With more than three decades of experience and a résumé glittering with crowns, Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington has long reigned as one of drag’s most respected and decorated performers. But in the upcoming series Pageant Queens: Our Story Behind the Crown (premiering on November 24), she steps into a different kind of spotlight – one that trades competition for connection.
The groundbreaking docuseries, filmed in Florida and featuring ten national titleholders – including RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Kennedy Davenport, invites viewers into the real world of drag pageantry, where collaboration replaces elimination and authenticity reigns supreme. For Alexis, the experience was more than another pageant; it was a reclamation of truth, sisterhood, and visibility in a state where being seen as your authentic self has never been more powerful.
In our exclusive interview, Alexis opens up about what it means to be both an icon and a human being, how Pageant Queens redefines the art form she’s helped shape, and why her next legacy might not be the crown she wears, but the ones she inspires others to earn.
Pageant Queens isn’t your typical competition show. What was it like participating in a series that’s more about collaboration than elimination?
It was an amazing experience…different, yet so needed for the evolution of this kind of show. Being part of Pageant Queens felt refreshing because it focused on collaboration instead of competition. We weren’t trying to outshine one another; we were uplifting each other, sharing stories, and growing together. It created such a positive environment where everyone could truly shine in their own way. It reminded me that empowerment and authenticity can be just as entertaining and even more inspiring than rivalry.
The show spotlights drag as both an art form and a personal journey. What truths did you feel compelled to share through this platform?
The truth of me being human. For so long, I’ve been seen as a hero – someone strong, confident, and untouchable. But through Pageant Queens, I wanted to show the person behind the glamour, the vulnerability behind the strength. Drag is my art, but it’s also my way of telling the truth about who I am: someone who feels deeply, struggles, learns, and grows just like everyone else. Sharing that side of myself felt liberating, a reminder that even heroes need space to be human.
As someone who’s won countless titles, how did this experience compare emotionally to your past pageants?
This experience was completely different from any pageant I’ve ever done. In traditional competitions, people usually only see the final product, the crown, the gown, the performance. But Pageant Queens allowed everyone to come with me on the journey. They saw the good, the bad, and the ugly, the doubts, the breakthroughs, the real moments behind the sparkle. Emotionally, it was much deeper. It wasn’t just about winning a title; it was about being seen, understood, and embraced for all that I am.
The series was intentionally filmed in Florida, a state facing serious LGBTQ+ backlash. How did that setting affect your experience on the show?
Filming in Florida was really emotional for me. This is home, the same place where I’ve felt both deep love and deep fear as a trans woman. Being on set here, surrounded by a team that celebrated authenticity, felt like reclaiming a bit of that space. It reminded me that even in places where we’re being pushed out, our stories still belong
You’re widely considered one of the most decorated entertainers in drag. What keeps you returning to pageants as both a competitor and an artist?
This is life for me. Pageantry gives me the space to bring everything in my head and heart to the stage, every idea, emotion, and piece of artistry. It’s not just about competing; it’s about expression and legacy. It also lets me inspire and encourage the next generation to dream bigger and believe there’s a place for them, too.
Drag pageants are full of tradition, but they’re also evolving. How have you seen pageantry change over the years and what do you hope to see next?
Pageantry has evolved so much it’s not just about gowns and performances anymore, it’s about innovation. With the rise of AI and new design technologies, we’re seeing creativity reach levels we never imagined. Designers are using digital tools to push boundaries, and that inspires performers like me to dream even bigger. I hope the next chapter of pageantry continues blending tradition with technology honoring where we came from while embracing the future.
In Pageant Queens, the contestants helped design their own pageant. What rules or traditions would you change in the drag pageant world?
I’d love to see pageants focus less on being traditional ‘beauty’ contests and more on celebrating individuality. Drag is about artistry, creativity, and heart not fitting into one idea of beauty. I also think every contestant deserves a truly fair chance, no matter their background, resources, or style of drag. When everyone feels seen and valued, that’s when pageantry really shines.
With so many titles under your belt, is there one crowning moment that stands above the rest for you?
Continental will always stand out for me. That moment showed me just how diverse my craft really is that I can blend beauty, performance, and authenticity in my own way. Winning reminded me of my worth, not just as an entertainer, but as a person who’s worked hard to be seen and celebrated for exactly who I am.
The show highlights chosen family and sisterhood. How has your drag sisterhood shaped you personally and professionally?
My drag sisterhood has shaped me in so many beautiful ways. It allows us to celebrate each other’s strengths and lift one another up. There’s so much admiration within our circle we push each other to grow, to create, and to keep showing up as our best selves. That kind of love and support has made me stronger, both personally and professionally.
You have a reputation for both poise and power onstage. Offstage, what keeps you grounded and inspired?
Offstage, it’s my small circle of family and true supporters that keeps me grounded. They remind me of who I am beyond the glitter and performance their love and honesty inspire me to keep creating, growing, and showing up as my most authentic self.
Pageantry is often more about heart than hardware. What would you tell a young queen entering her first pageant?
I’d tell a young queen to always be true to herself, but also to take the time to really understand the art form. Pageantry is about growth, creativity, and expression the more you learn, the more you can evolve and make the stage your own.
What does the phrase “Our Story Behind the Crown” mean to you personally?
‘Our Story Behind the Crown’ is everything people don’t see the fights, the tears, the sleepless nights. They only see the queen after the crown, but not the journey it took to get here. Every crown carries a story of struggle, strength, and survival.
What impact do you hope Pageant Queens will have on both the drag community and mainstream audiences?
Pageant Queens uplifts the drag community by celebrating artistry and mentoring the next generation, while showing mainstream audiences that drag is more than entertainment…it’s a powerful form of expression that inspires, challenges stereotypes, and saves lives.
With this series empowering legends to tell their own stories, where do you see drag pageantry heading in the next decade?
With this series empowering legends to tell their own stories, I see drag pageantry in the next decade becoming bigger, freer, and more celebrated, more accepted, more appreciated, and more valued than ever before.
You’ve already built a legacy. What’s next for Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington? Any crowns left to claim or new stages to conquer?
Who knows? Tonight, I’m going in hopes of capturing the title of Ms. Florida. My son just conquered Mr. Black Universe under my guidance, and the crowns of the future may not just be on my head but on those I mentor. Legacy isn’t just about what I achieve, it’s about lifting others to shine.
