Drag Season - The Act that Didn't

 What's that you say?  You couldn't make it to Best of Best in Drag Show?  That's okay, I understand!  Things get in the way sometimes; emergencies, miles, hot guys named Raul whose unbuttoned shirt will just not let you leave that fitting room... 
Fret not!  I have my show for you in photographs, captured by John Paschal and posts from the social medias!

I was Miss Texas 2026, Reba Areba, and this was my show:

I entered in an oil well dress

My original sketch/inspiration 

Photo by John Paschal

Photo by WeHo Times

During my intro I said something like, "I couldn't be here without the love and support of my Texas family, Inspiration from the spirit of Ann Richards and the promise of the Grim Reaper for Greg Abbott!"

Next was the Swim Suit portion of the evening.
I entered on a BBQ grill in a sensible raw meat cover-up...

My original sketch/inspiration 

photo by John Paschal

photo by Jeri Williams

Then, I disrobed to reveal my steak suit, with a fajita modesty skirt.

Photo lifted from Facebook

I stopped midway to enjoy a sausage from my rib area (Actual BBQ would not work, so I improvised)

Photo by John Paschal

Photo by Jeri Williams

Then I got chilly, so I walked over to my dancer companion and wrapped myself in a giant tortilla.

Photo by Jeri Williams

Photo by John Paschal

Then, I "tripped", "couldn't get up" and rolled off the stage.

Next up was the Talent portion... I think this might have been a bit controversial because I received my lowest scores of the night for this event.  I'll let you see and judge for yourself at the end of this post.  Anyway, Reba's talent was Jingle Writing (obviously, not singing) and she showed off he jingle writing talent with a rendition of her favorite jingle, "Window Caulk".

My original sketch/inspiration 

Photo by John Paschal

Photo by Jeri Williams

Photo lifted from the Facebooks

Photo by John Paschal

Photo by WeHo Times

So, Reba sings about a cold draft that comes in from a gap in her window, and a handy guy shows up with some Hudson Day Window Caulk. Unfortunately, he has an accident and the caulk is released before he gets to the window.

Photo by John Paschal

Photo by John Paschal

Photo lifted from the Facebooks

Photo by John Paschal

Was that too much? I dunno... I had fun.

Finally came the Evening Gown and Interview portion of the night.
My evening gown was inspired by the missions from all around Texas.  This was mostly The Alamo.  Remember the Alamo?

My original sketch/inspiration 

Photo by John Paschal

Photo by Jeri Williams

My dome kept slipping off my head, so I needed help from host, Patrick Rush, to get it back up on my head before I revealed the back of my mission, that had been "vandalized"...

Photo by Tegr

Photo by Jeri Williams

My favorite detail that seems to have been lost on everyone, was PeeWee's bike parked behind the Alamo. (Thanks, Dudley!) 

For the interview, Reba got the question, "How is fascism harmful?"

Reba told a story about the mean girls at school ridiculing her because she couldn't afford to dress like them and the mean leader who punished her for being poor. Then she informed the audience that she reads Vanity Fair, Harpee's Bizarre and all the other fascism magazines every day now.

Photo by John Paschal

Then came the crowning, when I was announced as 5th runner up. LAST PLACE

Photo by John Paschal

But no worries, folks, I had a blast!  plus, I got a sash!

Photo by John Paschal

And we raised a load of money for APLA!

Photo by WeHo Times

I can't show these fabulous costumes without thanking Robin Chartier, again, for bringing my ideas to life so beautifully!!

And, THAT, folks, is my show!!

CONGRATULATIONS, once more to Stephen Molinaro, Vava Fanculo/Miss New Jesey for a most deserved BEST IN DRAG SHOW win!

Photo by John Paschal

Photo by WeHo Times

Photo by Weho Times

And now, I present you with my Talent Portion for BEST OF BEST IN DRAG SHOW 2026!  Was it too much?  Did it lose me the crown?  Would you hire Reba Areba to write your next jingle? YOU DECIDE

Drag Season - Doing the Little Show That Could NOT

 

Hello, gentle reader. Again, I have been absent for a long stretch. Please know that a lot of that time was spent getting ready for the big BEST OF BEST IN DRAG SHOW extravaganza on October 4!

Reba Areba, Miss Texas 2026

Here's the big news; I did not win! In fact, I came in dead last!  

I look angry about losing, but really I'm just checking for my holy dome helmet that kept falling off...

Ultimately, I had a great time and helped raise over $465,000 for APLA, so I was very satisfied with the night!

Let me tell you, taking last place in a pageant takes a lot of work and there's no way I could have done it all by myself!

Here's a gigantic Thank You to some key people who had a generously voluntary hand in my BEST IN DRAG SHOW 2026 presentation. First, thank you, ROBIN CHARTIER (and Holly-Lynn!!) for taking my (Challenging?) designs and bringing them to life with your additional ideas and special touch! I appreciate all of your hard work over the last few months and am grateful there was a kitty cat to help you!

 Thank you to JAMES FRIETAS for your masterful beautification of my mug with your enchanted make-up work and help with wigs and dressing during the show! 

JOHN FREY, director of BIDS 2026, for steering me with a firm hand, without threatening my sense of creativity and stoopid-ness.

 Thank you, MATT ZARLEY and DUDLEY BEENE for your help with music and video elements which I could not have done myself.

 Gracias to all the dancers, but especially DAVID CONTERAS and ALEX DAVILA, who assisted me on stage with my kookiness and special Caulk Wrangling. 

More on this later!!

 Special mention of JOHN COULTER who shared ideas, advice and painting skills.

 Thank you to PATRICK RUSH, OSCAR QUINTERO and TODD SHERRY for support and suggestions to improve my show.

A "I'm not worthy" to LUIS CAMACHO for his patience and guidance where my lack of skill in "step, touch" is concerned. 

 Muchas Gacias to ANIL PATEL, JEFF SUMNER , BRIAN SHARP & NINA BOONE, JIMMY CUOMO and DANI KELLY for their behind the scenes help and guidance. Bow down to JOHN PASCHAL for making me as pretty as he could with his fancy camera work. Big appreciation for everyone else at APLA HEALTH and all the volunteers.

 TREMENDOUS HONORS to my fellow contestants, who always had kind and supportive words and helped where they could. They created an atmosphere that felt like we were focusing more on putting on a great show, than competing against each other.

 Finally, THANK YOU to my friends who came specifically to see and support me and friends who came just to enjoy a fun night - none of whom I got pictures with because I left my phone in the dressing room most of the night, and didn't make it back up & out to greet. (Thank you, James, for taking pics of me with judges with your phone!) In general, thank you to everyone who came out and helped us raise over $465,000 in badly needed funds!! If you came to the show and thought you could do it better, please keep an eye out for auditions for next year's show. (Usually in April)

 I don't know if I'll have any involvement in next year's show, but Y'all come back now, ya hear?