By Denny Patterson

In addition to being professional singer in Wilton Manors and the music director for Fort Lauderdale’s Center for Spiritual Living, Antonio Edwards is also a title-winning pageant contestant and has several crowns to wear. He most recently won Mr. Glamorous 2023. 

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Edwards has always desired to pursue a career in entertainment. Not only does he use his platform to showcase his talents, but he has a strong focus on giving back to the community and making a positive impact on the lives of others. 

Edwards took some time to answer some questions for OutClique. 

Denny Patterson: Hi, Antonio! You are a former Mr. Florida, Mr. Gay America, Mr. Gay USA, Mr. Continental, and you most recently won Mr. Glamorous 2023. How meaningful has it been to win all these titles, and how did you fall into the world of pageantry?

Antonio Edwards: It’s been very meaningful. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and I started off as a backup dancer for Dieta Pepsi and other Missouri-based queens. I always wanted to be on stage in terms of performing, but I never wanted to be a female impersonator. The person that I refer to as my pageant mother, Vicki Vincent, she’s a former Miss Gay America, she said, hey, they have pageants for boys. I was like, really? I had no idea. So, that’s how I got started. In terms of it being meaningful, I knew that I was a vocalist, but other people only knew me as a dancer. It has been very meaningful to receive accolades for something that I knew I had a talent in.

Denny Patterson: What is your favorite part about competing?

Antonio Edwards: My favorite part about competing, this is going to sound corny, but it’s the camaraderie and brotherhood. I have met so many people from as far back as Mr. Gay America, where people that I competed against have become lifelong friends. You walk into a situation where this was your competitor, and then you walk out with a friend for life. It’s happened time and time again.

Denny Patterson: To win so many titles, there’s obviously something about you that the judges love. What do you think makes you unique and stand out from the other contestants?

Antonio Edwards: That’s hard to say because you never know the other contestants personally. I think what made me stand out recently in terms of Mr. Glamorous is the fact that I will be 58 in September. The person that was nearest to me might have been 40. I think that kind of made me stand out because I was a more seasoned contestant. I was competing with people that were literally in their 20s, and they either saw me as a seasoned competitor or not a threat. I guess it depends on who you ask. I think what makes me stand out, just in terms of who I am,  and this is not to say anyone else isn’t this way, I can only speak for myself. I’m extremely approachable, honest, and this is going to sound cheesy, but I’m a super nice guy. I truly think that resonates with people. 

Denny Patterson: You said you’ve always wanted to be on stage in terms of performing. Has this always been your passion?

Antonio Edwards: Absolutely. I have a shirt that says music is my life, because it really is. I can’t imagine my life without music. 

Denny Patterson: Where in Wilton Manors do you perform regularly? 

Antonio Edwards: I do a happy hour show at Georgie’s Alibi every Monday from 6:15-8:15 PM, and I have a regular Thursday night performance at The Pub from 7:30-9:30 PM. I’m also the music director at my church, which is the Center for Spiritual Living.

Denny Patterson: What can one always expect from an Antonio Edwards set?

Antonio Edwards: Oh, that’s a good question. Powerhouse vocals, great song choice, and a fun time. 

Denny Patterson: How would you describe your musical style and aesthetic?

Antonio Edwards: My musical style and aesthetic would be pop, R&B, belting divas, and class.

Denny Patterson: Do you write or perform your own original music?

Antonio Edwards: Sometimes. I’ve done a couple original songs in my shows, but I usually do covers and things that people know. It could be anything from Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to Luther Vandross and Elton John. Those are my normal requested artists.

Denny Patterson: Are you working on anything original right now?

Antonio Edwards: I am! There are two things I’m working on. I’ve wanted to do a Christmas album my entire life, so I’m working on it now because Christmas sneaks up on me every year.  Then I’m like, I really should have done a Christmas album (laughs). So, I’m doing that, and then I’m working on an EP, which will be a short album of maybe five or six original tracks. 

Denny Patterson: As the Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale’s music director, how has the church influenced your love for singing?

Antonio Edwards: Wow, another great question. Growing up in St. Louis, my father was a Baptist minister, my grandfather was a Baptist minister, my grandmother was the choir director, my mother was the lead vocalist, and two of my brothers are ministers. So, I grew up singing in church my whole life, but once I came out as gay, I kind of felt like the church would not support me, or I couldn’t go to the church and display my talents. Becoming an adult, I discovered that there are churches out there that do accept gay people. That inspired me to go somewhere where, not only to express myself vocally and showcase my talents, but I can also receive a message, and that’s very important to me. 

Denny Patterson: What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career and platform?

Antonio Edwards: Honestly, I’ve always wanted to be a recording artist. A lot of people, especially in our community, are kind of obsessed with Broadway, and I lived in New York City for almost 11 years. The goal in New York City was to make it to Broadway, but realized after about eight years being there, even though I was auditioning all the time, that wasn’t my dream. That was somebody else’s dream. My dream has always been to be a recording artist, so in terms of future goals, that is definitely something I want to do. Release albums of recorded material.

Denny Patterson: Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?

Antonio Edwards: Because I won the title of Mr. Glamorous, I will be traveling to different contests throughout the year to promote the title, but besides that and hoping to release another EP and a Christmas CD, not really. Just follow me on social media and stay tuned!

Facebook @mrantonioedwards 

Instagram @antoniomusicfll