All Shade, No Brakes at Twinks Vs. Dolls

Cigarette races, competitive toe-sucking, grimy wrestling matches in kiddie pools filled with slime. These are just a few of the many unusual sporting events that can only be found at the annual Twinks vs. Dolls competition. The dirtier, sweatier Summer Olympics for queer New Yorkers—hosted by Bed-Stuy bar Singers—has become one of the campiest spectacles of Pride, pitting twinks and dolls against one another in a battle of the fiercest.

For its fifth-annual match this past Saturday, Singers brought its wrestling ring to Palladium Times Square, upgrading the event from a backyard brawl to a Broadway matinee. The lineup of judges included comedian Bowen Yang, famed military whistleblower and part-time DJ Chelsea Manning, and NYC City Council Member Chi Osse, all of whom didn’t hold back from hating on the string of unsportsmanlike competitors.

The contestants arrived dressed to impress, ready to throw hands and throw some ass. This year’s events included a bologna-sucking circle, dildo ring toss, kissing competition, and crowd favorite, the cigarette race. While the twinks took a victory lap in the final round, the dolls still took home the ultimate prize. Before they all disappeared back into the crush of Pride, Interview stopped them to find out more about what’s on their gay agenda.

Saturday 4:21 PM June 27, 2026 TIMES SQUARE

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BOWEN YANG @fayedunaway

SIENA BERGAMO: What inspired you to judge this competition?

BOWEN YANG: What inspired me is that I was asked, and that’s all it takes sometimes. And I’m a lover of Singers, I’m a lover of Twinks vs. Dolls. I have seen this go from a viral, gorgeous, meme moment to a Pride tentpole event. I do like the mix-up. The vibe in Times Square on a Saturday afternoon is usually matinee-coded, and this is a really funny clash of cultures.

BERGAMO: Who are you rooting for, twinks or dolls?

YANG: I’m rooting for one specific individual who’s already been eliminated.

BERGAMO: Oh no!

YANG: His name is Ash, he is a transmasc twink, but he is off the hook for the cigarette race because he’s a non-smoker, a non-drinker. Vegan, but still was a good sport about participating in the bologna suck. That’s the spirit of Pride—people sometimes putting their ideologies aside and participating in grotesque warfare.

BERGAMO: And who do you wanna see get their ass beat today?

YANG: I wanna see Ivy Wolk get her ass beat remotely in LA, which is where she is. I’m kidding. Between the teams, it could be anybody. I would love to see Spike and Honey really go at it.

BERGAMO: What’s on your gay agenda for today?

YANG: I’m gonna go to see the closing performance of Can I Be Frank? directed by Sam Pinkleton. And then I’m gonna hit up Zero Chill, I think. But I’ve got time before then, so I’m gonna take a little disco nap and muster up the stamina.

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J MELANCHOLIA @j.melancholia

BERGAMO: Who are you competing on behalf of today?

J MELANCHOLIA: Team Twink.

BERGAMO: What’s on your gay agenda?

MELANCHOLIA: My gay agenda is to be as fierce as possible and to slay as many dolls as I can. [Laughs] 

BERGAMO: What’s your fighting style?

MELANCHOLIA: Definitely serve. And since I’m number 8, I plan on eating. Serve cunt and be gaggy. [Laughs]

BERGAMO: Who’s for sure getting their ass beat today?

MELANCHOLIA: Hopefully it’s me! Hopefully I get torn down.

BERGAMO: How are you feeling heading into the competition?

MELANCHOLIA: I’m feeling nervous for everyone that I’m competing with. 

BERGAMO: Competing against?

MELANCHOLIA: Nope, with! Against, with, everyone. I’m nervous for everyone. [Laughs]

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ISAAC CONNER @isaaccbritt

BERGAMO: How are you feeling ahead of the competition?

ISAAC CONNER: Well, for round one we had to prepare an audio track and a performance number. It’s my first time performing, and here we are on Broadway. So I’m a little nervous, but I’m telling myself I got it, you know?

BERGAMO: Yes, you got it! What’s on your gay agenda today?

CONNER: After this, I was gonna go to Ladyland [Festival] to see Kim Petras, so I’m excited for that. I’m gonna win the grand prize, hopefully. That’s the goal.

BERGAMO: Of course. What’s your fighting style going in?

CONNER: I messaged this wrestler guy who does stuff on the internet, and I was hoping he could coach me. He said I was too beginner for him to do a whole video, but he said to grab the leg and lift it as high as you can, so that’s what I’m going for. I’m going for the feet. [Laughs] 

BERGAMO: Who’s for sure getting their ass beat today?

CONNER: I think Angel’s getting her ass beat.

BERGAMO: Why?

CONNER: I think she’s just here for the vibe. I feel like she’s not in it to win it, and I am. 

BERGAMO: Can you tell me about your outfit?

CONNER: I’m wearing Sniffies biker shorts for the wrestling competition. Something close to the body, something black, so that way the mystery substance doesn’t stain it.

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BEN BUTLER @benbtler

BERGAMO: What’s on your gay agenda for today?

BEN BUTLER: Fighting back. Winning. Taking the championship home. Bringing it home to all the people who came before me, that fought and allowed me to do exactly what the fuck I’m doing today. I literally get to smoke a cigarette in Times Square in my underwear. Like, my ass cheeks are fully out right now.

BERGAMO: Tell me about your outfit!

BUTLER: I’m wearing Leak NYC. I work there, I design for them. It’s like a 3D mesh knit situation. Very hole-y, very exposed, slutty, scandalous, enticing. It makes you curious about what’s underneath.

BERGAMO: Did you pregame before this?

BUTLER: Listen, we’re in Times Square right now. We’re on Broadway. You think my twink ass from Bushwick is not gonna pregame before I show up to this? Like of course, I have to.

BERGAMO: What’d you pregame with?

BUTLER: Okay. I pregamed with a Red Bull, the orange one. And then I poured three Fireball shooters inside of it. It tasted like medicine, but it got me perfect. It got me exactly where I needed to be. Then the finisher, the top kiss? A blue Buzzball. Yeah, the slurp juice.

BERGAMO: And who’s for sure getting their ass beat today?

BUTLER: The dolls, obviously. There’s this one girl, Alexa, I love her, but we’re gonna figure some things out this evening.

BERGAMO: She’s going down?

BUTLER: She’s going down.

BERGAMO: What’s your fighting style?

BUTLER: I’m tall as fuck, so I’m gonna have to lean down a little bit. I feel like it’s smart to grab for the ankles and the wrists. I think what’s most important is pushing them out of the ring rather than fighting them, actually. I think that’s easier.

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CLOE AELIN @cloeaelin

BERGAMO: Which side are you on today?

CLOE AELIN: I am Team Dolls, and I’m ready to send the twinks back to where they came from—the motherstall.

BERGAMO: What’s on your gay agenda for today?

AELIN: Straight from here, I’m gonna be wiping off the slime and heading to Ladyland [Festival] to see Kim Petras.

BERGAMO: What’s your fighting style?

AELIN: I’m gonna try my best to not play dirty, but twinks have caused much sorrow in my life, so that’s gonna be hard to do.

BERGAMO: Who’s for sure getting their ass beat today?

AELIN: That’s gonna go ahead and be Colin Cantwell. That’s my designated twink.

BERGAMO: Why is he getting his ass beat?

AELIN: ‘Cause he deserves it.

BERGAMO: Can you tell me about your outfit?

AELIN: I’m wearing a pair of boxing shorts that my roommate had. Thank you to my gay roommate, they always come in clutch. And then just a bow situation going on. I arrived here two hours early to cut up the tank that they gave us. They were saying I was giving Project Runway backstage, but surely we had to do some kind of customization.

BERGAMO: Of course, you have to look your best if you’re gonna fight your best!

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TASI TAIMANGLO @skinnylegendnyc

BERGAMO: What brought you here today?

TASI TAIMANGLO: Well, I had to come back and defend my reign as the 2025 Twinks vs. Dolls returning champion.

BERGAMO: And who are you rooting for today?

TAIMANGLO: I’m rooting for anyone trans, and I’m rooting for the person that gives me the most spunk, personality, and grit.

BERGAMO: Are you fighting tonight?

TAIMANGLO: So, tonight, I will be fighting the final competitor in the last round in a pool of green slime to defend my honor.

BERGAMO: That’s amazing. What’s your fighting style?

TAIMANGLO: My fighting style is definitely dirty. I throw them off gravity. I bite, I pull hair, I go from underneath. If they’re fighting me and I can’t get out, I just huddle in the side of the pool so they can’t get me out and I just stay close to the ground. But I’m definitely gonna beat anyone’s ass whether it’s a twink or a doll. I saw the lineup, it’s not giving. So I’m ready to be the villain and defend my championship one more time.

BERGAMO: I was gonna ask, who’s getting their ass beat today?

TAIMANGLO: Definitely the twinks. The twinks are giving egg, and the dolls are giving not-winning-worthy. [Laughs]

BERGAMO: Giving egg?

TAIMANGLO: Yeah, they’re giving eggs. They’re giving that next year they’ll be [on Team] Dolls. I think one of them was wearing bunny ears in the posters, so yeah. I’m not scared of any of them.

BERGAMO: What’s on your gay agenda for today?

TAIMANGLO: I’m definitely going to drink a lot, eat a lot, party a lot. I got Bowen Yang, Chelsea Manning, and Chi [Ossé] to sign my wrestling belt, which I’m gonna hang on my wall.

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ESTHER FALLICK @estherfallick

BERGAMO: What brought you here today?

ESTHER FALLICK: I’m singing the national anthem.

BERGAMO: How are you feeling ahead of it?

FALLICK: I’m feeling really excited. As soon as they asked me, I was honored and a bit came to mind immediately. I was like, “I have a vision, let’s make this happen.”

BERGAMO: Can you reveal the bit?

FALLICK: Basically, I had someone turn this flag into a dress. I’m gonna sing the beginning of the national anthem, then I’m gonna rip it off and be like, “Wait a minute, I’m not proud to be an American. But I am proud to be a… [sings the opening notes of Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’]” I’m wearing an “I Heart New York” shirt and I’m gonna sing “New York, New York.” It’s gonna be fun.

BERGAMO: Who are you rooting for today and why?

FALLICK: Obviously, the dolls because I just think they want it more.

BERGAMO: They’re working harder?

FALLICK: They’re working harder. Exactly.

BERGAMO: What’s on your gay agenda for today?

FALLICK: I told myself it would be a slutty summer, and I haven’t gone to one party yet. [Laughs] So, I’d love to kick off my slutty summer today.

BERGAMO: It’s the perfect day to do it. Who’s for sure getting their ass beat?

FALLICK: Establishment Democrats. [Laughs]

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MADISON ROSE @madisonrose

BERGAMO: Who are you rooting for today and why?

MADISON ROSE: The dolls, of course. It feels crazy to root for the twinks. That just feels loud and wrong, respectfully.

BERGAMO: What’s on your gay agenda for today?

ROSE: Well, this is top billing, and then hopefully making out with like three people. Then, I’m gonna sing to a bunch of gay people later because I make pop music. So I’ll be singing to some gays at multiple parties tonight.

BERGAMO: Beautiful. And who’s getting their ass beat today?

ROSE: Twinks 100%.

BERGAMO: Anyone specific?

ROSE: I can’t say I’m familiar with the twink lineup specifically, but I do feel a general ass beating is coming for all of them.

BERGAMO: What’d you do to prepare for the show?

ROSE: I took way longer than I should have to get ready. I re-laid my wig like 3 times, and then texted my friends, “I’m really sorry I’m late, but it’s for a good reason. It’s because I look ridiculously sexy.” And that feels very doll-coded to me.

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DYLAN SANTOS @dyldylsantos

BERGAMO: Who are you rooting for today, the twinks or the dolls?

DYLAN SANTOS: You know what, I wanted to participate. I was bamboozled. But I think I’m gonna go with the dolls. 

BERGAMO: You wanted to participate, but you couldn’t?

SANTOS: They held me hostage. They did not let me do it. Applications was over. Deadline was over. Done.

BERGAMO: So you’re just observing?

SANTOS: Yes, I’m just observing as a twink today.

BERGAMO: What’s on your gay agenda today?

SANTOS: I had sex earlier today.

FRIEND: No you didn’t! [Laughs]

SANTOS: Yes, I did. So I’m feeling gaped and ready, thank you very much. I’m gonna party with this bitch I haven’t seen in a while, and hopefully I’ll get more sex later!

BERGAMO: Who’s for sure getting their ass beat today?

SANTOS: I think the twinks got a lot to do because everybody hating on them! Everybody’s hating the twinks. You know, maybe it’s just because they’re skinny. Get bigger! Don’t eat apples! Take dicks and take steaks!

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AB THIELEN @abthielen

BERGAMO: Who are you rooting for, the twinks or the dolls?

AB THIELEN: I’m rooting for the dolls. I love the dolls. They love me. I have one very special doll out there named Cloe, and she is killing it. She’s gonna take our team to victory.

BERGAMO: Who’s for sure getting their ass beat today?

THIELEN: Oh my god, me, bitch! I’m fucking tired! I’ve been carrying for my gay husband back home. I don’t know what the fuck he’s up to, but I’ll probably see him later and he’s going to be slizzered and I’m going to be slizzered and it’s beautiful. But I’m fucking tired and I have to clock in tomorrow at 10 AM.

BERGAMO: What’s on your gay agenda for today?

THIELEN: Wake up, hit the vape that I bought in a creepy Little Italy shop. FaceTime the diva who got me this ticket, pick her outfit for her, then pick my own outfit, get ready, come here, empty stomach, nothing. Miss my train. Realize how much I hate Times Square. Realize that this venue is far too big for what we’re hosting, and then enjoy the show. My feet hurt. I’m sitting down. I’m trying to get a Red Bull. Line is terrible. I’m enjoying the show nevertheless. I take pictures of myself. I flirt with another doll. And then after this, I’m probably gonna go straight over to my friend’s house, play with her kitty cats—yes, two of them. Then stuff my face, drink a Red Bull, get drunk, and go to Elsewhere Pride to see Isabella Lovestory, meow.

BERGAMO: How are you feeling now that we’re in the second half of the show?

THIELEN: I’m feeling like it’s not nasty enough for me. I feel like it needs more grime, it needs more grit. I want to feel it. I was in the splash zone, I didn’t feel a splash. Bologna almost caught me. I wish it did. I wanted it. I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten enough today.

BERGAMO: What’s been your favorite round so far?

THIELEN: You know, I really liked getting to know everyone at the Broadway opening. Everyone was so excited. Now, I feel like there’s animosities. There’s gonna be beating, there’s gonna be a lot of fear in a lot of people’s eyes. People’s feelings are gonna get hurt. But nevertheless, it’s a good game.