Tommie Ross is more than a name etched into pageant history, she is a living testament to resilience, grace, and unapologetic individuality. Celebrated as a living legend within the drag and transgender entertainment community, this Texas-based icon has spent decades captivating audiences with a rare combination of talent, elegance, and authenticity. Her journey through entertainment and pageantry is not only marked by extraordinary success, but by an unwavering commitment to staying true to herself in an industry that demands both strength and vision. Tommie’s pageant legacy is nothing short of historic. She has earned some of the most coveted titles in the community, including Miss Continental, Miss Black America, Miss National, Miss Gay USofA, and Miss Sweetheart International, along with numerous state and preliminary crowns that showcased her excellence in talent, gown, interview, and presentation. Each title represents years of discipline, artistry, and an undeniable stage presence that set her apart as a true standard-bearer of excellence.
Beyond the crowns and trophies, Tommie Ross has taken her artistry to legendary venues across the United States and beyond. Her performances have lit up stages at the Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, the Cutting Room in New York City, Paulie’s in New Orleans, and the Beachside Marriott and San Carlos Institute in Key West. She has also been a beloved and influential presence throughout Texas, performing at iconic venues such as Hamburger Mary’s, JR’s Bar & Grill, Rich’s, Neon Boots, and The Saint in San Antonio. Wherever she appears, Tommie leaves behind more than applause, she leaves a lasting impression rooted in talent, wisdom, and authenticity. More than an entertainer, Tommie Ross is a trailblazer whose legacy continues to inspire generations of performers and transgender women. Grounded in faith, shaped by experience, and guided by inner beauty, her story is one of perseverance, self-definition, and enduring impact. It is truly my pleasure and honor to introduce and interview a woman whose influence reaches far beyond the stage, the incomparable Tommie Ross.
Monika: It is truly a pleasure and an honor to sit down with you today, Tommie Ross, an American entertainer and celebrated beauty pageant queen whose legacy speaks for itself. Welcome, Tommie.
Tommie: Hello Monika! I am doing great, blessed, and highly favored. I am grateful for this moment and excited to share my story. It is always a joy to connect through meaningful conversation.
Monika: Before we explore your remarkable career, I would love to ground our conversation in who you are at your core. How would you describe yourself to someone meeting you for the first time?
Tommie: I am a God-fearing entertainer who genuinely enjoys life. My faith keeps me centered and grateful for every opportunity I receive. I believe joy is something meant to be shared, both on and off the stage.
Tommie: I am a God-fearing entertainer who genuinely enjoys life. My faith keeps me centered and grateful for every opportunity I receive. I believe joy is something meant to be shared, both on and off the stage.
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| The older I get the more I have learned how to tolerate the mess. |
Monika: Every artist has a defining spark, that moment when everything suddenly makes sense. Can you take us back to when performing first called to you and tell us what you felt then?
Tommie: After I saw my first show back in 1978, I instantly knew that this was what I wanted to do. Something about the energy, glamour, and storytelling spoke directly to my soul. From that moment on, performing became a lifelong passion rather than just a dream.
Monika: Your career has clearly taken you far beyond one city or one stage. Could you share a sense of the places and venues that have shaped your journey as a performer?
Tommie: I have worked in venues across the United States, as well as in Canada, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Each location brought its own energy and taught me something new about audiences and myself. Traveling and performing internationally helped broaden my perspective and deepen my love for entertaining.
Monika: When people watch you on stage, they see storytelling, emotion, and transformation all at once. Have you ever considered acting in a more traditional sense, or do you feel the stage already gives you that outlet?
Tommie: I believe that every time I perform a song on stage, it is a form of acting. Each performance requires me to step into a character and convey emotion authentically. That connection with the audience is what makes it so fulfilling.
Monika: Pageantry has clearly been a defining part of your journey. Could you share a bit about your experience competing in transgender beauty pageants and what those titles represent to you?
Tommie: I am a ten-time national titleholder, including Miss USofA, Miss National, Miss Continental, Miss Black America, and Miss World. Each title reflects years of discipline, preparation, and self-belief. They are not just trophies, but milestones in my personal and professional growth.
Monika: Beauty can be powerful, inspiring, and even political at times. How do you personally relate to that power, and do you consciously use it as a form of empowerment?
Tommie: Exterior beauty is nice, but I truly believe that inner beauty is far more important to have. Confidence, kindness, and authenticity shine longer than anything visible on the surface. When those qualities are present, beauty becomes something meaningful rather than superficial.
Monika: Looking back to the time of your transition, representation was far more limited than it is today. Were there any transgender or drag role models who influenced you, even as you were carving out your own identity?
Tommie: The first impersonators I saw were Donna Day, Hot Chocolate, Tasha Kohl, and Naomi Sims, but I always tried to find my own identity. I admired their artistry and courage. At the same time, it was important for me to stay true to who I was becoming.
Tommie: I believe that every time I perform a song on stage, it is a form of acting. Each performance requires me to step into a character and convey emotion authentically. That connection with the audience is what makes it so fulfilling.
Monika: Pageantry has clearly been a defining part of your journey. Could you share a bit about your experience competing in transgender beauty pageants and what those titles represent to you?
Tommie: I am a ten-time national titleholder, including Miss USofA, Miss National, Miss Continental, Miss Black America, and Miss World. Each title reflects years of discipline, preparation, and self-belief. They are not just trophies, but milestones in my personal and professional growth.
Monika: Beauty can be powerful, inspiring, and even political at times. How do you personally relate to that power, and do you consciously use it as a form of empowerment?
Tommie: Exterior beauty is nice, but I truly believe that inner beauty is far more important to have. Confidence, kindness, and authenticity shine longer than anything visible on the surface. When those qualities are present, beauty becomes something meaningful rather than superficial.
Monika: Looking back to the time of your transition, representation was far more limited than it is today. Were there any transgender or drag role models who influenced you, even as you were carving out your own identity?
Tommie: The first impersonators I saw were Donna Day, Hot Chocolate, Tasha Kohl, and Naomi Sims, but I always tried to find my own identity. I admired their artistry and courage. At the same time, it was important for me to stay true to who I was becoming.
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| Making mistakes says 1 of 2 things... I DON'T KNOW or I DON'T CARE. |
Monika: Coming out is never just one moment, it is often a process shaped by time and circumstance. What was the most challenging aspect of coming out for you?
Tommie: It was simply a very different time in the 1980s, when anything associated with transgender people was often viewed negatively. There was far less understanding and acceptance than there is today. Navigating that reality required strength and resilience.
Monika: Society has changed in many ways since then, though challenges certainly remain. How do you view the current situation of transgender women in American society?
Tommie: I believe trans women are making positive steps forward in society. Like any group of people, there are individuals who bring both positive and negative attention. Overall, visibility has increased, and that creates opportunities for progress.
Monika: We are now seeing more transgender women step into the public eye as artists, intellectuals, and celebrities, from film and music to academia and fashion. From your perspective, do you feel this visibility is truly shifting public perception?
Tommie: I believe Laverne Cox is another fine example of a positive and visible face. Her presence has helped humanize transgender women for a broader audience. Representation like that opens doors and encourages understanding.
Monika: When we look at history, progress often begins at the margins. Do you see transgender rights emerging as one of the defining human rights frontiers of our time?
Tommie: I do believe that trans women are becoming a new frontier for human rights. Our visibility has forced important conversations that can no longer be ignored. With that visibility comes both responsibility and opportunity for change.
Monika: Civic engagement can take many forms, from voting to advocacy to simply being visible. How do you personally engage with politics, and do you believe transgender women can shape political outcomes?
Tommie: I am an active voter and I try to get important issues and messages out there as often as I can. Representation matters in every arena, including politics. I absolutely believe transgender women can and do make a difference.
Monika: Amid titles, travel, and public life, there is always the private self. What role does love play in grounding and sustaining you?
Tommie: Love is very important to give and to share. It keeps me balanced and connected to others. Without love, success feels empty.
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| "Love is very important to give and to share." |
Monika: Fashion has long been part of self-expression, especially on stage. How does style factor into your identity, and how would you describe your personal aesthetic?
Tommie: I love fashion and I design the majority of my stage clothes myself. I particularly enjoy a more classic look that never goes out of style. Fashion allows me to express elegance while staying true to who I am.
Monika: Your presence is effortlessly polished, which inevitably makes people curious. Is there a secret behind maintaining such a flawless figure?
Tommie: I do not exercise at all. Maybe all the running through airports trying to catch the next flight keeps me fit. A busy lifestyle certainly has its unexpected benefits.
Monika: Many transgender women eventually choose to document their journeys in memoirs. Has the idea of telling your own story in book form crossed your mind?
Tommie: Writing my memoirs is something I have been thinking about quite a lot lately. There are many stories that could help others feel less alone. Timing and intention are important when sharing something so personal.
Monika: Looking ahead, life often evolves in surprising ways. What feels like the next chapter for you, and where do you see yourself in five to seven years?
Tommie: In five to seven years, I hope to be working as something along the lines of an entertainment coach. I enjoy mentoring and sharing what I have learned over the years. Helping others grow would be deeply rewarding.
Monika: Finally, for transgender girls dreaming of a career in entertainment, what wisdom would you most want to pass on?
Tommie: My advice to all new entertainers is to keep your individuality. Trends come and go, but authenticity lasts. Being yourself is what truly sets you apart.
Monika: Tommie, thank you so much for your openness, wisdom, and generosity. It has been a true honor.
Tommie: Thank you very much for the interview. I truly appreciate the thoughtful questions and the opportunity to share my journey.
All the photos: courtesy of Tommie Ross.
© 2015 - Monika Kowalska
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