Event Recap: ShanghaiPRIDE PRIDE’S GOT TALENT Wows for the 3rd Straight Year
On April 22nd, The Pearl’s stage witnessed once again, the annual ShanghaiPRIDE PRIDE’S GOT TALENT competition.
The two elegant hosts – Kristina, with her fun sense of humor, and the sharp-looking Darren opened the night greeting all the guests and introduced the judges Joe Aguilar – CEO of Huayi Wink Animation, Naomi Shanghai – famous vocalist and artiste, and Miss Jade – the Diva of Shanghai. The latter three had the fun and honor to select the winners for this year.
The stage was lit up by fabulous performances from all around the city providing laughter, melody, fun, and entertainment.
Dorian T. Fisk, 3rd place winner of the 2016 ShanghaiLGBT Annual Drag Party gave the opening performance. The competition started with Amowadah fig who performed one of her original songs with her ukulele, followed by Small Spicy singing in drag in a very original special outfit made by herself. Then Patrick Schiefen recited his original written poem which was sharp and current to the LGBTQ latest news, followed by The Conversation – the duo of Amahl on vocals and Reid on guitar who brought the church to The Pearl with an acoustic performance to Rupaul’s song “Can I Get an Amen”. Just before the first interval Erika Balenciaga & Fantasia Valentina shocked the stage with a drag performance called “Let’s Have a Kai Kai” with some scenes from Rupaul’s Drag Race Untucked Season 3 which brought much laughter to the audience.
The night continued with Gabriel’s song-comedy-dance act with surprise back-up performances by professional dancers, Summer Edwards and Megan Cammer. This was followed by Wu Wu Yan singing to the legend Amy Winehouse, the debut of Laurel, Eva, and Courtney, and Jone (reigning Mr. Gay China) doing a fusion dance and ariel silk acrobat who left the audience gagging with his flexibility and amazing physique. Kate May and Lelia Tahaburt, who met at last year’s PRIDE’S GOT TALENT, performed “Take Me or Leave Me” from RENT the Musical. Then Eric closed the competition with a strong vocal performance to The One’s “爱情啊”.
Before the results were announced, Will Dai, winner of 2016, performed with the piano and brought all to the dreamy world.
Raymond Phang, ShanghaiPRIDE Co-Founder, and Ramisto, PRIDE’S GOT TALENT Producer, presented the awards to the winners.
Judges Choice Winners：
1st: Erika Balenciaga & Fantasia Valentina (Drag Queen Performance)
2nd: Patrick Schiefen (Spoken Word)
3rd: Jone (Dance & Ariel Silks)
Audience Choice winners:
1st: Erika Balenciaga & Fantasia Valentina (Drag Queen Performance)
2nd: Wu Wu Yan (Singing)
3rd: Jone (Dance & Ariel Silks)
Congratulations to all the contestants and a big thank you to the audience and The Pearl for supporting local talents and ShanghaiPRIDE!
