Contestant Joseph R gets on his knees to beg for the audience’s vote.

1st place contestant, Joseph R —decked out for the contest and very passionate. When asked his favorite artist he claimed there were “just too many talented female artists” so he could not choose.

2nd place contestant, Caron T —he was a large promoter of the event.

Looking sharp—contestant Sam P.

“Of Course” —contestant Sam P.

Contestant Sam P leaning against a wall, reading a book, and sipping performatively on his matcha.

Contestant Michael M —sips on his matcha while peering down at his upside-down copy of Persuasion by Jane Austen.

Everybody’s favorite good boy, Juno, entered the competition as well sporting a dapper bowtie.

Sam P’s tote bag —FREEDOM TO VOTE; FREEDOM TO BE OURSELVES; FREEDOM TO DECIDE; FREEDOM FOR EVERY BODY; (featuring a raised fist illustration) FIGHT BACK FOR FREEDOM.

Back-view of contestants Owen M and Sam P.

Close-up shot, featuring the book Girl Out Loud (italicize) by Emily Gale stuffed into a contestant’s pocket.

CD of English rock band, Radiohead, leans on a stack of feminist literature.

Finalists—Joseph R and Caron T.

Contestants flexing their performative media, featuring CDs, vinyl, and cassettes.

Three contestant’s show off their Fuggler™ toys used to imitate the currently popular Labubu™ dolls.

The intellection Sam P enjoying his copy of the biographical work Lucrezia Borgia by Sarah Bradford.

Nearly every contestant could be spotted with a delicious iced matcha in hand.

Contestant Owen M sits down as two contestants shake hands at the competition’s end.

Owen M’s Big Into Energy ‘Secret’ Labubu™.

Performative male contestants appear thoroughly engrossed in their novels.

Contestant Sam M shows of their books, The Tragedy of Heterosexuality by Jane Ward, and The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by Bell Hooks.

Contestants finishing up the social hour, marked by contestant Michael M downing the rest of his matcha.

Caron T’s Tinky Winky™ keychain.

Close-up of contestant’s media, featuring a vinyl of A Night at The Symphony by Laufey.

Back-view of contestants waiting for judges to declare a winner.

Jonah M —rated best-dressed audience member.

Jonah M’s statement earnings.

Jonah M’s collar and lapel.

All contestants received a “participation” trophy.

Group photo of contestants following the end of the event.