The Keys to the Kingdom competition at Come to Daddy has reopened submissions, inviting local performers to join a new season of spirited contest and community showcase. Launched at the South Brisbane venue last year, this event is dedicated to elevating the profile of drag king talent, offering a runway for performers to present character work, choreography, and fashion. The pageant format blends theatrical performance categories and crowd-facing spectacle, and has quickly become a highlight in Brisbane’s queer nightlife calendar.
Entrants have until April 12 to submit applications via the Come to Daddy website, with the competition resuming across six weekly heats starting on May 8. The series culminates in a grand finale where the new titleholder will be announced on June 12, 2026. Last year’s champion, Stephan Lee Knott, will return this season in a judging capacity, joining a panel made up of established local figures and recent pageant victors.
Competition format and weekly structure
The event is built around a sequence of themed rounds that test different aspects of a performer’s craft: from music-driven segments and original talent showcases to fashion and presentation-focused challenges. Each heat functions as a live exam in charisma and skill, giving performers multiple opportunities to shine. The structure is intentionally varied to reward versatility — a single contestant might be assessed on lip-sync technique one week and on runway styling the next.
Rounds and what judges look for
Judges evaluate contestants on stage presence, creativity, and cohesion across the pageant format. Typical rounds include a talent showcase, a music or lip-sync performance, and a fashion or character presentation. Technical execution is important, but so is storytelling and connection to the audience; the scoring tends to balance craft and charisma. The weekly heat system allows performers to iterate and grow their acts across six opportunities before the finale.
Judges, past winners and community impact
This year’s judging lineup will feature last season’s winner, Stephan Lee Knott, alongside respected Brisbane performers Archie Arsenic and Zelphia Mann, with Country Dave — who was named Daddiest Daddy at the venue’s recent contest — also joining the panel. The mix of returning champions and scene veterans provides both continuity and fresh perspectives. Organisers have intentionally placed experienced kings on the panel to ensure that performance nuance is recognised and celebrated.
How the event grew from a single idea
The contest traces its roots to the venue’s broader celebration of queer masculinities: the monthly Daddy Pageant inspired organisers to create a space specifically for kings after several performers distinguished themselves within the original format. Billerwell Daye, owner of Come to Daddy, has described the pageant as a catalyst for community building: a platform that has helped knit together performers and audiences and filled a gap in Brisbane’s drag ecosystem since the pub opened on Montague Road in 2026. Organisers say the aim is to broaden visibility for kings who are often overshadowed in a scene rich with queen-focused competitions.
Related events and how to follow the season
Beyond the pageant, Come to Daddy runs a monthly showcase called 3 Kings, which hands the stage to three local performers on the third Friday of every month; upcoming performers listed include Iam, Saxon Dix and Crisco LaDouche on March 20. The venue also recently staged its second annual Daddy Pageant, where Country Dave was crowned on February 20. Meanwhile, Brisbane’s arts festival Melt has opened applications for a new Blak drag king contest, Mr First Nation, showing parallel growth in platforms for indigenous and Blak performers.
How to apply and key dates
Prospective contestants should prepare a concise performance pitch and follow submission guidance on the Come to Daddy website before the April 12 deadline. The competition’s heats kick off on May 8, with the grand finale scheduled for June 12, 2026. Those who want to keep up can follow the pub on Instagram for announcements, heat line-ups, and ticket details. Local media outlets covering the LGBTIQA+ community will also share updates and profiles during the run.
Keys to the Kingdom positions itself not just as a contest but as an investment in a scene that organisers feel has been underserved. By combining recurring showcases, an inclusive judging panel, and a structured multi-week format, the pageant aims to expand opportunities for Brisbane drag kings and invite new audiences to discover diverse forms of expression within queer nightlife. Performers and fans alike are encouraged to mark the key dates and consider applying or attending to celebrate the city’s evolving drag culture.