Shay D'Pines

Meet Shay D'Pines

Name

Shay D’Pines

Pronouns (so that we honor and represent you correctly)

He/Him out of Drag, Her/She/been already done had herses in Drag

Where are you from?

I currently reside in Yonkers NY, but born in the Swamps of North Carolina and raised in the rough streets of The Bronx

What does the theme "Pride Through Protest" mean to you personally?

The VERY FIRST Pride March WAS and will ALWAYS be remembered as a protest - every Pride March after that just got bigger and bigger by way of VOICE and that is what Pride Through Protest means to me, a voice SO strong it will carry on for DECADES!

Why are you participating in Royalty In Recovery? (Share your why-your story, your motivation, or what this pageant means to you)

A road to recovery leads to a road of excess… AND access - to a brand new life. Sights and views are unclear through the fog of addiction, but each day is a step towards a much clearer and brighter view that allows you to see beyond the Horizon - a life that gives new meaning and new purpose. I have been in recovery from Narcotics for 18 years and Alcohol free as of August 2024 and 100% of the poor decisions I have made in life have been under the influence of both of these. This pageant is going to allow me to say my story publicly for the very first time as only my closest friends REALLY know me…

How has recovery or sobriety impacted your life or identity?

While it wasn’t easy at ALL, I THANKFULLY had an amazing support system - a husband who stuck by me through it ALL, some friends who proved to be more like family, and determination like no body else’s business. Experience is the best and GREATEST teacher and that’s what I definitely take from THIS particular experience.

What is a fun fact about you that people might not expect? (Quirky, silly, impressive - we want to know)

I’ve taken classes for damn near EVERYTHING and still can’t do squat! Dance, Band, Chorus, Home Economics - I remember being AMAZING on the Flute AND Trombone as a kid but couldn’t put any of those things together for the life of me today!

What's your favorite talent you've seen in a past pageant? (Tell us what moment left you inspired, gagged, or cheering the loudest)

Sasha Colby had one of the GAGGIEST moments in Talent HERSTORY and I think MANY would agree, Miss Continental 2012 for the WINNN!

Who inspires you and why? (Could be someone famous, a mentor, or someone from your personal life)

A previous employer of mine at Estée Lauder who ONLY goes by the name Sophia - no last name, JUST Sophia. Sophia was the very first one to utter the words to me “Early is on time, On time is late, and late is unacceptable” and my life has changed ever since!

Anything else you want the audience to know about you? This is your space to speak directly to the folks reading your bio - go off!

Folx, the time is NOW! For EVERYTHING! What EVER it is that you’ve always wanted to do, what ever it is that you DON’T want to do - that phone call you’ve been putting off, that conversation that you think can wait, that goal that you think is SOOO far in a distance that it’s unreachable - do it, the time is now! Be that voice that many others didn’t have, the baby me’s the baby you’s - so long as this world is going ‘round THEY will be here and someone has to leave the mark for them.

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