'The A-List: New York' Cast Members Join Judging Panel at U.S. Mr. Gay

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The judges' panel for the U.S. Mr. Gay Competition is almost complete with the addition of two stars from Logo's hit show, The A-List: New York.  Two of the show's breakout stars, Ryan Nickalus and TJ Kelly, will be traveling to the "City of Brotherly Love" on November 12th and 13th to help name the new U.S. Mr. Gay titleholder.  The contest will begin with an opening reception and the first round of Q&A on Friday, November 12th at Q Lounge and Kitchen (1234 Locust St) at 8 PM.  The main competition follows on Saturday, November 13 at Voyeur Nightclub (1221 St. James St) from 9 PM to midnight.  General admission and VIP tickets are available at www.nightlifegay.com.

Nickalus is the owner of the Ryan Darius Salon in the West Village section of New York City.  He began his career in Boston before traveling to New York to realize his dreams of making it in the Big Apple.  He is a staple in Manhattan's gay social and philanthropic scenes, donating his time, energy, and charity to numerous LGBT service organizations, including the Ali Forney Center.  In addition to working alongside Nickalus at the salon, TJ Kelly is his best friend and partner in crime.  He also works as a celebrity manicurist with multiple television and Fashion Week events to his credit.  Kelly has a supporting role on The A-List, but his honest and outrageous one-liners make him one prolific scene-stealer and an audience favorite.  

Also serving on the U.S. Mr. Gay judges' panel are, gossip columnist Michael Musto, celebrity stylist and reality TV star David Evangelista, four-time Emmy-winning television producer Terence Noonan, and Paper magazine's editor Mickey Boardman.  In addition to amazing judges, Sirius OUT Q radio star, Frank DeCaro, and uproarious drag personality, Brittany Lynn, are co-hosting the event.  Drag diva Navaya Shay and the Philadelphia Freedom Band will headline performances between rounds of competition, along with vocalists Alexandra Rush, Jeff Vitelli, and Thom Sirkot.

The A-List: New York  is one of the hottest new reality shows on TV, and I'm so excited to have Ryan and TJ judging the U.S. Mr. Gay Competition," said Bruce Yelk, President and Owner of Nightlifegay.com.  "Their presence adds more star power to an already outstanding panel of judges who know how to identify talent.  This year's U.S. Mr. Gay Competition is shaping up to be the best ever."

U.S. Mr. Gay brings together contestants representing many of the country's most notable cities and destinations, as well as performers, celebrity hosts, judges, and spectators from all around the country.  A series of competitive categories and performances will culminate in the naming of the U.S. Mr. Gay titleholder.  The winner of this competition will go on to compete in International Mr. Gay (IMG). The IMG Competition is the largest international contest to select an ambassador for the international gay community, which furthers the Noble Beast Foundation's mission.

To learn more about U.S. Mr. Gay, visit www.nightlifegay.com and www.mrgaycompetition.com, respectively.  To book your trip to Philadelphia for the 2010 U.S. Mr. Gay Competition and view the local LGBT visitor's guide, log onto www.visitphilly.com.  

ABOUT LOGO

Logo is the world's leading ad-supported cable, satellite, online, mobile and digital entertainment gay and lesbian-themed network, from MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B). Launched in 2005, Logo's cable channel is in more than 39 million homes across the United States and is complemented by a federation of online properties, including LOGOonline.com, TripOutGayTravel.com, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, 365gay.com, DowneLink.com and NewNowNext.com. Logo's content is distributed across all leading download-to-own, streaming and mobile services. The most influential brand for the most influential audience, Logo provides a mix of original and acquired entertainment as well as news, social networking and community building that are authentic, smart, fun, entertaining, and inclusive. Logo joins MTV Networks' roster of popular and highly targeted brands which include MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike TV.

SOURCE Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation