Melissa St. John's Legacy
A Vision, A Queen, A Goddess
While the art of drag is based on illusion, the considerable talent behind these phenomenal performances is real. Melissa St. John started performing at a young age and quickly developed a passion for entertaining others. After honing her skills at numerous talent shows and competitions, Melissa St. John decided to pursue a career in entertainment and has been bringing joy to audiences ever since.
As a community leader, St. John has championed civil rights, anti-violence initiatives and marriage equality. She was the Palm Beach County Coordinator for the 2023 Drag Queen March on Tallahassee, and has served as both grand marshal and official Mistress of Ceremonies for Palm Beach PRIDE. St. John has lent her talents to numerous fundraisers including appearing in shows for the AIDS Ride, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the Lake Worth Playhouse as well as donating in-kind services to the domestic violence service organization –Our Sister’s Place, Inc.
Additionally, St. John has supported The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and COMPASS--Palm Beach County’s LGBTQIA+ Community Center. COMPASS included St. John in its 2018 LEGACY Project that pairs LGBTQIA+ youth with mentors for the purpose of education and the creation of digital storytelling and preservation.
St. John has been recognized by the South Florida Gay News (SFGN) as one of 2015’s OUT 50 as well as being honored as the publication’s drag performer of the year a record number of times. The Metropolitan Community Church in Palm Beach County bestowed St. John with the 2018 Ruby Slipper Award. She had previously been recognized by the MCC with the 2013 inaugural Kevin McGee Lifetime Achievement Award for community service.
St. John is also an ordained minister, event designer and thought leader.
Drag Royalty
Melissa St. John is no stranger to titles. St. John wore the crown as Miss South Florida Illusion Classic in 2016 and has long been hailed as The First Lady of the Palm Beaches. A better title, however, may well be Miss Congeniality. St. John’s contemporaries have nothing but praise for this courageous and charismatic humanitarian.