Chris Rhoades

Chris Rhoades, more lovingly referred to by some as Ab Fab, in reference to the British Show Absolutely Fabulous, has been a PROUD Florida resident since January 2006. Born and raised in Freehold, NJ, and after graduating from LaSalle University with a bachelor's degree in PR/Communication, Chris moved to Charlotte, NC to open one of Nordstrom's full-line stores. That was what placed him in Florida as he opened the Palm Beach Gardens Store for Nordstrom. After finishing a 10+ year career in fashion management, Chris has found himself managing and directing the largest and longest-running hair salon/spa/boutique on Palm Beach Island.

But it wasn't enough handling the 1% and their beauty needs. In his spare time, Chris organized and produced Drag Shows for nightclubs, tea dances, and drag brunches for The Subculture Group of South Florida. Chris was an avid drag enthusiast since his days in NJ.

Fast forward 10 years of parties brunches and tea dances, Chris opened his own company in 2022 called Next Level Talent PB, an all inclusive talent management agency, encompassing all talent; singers, bands, comedians, dancers, and more, but with a majority of the business focused on placing the art of drag into as many mainstream, non typical, environments. Chris is very proud not only to have had a successful first 3 years in business, but also of the fact that he set out to do what he said. Next Level Talent has had drag queens performing or appearing at The Colony Hotel in PB, The Ben Hotel in WPB, on the Brightline, out in Loxahatchee at Swank Farms, on the polo fields in Wellington just to name a few, in addition to many private homes on and off the Island of Palm Beach.

And when he isn't doing all of that he gives of his time to Compass, his LGBTQ Community Center, sits on the board for Transpire health, a recovery organization for trans & queer youth dealing with addiction but dedicating the majority of his volunteerism to EQFL. He has been tirelessly advocating for his Palm Beach County Community for the last 10 years. Only after two years, he found himself on the steering committee for the last 8+ years while either being the Gala Chair or Co-Chair for the past 5 Palm Beach Galas. Chris is never looking for attention and truly does the work from his heart. The spotlight on him- please!! NO!! Never !! (hence the perfect group to hide amongst..Drag queens.) However, his long time of servitude in his community was being noticed. In 2022, Chris received the Deja Devonier Humanitarian Award presented by Compass. In March 2024, Chris was recognized for his tireless work with the drag community and beyond and named Grand Marshall of the Palm Beach Pride Parade 2024 - the same pride Chris has attended religiously every year with his large group of friends - its his 'most favorite day of the year, more than my birthday!' In June 2024, Chris is surprised to tears at the annual Pride on the Block Event where Chris had returned that year and handled all the entertainment on Saturday for Transpire Help's largest all day fundraiser. They awarded him The Shawn Pennestri Resilience Award. In October 10 202, overly humbled and with no thought in the world of anything else, Equality Florida pulls out the ultimate surprise and honors Chris with their Service and Leadership Award at the 2024 Palm Beach Brunch.

"In the world if you only can be one thing, it's be kind Sweetie Darling."