By Kevin Ferrisi –

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – For fifteen seasons, Chez Legends at Chez Est in Hartford has been the stage where Connecticut’s drag performers prove their talent, and this year’s competition reached new heights. With the largest prize in the show’s history, the 10-week showdown drew both veterans and newcomers, turning Thursday nights into a fierce contest of skill and creativity. Week after week, performers battled for a place in the finale, where anticipation grew as the top winners prepared for one last chance to claim the title of Chez Legend.

Season 15 of Chez Legends came to a close with the crowd filling every corner of Chez Est, eager to see who would take the crown. Over ten weeks, Connecticut’s top drag performers competed with lip-syncs, choreography, and showmanship for a chance at the title. The judging panel, made up of club owner John Pepe, reigning Mx. Chez Est 2025 Harmony The Valkyrie, and House of Legends matriarch Lady Tatiana, looked on as host, Emperor 22 & 25 of the Imperial Sovereign Court of all Connecticut, Vu Tran kept the night moving. Under the spotlights, the competition ended with the crowning of a new Legend, adding another name to the legacy of Chez Est.

The season finale of Chez Legends brought a packed house to Chez Est, where weekly winners returned for one last battle to claim the crown. The lineup featured standout performances from Layla Monroe, Vydia Thrice, Gabriella Diamante, Arachne, Spencer Scarlett, Angel Rivers, Rory Roux Lay, Rhonda, and Milynn Monroe, each delivering their best in a high-stakes showdown. To keep the competition unpredictable, performance order was drawn at random in a live Facebook broadcast the Thursday before the finale by Chez Est’s Social Media Manager, Nick Dionne, adding an extra layer of suspense to an already exciting night.

Angel Rivers secured the crown with a performance that pushed past traditional drag into the realm of performance art. Taking the stage to a mashup of “I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Perfect For You)” by Grace Jones, “Strong” by Romy & Fred Again, “Legendary” by POWERS, and “Billie (In Loving Arms)” by Fred Again, Angel stunned the audience from the moment the curtain opened. Dressed in an oversized red gown marked with black hieroglyphic-style designs created by Christian Catalanotto and topped with a red floral headpiece, she commanded the stage as the garment expanded to cover it entirely. Hidden beneath the flowing fabric, backup dancers emerged in solid-colored bodysuits, moving in unison to create waves that transformed the stage into a living canvas. The carefully constructed vision left the crowd in awe and cemented Angel’s win as the newest Chez Legend.

Angel’s winning performance was inspired by a hand-painted piece created by Keith Haring for Grace Jones in 1987, a work that appeared both in a New Year’s Eve show and in the video for the first song of her set. Angel’s goal was to capture the feeling of escape that music and performance art can bring, transporting the audience into a world far removed from everyday life. “I wanted to create a moment that brought you to the realm of Angel Rivers and fully immerse you in her fantasy,” Angel explained. By drawing from this iconic collaboration, she aimed to immerse the crowd fully in her vision and create a moment she had long been waiting to bring to the stage.

She wanted the audience to feel the power of falling down and finding the strength to rise again, even when the world tests you. Angel’s vision was rooted in the idea that dreaming big leads to greater achievements, and that persistence is what makes someone unstoppable. Her goal was to leave the crowd inspired, whether that meant finding the motivation to get through an ordinary day or pursuing their biggest ambitions. She told ConnecticutDrag.com, “If you fall, get back up, dust yourself off, and keep going. You always have to dream, and the bigger you dream, the greater you can achieve. That is what truly makes someone unstoppable. I just wanted people to leave the room inspired to achieve whatever comes next for them. Whether it’s waking up in the morning and going to work even when you aren’t feeling it, or reaching for your greatest goals, anything is possible. It all starts with an idea.” 

Angel Rivers (8/16/25) from CT Drag Fans on Vimeo. Angel Rivers’ winning finale performance at Chez Legends Finale at Chez Est in Hartford, CT on August 16, 2025. Video by Nick Dionne.

During the finale, audience votes cast by text message determined the night’s top three performers: Angel Rivers, Gabriella Diamante, and Rory Roux Lay. Gabriella Diamante energized the crowd with a praiseworthy take on Nicki Minaj’s “Roman Holiday,” recreating the rapper’s 2012 Grammy performance. Known for her reputation as a twerking queen and for proudly representing her culture, Gabriella used this moment to reveal a different side of herself. Drawing on her lifelong love of horror, she aimed to surprise the audience and show her versatility, proving there was more to her artistry than expected. She wanted the crowd to recognize her talent and ambition, emphasizing that while she has only been performing for two years, she is determined to keep raising the bar. For her, the night was about showing that a Diamante is just beginning to shine.

Rory Roux Lay took the stage with a bold Broadway-inspired performance, immersing the audience in the world of Wicked. She embodied Elphaba with striking green makeup and a powerful emotional presence, capturing the character’s journey of self-discovery and resilience. Joined by Enigma Jones as Galinda, Rory’s performance highlighted the complexities of friendship and personal transformation, bringing the story to life through expressive movement and theatrical storytelling. Her portrayal combined technical skill with heartfelt emotion, creating a performance that left a lasting impression on the audience.

The finale of Chez Legends kept the audience engaged until the very last performance, culminating in Angel Rivers being crowned the winner. Her victory marked a milestone for both Chez Legends and the Connecticut drag community. Angel is a founding sister of the Gem Dynasty, originally formed as the Haus of Gems by Harmony The Valkyrie, Angel Rivers, and Robin Fierce. The group is celebrated for its unique structure, rejecting the traditional mother role in favor of equality, with each member embracing the role of sister. As a founding sister, Angel carried forward this legacy, showcasing the strength, unity, and lasting impact of the Gem Dynasty following Harmony The Valkyrie’s crowning as Chez Legend season 14 and then ultimately Mx. Chez Est 2025.

The competition at Chez Legends delivered high-stakes excitement throughout the season as drag performers battled for the top title and a chance at All Star recognition. Weekly winners earned $100 and a spot in the season finale, where they competed for a grand prize worth over $2,500, including cash and gift cards from local sponsors. The season champion also secures a place in the coveted Chez Legends All Star competition, featuring champions from seasons 15 and 16 and offering a prize package valued at over $8,000, including paid bookings, a crown, sash, and scepter. With the total rewards for the next Mx. Chez Est 2026 exceeding $11,000.

After the crowd eagerly awaited the winner’s announcement, the votes were in! Angel Rivers was declared the season 15 winner of Chez Legends! As the champion, Angel 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 Chic Beauty Bar, $150 cash from the Pink Drink Social, $150 cash from DCJR Events, $150 cash from Neil Jones Home Improvements, a $250 gift card from Shop Will Beauty, $450 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 16 winner for the coveted title of Mx. Chez Est 2026.

Following her win, Angel took to social media and shared in a long heartfelt message, “Thank you so much to everyone who supports my drag, you all are a part of everything I do. I’ve always moved with intention and heart. I’ve always had trouble expressing myself, but this is the best way I do it. On stage. Putting all my emotions into the universe hoping to inspire the next. Thank you for choosing me to be your next LEGEND, I promise you I will not disappoint.”

Congratulations Angel Rivers on becoming the season 15 Chez Legend. Angel will compete against the season 16 winner for the coveted title of Mx. Chez Est 2026 during the Chez Legends All Stars weekend competition taking place on April 17th and 18th in 2026 at the Chez Est in Hartford.

PHOTOS: Click here to check out all of the photos in the Events Gallery from Chez Legends season 15 finale at Chez Est in Hartford, CT on August 16, 2025. Photos by Photography of Ty.