Every Miss Continental Pageant Winner Over the Years

Vanessa Van Cartier; Zhané Dawlingz; Sunny Dee-Lite
Vanessa Van Cartier; Zhané Dawlingz; Sunny Dee-Lite
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Vanessa Van Cartier; Zhan\u00e9 Dawlingz; Sunny Dee-Lite
Vanessa Van Cartier; Zhan\u00e9 Dawlingz; Sunny Dee-Lite

Courtesy of Miss Continental

Established in 1980 by Jim Flint, the Miss Continental pageant has become the most prestigious drag queen pageant system in the world over the years.

Unlike other prominent drag queen pageants, Miss Continental became known for being more accepting of trans women as competitors. This has subsequently turned Miss Continental into one of the fiercest, most coveted, and most competitive pageants in the LGBTQ+ community. In other words, winning the title of Miss Continental is extremely well-regarded in the world of drag.

Besides the lockdown hiatus that took place in 2020, the Miss Continental pageant is generally held during Labor Day weekend at the Baton Show Lounge in Chicago, Illinois. On September 4, 2023, Zhané Dawlingz was crowned Miss Continental 2024. To celebrate Dawlingz’s reign, it’s time to look back at all of the previous winners that came before her.

Scroll through to check out the winners of Miss Continental over the years!

1980 – Chilli Pepper

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1981 – Heather Fontaine

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1982 – Tiffany Arieagus

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1983 – Chena Black

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1984 – Cherine Alexander

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1985 – Maya Douglas

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1986 – Tandi Andrews

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Tandi Andrews founded the Andrews house that RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Roxxxy Andrews is a part of.

1987 – Dana Douglas

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1988 – Kelly Lauren

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1989 – Lakesha Lucky

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1990 – Chanel Dupree

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1991 – Amber Richards

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1992 – Mimi Marks

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Mimi Marks is known as the first-ever out transgender runway model to work under the Ford Modeling Agency. In 2008, she appeared in the “Rock With You” music video by Janet Jackson.

1993 – Monica Munro

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During the reunion episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15, Sasha Colby credited Monica Munro for being the biggest inspiration for her drag and performance style.

1994 – Cézanne

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1995 – Lady Catiria

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The same year she won Miss Continental, Lady Catiria made a cameo in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.

1996 – Paris Frantz

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1997 – Tasha Long

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1998 – Michelle Dupree

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1999 – Tommie Ross

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2000 – Danielle Hunter

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2001 – Candis Cayne

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Before winning Miss Continental, Candis Cayne appeared in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. After winning the pageant, she became an even bigger Hollywood star starring in projects like Dirty Sexy Money, Elementary, and The Magicians, among others.

2002 – Yoshiko Oshiro

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2003 – Erika Norell

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2004 – Erica Andrews

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Erica Andrews is the drag daughter of Tandi Andrews. She is also the drag mother of Roxxxy Andrews, who competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race season five and All Stars 2.

2005 – Domanique Shappelle

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2006 – Victoria Le Paige

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2007 – Necole Luv Dupree

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2008 – Tulsi

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2009 – Armani

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Armani - Blow Your Mind

2010 – Mokha Montrese

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Mokha Montrese is the drag mother of Coco Montrese, who competed in the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and All Stars 2.

2011 – Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington

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2012 – Sasha Colby

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Sasha Colby won season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

2013 – Naysha Lopez

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Naysha Lopez competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race season eight, then returned as a contestant on All Stars 8.

2014 – Brooke Lynn Hytes

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Brooke Lynn Hytes competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11 and finished as runner-up. She then went on to become the host of Canada’s Drag Race.

2015 – Tiffany T. Hunter

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2016 – Jazell Barbie Royale

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Jazell Barbie Royale competed in the second season of Queen of the Universe, placing fourth overall.

2017 – Shantell D’Marco

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2018 – Stasha Sanchez

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Stasha Sanchez, who is also known as Stasha Garçon, competed in the second season of Legendary with the House of Garçon.

2019 – Vanessa Van Cartier

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Vanessa Van Cartier won the second season of Drag Race Holland.

Due to lockdown restrictions, there was no winner of Miss Continental 2020 and 2021.

2022 – Juliana Rivera

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2023 – Sunny Dee-Lite

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2024 – Zhané Dawlingz

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