Miss Subways 2026 will be held on Friday, June 5, at Coney Island’s Sideshows by the Seashore Theater: 1208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY! We’ll celebrate our city’s iconic 24-hour transit system with a one-night-only evening of eclectic performance and civic spirit.
Are YOU Miss Subways 2026? We’re seeking contestants for this year’s event. Complete the application form at the link by 11:59pm on May 5 to be considered!
Contestants will compete in THREE CATEGORIES evaluated according to creativity, originality, and skill:
Costume
Talent
Interview
Last year’s performances included a tribute to the R46 subway cars accompanied by a handcrafted puppet, an operatic ode to reading on the train, a draglesque number embodying a puddle of subway goo, contortion, comedy, and a subway rat rap. Feats of strength, humorous powerpoints, we’re seeking any kind of talent that embodies the spirit of NYC and the subway system that keeps it running. Show us what you’ve got!
More information about the event, including our judges panel and ticket information, coming soon!
ABOUT MISS SUBWAYS
The City Reliquary Miss Subways updates the historic “Miss Subways” beauty contest held in New York City from 1941 to 1976 (and resurrected once by the MTA in 2004) for the 21st century. The event expands on the progressive history of Miss Subways as the first racially integrated beauty competition and invites contestants of all gender identities, body types, and ages 18+ to apply. The first City Reliquary Miss Subways was presented in 2017.
Contestants representing their subway line of choice compete for the prized title of Miss Subways and the transit tiara. A panel of local celebrity judges will evaluate their costumes, talent performances, and answers to subway-themed questions to decide who will represent NYC straphangers as the next Miss Subways!
The winner will join an illustrious lineup. Past winners of the City Reliquary Miss Subways are artist and comedianLisa Levy(Miss Subways 2017), urban planner Parker MacLure (Miss Subways 2018), musician and director Dylan Mars Greenberg (Miss Subways 2019), marketing pro and performer Harmony Hardcore (Miss Subways 2023–the first since the pandemic), Brooklyn chanteuse Queerly Femmetastic (Miss Subways 2024), and multi-hyphenate performer Bimini Cricket (Miss Subways 2025).
ABOUT CONEY ISLAND USA
Coney Island USA exists to defend the honor of American popular culture through innovative exhibitions and performances. Presenting and producing exciting new works, our approach is rooted in mass culture and the traditions of P.T. Barnum, dime museums, burlesque, circus sideshows, vaudeville, and Coney Island itself. Preserving and championing a set of uniquely American visual and performing art forms, we seek to create an international forum for cultural preservation and discourse, and where Coney Island represents these impulses, we strive to make it once again a center for live art and entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at https://www.coneyisland.com/. Follow on Instagram at @coney.island.usa and on Facebook at @coneyislandusa.
The City Reliquary will present the 2024 Miss Subways spectacle on Friday, July 18. We’re once again working with our friends at Coney Island USA, NYC’s historic nexus of the weird and whimsical. Join us at the Sideshows by the Seashore Theater (1208 Surf Avenue). Tickets are on sale now! ($30 general, $10 for City Reliquary members).
A diverse lineup of contestants will represent their subway line of choice for a panel of local celebrity judges in Costume, Talent, and Interview categories.
The winner will receive the transit tiara, the subway sash, and the title of Miss Subways 2025. (Photo credit: Kevin Jackson @actionjackson_tm_)
The winner will be crowned by Miss Subways 2024, Brooklyn bombshell Queerly Femmetastic! (Photo credit: Kevin Jackson @actionjackson_tm_)
Izzy B (she/her)Teresa Hui (she/her)Fortissima of the F Train (she/her)Pete Zaparty (they/he)Sally Ann Hall (she/her)Amazing Amy (she/her)Bimini Cricket (she/her)Emily Hupp (she/her)
Izzy B (she/her), transit justice advocate and performer. Representing the 1 train.
Teresa Hui (she/her), actor, opera singer, and marathoner. Credits include the Apollo Theater, the Brooklyn Cyclones, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Representing the B/Q.
Fortissima of the F Train (she/her), operatic mermaid, community builder, and professional sparkle distributor. Representing the F train.
Pete Zaparty (they/he), artist and Irish dancer. Recently awarded “Best Plumage” in the Pigeon Impersonation Pageant on the High Line. Representing the L/M.
Sally Ann Hall (she/her), award-winning standup comedian and cabaret singer. Representing the J.
Amazing Amy (she/her), senior yoga practitioner and contortionist who spreads the yoga love. Representing multiple lines.
Bimini Cricket (she/her), comedic burlesque performer from the land down under. Representing the B train.
Emily Hupp (she/her), history buff and style icon, frequent participant in the Easter Bonnet Parade. Representing the 42nd Street Shuttle.
The Master of Ceremonies
Presiding over this year’s subway-themed extravaganza is performer and director Tom Meglio. Tom is the co-writer and host of the musical-sketch-comedy show Ze Follies Dorée!, which just completed a sold out run Off-Broadway at the AMT Theatre on 45th Street. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, 54 Below, The Slipper Room, and the Laurie Beechman Theatre. As a director Tom has staged productions at Adult Film Theatre Company, and The Brooklyn Centre for Theatre Research. Most recently, he served as the Assistant Director for Dilaria, by Julia Randall, currently running Off-Broadway at the Daryl Roth Theatre. @tommeglio@zefolliesdoree
The Celebrity Judges
This year’s Miss Subways judges come from the worlds of performance, comedy, and journalism. They’re artists who help make and keep NYC a cultural hotspot, advocates for the best of local culture, style icons, award winners, and the voice of our daily commute.
Brini Maxwell, domestic doyenneCharlie Pellett, Voice of the NYC SubwayElla Louise Smith, “Miz E with a Z”. Credit: Isambert PhotographyLisa Levy, Miss Subways 2017. Credit: Brian Zak
Brini Maxwell, domestic doyenne
Described as part Donna Reed, part Mary Tyler Moore, Maxwell makes kitsch feel classy through her unparalleled personal flair for home design, entertaining and savvy household tips. She began sharing her domestic know-how on her eponymous show on cable access and later moved to the Style network. Her love of 20th century culture and design means she’s tickled pink to be a judge for the Miss Subways Contest. She’s currently producing content for YouTube and acting as a muse for the art of her creator, Ben Sander.
Charlie Pellett, voice of the New York City Subway
Charlie is a veteran news anchor and reporter for Bloomberg Radio. Most importantly, as one of the designated official voices of the New York City subway system, Charlie Pellett asks riders to “Stand clear of the closing doors, please!” Before joining Bloomberg in 1992, Pellett spent a decade at 1010 WINS in New York City. He also worked as a news writer for CNN, as a disc jockey in Northampton, MA, and co-hosted a Friday night call-in show with former New York City Mayor Ed Koch.
Ella Louise Smith, “Miz E with a Z”
Co-Producer, Powell Leonard’s “The Kong Show” & Powella Production’s “We Make Events!” Ella Louise is an actress and performer. She appears as Miz E with a Z (and as her own twin sister) on Powell Leonard’s web series, “The Kong Show on TV,” filmed in Astoria, Queens. She is currently promoting an upcoming filmmaking workshop with independent filmmaker Keith Powell of Urban Artistic Films at Dave Silverberg’s film, photography and event studio, 3636 Studio, in the Kaufman Arts District, Long Island City, Queens. Ella was awarded Miss Congeniality at the Miss Subways 2023 event. She is thrilled to be a judge for the Miss Subways 2025 contest. Follow Ella Smith on Instagram at Miz_E_with_a_Z
Lisa Levy, Miss Subways 2017
Lisa Levy is a comedian, conceptual artist, and Miss Subways 2017 (the first postmenopausal Miss Subways!). Her performance work has been featured in publications such as the New York Times and The London Times. Her visual art has been exhibited at The New Museum, The Bronx Museum, SPRING/BREAK Art Fair, The Pulse Art Fair, and The Brooklyn Academy of Music. She hosts a weekly show on Radio Free Brooklyn, Dr. Lisa Gives a Sh*t, where she conducts funny, emotionally revealing “psychotherapy sessions” with a range of creative guests. @misssubways2017@drlisalevysp@lisalevyartwork
Celebrity Drag King Murray Hill and “Voice of the Subway” Bernie Wagenblast to Headline
On All Saints Day (Friday, November 1), the City Reliquary will celebrate the secular saint of New York, the Statue of Liberty, in a blowout celebration emceed by celebrity drag king Murray Hill, “the hardest-working middle-aged ‘man’ in showbiz.” Tickets are on sale now.
The celebration will mark the release of the exhibition catalog for Liberty the Tattooed Lady, a show about the history of Statue of Liberty tattoos that opened at the City Reliquary on March 15 and will close in mid-January. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. The exhibition is the first devoted entirely to the history of Statue of Liberty tattoos and was curated by Daredevil Tattooco-owner and tattoo artist, Michelle Myles. Through a stunning collection of vintage tattoo art–including pieces never put on public display before–it shows how the Statue of Liberty has been embraced and embodied by American tattoo artists since the turn of the century. See it while you can!
The highlight of the event will surely be the Lady Liberty Costume Contest. The chance to compete is included with event admission. Contestants of all shapes, sizes, and gender identities are invited to display their creativity and love for our national icon. Please note, the City Reliquary does not have a dressing room. Contestants should arrive in costume!
Contestants will be evaluated on personality and costume creativity by a panel of three judges: transgender NYC transportation icon Bernie Wagenblast, who is literally the voice of the New York City subway system (“Please stand away from the platform edge!”); the reigning 2024 City Reliquary Miss Subways, burlesque performer Queerly Femmetastic; and 2024 Miss Subways first runner-up, comedian Dani Riedel.
After careful consideration, our fabulous judges will present the winner with a $500 gift certificate to Daredevil Tattoo and a copy of the catalog autographed by exhibition curator Michelle Myles. The second-place prize is a $250 Daredevil gift certificate and an autographed catalog.
The City Reliquary will present the 2024 Miss Subways spectacle on Friday, May 31. We’re once again working with our friends at Coney Island USA, NYC’s historic nexus of the weird and whimsical. Join us at the Sideshows by the Seashore Theater (1208 Surf Avenue). Tickets are on sale now! ($30 general, $25 for City Reliquary members).
A diverse lineup of contestants will represent their subway line of choice for a panel of local celebrity judges in Costume, Talent, and Interview categories.
The winner will receive the transit tiara, the subway sash, and the title of Miss Subways 2024. (Photo credit: Matt Josephson @matty2jay)
This year’s event will also celebrate the 120th birthday of the New York City subway system!
The winner will be crowned by Miss Subways 2023, Harmony Hardcore (shown here at the 2023 Brooklyn Public Library’s People’s Ball!) (Photo credit: Scott Lynch @scoboco)
Sally Ann Hall(she/her), award-winning standup comedian and cabaret singer. Representing the M.
Julia Schemmer(she/her), puppeteer and producer/production assistant. Credits include Broadway, television, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Representing the J train.
Dani Riedel, author, cosplayer, comedian, and cosplaying comedian representing the A/C/E.
Kandi Spindler(she/her), femme lesbian public defender who moonlights as an artist. Representing the 2.
MeanLadyTiff (she/her), business socialite representing the R train.
Kate Zibluk (she/they), bird, person, performer, and aspiring Funeral Director. Representing the M.
Queerly Femmetastic(she/her/ma’am), Brooklyn-bred bombshell inspired by Black shake-dancers, strippers, and hoochie-coochie girls across generations. Representing the A train.
The Master of Ceremonies
Presiding over this year’s subway-themed shenanigans is performer and director Tom Meglio. Tom is the co-writer and host of the musical-sketch-comedy show Ze Follies Dorée!, which recently completed its residency at The Brooklyn Comedy Collective. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, 54 Below, Theatre 555, and the Laurie Beechman Theatre. His most recent project as a director, Little Miss Ransom by Julia Randall, just completed a sold-out run and extension at Adult Film theater in Bushwick. @tommeglio@zefolliesdoree
The Celebrity Judges
This year’s Miss Subways judges come from the worlds of performance, comedy, advocacy, journalism, and local politics. They’re the artists who help make and keep NYC a cultural hotspot, our local elected officials and transit activists who fight for a fairer system, and the voice of our daily commute.
Aurora North, Miss Coney Island 2024Bernie Wagenblast, Transportation IconDerrick Holmes, Riders AllianceLisa Levy, Miss Subways 2017. Credit: Brian ZakEmily Gallagher, NYS Assemblyperson
Aurora North, Miss Coney Island 2024
Aurora North is a Circus/Sideshow Performer and Miss Coney Island 2024. Major performance highlights include the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, Jazz at Lincoln Center, PULP at Radio City Music Hall, and Michael Clark’s residency at Whitney Museum of American Art. Together with her wife as The Brides, she is regularly produced at The Box NYC, House of YES, and Coney Island USA. The two own BODYHOO Studios, a Pilates and Yoga studio in Ridgewood, and co-direct Kinetic Cabaret Productions. @aurora_north
Bernie Wagenblast, Transportation Icon
Please stand away from the platform edge! Bernie Wagenblast’s iconic voiceover work for the Department of Transportation and Port Authority has been part of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers’ daily commute for years. Bernie transitioned in January 2023, and her story has since been featured in several media outlets. She now edits several transportation e-publications and hosts podcasts for Transportation Radio and Cranford Radio. @cranford_radio
Derrick Holmes, Riders Alliance
Derrick Holmes is the Digital Strategist for Riders Alliance, a nonprofit organization that fights for reliable, affordable, world-class public transit to build a more just and sustainable New York. Derrick aims to help improve access to mobility and opportunity for millions of New Yorkers and ensure that New York continues to set the most progressive example for transit agencies around the country and the world. @ridersalliance (IG/FB), @helplessdelta (X)
Lisa Levy, Miss Subways 2017
Lisa Levy is a comedian, conceptual artist, and Miss Subways 2017 (the first postmenopausal Miss Subways!). Her performance work has been featured in publications such as the New York Times and The London Times. Her visual art has been exhibited at The New Museum, The Bronx Museum, SPRING/BREAK Art Fair, The Pulse Art Fair, and The Brooklyn Academy of Music. She hosts a weekly show on Radio Free Brooklyn, Dr. Lisa Gives a Sh*t, where she conducts funny, emotionally revealing “psychotherapy sessions” with a range of creative guests. @misssubways2017@drlisalevysp
Emily Gallagher, NYS Assemblyperson
Emily Gallagher represents District 50 (Greenpoint and Williamsburg) in the New York State Assembly. A self-described socialist who previously served on Brooklyn Community Board 1, Emily was elected in 2020 on a platform of environmental sustainability, housing justice, and transit improvement. Since taking office, Emily has fought to address New York’s deep inequality and dire housing crisis while accelerating the state’s transition to renewable energy. As a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, Emily is a leader on local and statewide initiatives to make streets safer for all users of the road. @emilyassembly
Miss Subways 2024 Friday, May 31, 2024, 7-11 PM Coney Island USA Sideshows by the Seashore Theater (1208 Surf Ave)
We’re looking for our next Miss Subways!
The City Reliquary invites applications to compete in its 2024 Miss Subways event on Friday, May 31, 7:00-11:00 pm. We’re thrilled to partner with Coney Island USA once again at that historic nexus of the weird and whimsical, Coney Island USA’s Sideshows by the Seashore Theater.
This year we’ll also be wishing the New York City subway system a happy 120th birthday!
Are YOU Miss Subways 2024?
This year, contestants will compete in THREE CATEGORIES evaluated according to creativity, originality, and skill:
Last year’s performances included a dance by a mad scientist with Doc Ock arms, a dizzying hula hoop routine dedicated to the 7 train, and a subway-inspired rendition of “What I Did For Love” from A Chorus Line. Read more about the 2023 City Reliquary Miss Subways event from Brooklyn Magazine. Previous Miss Subways events received coverage from Atlas Obscura and The New York Times, among other outlets.
MX MAD SCIENTRESS at Miss Subways 2023. Photo by Matt Josephson (@matty2jay).Lena Horné at Miss Subways 2023. Photo by Matt Josephson (@matty2jay).
About Miss Subways
The City Reliquary Miss Subways updates the historic “Miss Subways” beauty contest held in New York City from 1941 to 1976 (and resurrected once by the MTA in 2004) for the 21st century. The City Reliquary event expands on the progressive history of Miss Subways as the first racially integrated beauty competition and invites contestants of all gender identities, body types, and ages 18+ to apply. The first City Reliquary Miss Subways was presented in 2017.
Contestants representing their subway line of choice compete for the prized title of Miss Subways and the transit tiara. A panel of local celebrity judges will evaluate their costumes, their answers to subway-themed questions and their talent show performance to determine who will represent NYC straphangers as the next Miss Subways!
Miss Subways 2017 Lisa Levy. Photo by Brian Zak for the New York Post.
The winner will join an illustrious lineup. Past winners of the City Reliquary Miss Subways are artist and comedianLisa Levy(Miss Subways 2017), urban planner Parker MacLure (Miss Subways 2018), musician and director Dylan Mars Greenberg (Miss Subways 2019), and marketing pro by day/costumer and performer by night Harmony Hardcore (Miss Subways 2023–the first since the pandemic).
Event details for 2024, including the celebrity judge panel, coming soon!
About Coney Island USA
Coney Island USA exists to defend the honor of American popular culture through innovative exhibitions and performances. Presenting and producing exciting new works, our approach is rooted in mass culture and the traditions of P.T. Barnum, dime museums, burlesque, circus sideshows, vaudeville, and Coney Island itself. Preserving and championing a set of uniquely American visual and performing art forms, we seek to create an international forum for cultural preservation and discourse, and where Coney Island represents these impulses, we strive to make it once again a center for live art and entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at https://www.coneyisland.com/. Follow on Instagram at @coney.island.usa and on Facebook at @coneyislandusa.
