Application Deadline
Friday, MARCH 16th
Competition Format
Open to all drag performers, Drag Duels is a Lipsync Competition! Drag Performers will compete, performing individually and in head-to-head lip-sync showdowns. Win your Drag Duels Show for a chance to compete in the Finale during MoCo Pride in the Plaza and win a $5000.00 Grand Prize, headline at Montgomery County Pride, lead the 2025 LIYT slate of Drag Shows, and more!
Four shows and the Finale! 4 Drag performers compete at each show. One Drag Dueler will advance to the Finale of each show for a chance to win a $5000.00 Grand Prize and the title of Drag Duels Champion! The competition occurs at Veterans Plaza: 1 Veterans Place Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Round One: Four (4) drag performers will perform one (1) song each.
Round Two: Is head-to-head. You will be given two (2) songs to learn one month before your show dates. Then, you will be randomly chosen to perform one of the songs in a lip-sync battle vs. another performer. One performer from each head-to-head Drag Duel will advance to round three.
Round Three: The last two drag performers will perform once more Individually. Audience applause is considered, but the final decision is for the Judges to make.
If you are eliminated, you are not out of the competition! For The Audience and Judges Choice show, eliminated Drag Duelers will have the chance to return and compete on June 28th, and in the Finale on June 30th during MoCo Pride in the Plaza.
Competition Dates
• Friday, April 24
• Friday, May 15
• Friday, May 29
• Friday, June 19
• Sunday, June 28, Pride In The Plaza Finale
Competition Rules:
You must be available for your Drag Duels competition date(s). and Finale.
Drag performers will be compensated $125 for each Drag Duels’ competition they perform in, regardless of victory. Show winners will receive $175.00 and advance to the Finale.
Drag Duels is open to all Drag Performers.
You are judged based on your Drag and Stunning lip-sync performances.
Applications do not guarantee entry. Only 8-12 applicants will be accepted.
The Finale takes place on Sunday June 28th 2026, during MoCo Pride in the Plaza
Eliminated Drag Duelers can come back as the Audience Choice to compete on June 28th and potentially in the Finale on June 30th.
Performance music must be submitted at least one week before your show date(s).
The application deadline is Friday, March 16th 2026 at 11:59 pm.
Drag Duels may be a local TV Show, by applying you agree to all photo and video release rules set-fourth by Phillip Alexander Downie, the Programs Executive Producer, Live In Your Truth, and the competition organizers.
Video & Photo Release: I hereby give and grant unto Phillip Alexander Downie, and his agents, representatives, successors, or assigns and to any persons or firms on whose behalf Phillip Alexander Downie is acting, the absolute and unconditional right to copyright, use, publish, display and/or reproduce in any manner whatever, in color or otherwise, photographic portraits, pictures or videos of me in which all or parts of my face or body appear, including but not limited to the right to alter, adapt, modify or use a portion of such photograph or photographs, or composites or distortions of same, alone or in conjunction with my own or a fictitious name, through any media of any kind or nature, or at the offices of Phillip Alexander Downie, or elsewhere, for print or digital art, media, advertising, trademark, trade or any lawful purpose, all as Phillip Alexander Downie, in his absolute discretion shall deem fit. I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished photographs, video or any alterations, modifications, adaptations, distortions, composites or portions of same, or any finished advertisements materials, copy, or other matter which may be used in conjunction therewith, or the manner in which any of the same is used, reproduced, published or displayed. I further release and discharge and agree to save harmless Phillip Alexander Downie, his agents, representatives, successors, and assigns, and all persons and firms whose behalf Phillip Alexander Downie. is acting, from any liability whatsoever by virtue of any blurring, distortion, alteration, optical illusion or use in composite form, whether intentional or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in the taking, processing, reproducing, publishing or displaying of said photograph, photographs or video. I hereby warrant that I am of full age and have every right to contract in my own name in the above regard. I state further that I have read the above authorization and release, prior to his execution, and that I am fully familiar with the contents thereof.
Mx MoCo Pride Title & Representation
The Drag Duels Grand Finale Winner will be crowned Mx MoCo Pride and will serve as a representative of the MoCo Pride Family for the 2026–2027 year.
Mx MoCo Pride is a community-facing title that honors excellence in drag, leadership, and visibility. The titleholder is expected to represent the MoCo Pride Family with professionalism, integrity, and pride.
The crowned Mx MoCo Pride must be available for select MoCo Pride Family programs and events, which may include appearances, performances, and promotional activities with organizations such as MoCo Pride Center, Live In Your Truth, and Trans Maryland. All dates and expectations will be communicated in advance.
Acceptance of the Mx MoCo Pride title requires:
Agreement to fulfill representation responsibilities during the 2026–2027 term
Availability for agreed-upon MoCo Pride Family events
Completion and signing of the Mx MoCo Pride representation agreement
All representation terms will be reviewed and acknowledged at the time of contract signing and prior to the release of competition winnings.