angel l. saez
photo credit // angel l. saez
This time, the trip from Houston back to Chicago was so much more memorable for Angel L. Saez, who, in mid-October, won the title Mr. Gay USofA 2018.
He came in second-place in the event in 2017.
"This year for me the event was more difficult; the contestants were more prepared and we (had) a lot of hot boys that were contestants," said Saez, 42, who is originally from Puerto Rico and has been living in Chicago for the past seven years. Saez works at the Chicago Athletic Club and the East Bank Club, and performs regularly at The Baton Show Lounge in Chicago.
"Consistency was the key for me to be able to win. I still cannot believe it. When they called up the top five (finalists), it still did not cross my mind that I was going to be (named) the winner.
"This is like winning a Grammy or an Oscar (Award); it helps you build your brand; it puts your name out there in the world."
Saez was among 20 finalists for the event, held at Rich's Houston.
"The friendships created (among the finalists) is not too common in pageantry (events)," Saez said. "(Winning) means that I am the face (of the event); I am now the one who people will be looking up to. I have to be an inspiration to others. I have to be a role-model, to travel and make contact with other future contestants."
Mr. Gay USofA is a competition for gay men with multiple judging categories. Mr. Gay USofA was started in 2008 and has more than 30 local, state and regional contests. Mr. Gay USofA offers integrity, excellence, competition and recognition for the male leads in the entertainment community, the event boasts. Contestants compete in interview, club wear and talent. Mr. Gay USofA is a talent-based contest with talent being worth 50 percent, interview 25 percent and club wear 25 percent.
"I want to say thank-you to my friends and family who supported me on my journey to become Mr. Gay USofA. Without you, I couldn't be here today. Your support and love is everything to me, and I'm grateful to have each of you. To my USofA promoters, I can't wait to meet every single one of you," Saez said.
He came in second-place in the event in 2017.
"This year for me the event was more difficult; the contestants were more prepared and we (had) a lot of hot boys that were contestants," said Saez, 42, who is originally from Puerto Rico and has been living in Chicago for the past seven years. Saez works at the Chicago Athletic Club and the East Bank Club, and performs regularly at The Baton Show Lounge in Chicago.
"Consistency was the key for me to be able to win. I still cannot believe it. When they called up the top five (finalists), it still did not cross my mind that I was going to be (named) the winner.
"This is like winning a Grammy or an Oscar (Award); it helps you build your brand; it puts your name out there in the world."
Saez was among 20 finalists for the event, held at Rich's Houston.
"The friendships created (among the finalists) is not too common in pageantry (events)," Saez said. "(Winning) means that I am the face (of the event); I am now the one who people will be looking up to. I have to be an inspiration to others. I have to be a role-model, to travel and make contact with other future contestants."
Mr. Gay USofA is a competition for gay men with multiple judging categories. Mr. Gay USofA was started in 2008 and has more than 30 local, state and regional contests. Mr. Gay USofA offers integrity, excellence, competition and recognition for the male leads in the entertainment community, the event boasts. Contestants compete in interview, club wear and talent. Mr. Gay USofA is a talent-based contest with talent being worth 50 percent, interview 25 percent and club wear 25 percent.
"I want to say thank-you to my friends and family who supported me on my journey to become Mr. Gay USofA. Without you, I couldn't be here today. Your support and love is everything to me, and I'm grateful to have each of you. To my USofA promoters, I can't wait to meet every single one of you," Saez said.
