When producers Travis Stancil and Michael Silas first created Queen of Drag as a live event, it was meant to be a one-night celebration of artistry, pageantry, and performance. But when a single promotional video went viral, everything changed.
What was intended to advertise the live show instead created national confusion — the visuals, production quality, and storytelling rivaled network television. Major media outlets began reaching out, asking about the “new TV series” they thought had already launched. That moment sparked an idea that would transform the project forever, pushing the creators to rethink their strategy and reimagine the concept’s potential on a much larger scale.
From that spark, Pageant Queens: Our Story Behind the Crown was born — a full-scale unscripted television series that peels back the curtain on the glamorous yet demanding world of drag pageantry.
The show follows ten legendary competitors who together hold more than 38 national titles, including Miss Continental, Miss Gay USofA, Entertainer of the Year, and Queen. Among these icons are Layla Larue, Shae Shae Lareese, Buff Faye, Joan Jullian, A’Zsia Dupree, Kennedy Davenport, Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington, Tonica E. Cavalli, and Tatiyanna Voche —pioneers whose artistry and resilience helped define modern drag long before it became mainstream.
The Visionaries Behind the Crown
At the helm are Travis Stancil and Michael Silas, two creative forces who have turned passion into an empire. Travis Stancil, a world-class ballroom dancer turned major event producer, is the founder and CEO of Stance Productions, a well-regarded event production company in South Florida known for its high-end services.
Known for producing large-scale entertainment experiences — from celebrity galas and national fundraisers to world-class stage productions — Stancil has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands. His precision, artistry, and strategic vision have positioned Stance Productions as a powerhouse in the world of live and televised entertainment.
Michael Silas, a former professional dancer for A-list artists such as Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and Mariah Carey, has graced some of the world’s biggest stages. Best known as one of Gaga’s four principal male dancers during The Monster Ball Tour, Silas also performed with her during the Super Bowl Halftime Show, cementing his legacy as one of the entertainment industry’s elite performers. His transition from stage to production brought an invaluable creative eye and choreography-driven storytelling approach to Pageant Queens.
Together, Stancil and Silas form the ultimate dynamic duo — blending Travis’s production acumen with Michael’s artistic direction to create projects that rival Hollywood quality. As co-founders of Queen of Drag and now the soon-to-be hit streaming series Pageant Queens, the two have elevated drag pageantry to a level never before seen in mainstream entertainment.
The series, produced by Stance Productions and Afflux Studios, employed over 130 paid professionals and amassed a total project valuation exceeding half a million dollars, all brought to life through Stancil’s ability to secure corporate sponsors and donors who believed in their vision.
More Than a Show — A Movement
Pageant Queens isn’t just entertainment. It’s a cultural movement — one that celebrates authenticity, artistry, and perseverance. It shines a light on a community that has shaped pop culture, fashion, and music for decades, yet rarely receives the recognition it deserves.
Through intimate storytelling and raw competition, the series reminds viewers that we don’t all have to agree on everything, but we can all learn to respect one another — and that understanding often begins with a single conversation.
With its emotional depth, cinematic visuals, and universal message of humanity, Pageant Queens: Our Story Behind the Crown is more than a show — it’s the beginning of a new era in entertainment.
