Mr Vallarta is Crowned
The results are in, a week later than originally planned due to The Troubles, but Vallarta has a new Mister.
The fourth annual Mr Vallarta unfolded this year at Coco Cabaret with a variety of hosts for the first two rounds of judging. Still, the finale starred the fabulous Nacho Granados, who can slide between English and Spanish in a nanosecond with interesting turns of phrase on the way. He is such a delight on and off stage.
Nacho managed to herd the eight contestants through the swimwear and formal attire rounds with ease, then made each contestant shine with a Q&A round with the final five. My two favorites from the very beginning placed second and third, with the 10,000-peso check going to Yax, a personal trainer at Big Apple Gym right across the street from Coco Cabaret.
Entertainment interspersed between rounds when the guys were backstage dressing or undressing featured a few acts from the rosters at The Palm and Coco Cabarets – Tynomi Banks, Tina Burner, Jasmine Rice, and an acrobat from Airotics’ Tease.
The latter was afloat over the stage, sometimes hanging from his teeth (seriously!) with the rest of his time onstage performing some death-defying drops while enclosed in a hammock-like net. I cannot rave enough about their show ”Tease.” The incredible displays of strength and agility by human bodies at their absolute peak of perfection are an evening you will never forget. And the show has changed since opening night, adding this morsel with the hammock. That means I have to go and see the show again with the new additions. If you admire and love Cirque du Soleil-style athletics, then run for tickets – ”Tease” is one of the finest shows in town, combining a lot of sensuality with a great deal of fun – think fingerpainting and bath time….
Nacho Granados announced the last entertainer, I looked up and saw this vision on stage – Jasmine Rice. Then she opened her mouth and Luciano Pavarotti’s voice sprang out with an astonishing ‘O Sole Mio.’ And, no, she was not lip-syncing! Her show, at Coco Cabaret this coming Friday at 7 pm, will certainly have me in it.
Congratulations to everyone connected to Mr Vallarta 2026, including all the contestants, especially Yax. What a great, fun show. A special thanks to Matt Karimi for sharing his ringside table with me!
Join me this evening from 6 to 8 pm for Out and About Puerto Vallarta magazine’s Gay Mixer at Kathleen Carrillo and Ron Morgan’s gallery/office across the street from the Palm Cabaret. I love these weekly events, being introduced to interesting venues and being surrounded by terrific eye candy, and I always love to see my dear friend, Jerry Jones, and all of his amazing staff.
Nacho Daddy is hosting Gouda Gabor‘s Open Mic tonight, starting at 7:30. Always fun, with Gouda, of course, and Captain Lydia, who organizes all the acts, so see her first if you want to perform. I will catch Lydia Damato in action tomorrow, calling Bingo, right after our Scrabble tournament, From Here.
