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And the Real Ally of New Jersey Award goes to… Margaret Josephs! The Real Housewives of New Jersey star was met with the surprise of a lifetime when attending the Paradise NJ Drag Day of Visibility in Asbury Park last week.
Josephs arrived at the event under the impression she was there to surprise drag icon Crystal Envy with a City of Asbury Park Proclamation honor, which she later did. But first, Josephs was shocked to receive an award of her own!
Presented by local drag royalty Vanity Lavain, Josephs was honored with The 2025 Friend of Paradise: Real Ally of New Jersey Award for her “fierce, action-driven support of the LGBTQ+ community.”
In her speech, Vanity Lavain said, “Whether as a powerhouse entrepreneur, television personality, unapologetic truth cannon, or the ‘Realest Housewife of New Jersey,’ Margaret Josephs has always used her platform to fiercely advocate for equality, inclusion, and fabulousness for all.”
She continued, “From the streets of Englewood to the screens of millions, Margaret has championed love in all of its forms, lifting up the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals with unyielding support and her signature flair.”
Closing with, “The words Margaret once herself used remain true: ‘It was never more important than now to stand together united and use your platform and your voice to raise awareness and implement change.’ It is with that spirit that we proudly present Margaret Josephs with the 2025 Friend of Paradise Award.”
Josephs graciously accepted the surprise honor, then gave a moving speech about Crystal Envy’s advocacy for the LGBTQ community.
Josephs said, “I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to be part of Paradise’s Asbury Day of Visibility today, celebrating an extraordinary individual who has made an indelible mark—not just here in Asbury Park, but across the world. At a time when the LGBTQ+ community faces unprecedented challenges and attempts to silence our voices, representation matters now more than ever. Visibility is vital, and today, we celebrate someone who shines brilliantly and unapologetically in the spotlight: Crystal Envy.”
She continued, “Whether beautifying faces across the Garden State with her spectacular makeup artistry or placing the vibrant New Jersey drag scene on the international stage through RuPaul’s Drag Race, Crystal Envy consistently sets the diamond standard in creativity, courage, and charisma.”
She then said, “So today, we proudly affirm that we will not be silenced; our stories and our visibility matter, and together, our sparkle can never be dimmed,” and presented Crystal with the proclamation signed by the mayor and City Council.
All proceeds from the event benefited the Transgender Law Center, the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Since 2002 we’ve been organizing, assisting, informing and empowering thousands of individual community members towards a long-term, national, trans-led movement for liberation.
