IGRA Royalty Teams 2025

Tequila Mockingbird Ambers aka Jason Banales was born in El Paso, TX but grew up in Las Vegas, NV and considers it home. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nevada Reno. While at university, she met her partner Matt, and together they moved to Las Vegas after graduation where they now live with their dog Jack.

In her spare time Tequila enjoys baking from scratch, hiking at Red Rock National Park, playing video games with her partner, and singing loudly all the time. Tequila also volunteers with the Nevada Environmental Health Association and served as the treasurer for the last 6 years. 

Her first experience with Gay Rodeo came after becoming a “Man of Charlies” and volunteering at her first rodeo registration. She began volunteering with the Nevada Gay Rodeo after becoming Miss Closet Ball 2023 and eventually won the title of Miss Nevada Gay Rodeo 2024. Tequila describes herself as an “extreme extrovert” and is excited to use her passion for community service to continue the work of the International Gay Rodeo Association Royalty and begin a new era of Gay Rodeo history that will welcome many more into the rodeo family. 

Tequila works as a Public Health Supervisor over the state’s cannabis program and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Brandon Bays grew up in Missouri, where he has been affiliated with rodeos since he was 6 years old with his grandfather who taught him how to rope and ride. Brandon also broke and trained horses from a young age and was part of the 4H club and the FFA.

Brandon currently lives in Utah with his loving husband Cameron, but represents New Mexico proudly, and is part of the LBGTQ+ community where he helps raise money for NMGRA, UGRA, and the Imperial Court. Giving back to the community is a strong passion of Brandon’s.

Brandon doesn’t know how to tell someone “no” when it comes to helping the community and doing fundraisers to support those in need. 

Just remember that you cannot spell COMMUNITY without UNITY. Therefore, we need to unify and work together for a better tomorrow.

With Love,

Brandon Bays

Kami’s Bio will be updated soon!

Kaven O’Neil is a proud Deer Park, TX native with a deep-rooted passion for rodeo and small-town living. He spent his summers as a kid working on his grandparents’ farm in Brushy Creek, TX, where his love for cattle, roping and riding flourished. After graduating Deer Park High School, he attended Sam Houston State University on an athletic scholarship where he earned his degree in Criminology and Corrections.

Kaven has been employed as a store manager with Walgreens for 33 years. His love for meeting new and exciting new people every day inspires him to continue to serve his community as he currently runs one of the larger stores located near the Houston Medical Center and NRG Stadium.

He is deeply involved in the youth of his community, serving as a Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He plays an active role on the Breeders Greeters Committee, where he ensures that commercial breeders and 4H and FFA kids are warmly welcomed, helps with their supplies and embodies true Texas hospitality.

In his spare time, Kaven focuses on community service, staying close to his friends and family. For the past 10 years, he has served as TGRA Houston Chapter President, passionately advocating for community engagement and raising funds for various organization and causes.

As long as I can remember I have been in love with Disney and the character of Tinker Bell, visiting the parks often with my family as they trained service dogs. Being inspired by the character’s ability to wear her heart on her sleeve and her willingness to help her friends no matter the cost were some of the reasons I chose the name of Tink to help out and perform at one of Mahlon Lovell’s shows when they needed a performer. My passion for Disney is only surpassed by my love of singing. When not singing with the Voices of the Desert chorus I can be found enjoying a night out at karaoke or supporting local drag shows.

I have been volunteering with non-profit organizations since middle school. I joined AGRA after being encouraged by Miranda Rights Ticey and Luna Black Starr. I chose to run for the Ms. AGRA title initially until being informed that AGRA was introducing a Mx. AGRA title which was more in line with how I identify, being comfortable as genderfluid, I often switch between gender-neutral and feminine outfits for shows.

I have set out since winning the Mx. title with the intention of being the best example of a genderfluid performer for those who will follow in my footsteps, doing everything I can to show the community what being a title holder in rodeo means.

Seliah DeLeon, born and raised in North San Ysidro, New Mexico, embraced a country lifestyle and learned essential skills from her great-grandparents. After moving to Albuquerque, she excelled in school and later earned a Business degree from the University of New Mexico.

Seliah discovered her passion for drag at a charity event and has since performed for over a decade, earning numerous prestigious titles, including Miss New Mexico Gay Rodeo 2024. Her talent has been recognized nationwide, with accolades such as Models of Hope and Most Influential Drag Performer.

In addition to her drag career, Seliah is an HIV program manager, working to educate and advocate for reproductive health, HIV/STI prevention, and LGBTQ+ youth. She has presented at national conferences and met with key leaders like Secretary Xavier Becerra to discuss health initiatives. Her advocacy for HIV awareness is summed up in her empowering message:

Knowing your status is more important than what your status is.

Jay R. Gayheart is Mr. Atlantic States Gay Rodeo (ASGRA) 2024, the first to hold the title since 2008. Jay R. joined ASGRA in 2023 and has helped reboot the chapter’s operations, resulting in a new royalty team, a re-occurring country night at UpRoar Lounge and Bar, and an ASGRA-hosted rodeo school. He also created the IGRA Royalty Rodeo School Scholarship that covers the cost of rodeo school for those who have never competed. He has represented the title not only on the IGRA circuit, but also at the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Leather Conference, 2025 Connecticut Leather Competition, 2024 Mr. Snowbound Leather Competition, The Woods Leather Weekends, and other events in the Atlantic region.

Jay R. is also an Air Force Officer who was responsible for aiding and directing a team of 22 Airmen and Guardians as Co-Lead of the Department of the Air Force’s LGBTQ+ Initiatives Team that covered areas of Education and Awareness, Gender Identity Policies, Medical Policies, and Data and Analytics. Previously, he spent several years working with the organization formerly known as OutServe–Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (OS-SLDN) as a Chapter Leader for the states of Georgia and Alabama. His volunteer work with OS-SLDN earned him the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Jay R. is the “rodeo son” of Miss IGRA 2024 Aurora G. Gayheart and hails from the Bronx, NY. He is a graduate of Cornell University and a Master’s Candidate at Brown University. He currently resides in Washington, District of Colombia.

Achievements (as of Aug 2024):

• Goat Dressing Champion, 2022 Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo
• Goat Dressing Champion, 2022 Nevada Gay Rodeo
• Goat Dressing Champion, 2023 Best Buck in the Bay
• Steer Riding Champion, 2024 Texas Gay Rodeo
• Steer Riding Champion, 2024 Diamond State Gay Rodeo
• Recipient of the Thomas Devlin Memorial Award

Jen Vrana is a Jersey girl but has called Philadelphia home since age 18. A conversion therapy survivor, she worked her way from the streets to the Philadelphia Police Department. After 32 years, she retired from civil service for corporate America in 2021.

Jen discovered IGRA in 1992 at the first Atlantic Stampede Rodeo, in Washington, DC. She competed, won her first buckle, and was hooked. Until his retirement, Jen competed with her horse, Quinn, and they won multiple All-Around titles together. Over the years, she’s had amazing 2-legged partners, especially her rodeo husband, Mark Smith.

Jen has now competed for 33 consecutive years, founded a rodeo association, was Ms KSGRA in 2018, 1st Runner-Up Ms IGRA in 2019, and had the honor to summit Mt Kilimanjaro with her sash. If Jen is not competing, she is teaching. She still produces rodeo schools in NJ, with the ASGRA 2024 school having 30+ participants.

November 2023, Jen won the title of Ms ASGRA 2024. She has used this title to promote her love of rodeo and as a platform to teach about IGRA’s history. She was honored to be chosen as part of the Lufthansa, We Say Yes To You commercial, along with several documentaries. She hopes to continue her platform as part of the 2025 IGRA Royalty Team.

Jen and her wife Suzanne reside in South Philadelphia along with their four-legged family–Tyson, Lola, and Lucy-Fur. Her horse Quinn has turned 30 and happily retired at the farm in NJ.

Pup Mystic (Mark Critchlow-Speth) was raised in the small but growing town of Providence, Utah. They were raised helping on their grandfather’s dairy farm and enjoyed being involved in 4H and scouting. In school they were involved in Marching Band, Color Guard, and Theatre.

After high school, Mystic went on to serve an LDS (Mormon) mission in the Philippines. Upon their return to Utah, Mystic later joined the Army where they served on active duty for 8 years, stationed out of Fort Lewis, WA during which time they deployed to Iraq.

In 2007 upon their discharge from active duty, Mystic returned to Utah to pursue their college education while also being part of the Army Reserves. Unfortunately, in 2009 when their mom got ill, Mystic had to put their education on hold to care for her. With her passing, Mystic decided to make the move to Salt Lake City, Utah where they could focus on non-profit work and helping to create safe spaces for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community no matter how they identify in their spare time.

Outside of being involved with the rodeo, Mystic enjoys spending time with their cat and dog Francisco and Hazel, hanging by the pool, being outside in nature, going to rodeos and being with their chosen family.

Thank you to all my friends, family and the UGRA team for believing in me.

Let’s Saddle Up!

Hello IGRA Rodeo Family and Friends! Allow me introduce myself!

My name is Carl Bailey. Most of you know me by my stage name, Celebrity Starr. I am from Phoenix, Arizona, where I was born and raised. I’m from a close-knit family, that includes two sisters (one of which is a twin of mine). My professional career is being a member of retail management, which I have been apart of for over twenty years.

During my down time, I enjoy going to the movies (you name it, I’ve probably seen it), dancing, gymnastics, hanging out with close friends, going out to eat, and doing volunteer work. A few of the organizations that I volunteer my time for are: the Miss Arizona Scholarship (Pageant Director) and Valley Big Brother Big Sister of Central Arizona (Big Brother/Mentor for over fifteen years).

Some of my life’s accomplishments include being a two-time NCA Cheerleader All-American, which I was a member of the group that performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I was a part of the duo (Two of a Kind) that was chosen to be on Star Search, was a dancer in the Super Bowl XXX, and was the Founder/Choreographer of the company Stars of Tomorrow, that would bring its shows to valley schools in Arizona, with the message of “Say No to Drugs”, and meeting my childhood role model, Mary Lou Retton.

As for my Female Impersonator persona, she was born over twenty-five years ago. As Celebrity, I enjoy bringing fashion, glamour, professionalism, and high-energy dancer numbers to audiences all across the country. My love for this craft also introduced me to the world of pageantry. I have been honored to win many titles over the years. Some of my most memorable include Miss Gay Phoenix America, Miss Gay Arizona America, Miss National Capitol Cities, and my most recent, Miss Arizona Gay Rodeo Association.

My time with being on the gay rodeo circuit, has been a short one. Only two years, to be exact. Weather I have been volunteering as a timer, working in the dirt as an arena crew member, or being an Assistant Area Director…I have loved every minute of it. Not to mention all the new friends I have made through all the Associations within the International Gay Rodeo Association. It is truly a Family, where I have been welcomed with open arms.

As for me and what the future holds, that is yet to be determined. I do hope that I will be able to live a nice, full, and joyous life, and be able to accomplish a few of my lifelong goals and dreams that include: becoming a single Father, being chosen on RuPaul’s Drag Race, and becoming one of few that have been chosen to have the destined title of Miss Gay International Rodeo Association.

Kirk was born and raised in the Chicago area with 58 runs around the sun so far. After career challenges during the recession a few years back, I decided to pack my truck and move to Texas. Having no job, but had a roof over my head and support of family, I took the challenge. It was far more rewarding then I could have expected.

After graduating from high school, I attended Iowa State University and earned a degree in architecture. I have built my career using that degree to now work as a real estate development manager for a national retail organization.

Since being in Texas, I’ve met my husband of ten years and found a place in the Houston Community that I did not know I could be part of. Together with my husband, I participate in many of the charity organizations in Houston. I gain immense personal satisfaction helping others that are less fortunate than myself.

The only thing that is difficult living in Houston is that I am far away from my Dad. However, we are only a phone call away and a short 16-hour drive.

To relax I enjoy spending time with my friends, most all of us in the charity world of Houston. If I am not doing that, my husband Jerry and I are out at our ranch in Blanco, Texas, tending to animals, doing chores, and just enjoying a little rest and rejuvenation in the big open land and sky of Texas.

Next rider!

Kim Mann is a native Texan. She was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where she also raised her son. She graduated from the Hogh School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice and attended Houston Community College, majoring in accounting.

Coming of age in the 80s, Kim bore witness to the height of the AIDS Epidemic. The lessons she learned during this time set her on a path of compassion, strength, love, and her drive to help those who need it most.

Kim entered the world of Apartment Management when she was 20 years old and went on to work in every position of the industry she could achieve. Eventually, this led her to work in the low-income sector of the industry, where she felt she could be of the most help with social service programs for less fortunate families. After 37 years in the industry, she is looking forward to retiring in 59 months.

Kim became an ordained minister on June 26, 2015, when the US Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. She wanted be able to help anyone who wanted to get married but was unable to find an officiate willing to do so.

Kim enjoys spending her downtime with her friends, working with her favorite charity (The Texas Gay Rodeo Association), and feeding the deer and other critters at her boyfriend Andy’s rural home.