Phoenix’s Dragnificent Has Transformed Atlanta Drag for 15 Years

thegavoice.com:

Dragnificent is a drag competition that has shaped the Atlanta drag scene for years, creating space for all types of drag, platforming new entertainers, and helping launch careers to international stardom.

The competition was founded over a decade ago by RuPaul’s Drag Race season 3 alum Phoenix. “It’s something I’m extremely proud of,” Phoenix told Georgia Voice. “It started as just this tiny little competition with the winner getting like $500.

Now, we are about 15 seasons in. We just posted about starting auditions. The amount of applications that are already coming in, and the excitement and the buzz, it’s great.” Today, the competition has grown into a staple of Atlanta drag, with locals looking forward to it all year.

Dragnificent is specifically for drag performers with under five years of experience and was started as a way for new performers to dip their toes into the waters of drag. “Drag is tough to get into,” Phoenix said. “I didn’t have a lot of competitions like this, where not only are you getting your feet wet with a stage, but you’re also being critiqued by established performers.