The name "North America" came from a previous expired system Miss North America International (Norfolk, VA) not to be confuse or affiliated with the earlier North America International Pageants (Wisconsin, 2011–2014). The system originally began as Miss North America International, founded by Lovell "Babyface" Houston of Richmond, VA — the 2018–2019 Mr. Black Universe. After acquiring the rights in 2004, Rell Thomas spent over a decade reshaping and rebranding the system. In 2015, NAPS was formally launched, marking the beginning of its first major promotional campaign.

 

I chose pageantry because, in many ways, I was searching for a way to get more involved with my community. My introduction to pageantry came in 2003 while I was stationed in Norfolk, VA during my military service. At the time, I had no idea that LGBT pageants even existed—but looking back, I can confidently say that pageantry chose me.

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Two years after witnessing my first pageant, I began to truly understand the importance of community engagement. That realization inspired me to create a platform dedicated to involvement and service. With this vision in mind, North America was born—founded with a clear purpose: to get involved, and an unwavering goal: to give back.

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The creation of North America was a decade-long journey of building, innovation, and strategic planning. I invested significant time into researching every aspect of successful national systems, listening closely to contestants and patrons to understand what they truly wanted in a pageant experience. I deconstructed those findings—breaking them down, stitching them back together, and reimagining them—to design something uniquely my own.

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At the end of the day, I wanted to be certain that what I was creating would genuinely meet the needs of its participants. North America stands as a testament to that commitment: a system rooted in purpose, driven by community, and built to uplift.

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​The phrase "FLY NORTH", now our signature call sign, was coined in 2016 by our first queen Stasha Sanchez. The following year, in 2017, we introduced our official mission slogan: "To Give More. To Serve More. To Be More."

At North America Pageantry Systems (NAPS), we believe in more than just crowns and titles — we believe in transformation. Through the powerful art of male and female impersonation, we strive for excellence while creating meaningful impact in our communities. As a contestant, you’re not just competing — you’re becoming part of something bigger. Our mission is rooted in gratitude and service, and we actively seek ways to give back to the communities that uplift and support us. Whether you’re on stage or off, your presence matters.

 

We currently feature three main divisions:

·         Newcomer (Prince & Princess)

·         Supreme (Plus)

·         Mr./Miss

 

And a possible future launch of another category, Miss North America ICON (age 45+), a celebration of experience and enduring artistry.

 

Every year, our national pageant takes place on the first weekend of July — an unforgettable experience filled with passion, purpose, and performance. And while winning the crown is a milestone, we believe what you gain throughout the journey — the connections, the confidence, the growth — will be one of the most powerful experiences of your pageant career. At NAPS, we honor your individuality while guiding you to discover your full potential. We are redefining what pageantry means by blending tradition, transformation, and community.

 

This is more than a pageant. This is North America. This is YOU — becoming more.