Kayda Goddis may have exited the Drag Royale stage this week, but she’s far from done turning heads in the Vegas drag scene. With only two years in drag under her belt, this Gaga-inspired queen made an undeniable impression at Gipsy Nightclub—holding her own alongside seasoned veterans and showing audiences that raw talent and determination shine just as brightly as rhinestones.
“I’m feeling good about it,” Kayda told QVegas. “This competition really pulled me out of my comfort zone. It pushed me to try things I wouldn’t normally do—and I’m proud of what I accomplished.”
Her journey into drag began like many great stories: by accident. “It started as a joke, honestly. Just a Halloween thing. But I enjoyed it so much, I kept doing it,” she explained. “Funny enough, I know that’s how Derek Barry got started too!”
Despite her relatively short time in the game, Kayda entered Drag Royale with the confidence to compete with Las Vegas' best. “I wanted to show that someone who’s only been doing this for two years can still play with the big girls,” she said. “And I think I proved that.”
Each week brought new challenges, but it was the runway segments that truly lit her fire. “Seeing how everyone interpreted the themes in their own way was my favorite part. It was so inspiring.”
Behind the scenes, the competition fostered a sense of camaraderie that surprised her. “It was a real sisterhood. Everyone helped each other out when they could. It didn’t feel cutthroat at all—it felt like a family.”
Stepping onto the Gipsy stage carried extra meaning for Kayda. “So many Ru girls have performed there. Being able to stand on the same stage and showcase what I can do—that meant more than people might realize.”
Shannel’s critiques during the competition were a reality check for Kayda, but she welcomed the feedback. “She was right. I was in my head. But hearing that from someone like Shannel—who’s been there—just makes me want to push myself harder.”
Currently, Kayda performs weekly at Flex Cocktail Lounge and is already thinking about the next big leap: Drag Race. “This experience has really motivated me to start auditioning. We’ll see what happens.”
When asked what advice she’d offer the next queen to be eliminated from Drag Royale, Kayda didn’t hesitate: “Don’t look at it as being eliminated. Look at it as, ‘I did what I came here to do, and I put my name out there.’ Let it push you forward.”
Kayda's favorite look from the competition? “Definitely the black and silver promo shoot. That challenge lit a fire in me—it made me want to keep going.”
As for her fans and supporters: “Thank you. And please, keep showing up for your local entertainers. You never know which one of us is going to be the next big thing. One day, you’ll be able to say, ‘I knew her when.’”
And trust us—Kayda Goddis is just getting started.