By John Hayden
When Leila Cox takes the stage, you know it, and she owns it. That’s not an easy task when you’re sharing the stage with four other fierce performers like she does every Monday at The Pub on the Drive in Wilton Manors.
The Pub has long been a hub for live entertainment, and their lineup is anchored by the venerable Stilettos show.
“I’ve been doing drag for ten years,” she told OutClique. “This is the big opportunity that you, as a drag queen, have been waiting for. A bar to support you and open the door for you. Your name is up there. The community knows you up there. You know the community, you help the community. They know you outside and inside of drag.”
Leila joins Candy Cox, Mercury Rising Cox, Sharde’ L Ross, and Verandah Lanai at 8PM every Monday to bring a show that’s always unpredictable. Each brings their own style to the stage, and Leila taps into her Latin heritage to stand out.
“We try to do a mix, a little bit of everything. Spanish, like myself. A little bit of Latin, and I think that’s what they like.”
It’s that part of her personality that’s shaped her performances more and more in recent years.
“After JLo at the Super Bowl, the Latinx presence became big. That’s how I started more with Latin music. I do a couple numbers in the show, so a little bit of everything for everybody.”
The show has been a Monday night staple in Wilton Manors for seven years. After getting its footing in a couple other locations, it found a permanent home at The Pub a few years ago.
“It’s a classic show and I think that’s why they keep coming. I was new when it was at Scandals, then we transferred here, and it was a different dynamic, the crowd is different, it’s a different energy.”
One way Leila and the girls keep it fresh is they take turns as hostess each week and are in charge of bringing in guest queens.
“I love to open the door for new faces. Not beginners, but new faces. The people out there are bringing new energy. I also try to bring out of town friends who come to visit us.”
She jokes that sometimes she has no choice but to look beyond South Florida for talent.
“I always have the last Monday, and by then I don’t have any other choice. By then all the girls have been taken!”
Now pageant season is here and it’s a bittersweet time for Leila. She’s ending her reign as Miss Pub, and says it’s been an amazing year.
“It’s been amazing. I’ve changed. It was a big open door for me. I can see myself before and after. It was a big, big year for me and I’m proud. I’m really proud.”
But as one reign ends, new titles await. While she plans to take a bit of a break, she also just got fitted for two new dresses.
In the end, she says all the fun and personal fulfillment is derived from the energy and love of her fans.
“Thank you guys! Thanks for coming to us. We’re here for you. You haven’t seen the last of me!”
Visit ThePubWM.com for more information on Stilettos.
