Miss Subways 2025: A Coney Island Coronation

The iconic Miss Subways pageant, a uniquely New York tradition, returned to Coney Island's Sideshows by the Seashore theater. This year's competition, a far cry from its 1941 origins, embraced inclusivity, welcoming contestants of all genders, body types, and ages.

A History of Breaking Barriers

First held in 1941, Miss Subways was America's first integrated beauty pageant, with its first Black winner in 1947 and its first Asian winner two years later. The winners graced subway ads, embodying the "girl next door" ideal, even inspiring the character "Miss Turnstiles" in Leonard Bernstein's On the Town.

After a long hiatus, the City Reliquary, a museum dedicated to NYC's cultural history, revived the pageant in 2017, opening it up to a more diverse range of participants. 2017 saw artist Lisa Levy become the first post-menopausal Miss Subways; in 2025, she served as head judge.

This Year's Contestants and Winner

This year's contestants were described as "compelling and iconic," reflecting the city's vibrant spirit. One contestant, Teresa Hui, a New York native and actor, expressed her joy at finding her "people" in this inclusive competition.

The competition featured costume, talent, and Q&A segments. Ultimately, Bimini Cricket, a comedic-burlesque performer, took home the crown with an MTA-themed parody of Rapper's Delight, a train-themed outfit, and a Subway-Rat inspired look. Her reaction? Pure shock and a craving for a hot dog!