Celebrating Drag: Checking in with Coppa LeMay, Miss Gay Arkansas America 2024
- Spencer May
- 7 days ago
- 12 min read
By Spencer May:
In our continuing Celebrating Drag series, we highlight and support the unique performance-art tradition of female impersonation and the wide variety of creative expressions throughout history that fall under the category of "drag performance."
For the past two years, Elizabeth Gracen and her producing team have been filming interviews for Natural State of Drag, a documentary feature film about the history of drag in Arkansas—a red state with blue roots and a long tradition in the art of female impersonation. Earlier this year, Gracen interviewed the incomparable Coppa LeMay, Miss Gay Arkansas America 2024 for Flapper Press shortly before Coppa competed in the annual Miss Gay America Pageant held in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since Coppa's year as the reigning queen of Arkansas drag is coming to a close in just a few short weeks, Spencer May—one of the producers for Natural State of Drag and a renowned drag competitor under the name of Kelly Cruise—sat down with Coppa to talk about her year, her fondest memories, and any future plans to continue a vibrant career in drag.
Hello, everyone! My name is Spencer May, and I am one of the producers for the Natural State of Drag documentary film produced by Flapper Films about the history of drag in Arkansas. Today, I'm interviewing Coppa LeMay, Miss Gay Arkansas America 2024, to talk about her year’s reign and what it has been like to serve as an ambassador for the gay community this year.
So, without further ado . . . say hello to Coppa LeMay,
Miss Gay Arkansas America 2024!
Spencer May: Hello, Coppa. Please give us a little brief introduction about yourself before we start.
Coppa LeMay: My name is Coppa LeMay. I am a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. I moved away for about 25 years. After almost 15 years of a female-impersonation career, I returned the year before last and won this gig—Arkansas 2024—which has been a longtime dream of mine, some 35 years later, since my last time competing for it. I’m about to step down from my current reign in a few weeks, and thank you for having me!
SM: Absolutely. So first of all, congratulations on an exciting year reigning as Miss Gay Arkansas America. So now that your year is coming to a close here in just less than three weeks, how are you feeling?
CLM: Mixed emotions. It's kind of bittersweet. Melancholy, but mostly happy. It's been wonderful. It's been a very exciting year. A lot of accomplishments. We were able to grow the system by two new preliminaries, and three new promoters, and also contests. Also, participation in the pageant system is up as well.
SM: So with just about two and a half weeks left before you step down, what is on your mind?
CLM: My final night of farewells. It will be pretty emotional. I've had so much love and support come my way this year. It is surreal kind of, but an accomplishment in itself—a long, long time overdue. But very, very excited about our production that we're putting together for the pageant. There are a lot of big surprises that people aren't going to see coming. A lot of old friends coming out to support me. And I'm just grateful for the whole experience.
SM: It was a huge decision for you to enter back into the pageantry world after not competing for 30-plus years. Are you planning to continue to compete in the Miss Gay America system again, or other systems?
CLM: It’s interesting that you ask that. It's actually 25 years since I last competed. It was 35 years since last competing in Miss Gay Arkansas America. The Miss Gay America system is part of my DNA. That's what my whole pageantry career was birthed out of. Coming back was something that I never really thought about or dreamed possible—especially now, That's been a great experience to do that. Who does it? Who comes back after 35 years and wins Miss Gay Arkansas? As far as competing in the future? Honey, mama ain't done yet. Auntie still got a lot to do, so I won't be competing this year in the America system for my own personal reasons, but I am looking at other systems in the future. Definitely. So just stay tuned. There's more to come.
SM: Awesome. When you look back over the year, what were the things that most surprised you about traveling around and performing as Miss Gay Arkansas?
CLM: My biggest surprise was the overwhelming support of the new generation and how they really embraced me. And I don't like the term “OG,” but me as a veteran entertainer, that’s how I got my nickname. “Hey, LeMay!” performing at Trinity Nightclub, the Club Kids would meet me in the parking lot and just scream out my name, “Hey, LeMay, can we help you?” They have learned from my experiences, my wisdom, the things that I've learned over the years and the history that I've been able to share with them. The connectability has been amazing. The most amazing pinnacle for me was Northwest Arkansas Pride. That was so overwhelming to see almost 50,000 people convene in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in support of the LGBTQ+ community. I lived in Fayetteville for almost a year back in the late 80s, early 90s. So, it was just overwhelming and absolutely awesome to see and be a part of that.
SM: What were the biggest challenges during your reign?
CLM: Unfortunately, it’s sad to say that we still see racism and discrimination with minorities. It's unfortunate, but back in the late 80s, I was fortunate enough to establish a show for African-American entertainers that had originated with Paige Fox and then passed along to me, which opened up a lot of doors. I was the only person of color in Little Rock performing in mainstream drag venues or gay clubs. So one of the biggest challenges for me this year was still having to address these same issues. I still think we have a lot of work to do in the LGBTQ+ community as far as acceptance goes—whether it be with sexual orientation, assignment, or ethnicity. We still have a lot of work to do.
SM: What was a favorite standout moment during your reign?
CLM: My most favorite standout moment was Northwest Arkansas Pride. It brought me to tears when I was riding in the parade, and they stopped at the grandstand. Fifty thousand people are there cheering, and I realized they weren't necessarily cheering for me, per se, but they were cheering for the work that I had completed and the representation that I was able to be for our community. And the most endearing part of that weekend was being able to do the storybook time with the kids. That was just . . . it touched my heart, because I'm an uncle of eight nieces, one nephew, two great nieces and three great nephews. So kids are a big part of my life. And I'm glad that now we see drag being shown in a more positive light. You know, for the next generations to come.
SM: Now that you've served as reigning queen for a year, what advice would you give those who aspire to your crown, or really to any crown?
CLM: Well, for state title holders and national title holders, my best advice would be understand the assignment and to understand that this is a job. Have a mind for business. One of my challenges that I had to constantly deal with was my out-of-town travel, my accommodation, and the arrangements made with the promoters and owners. The challenge was that I offered the same deal to everyone, but I found that I had to continue to revisit that and also bring my office in to that in order to make sure that that was a seamless process. So my best advice to my successor would be to make sure you get everything in writing.
SM: Great advice. Is it worth all the time and hard work?
CLM: I wouldn't trade it for the world. I can't speak for anybody else, but for me, 35 years later, if I had won in ’89 like I thought I was supposed to, it would have all been for selfish reasons. It would have all been about me. But winning in 2024, I realized nothing about it was about me. It was all for my community. It was all for those that needed me. I hope the legacy that I leave as Miss Gay Arkansas 2024 is that I listened, I tried to help, and I cared. So that's what I tried to do this time around. Maturity has its merits.
SM: Yes, it does. What is one thing you're really going to miss when you step down?
CLM: The crown, the numbers, the gowns, the getting dressed. The pretty part. There’s nothing like being able to step on stage and look like a symbol of excellence and feel like one. I purposely planned for that part, wardrobe and everything. I tried never to wear the same thing twice, especially when it came to my gowns.
SM: I don't think you did.
CLM: Yeah, I didn’t. That’s the part—the dressing-up part. I'm going to definitely miss that for sure.
SM: So on the flip side of that, what is one thing that you won't miss about being the reigning queen?
CLM: Having to do the the unfortunate parts of my administrative duties, where you have to, for example, you have to put a contestant on probation for not following the code of conduct as stated in the contract. Or having to explain to promoters how the person that they didn’t really want to win wins. Or having to make sure that things are fair and that things are closely watched. And the hardest part of that is that I may not agree with the person who won, but if there's no discrepancy in scoring, I'm not a judge. I can't just change scores to make people happy. So that's some of the unfortunate things. The most unfortunate thing, though, about my job was that we lost one of the “Forevers” this year—Chloe Jacobs. As the reigning, you carry the weight of your community inside the pageant and outside of the pageant, because people look to you. You’re getting calls in the middle of the night. You know, these kids who are ostracized by their families who have attempted suicide or who are contemplating suicide? Just unfortunate circumstances like that. I won't miss that at all.
SM: So after you step down as Miss Gay Arkansas America, you will actually enter into a new role of being a “Forever Miss Gay Arkansas America,” which also has its work behind it. So, you look forward to that. What are the things that you think you will enjoy the most about being a “Forever”?
CL: The thing that I’m going to most enjoy about being a “Forever” is exactly that. I get to come out and be a “Forever,” and I get to shine as that, because I will always have that accomplishment. It entails continuing to maintain the image that I have maintained. Fortunately for me, before becoming Miss Gay Arkansas, I had been an original title holder several times over. I was the former Miss Mid-America, the very first Miss Land of Enchantment. I was second alternate to Jacqueline Devereaux in 1994. So I've been on the national stage, so that really helped me. I think the most important thing about being a “Forever” as you go into it is that there's an expectation there of what you're supposed to present. There's an expectation there of the wisdom and the knowledge that you have, because people are still looking at you because you have done the job. But fortunately, I had a lot of experience, and I think that's what catapulted me into the win of Miss Gay Arkansas. I was definitely the person for this season.
SM: So, one of the things that pageant goers look forward to every year is the theme that the reigning Miss Gay Arkansas picks for her step-down. Tell us what the name of your theme is, and just give us a little bit about what we can expect.
CLM: So it's interesting that you asked about my theme. My theme actually came out of people mispronouncing my name. Some people—not most of them, but some people referred to me as “Cōpa” rather than “Coppa.” So my theme is “Welcome to a night at the Coppacabana—because they always refer to me as Cōpa as in Copacabana. And I always said was that whether I won Miss Gay America or whether I won Miss Gay Arkansas, I wanted my theme to be a Coppacabana theme. So, it's going to be like a night in Rio. You can expect some fabulous Latin music, some great dances. Again, some surprises—which I cannot say right now. The contestants seem to be really excited about it—about the costumes. It’s just going to be one big festival, and I couldn't be happier with the theme.
So people need to hold on to their seat belts because we're going to dance the house down. It's going to be great.
SM: And with that, one thing that everyone really looks forward to is the crowning moment and what the reigning queen wears for her give-up songs. So, without spoiling it, just give us a little taste of what you’ve chosen and why.
CLM: It’s really interesting that you asked me that. The gown that I chose, there's a quick little story that goes with it. I was in Dallas, and we were looking at shop after shop, and there was this little lady crossing the street. Chanel Harrington, another Forever Miss Gay Arkansas, accompanied me on that tour. We had tried on about 30 gowns, and I just couldn't find what I wanted, and after helping this lady across the street, she pointed us to this little shop, and we walked in, and it was the third mannequin down, and it was actually my size and exactly what I wanted. I am in love with the era of the 90s, as far as Miss Universe pageantry, and along with our theme, the Coppacabana, being a Latin kind of American thing, I chose something that is really spectacular. It's going to be breathtaking, and just a little hint . . . when I tried it on, I started crying. So, I did say “yes to the dress.”
SM: Yes, you did! Besides Northwest Arkansas Pride, what was another highlight of your year that stands out?
CLM: Gospel is kind of taboo in our community, and the highlight for me is how well received my gospel numbers have been, because part of my reign, I wanted it to be about bringing hope and inspiration to those who either don't have faith or they might be struggling with their faith. I wanted to let them know that they are not extricated from having faith, and that there is a place for them, and there is a plan for their life. So I would say at my very first preliminary, when I performed a specific song, “This Place,” it was so overwhelming. I've been able to do that song, and every time I've done that song, people have come to me with tears in their eyes, saying thank you for letting us know that we belong. So, that's been a highlight for me, being able to connect with people who have lost some hope . . . and just giving back a little bit of hope.
SM: What about your reign are you the most proud of?
CLM: I’m most proud of putting Arkansas back on the map. While I didn't make top ten at Miss Gay America this year, my name was certainly circling in the arena, and I didn't stop being Miss Gay Arkansas because I didn't get in the top ten. I went to work that same night with the new Miss Gay America 2025, Ivy Dripp, and was given the task of introducing her. We've worked together a couple of times since then, and I realized that it's okay not to be “Auntie Coppa.” I think that was my assignment this year. Not necessarily to win Miss Gay America but to be a voice of reason to those who are coming behind me and show them how it's done. And I've enjoyed that part of it. It's been an amazing experience being able to do that.
SM: Then the last question that I have is, it takes a village to compete, perform, and reign as a queen. Please shout out anyone you would like to pay tribute to for helping you this year.
CLM: If I started doing that, we would be here for a whole other hour. I do have to give thanks to Norman Jones for taking a chance on a little black boy that could dace in 1985. Actually October '84, and quickly in '85, I was hired as a showcase member. I have to thank Jordan Bolton, my promoter. He has been awesome. The pageant transitioned to his hands this year. So, I'm just grateful to him. I cannot not thank my family. I had 12 cousins that flew from across the country last year to support me and my win. And my mom, who has always been right there for me. And lastly, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because, it's not by happenstance that for such a time as this, I was chosen for this assignment. We have to move beyond what we think people's lifestyles are or judgments and all of that. It's all about relationship. And I feel that I have been able to convey that there is a place for everyone, and you do have a purpose. It's just sometimes we get blinded by the distractions of it. And there was a village that helped me. I've tried to give back to these contestants this year to the best of my ability the way that I was helped, because I realized that some of them never knew what I knew when I was coming along. And that's how you do it. You pay it forward and you help those that help you.
SM: Well, thank you so much for sitting down and answering some questions with us today. And I know that this is not goodbye, but it's hello to Forever Miss Gay Arkansas 2024, Miss Coppa LeMay.
Spencer May, as Kelly Cruise, won the title of Miss Gay Arkansas America 1993 and was named fourth alternate at the Miss Gay America Pageant that year. He was selected as Arkansas Entertainer of the year in 1977 and Miss National Apollo in 1995. On film, Spencer/Kelly was one of the subjects featured in The Damn Deal, a short documentary produced by Miss America 1982 Elizabeth Ward Gracen. He is currently serving as a producer on a documentary film about the history of drag in Arkansas titled Natural State of Drag.
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