By Anna Bechtel –

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – On Friday, October 16, the fourth annual Mx. Toxic Competition returned to the Chez Est stage in Hartford. This was one of many events celebrating Chez Est’s 50th anniversary. Six competitors from around New England vied for the prize package: Ace Of Everything, Carina Concealed Weapon, Ill Elle, Mx. Kranium, Toxique, and Vienna Tango. They competed in two categories: Performance, where they could do anything they wanted on stage, and Runway, where they wore an apocalypse-themed look.

This year’s judges were Mx. Toxic 2025 Graveyard Brat, local drag king Dom Parinyon, and ConnecticutDrag.com founder Kevin Ferrisi. Glass Staine returned as host for the second year.

The competition began with a video message from the show’s founder Kalysta Kaykes, who appeared from their home in Texas. Kalysta wished the competitors good luck before making an exciting announcement. Next year, the competition will be rebranded as Mx. Toxic New England, as Kalysta will also host the first Mx. Toxic competition for Texas performers.

Glass kicked off the show by performing her original song, which served as the competition’s theme song. After a close competition, it came down to Ace Of Everything, Toxique, and Carina Concealed Weapon. The audience erupted in cheers as Carina Concealed Weapon was announced as the winner.

For her winning performance, Carina Concealed Weapon emerged wearing a white church robe with the words “Praise Him” written in red paint and carrying a large lamb prop. She began the number by lip-syncing to a recording of herself talking about what she would do to win Mx. Toxic and praying. She then lip-synced to “For Every Mountain” by Kurt Carr and “I’m So Sick” by Flyleaf, showing off her dance skills before ending the performance by sacrificing her lamb prop and pulling out a crown. For her runway, Carina wore a dress covered in blood and a mask featuring horns and bloody teeth. She also carried a large staff.

Toxique channeled zombies for her performance. Lip-syncing to Olivia Rodrigo’s “The Cure,” she wore a ripped, blood-stained dress. Halfway through the performance, backup dancers dressed as zombies stormed the stage and attacked her. She ended the number on the floor as another backup dancer cried over her body. For her runway, Toxique continued the zombie theme with a shredded corset, skirt, and glove adorned with sores and blood.

Ace Of Everything kicked off the night with a performance to “She’s Gone Away” and “Into the Void” by Nine Inch Nails. Wearing a bird-esque mask and carrying a book, they captivated the audience with their movements and simulated eating worms. For their runway, Ace Of Everything started off in a black trench coat before revealing a black bikini with chains and wires hanging from it, paired with bright green leggings.

After the runway portion, it was the judges’ turn to take the stage. Glass Staine performed “Poison” by Shygirl alongside a backup dancer who portrayed a sick patient in need of an oxygen mask. Dom Parinyon performed a mix inspired by wolves, featuring “Howlin’ for You” by The Black Keys, “Lunch” by Billie Eilish, and “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails. Finally, for her stepdown performance, Graveyard Brat performed a number inspired by jack-o’-lanterns.

Finally, it was time for the judges to announce the results. The top three were Ace Of Everything, Toxique, and Carina Concealed Weapon. The audience erupted in cheers as Carina Concealed Weapon was crowned Mx. Toxic 2026.

Carina celebrated her win on Instagram, writing, “These past few months have been filled with so much work, a lot of tears, and a lot of self-doubt. But through the help of my friends, my family, and my faith, I was able to take this title. This number was inspired by all the moments where I would listen to For Every Mountain or some other gospel or Flyleaf song and cry for help from my Creator. I prayed for courage. I prayed for resilience. I prayed for freedom. Believing in God and having faith in something has changed my life in ways I never thought were possible. Gratitude and forgiveness is a practice and I’m so thankful I am reminded of my blessings every day.”

Congratulations to Carina Concealed Weapon and all of this year’s amazing competitors! We can’t wait for next year’s inaugural Mx. Toxic New England competition!