Conversations with America Prays

Today we’d like to introduce you to America Prays.

Hi America, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From Drag Debut to Crowned Queen: The Rise of America Prays

Meet America Prays — the reigning Miss Gay California America 2024.

Underneath the glam, the gowns, and the glitter is Kyle Shepard, a licensed mental health therapist turned dragtivist. In less than a year, I transformed my passion for drag into a platform of purpose, fusing artistry, activism, and advocacy into a crown-worthy journey that’s inspiring a new generation of local queens.

A Calling in Heels

America Prays wasn’t born in a bar or on a stage — she was born from a desire to serve. Back in 2012, I joined the West Hollywood Cheerleaders, a nonprofit performance group that fundraised for HIV/AIDS organizations. One night, while ushering at the Best in Drag Show — a legendary parody pageant — I stepped into drag for the very first time. It was unfamiliar, even uncomfortable at first, but instead of running from the challenge, I embraced it.

That one night planted a seed. Although I took a break to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, the experience stayed with me. In fact, it became the subject of my thesis: “Drag Therapy: A Form of Creative Art Therapy.” That paper would later become a prophecy.

Reclaiming the Crown and the Calling

Years later, in 2022, inspiration came full circle. My friend Thomas Franklin (aka “Tara N.”) competed in Best in Drag, and watching him reignite the stage lit a fire in me. Less than a year later, on October 1st, 2023, America Prays made her official comeback — not just performing, but helping raise $300,000 for APLA Health through the Alliance of Housing and Healing. I got a taste of what that drag career could feel like. I knew I wanted to do more.

Research led me to the Miss Gay America pageant system, a longstanding drag legacy built on poise, performance, and platform. Despite fear and self-doubt — especially about “aging out” or not having the same experience as other queens — “America Prays” leaned into courage. I began showing up in drag at local fundraisers, often in service of APLA Health, the very organization that had benefitted from my earliest drag endeavors.

Drag with a Mission

In March 2024, I attended another local pageant and shared America Prays’ growing portfolio with a promoter. The response? Encouragement to compete. But life wasn’t slowing down — I was also studying for my licensure exam to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. In April, I passed. By June, I was officially hired by APLA Health as a mental health provider.

Now professionally and personally aligned, I emailed CXP Productions to enter my first preliminary. On September 29th, 2024 — just one year after America Prays return to drag — I won Miss Gay City of Angels America, earning a ticket to state.

Despite delays and challenges with the event, on December 8th, I stepped onto the Miss Gay California America stage. I didn’t just win — I swept every category: Personal Interview, Talent, Evening Gown, and On-Stage Q&A.

From California to the National Stage

That victory qualified “America” for the national Miss Gay America 2025 pageant, held in Little Rock, Arkansas — a fierce competition with 48 queens from across the country. Though new to the national scene, America Prays made her presence known, placing 29th and taking home the People’s Choice Award, voted by fans online. That award was everything to me. It showed me that my message was being heard.

With her crown secured and her mission clear, America Prays leaned into her role as a public figure. I began making appearances in full regalia, not just to sparkle — but to speak. I’ve been raising awareness around mental health, healthcare access, and drag as a tool for healing. I like to identify America Prays as a Dragtivist — a Drag Queen Activist

A Platform for Purpose

In May 2025, I competed in and won Miss Gay Sin City America, a respected regional preliminary. That victory secured my spot at Miss Gay America 2026 — all within just one year of my pageant debut. From Best in Drag to Best in State, I’ve become a fierce advocate for both self-expression and community healing.
“America’s” journey is not just about titles — it’s about truth. I share this story because I want others to know how drag saved my life — and how it can save yours too. In today’s political climate, especially for the LGBTQ+ community, we need stories of resilience. Drag is more than performance — it’s power.

Your Crown Awaits

My reign as Miss Gay California America 2024 will come to a close on August 24th, 2024, at the Miss Gay California 2025 pageant, held at the historic Long Beach Playhouse. It will be “America Prays” final performance under the state title — and I want it to be a passing of the torch.
I’m calling on local queens to dive in like I did. Face a fear. Chase a dream. Go for the crown.

Registration is now open. For more information, follow CXP Productions and Miss America Prays on Instagram.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has been anything but smooth — and to be honest, it’s still unfolding. Growth doesn’t come without resistance, and I’ve had to navigate a lot of personal loss, emotional challenges, and public vulnerability along the way.

Right before I stepped into drag, I lost my best friend Laura to substance abuse. She was like a twin sister to me — we shared everything, including dreams. It wasn’t until later that I realized how much of her spirit lives on in “America Prays”. Stepping into drag became part of my healing — a way to shine in the ways I knew she always wanted to, and to honor her memory by supporting others through advocacy and presence.

In early 2024, just as I was preparing to take this journey more seriously, my husband and I lost our beloved pet, Trixie. The grief was immense. But rather than retreat, I kept moving forward — using drag as a way to stay grounded, to serve, and to channel pain into purpose. That has been a recurring theme for me: healing through service.

Even now, I face challenges. Promoting Miss Gay California America 2025 has been much harder than I imagined. I assumed others would be as passionate and excited about it as I was, but it’s been difficult to build momentum. It takes a lot of emotional energy to show up in drag, advocate, and keep pushing a message — especially in a climate that can feel increasingly divisive.

There’s also the very real fear of safety. Being out in drag means putting yourself in a visible, vulnerable position. I still get nervous taking an Uber or driving to events alone in full drag — and it’s heartbreaking that in 2025, this is something I still have to consider.

Another ongoing challenge is the pressure to be “perfect.” Holding titles within the Miss Gay America system — which is deeply respected and built on decades of tradition — means there are rules and expectations, especially around presentation. I respect that immensely, and it can be overwhelming at times. Balancing authenticity with expectation is a constant learning process.

Despite all of this, I wouldn’t change a thing. The road may be bumpy, but it’s paved with purpose — and I’m walking it in heels.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
This was a tough question to answer — because I wear a lot of hats. I’m a licensed mental health provider, a small business owner, and a drag performer. Somehow, all three worlds intersect in the most meaningful way.

By day, I work full-time at APLA Health, providing mental health services to LGBTQ+ and underserved communities. I also run a small private practice, where I specialize in supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families as they navigate identity, trauma, and life’s complexities.

And by night — I’m a two-time title-holding drag queen. As America Prays, I bring advocacy, education, and creativity to the stage. I use my platform within the Miss Gay America system to spotlight causes I deeply care about — especially mental health awareness and access to quality public healthcare.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve been able to merge all these identities into something cohesive, something that helps others. Drag isn’t just entertainment for me — it’s a vehicle for healing, visibility, and change. I take what I see in the therapy room and reflect it through performance. That’s what sets me apart. My work — whether clinical or creative — is rooted in service, authenticity, and the belief that art can be a powerful tool for transformation.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Los Angeles is its culture — it’s a city built on dreams, and that energy is truly contagious. LA has been a huge part of my personal journey, and I’m constantly inspired by the creativity and ambition that surround me here.

From a mental health perspective, I appreciate how much the city has prioritized access and awareness. As a provider, it’s encouraging to see conversations about mental wellness becoming more normalized in both professional and community spaces.

In terms of drag, I love that our scene extends far beyond West Hollywood now. You can find incredible performances in neighborhoods all across the city. Drag is no longer confined to one district — we’re everywhere, and that visibility is powerful.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the chosen family I’ve built here. The support and community I’ve found in LA are things I’ll always hold close. And of course — my husband, who was born and raised right here in Los Angeles, is definitely one of my favorite things about the city!

As for the challenges — like many, I struggle with the overcrowding and the high cost of living. Whether it’s traffic, inflated prices, or just trying to get across town, it can sometimes feel like the logistics of LA get in the way of fully enjoying all it has to offer.

Still, despite its complications, I wouldn’t want to build my life anywhere else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aplahealth.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missamericaprays
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missamericaprays
• Other: https://www.missgayamerica.com/mga-preliminary/miss-gay-california-america

Image Credits
I selected images that were taken on my personal phone.