Following her Emmy win for the portrayal of Dana Evans in “The Pitt,” Katherine LaNasa has shared the details of where she has placed her shiny new award.
“It’s proudly displayed on a bar cabinet that separates our living and dining spaces,” LaNasa revealed to Variety during the pink carpet event at the Best in Drag pageant held at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles this past Sunday. LaNasa, along with her husband Grant Show, served as one of the judges alongside notable personalities like Judy Greer, Cheri Oteri, Dan Bucatinsky, Camryn Manheim, Kathey Kinney, and Variety’s own Marc Malkin.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Best in Drag, an event dedicated to raising funds for APLA Health’s Alliance for Housing and Healing, which aids displaced and homeless individuals affected by HIV/AIDS by offering subsidized housing and emergency financial support in Los Angeles. This year, the event, hosted by casting director Patrick Rush, managed to raise an impressive $250,000. The coveted title was awarded to the circus-themed bearded contestant, Miss Wisconsin, Bailey Barnum.
“Best in Drag is simply a blast and focuses on embracing individuals as they are, celebrating diversity in every form,” LaNasa expressed. “I genuinely hope this event helps convey the message that drag queens are not a threat, and there’s nothing to fear here.”
The pageant inspired the upcoming documentary titled “The Little Pageant That Could,” set to be released in 2024, which explores the event’s creation and growth. Oteri remarked that watching the documentary motivated her to participate in the event.
“I was genuinely moved by the documentary, and it made me eager to show my support. I encourage everyone to express themselves freely because it’s incredibly enjoyable to witness and to be part of the audience,” said the former “Saturday Night Live” cast member. “It’s vital for every LGBTQ+ youth to understand that there are countless unique expressions of being gay.”
