Legends was a spectacle of talent and creativity as the weekly winners took the stage, delivering show-stopping performances that left the audience craving more. The night showcased the incredible artistry of the finalists, including the Golden Buzzer winner Ethel De Luxe, the competition’s first-ever duo, Rory Roux Lay and Enigma Jones, and standout performers like Operetta Waltz, Maddie Triss, Dolling, Perry Winkle, Onixx Aura, Glass Staine, Midnight, Vessel, and Angel Rivers. The performance order for the finale was determined by a random draw conducted by Chez Est’s Social Media Manager, Nick Dionne, and broadcasted live on Facebook, adding an extra layer of excitement leading up to the evening.

The competition at Chez Legends has reached new heights as drag performers battle for the chance to become the next All Star and claim a lucrative prize package. Each week, winners earned $100 and secured their spot in the finale, where they competed for a grand prize valued at $2,450, featuring cash and gift cards from generous local sponsors. However, the real challenge now lies beyond the finale, where the season’s champion will advance to the prestigious All Star competition. There, the season 13 and upcoming season 14 champions will compete for an astounding prize package worth $8,325, including cash, paid bookings, and the esteemed crown, sash, and scepter. With the total prize package for the next Mx. Chez Est 2025 reaching $10,875, the stakes have never been higher, driving contestants to give their all in their quest to become Connecticut’s next drag superstar.

This season, Midnight finally claimed victory at Chez Legends, dazzling the audience with a fiery Latin performance alongside her drag daughter Valeryan and local talents Ryder Die, Gabriella Diamante, and Boxa Crayonz. Midnight’s journey to the crown began in week 1, where her electrifying performance to Ricky Martin’s ‘Pegate’ secured her a spot in the finale. A seasoned competitor, Midnight had previously reached the finale six times, always coming close but never quite clinching the title – until now. Her long-awaited win marked a triumphant end to a season of fierce competition and unforgettable performances.

In the finale, Midnight delivered a show-stopping Disney moment, setting the stage on fire with her dynamic and passionate dance moves to ‘Amigas Cheetahs’ by the Cheetah Girls. The song’s lyrics, celebrating friendship, rhythm, and sisterhood, echoed the theme of unity and individual self-expression that radiated throughout her performance. With the support of her backup dancers, Midnight executed each step with precision and flair, showcasing fluid hip movements, long expressive arms, and hard-hitting exotic moves that stayed true to her Latin roots. Her stellar performance embodied the spirit of sisterhood and solidified her destiny as this season’s champion. (video below)

Midnight (8/17/24) from CT Drag Fans on Vimeo. Watch the full winning performance by Midnight at the Chez Legends season 13 finale at Chez Est in Hartford, CT on August 17, 2024. Video by Nick Dionne.

The night’s top finalists were determined by audience votes, cast via text message. After the initial round, the top five finalists advanced to a second round of voting, where the top three performers were chosen. The final trio included the dynamic duo Rory Roux Lay and Enigma Jones, Angel Rivers, and Midnight. The competition then narrowed to the top two after a third round of voting: Rory Roux Lay and Enigma Jones, and Midnight. In a stunning twist, Rory Roux Lay and Enigma Jones captivated the audience with a dramatic performance where Enigma emerged as a mysterious black creature, only to reveal Rory attached to her back as a second creature. Their epic performance, set to a mashup of ‘Space Oddity’ and ‘Life on Mars’ by David Bowie, ‘The Beautiful People’ by Marilyn Manson, ‘A New Day Has Come’ by Celine Dion, and ‘Alien Superstar’ by Beyoncé, secured them a spot in the top two, leaving the audience in awe. (video below)

Rory Roux Lay and Enigma Jones (8/17/24) from CT Drag Fans on Vimeo. Watch the full performance by Rory Roux Lay and Enigma Jones at the Chez Legends season 13 finale at Chez Est in Hartford, CT on August 17, 2024. Video by Nick Dionne.

After the crowd eagerly awaited the winner’s announcement, the votes were in! Midnight was declared the season 13 winner of Chez Legends! As the champion, Midnight received $150 cash and a featured article from ConnecticutDrag.com, $150 cash from Blues & Blahs Online Mental Health Service, $150 cash from CE Electrical, $150 cash from Bear Hug Apparel, a $200 gift card to Anastasia Beverly Hills from the Pink Drink Social, a $200 gift card to Sephora from DCJR Events, a $250 gift card from Shop Will Beauty, $500 cash from Chez Est, $525 cash from 7 guaranteed paid bookings, a custom Legends necklace from NeedForBling.com valued at $175, the title of Chez Legend, and the rare chance to compete against the season 14 winner for the coveted title of Mx. Chez Est 2025.

The event concluded with unforgettable performances by Mia E. Z’Lay and Mx. Chez Est 2024, Moxie Angel. Both queens lit up the stage, delivering show-stopping numbers that left the audience in awe. Their performances served as the perfect finale to a night filled with fierce competition and incredible talent, celebrating the artistry and spirit of drag.

Following her win, Midnight took to social media and shared, “I am still in such disbelief. Last night was so incredibly amazing. I started doing Chez Legends back in season 7 when I was just a baby bearded queen and everyone at the Chez welcomed me with open arms. Then I continued to make it to the finale for season 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12. Here I am today as your season 13 winner and I could not be more happy and proud of myself.”

She continued with, “Last night’s number was something I’ve been wanting to do for a while and I’ve worked so hard for weeks to make everything look exactly how it envisioned it, I just wanted a fun number where it made people smile and happy and I feel like I accomplished that and more. Thank you to all of my friends and family for your constant and unconditional support, I love you all so much.”

Congratulations Midnight on becoming the season 13 Chez Legend. Midnight will compete against the season 14 winner for the coveted title of Mx. Chez Est 2025 during the Chez Legends All Stars weekend competition taking place on April 18th and 19th at the Infinity Hall Theater in Hartford. Season 14 will kick off on September 5th at Chez Est in Hartford.