By Kevin Ferrisi –

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – This past Saturday, Chez Est in Hartford transformed into the epicenter of Connecticut’s alternative drag scene with the return of Mx. Toxic 2024. Hosted by Kalysta Kaykes, the state’s self-proclaimed premier drag fire entertainer and winner of Chez Legends season 5, the competition showcased a diverse range of drag queens and drag things in a fierce underground battle for the coveted title. Kalysta, who also created the event, brought together artists who celebrated the edgier side of drag, competing in two categories: Runway and Performance. The night was a celebration of alternative drag, with the winner claiming not just the title of Mx. Toxic 2024, but a host of exciting prizes.

As Mx. Toxic entered its second year, the competition promised an electrifying night of performances. Kicking off the event were opening acts Atreus, Operetta Waltz, Amaris Ghost, and Echo Kaykes, each setting the stage for the fierce contest to follow. The panel of judges – Mx. Kynk 2022 and Mx. Toxic For Life Glass Staine, Chez Legends season 11 winner Judah, as well as Massachusetts native Entity – watched closely as the talented contestants battled for the crown. Contestants Gem Stoner, Ryder Die, Chai, Flaminia, Alexir, Vessel, and Layla Monroe brought their unique drag artistry to the stage, ready to captivate the audience and claim their spot as Mx. Toxic 2024.

The competitors of Mx. Toxic 2024 kicked off the night with a thrilling runway challenge, where they showcased their costume creations and impressive special-effects makeup. Each contestant brought their unique vision to the stage, captivating the audience with their creativity and boldness. In the second round, the contestants returned to display their live performances, where stage presence and showmanship were key. From fierce dance numbers to emotive displays of character, the night was a stunning example of the diverse talents within Connecticut’s alternative drag scene.

This year, Vessel rose to claim the title of Mx. Toxic 2024 with an unforgettable performance. Their runway look, inspired by Death Note, drew from themes of dread and hopelessness tied to apathetic gods, while their live act embodied a deeply personal connection to their pagan craft. Vessel’s performance, inspired by The Craft and soundtracked by Twin Temple’s ‘I’m Wicked’, ‘I Am a Witch’, and ‘I Know How to Hex You’, blended music and magic in a daring display of witchcraft live on stage. Although nervous about the messiness of using blood and the unpredictability of magic in a live setting, Vessel aimed to show something rarely seen in Connecticut’s alternative scene – a reclamation of magic, not as something to be feared, but as a powerful tool for protection and empowerment against harm.

As the judges meticulously tallied their scores, the room buzzed with anticipation. Each contestant had poured their heart and soul into the competition, but only three were originally meant to advance to the final round. When the moment came, a twist electrified the crowd – a tie for third place pushed the top three into a top four. Layla Monroe, Chai, Ryder Die, and Vessel emerged as the night’s finalists, their impeccable fashion and standout performances earning them this coveted spot. But the excitement didn’t stop there. After much deliberation, the competition narrowed down further, revealing Ryder Die and Vessel as the top two competitors. The tension soared as the final showdown began, setting the stage for one of them to take home the title of Mx. Toxic 2024.

For the runway portion of the competition, runner-up Ryder Die chose to embody the theme of romantic obsession for his “toxic trait” runway. Reflecting on his tendency to lose himself in relationships, he designed a dress that symbolized this emotional journey. As he ripped off the names of his exes, a trail of red beads fell to the floor, representing the scars left behind and the realization that, in the end, he is left with only himself. Ryder proudly collaborated with his drag sister Midnight on the sewing of the dress. For his performance, titled “Ryder Rage Room,” Ryder channeled the anger and turmoil he had experienced in his personal life during the months of August and September. The performance was a cathartic expression of his emotions, using two of his favorite songs, ‘Break Stuff’ by So Tuff So Cute and ‘Break Stuff’ by Limp Bizkit, both of which perfectly captured his anger. Instead of letting that anger consume him offstage, he decided to have fun with it onstage by destroying a set he had built and designed himself, smashing boxes labeled with various phrases.

We reached out to this year’s winner, Vessel, to grasp their excitement after winning this year’s competition, and their response was: “I’m still trying to process it, to be completely honest, because I was not expecting it at all. I wasn’t expecting to be at the top to begin with, and to win was really mind-boggling. But it’s really showing me that my drag does have value, both in the alternative scene and outside of it. I felt, even though I did a very alternative number, that for me a big part of alternative drag is the blood and the filth – not to quote the Boulet Brothers. I don’t really bring a lot of filth into my drag just because it’s not something I have a huge interest in. So I’m very proud and very grateful that people appreciate my drag that much.”

After a night filled with gore, talent, and fierce competition, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. As the anticipation reached its peak, the judges crowned Vessel as the winner of Mx. Toxic 2024. The applause erupted from the crowd as Vessel beamed with pride, having shone brightly throughout the evening. Along with the prestigious title, they walked away with a $500 cash prize provided by Toxic Productions, an additional $150 from ConnecticutDrag.com, a custom Mx. Toxic 2024 sash, and a striking black leather crown that symbolized their victory. To top it all off, they earned a featured exclusive interview with ConnecticutDrag.com, solidifying their place in the alternative drag scene.

Following the competition, host and producer Kalysta Kaykes took to social media to share with their followers: “This competition was everything I could have wished for and more. The love, passion, and art that was shared on that stage and in Chez Est Saturday night cannot be matched. TOXIC has not only helped expand alternative drag in CT, it has built a family. A family that will continue to grow and a family that is not afraid to show their authentic selves.”

Click here to check out all the photos in the events gallery from Mx. Toxic 2024, at Chez Est in Hartford, CT. Photos by Kevin Ferrisi.