2017 Las Vegas PRIDE Royalty

Las Vegas PRIDE Adult Royalty Titles, which are earned, not competed for in a pageant, represent countless hours of volunteering, dedication, and hard work. Applicants interested in holding a title from Las Vegas PRIDE must demonstrate their dedication to the organization before being considered a qualified candidate.

Jesus Nanci

Mr. Las Vegas PRIDE 2017

Jesus was born in Mexico and moved to Las Vegas at age of 16. He graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance; Performance and Choreography and was awarded as Outstanding Dance Graduate of 2014. He has performed with dance companies such as: Artichoke Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theater, Red Desert Dance, Nevada Repertory Dance Theater, Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater, and Sampledance. He has performed across the United States and all over the world in countries such as: Canada, South Korea, Turks & Caicos, and Australia. He has had the opportunity to perform for IABD “International Association Blacks in Dance”. He has choreographed for “Dance in the Desert festival” in his hometown Vegas. He has set work on dancers from Korea National Sports University in Seoul. He performed in 2014 for Ru Paul Drag Race Battle of the Seasons at The House of Blues. He is the official choreographer for “Nuestra Belleza Latina” Beauty Pageant in Nevada. His talent expands from dancing to theatre, modeling and singing. He is currently performing in a show on the Las Vegas Nevada strip ” Frank Marino Divas Las Vegas” and has choreographed the newest revamp of such show. He recently performed in Niagara Falls in the show “Rock Around the Clock”. He is excited to be able to represent the LGBT community in Las Vegas and is looking forward to raising money for several of the community organizations.

Andrew Ryan

Miss Las Vegas PRIDE 2017

Andrew Ryan

Andrew Ryan, champion for Aids for Aids Nevada, and recently anointed PRIDE Royalty, talks about affecting change in Las Vegas as Miss Las Vegas PRIDE, and goals for representing the Las Vegas LGBTQ community.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself?
A: I grew up in a one-stoplight town, Parker AZ, and not a lot of diversity existed there, especially in high school. I didn’t really learn what diversity meant until I went to college and saw my first drag show. This is where I decided to pursue drag for the first time. After moving to Vegas I started with PRIDE as a showgirl, and later auditioned for Frank Marino’s Diva’s Las Vegas as Shania Twain and Katy Perry, and am now Frank’s direct understudy. During the day I am the Marketing Director for Aids for Aids Nevada or AFAN, coordinating fundraising events and sharing the organizations events on social media. Spreading the message for the organization, making a difference, has become something that I am so passionate about. I have been able to tie this into my role with PRIDE as well.

Q: How does it feel to have been selected as Las Vegas PRIDE Royalty, and do you have any specific plans for your reign?
A: As Miss Las Vegas PRIDE, I am very honored to get to travel to West Coast PRIDEs, and to get to promote the Las Vegas Community; we travel with a large group of royalty, showboys, and showgirls, and we are able to share a little piece of fabulous Las Vegas with each city. Locally we put on monthly PRIDE events such as bingo, and we represent PRIDE at other events while supporting other non-profit organizations. One of my favorite things about being Miss Las Vegas PRIDE is being able to see all of the people’s faces light up at the events and festivals; hopefully my title will motivate or inspire someone to join and become more involved in their community.

Q: What are some of the things that you love about the LGBTQ community here in Las Vegas?
A: I have lived in Las Vegas for eight years, and within that time I have seen PRIDE directly impact the growth of the LGBTQ community. I would love to see more volunteers stepping forward to make improvements in whichever areas that are most important to them, but I have seen some really great changes and steps that we’ve taken within the Las Vegas LGBTQ community.

Miguel Angel Vazquez Hernandez

Mr. Orgullo Las Vegas 2017

Born in the state of Puebla, Mexico, where he lived until the age of 22.  Miguel studied at the local university and graduated as a graphic designer. Miguel the third of four children came to the United States like any other immigrant; with dreams and hopes that so far, hope to accomplish many things. Miguel have been working hard making sure he fulfills his goals and dreams. Here is Vegas Miguel has started working in construction as a painter, it hasn’t been easy and of course it’s has some ups and downs.

Many failures and success has helped Miguel the person he is today. Miguel don’t consider himself bad or good, just always strive to be himself. Miguel have become a member of Organizacion Vaqueros Las Vegas (OVV), a Latino cowboy organization, whose main focus is to help the Las Vegas Community. Through the organization, Miguel has made some amazing friends. Friends who have helped push him in taking part in other organizations, giving him the opportunity to become Mr. Orgullo Latino Las Vegas 2017. Having great friends like Rafael, Gilberto, Sergio and Salvador, has helped Miguel grow as a person. They all travel, cook together, joke, argue and they have been able to strengthen our friendship and love we have for each other. Miguel thank them with all of his heart. Also, his family, his parents. and siblings; who have been with Miguel from the start and have supported all of his decisions, may they be good or bad.

“I hope that with this title of Mr. Orgullo Latino Las Vegas and involvement with OVV, I am able to bring much needed help and unity to the Latin community. I hope they can all trust in Miguel Angel Vazquez Hernandez.”

Natasha Vanity Mendez

Miss Orgullo Las Vegas 2017

Known as Natasha Vanity Mendez or “LaWhatever” was born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. He moved to Las Vegas when he was 14 years old. His drag persona was born in 2013 after watching a Latin drag show.  At that moment, he just knew that he wanted to be on stage. “For me, drag is a way to relive any stress I might be feeling.” Roberto has been in many pageants and has won three. His first crown was Ms. Goodtimes 2013, second crown was Ms. Drag Queen Las Vegas 2014 and the third was Ms. Backdoor 2016. Currently, Roberto is one of the Latin Diva’s at Piranha Las Vegas.

Roberto became involved with Las Vegas PRIDE after the crowning of Paloma Makary, a person he has always admired and lucky to work with at Piranha. Also, has been a huge mentor. Natasha has been a great asset to Las Vegas PRIDE in traveling and helping promote PRIDE and the city in multiple Pride celebrations. He also loves his involvement with Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo as one of the Bingo Babes. He hopes to make his mark in the Latin Community and be a bride to bring everyone together as a unified LGBTQ. ONE LOVE ONE PRIDE.