Key West Searches Far And Wide For The Next Sushi!
By Tony Adams
Bourbon Street Pub owner Joey Schroeder, global LGBTQ+ ambassador for Stoli Group Patrik Gallineaux,, Island House Key West, and the Key West Tourism Development Council (TDC) put their heads together to create a national star search contest for a drag queen to replace the venerable Sushi. For nearly three decades, Sushi has been aboard the giant high-heel shoe that drops from the roof of Bourbon Street Pub on Duval Street every New Year’s Eve.
Semifinal competitions to find Sushi’s successor have been held in major cities including Los Angeles and Dallas.
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, Red Eye bar in New York City hosted a semifinal that featured four fiercely talented queens. Each dazzled the crowd with performances, competing for the chance to advance to Key West. The winner was awarded a trip to join other semifinalists on Oct. 4, when a new Sushi will be crowned.
The New York judges included Schroeder, drag star Porsche, and Stacy Lentz, CEO of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative.
Serving as emcee, Gallineaux delivered a flawless event, guiding contestants through interview and talent segments as well as an uproarious “Let’s pretend it’s New Year’s Eve in Key West and you are in the shoe” challenge. The segment tested the queens’ ability to shine in fabulous “Sushi-style” couture gowns. Schroeder even provided a mock-up of the actual seat inside the fabled shoe, and each contestant proved to be a perfect fit.
The crowd at Red Eye — including members of New York’s Imperial Court — cheered and whistled while sipping Stoli cocktails and applauding powerhouse vocalist Leanne Borghesi, who performed between segments.
Between acts, Gallineaux also introduced local bartenders, each of whom created an original Stoli cocktail for the event. The judges sampled their concoctions and attempted to choose a winner for the Island House–sponsored cash prize, but a three-way tie meant the bartenders split the award.
The evening ended with the selection of voluptuous Norma Tears (as in “No More Tears”) as the winner. Known as “the lungs of NYC” for her ability to hold a note, Norma’s charisma and talent will make her a strong contender at the finals in Key West.
Schroeder and Gallineaux plan to make the competition an annual event. Each year, CNN cuts to Key West for the shoe drop, giving the winning queen international exposure.
Prizes
All finalists receive three nights and four days of airfare and accommodations in Key West, Oct. 2–5, 2025, plus a premium gift basket courtesy of Island House Key West.
The new “Queen of New Year’s Eve” will receive four nights and five days of accommodations in Key West, Dec. 29, 2025–Jan. 2, 2026, courtesy of the TDC and Bourbon Street Pub; round-trip airfare for two from Island House Key West; and a $2,000 performance stipend from Bourbon Street Pub and the TDC.
