Queen of the Week - Britney Houston

I met Britney Houston during my early days performing in NYC when we were both battling it out at the legendary Barracuda Starsearch contest.  Week after week she would show up and beat me with her out of this world dance moves and the only way I ever was able to win was to get on stage and actually chop off my real hair, lol.  She has gone on to do amazing thins in NYC and beyond and I am so happy to have her as our featured queen this week!

Name: Britney Houston

Age: 25

Location: NYC

Single or taken? I'm in the most beautiful relationship ever! like in the movies!

What is your drag style like? I Don't consider myself a Drag Queen. I am a multi talented, pop inspired artist.

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? Getting ready depends on the stakes. If I can jam to some tunes while getting ready..about a bit over an hour. If its a crunch situation..20 minutes!

Do you have a favorite number you perform? Always love performing the very first song I ever performed, Crazy in Love:)

Where can we see you perform? My performance dates are always listed on britneyhouston. com..but such NYC venues as Barracuda,DTOX, Suite.

How did you first get into drag? Playing the role of ANGEL and touring in the company of RENT inspired me to become the kind of artist i am now.

Who have been your biggest inspirations? Of Course..my inspirations are Britney & Whitney!

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen? 3 tips for a DRAG QUEEN.. 1. Know your WORDS!!!!, 2. Lipsynching is a form of acting..emote with your mouth, and 3. Good hair is admirable..we can learn from Tyra, Wendy Williams and Beyonce. Hell..we showed them!!!



If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I would perform as my own act for the MTV VMA's..wherever they are being held at that time.

What is something that might surprise us all about you? It might surprise you that I design my own line of magazine constructed handbags.

What makeup items could you not live without? My cheek bronzer and lipgloss. Poppin!

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? I love to reconstruct clothing..kind of like the idea Urban Outfitters copped from me! lol. I have designed some of my own stuff.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? One of my greatest moments so far is having flown to London to be a guest star and performer on the Lily Allen Show..with musician/producer Mark Ronson!!! Also, being searchable in the MTV online database for my "Making of the Video" documentary of my pussycat dolls parody" When I Grow Up".

What else should we know about you? Id love to share that I am not only a dancer/choreographer who has funny videos on youtube..but I am a singer/songwriter working on my own original noteworthy music! Most don't know I am a professional singer!

My official pop Single produced by Gay Icon Jonny McGovern is titled "And The Crowd Goes..." and will be available on itunes featured on Jonny's East Village Mixtape 2: Legends Ball.

To learn more about Britney Houston check out her website at www.britneyhouston.com or her Myspace page!

Also, check out her parody of Lipgloss below!

Queen of the Week - Esme Rodriguez

Esme is a FIERCE queen hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I unfortunately did not get the chance to meet her on her last trip out here to San Francisco, but she is very connected here and all the queens I've talked to absolutely love her. One thing that really stood out to me in her answers is how intelligent she is! In an industry known for big hair, but not always big brains, it is a breath of fresh air to meet a lady with both!

Name: Esme Rodriguez

Age: 31

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Single or taken? Always open to new faces!

What is your drag style like? My drag style is a car accident between Carmen Miranda and a bus coming from a Las Vegas showgirl revue.

How long does it take you to get ready in drag?
SSS= 20 minutes.
Putting on my face= 1 hour
Padding, stockings, costume, nails, & hair= 20 minutes.
SO, in all, about 2 hours.

Do you have a favorite number you perform? My favorite number of all time to perform is “Ooh la la” by Goldfrapp. I love that she mentions Baudelaire in the song!

Where can we see you perform? Regularly, I am at the Townhouse in St. Paul, MN, at the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater, at Babalu, and from time to time at other locations. I just signed a contract to produce and direct new bi-monthly show starting in October, which I have titled, “Dragmanity.”

How did you first get into drag? I was studying for my Masters at Boston College. During the summer in between my two years there, I moved to Provincetown to work as a personal trainer. Every August, Provincetown celebrates Carnival, and I was asked to be Gloria Estefan for the Hollywood Squares Parade float. So, I put on makeup and threw on a wig (My first time in drag, I seriously resembled a trailer park hooker on crack…LOL) Then, when I moved to Minneapolis to begin my PhD studies, I was concentrating on elements of race, class, and gender, so naturally , drag popped into my mind as an area of study. I entered a drag contest at one of the bars and was ‘discovered’ by my drag mother and auntie. I still remember their words. “Dear, you have a lot of potential, but, oh, honey, you must come over and let us teach you how to do stage makeup!” That was almost 8 years ago!

Who have been your biggest inspirations? I adore Mae West, Leigh Bowery, & Layla LaRue.

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen?
1.) The definition of a true Diva does not mean being a nasty bitch, but rather presenting yourself as a strong, compassionate, and visually flawless entertainer.
2.) Choose music and pieces with which you connect, not just the most popular song on the radio. It shows when you love your music! And change up your repertoire- no one wants to see “I Will Survive” for the fortieth time.
3.) On the practical side, buy pre-glued nails. It saves time and they don’t fly off!



If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? The pinnacle of my performance experience has happened in San Francisco and Amsterdam. If I could choose another place to perform, I would forego a new location and choose to return to San Francisco to perform with my gurls there! That is where my heart and my heels desire to be!

What is something that might surprise us all about you? LOL. Where do I begin? As a teenager, I was head-over-heels for CC Deville, the bass player for Poison. I should have known that I would grow up to be a queen!

What makeup items could you not live without? Without eyelashes and glitter, I would trod a sad existence. ☹

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? I design almost all of my costumes and I rework my rooted wigs. I think that costume design is both an expression of individual taste and creativity, as well as a challenge to the traditional ideals of the mass media and fashion market.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? I think the most fun I’ve ever had was performing at Trannyshack, San Francisco. The energy at the Stud and the lovely queens in the show made it a once in a lifetime experience! And to have shared the stage with such amazing and fierce gurls like Heklina and Peaches Christ, it just makes me all warm and fuzzy!

What else should we know about you? I am finishing my dissertation this year and am an academic instructor of Gender and Sexuality Studies. This semester I will be teaching a course titled, “Beyond the Binary: Trans and Intersex Studies.” Here is the course description:
“The construction of gender is a foundational theme for examining social justice, feminist and queer theory, as well as leadership issues. This course focuses on the multiplicity of gender identities, which exist beyond the traditional binary system of male and female. Through the process of examining textual, personal and unstaged/staged performances of gender in the context of trans, genderqueer, and drag communities, this class will raise significant questions, which will problematize, investigate, and reconfigure binary constructions of gender identity, assumptions about the intentionality of gender performance, and the mythical ‘ownership’ of gender. We will also focus on non-traditional gender’s impact upon relationships of power and privilege, as well as social relations between individuals and groups. Through the students’ interactions with multiple areas of knowledge production, including visual art and film, live performance art, and textual academic/activist theory, the method of study becomes vitally interdisciplinary in nature.

We will posit questions such as, “Who defines the concept of man and woman? Who “qualifies”? By what means is one named outside of these bi-polarities? Who is accepted as a woman? As a man? As trans or intersex? As “other” or without a claim to labels? What are the stakes in adopting or rejecting gender identities? How is the performance of gender in unstaged and staged environments policed or enhanced by gender expectations? Who benefits and who perishes?”




To find out more about Esme Rodriguez check out her myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/esmerodriguez

Queen of the Week - Envy Chanel

Envy Chanel is the fabulous drag mother of my number one partner in crime, sister, and roommate, Charisma Glitteratti! While I have never met her face to face, I have heard so many amazing things about her over the past couple years. She is an incredibly caring and giving person (there is always a package showing up at our house with a wig or a gown in it) and I am so happy to get to find out a little more about her here!

Name: Myles

Age: I tell people 15, but I am really 28.

Location: New Hampshire, traveling all over New England.

Single or taken? Single, but my heart belongs to someone.

What is your drag style like? I like pushing the envelope of the traditional look of "women" I believe a drag queen should be artistic and unique. I say, "I take the persona of a women, and I multiply it by 10." I am very happy as a man. I do not want to become a women, nor do I want to fool people into thinking I am one. What I want is appreciating for stepping out of the box in an artistic way!

I guess the best way to describe my style is, "Divine meets a Jem Doll" :)

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? I enjoy getting ready in drag, so I do not like to rush. I like taking my time and doing an eye... taking a break... do another eye... take a break... lips... cell... etc...

I take about 2 full hours from start to finish. That includes; showering, doing my makeup, putting on my padding/body shaping, styling any wig, packing a bag for my "night at work".

Do you have a favorite number you perform? Jessica Rabbit, I love doing it because it is the last think people will think of me coming out in.



Where can we see you perform? I am focusing on College so my performances are limited. I perform the first Friday of every month at Sportsmans in Lewiston ME. I also work the second Saturday of every month at Hobo's Cafe & Lounge located on Salisbury Beach MA.

For booking dates and times please go to: www. myspace. com/ms_envy_2006

How did you first get into drag? Well I remember when I was little I used to prance around in my mothers heels, and I would wear my white t-shirts on my head like long hair. That was when I was 18, Envy was created by the help of my drag mother Amber Snow. I networked and became inspired by other drag queens like, Kris Knievil, Mizery, Lakia Mondale, RuPaul etc... I met friends and new family. My dear sister, Cidney Chanel passe away in 2003. After that I kept to myself and realized, Cidney would want me to be happy doing what I love. Which is performing for my community. I came back in 2004 full-time and took on the Chanel last name. I am very happy to say I have been doing drag for nearly 10 years, full-time for almost 5 years.

Who have been your biggest inspirations? My biggest support and inspiration is my mother, Linda. She is there for me 24-7. She supports me and comes to nearly all of my shows. I am so blessed to have her and she helps inspire me all of the time.

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen? What I am working on, and what I often preach is to be Humble. Although I am not perfect, I try to remember those who have helped me, and to respect all of my fellow entertainers.

I once heard someone say... "It is nice to be beautiful, but it is beautiful to be nice."

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? That's hard, there are so many places I want to go... I don't know if I can pick just one. I know my decision would be wherever I can go to meet as many of my "drag idols" as I can. For example, a national pageant, or at someones bar when there is a pageant being held with many entertainers I aspire to be like!

What is something that might surprise us all about you? I have many things that will shock you... I am a very private person... I have a real bad phobia with spiders.

What makeup items could you not live without? My brushes.

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? I design and create all of my clothes. I learned how to sew by watching many friends and colleagues design and sew their own clothing.

Wig wise, I have a background in hairdressing. I have been a hairdresser for 10 years. I educated for Wella and L'Oreal Professional for almost 3 years. And I have educated for 4 years. I LOVE WIGS and designing. I do custom made wigs, and have started my own design company called "Envy Chanel Designs".

I make dance hair, updo's, funky fashions, avante guard etc... I can be reached by email ms_envy_chanel@yahoo.com.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? Winning the title of Miss New Hampshire Pride 2006. It was the first time my mother saw me in person in drag. And the first time my Mom saw me win a title.



To find out more about Envy check out her myspace page at www. myspace. com/ms_envy_2006

Queen of the Week - Anya Genetalya

Anya is yet another queen I met through the Rupaul's Drag Race site (I promise I'll get to queens that weren't from that site eventually, but there are just so many lovely ladies I met on there). She is an absolute sweetheart and reminds me a lot of myself when I was getting started in NYC. Here is a little bit about Anya Genetalya!

Name: Anya Genetalya

Age: 28

Location: New London, CT

Single or taken? Single!

What is your drag style like? I'm a very casual, laid-back queen that dresses up for special occasions... I love outfits that are short and spunky, nothing too over-the-top "drag queen"

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? Face can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, and dressing/accessorizing usually takes about 20 minutes, so it's about an hour to an hour-and-a-half process total.

Do you have a favorite number you perform? I love performing "Life of the Party" from Wild Party!

Where can we see you perform? You can find me about 2 Saturdays a month at O'Neill's Brass Rail in New London, CT.

How did you first get into drag? I started like many did, Halloween. As I got more comfortable with it I started coming out for occasional shows... and now I help run the shows!

Who have been your biggest inspirations? Ordinary people that do drag for fun! It IS possible to be ALL boy and still look fabulous in a dress, and I love people that are comfortable as queens AND as boys.

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen?
1)Do LOTS of research- there are a million pictures of drag queens on the net and you can learn a lot from looking at hundreds of them.
2)Don't immediately try for the "sexy schoolgirl" look, "normal" clothes are best to start until you find your persona.
3)Splurge on the more expensive wig until you know how to make one look good!

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I would love to perform for my old friends on South Beach, because I've really matured as a person and performer since I left and I'd love for them to see that.



What is something that might surprise us all about you? Hmmm... well, when I first started doing drag, my friends wanted to name me 'Golda Showers'... I'll let you figure it out!

What makeup items could you not live without? A good foundation, a nice set of lashes and a dark rouge. I think I could make a complete face with just those three things.

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? Not yet, but I'm working on that. I have dabbled in creating some of my own stuff, but it's been very basic at the moment. I love the idea of being able to make something just the way I want it.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? To date, my favorite moment in drag was my performance of "New York, New York" that I did for RuPaul's Drag Race. The energy I brought to the stage and the enthusiasm I got from the audience was priceless! I will never forget the feeling.

What else should we know about you? I have a degree in music and theatre from the University of Miami and am hoping to start a career in theatre in the very near future... NYC, here I come!



To find out more about Anya check out her myspace page.

Queen of the Week - Diamond Dunhill

Diamond Dunhill was a huge crowd favorite on the Rupaul's Drag Race site. Nobody dedicated more time to saying hi to everyone and making friends. She currently resides in Florida, but the girl gets around and currently has shows planned in both Chicago and Boston. Here is a little more about Diamond Dunhill!

Name: Diamond "DD" Dunhill

Age: I'm "28" On MySpace til My"Real" Birthday... July 31!

Location: From Maine To Miami... Currently In Hollywood U.S.A. (...Florida!)

Single or taken? Single

What is your drag style like? Um... I Guess I Emulate What I Look Like & Conduct Myself As The Woman I Would Most Likely Be If I Was "24/7".

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? 2 minutes to Shave, 17 minutes to Paint & 1 to Duct Tape!

Do you have a favorite number you perform? Simply Anything By My Idol Donna Summer.

Where can we see you perform? Every Wednesday through Saturday in Hollywood, Florida @ Trixies Hollywood ShowBar PLUS Every Sunday @ Bill's Trannie Palace Sundays in Wilton Manors/Ft Lauderdale Florida.

How did you first get into drag? I was the promoter of Boston's 1st & Only Gay Asian Night "Dragon Tea Dance" in Hometown Boston, Massachusetts. Because I was/am too shy to Host/Emcee on stage as a boy, I was painted and Diamond Dunhill was born Sunday September 19, 1999.

Who have been your biggest inspirations? Donna Summer foremost. The legacy of My Sister Zola who watches My career from NYC. The guidance and strength From My Mother & Tip-C from Above.



What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen? Passion. Niceness (is that a word?). Class before Trash! (Switch things up later in Life!)

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? On TV... An Audience i could reach like Donna Summer did when i grew up! I wanted to be just like her!

What is something that might surprise us all about you? I Eat ALL the time, I Don't Know How to Drive & I'm "28" On MySpace!

What makeup items could you not live without? Anything M-A-C (Cosmetics) especially Carbon, Smolder, Nightmoth, Flammable, Fascinating &... DUCT TAPE!

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? No, I Have Friends like Franchesque Richards assist me.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? Currently... the adoration & respect from the recent RuPaul Drag Race On-Line Voting Poll Site.

What else should we know about you? Very Sensitive, Love What I Do & Will Smile Forever!
YOWSAH!
...and I LOVE Dunkin' Donuts!!





To find out more about Diamond Dunhill check out her myspace page.

"Queen of the Week" - Nina Flowers

This weeks featured queen is one of the fiercest around! She was a dominating force on the Rupaul's Drag Race website and can be seen at circuit events around the country. But even with all her success she has remained an incredibly down to earth and humble person and that is one of the greatest things about her! Here in her own words...Nina Flowers!

Name: Jorge Flores, better known as Nina Flowers

Age: 34

Location: Denver, CO

Single or taken? Taken

What is your drag style like? Androgynous, High energy, Creative and Innovative

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? 2 hours for makeup and 1 hour to get dressed and final details

Do you have a favorite number you perform? “Outta Love” by Anastasia and “100% Pure Love” by Crystal Waters

Where can we see you perform? Every Sunday Night at Club Charlies in Denver, CO or the famous YouTube – Just type “Nina Flowers”

How did you first get into drag? First time I every wore makeup was at makeup school, and after that it became really fun to do it just to go clubbing

Who have been your biggest inspirations? Nina Hagen, Boy George, Pete Burns, Cyndi Lauper, Anny Lennox, and many other great performers from the 80s




What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen? Learn to do your makeup, Learn the words to the songs you perform, and never copy anyone for you should create your own style.

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? As a DJ I constantly travel to circuit parties which I believe are great events to perform in because of all the energy that is involved. One of my favorite circuit parties that I’d love to perform is Alegria that takes place in New York City.

What is something that might surprise us all about you? I love performing and I love the preparation, but once I get off stage, I believe the magic is gone, so I really don’t feel comfortable hanging out in drag – I’d rather just leave it for the stage.

What makeup items could you not live without? Black eye shadow, clown white for my highlights, tarantula eyelashes, pearl eye shadows, black cherry lip liner, MAC brushes and lots of glitter.

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? Yes, I’m pretty independent and I like designing my clothes and making them, I also make my head pieces, as well as my own mixes.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? Performing at Gay Pride in Puerto Rico, and winning the Miss Puerto Rico Continental Pageant.

What else should we know about you? Besides all the glamour from this craft, I consider myself humble and real. I love helping other entertainers, and enjoy sharing my knowledge. I also enjoy learning from others. I started 15 years ago, and I’m still learning, I love it!
Be fierce, be great but be real and never forget where you came from.



To see more about Nina Flowers check out her myspace page.

"Queen of the Week" - Pandora Boxx

One of the greatest things that has come out of the Rupaul's Drag Race casting experience is that I have been able to connect and become friends with some incredibly talented queens from across the country! Many of these girls I might have never met or even heard of due to living in different cities. I started thinking about ways that we could get more exposure for drag queens outside of their hometowns and that led me to the idea for my new weekly blog installment, "Queen of the Week".

I will be featuring a different drag queen every week from various cities across the country (and around the world too eventually)! If you are an actively performing drag queen and are interested in being featured shoot me an email at artemis@artemischase.com

Now on to our very first interview!



Pandora Boxx was one of the finalists on the Rupaul's Drag Race site! Her hilarious videos and standout humor caught many people's attention (including mine) and she quickly became a crowd favorite. But enough of me talking about her. Let's hear a little bit about Pandora in her own words!

***Pandora Boxx***

Age:

21 - O, after 21 I went to letters

Location:

Rochester, NY

Single or taken?

Taken

What is your drag style like?

Take a dash of sexy, a pinch of pretty and a touch of sass and shake it up and serve it over a big heap of hilarity.

How long does it take you to get ready in drag?

About 10 hours and a team of mules

Do you have a favorite number you perform?

It changes all the time. Right now I really enjoy doing my crazy Britney number. I hope she stays crazy. Is that wrong?

Where can we see you perform?

You can see me nightly on various street corners tap dancing for nickels or if you prefer a venue inside I perform weekly at Muther's (www.clubmuthers.com) in Rochester. The best way to know where I'll be is to check my calender at www.myspace.com/pandoraboxx

How did you first get into drag?

I was wafting through a field of poppies one day, when I fell through a hole disguised as a flower petal pile. As I fell a long two feet to the bottom I landed in a pile of wigs and glitter. After climbing out of the pile I had to walk across a floor of high heeled shoes, a pair of which slipped onto my dainty feet. Sashaying down a darkened corridor, streams of sequined fabric draped from the ceiling and quickly wrapped around my body. As I began to run they ripped from the walls and clung to my body. Ahead of me I saw daylight but before I could reach it I received a quick genital... uh... er... adjustment from a piece of rogue duct tape. After I finally emerged from this pit of drag, I realized I had been forever changed.

Who have been your biggest inspirations?

Madonna, Dolly Parton, Courtney Love, Kathy Griffin, you know all the great drag queens.



What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen?

Don't do it! Seriously though, research it. Learn about makeup. Watch what people are wearing. go to as many drag shows as you can. Practice. Practice. Practice. And above all realize there is an audience there and they want to be entertained. This isn't your bedroom anymore. Give them what they want to see. Don't know? Ask them! And I'm not saying your friends! The main show isn't on stage, it's how you talk to people off stage!

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

I'd love to perform in Japan or Europe, maybe Great Britain! I love Japanese culture and I am fascinated by it! I also love British humor and they seem to have less hangups then we do here. Honestly though it doesn't matter where I perform as long as there is an audience that wants to be entertained and have a good time. That's really all it's about.

What is something that might surprise us all about you?

I'm a huge dork. I'm a bit of a computer geek and I really love Sci-fi! I'm addicted to Doctor Who (the newer version. David Tennant is a hottie!) and Torchwood and Battlestar Galactica.

What makeup items could you not live without?

Black eye shadow! MAC makes the best in my opinion. False eyelashes, I can't imagine being without a pair or three! The biggest thing is my makeup brushes. Really good makeup brushes are the key! I use Trish McEvoy brushes and I've had them for years and they are still in excellent condition. Take care of your brushes and they will last for a long time.

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc?

Yes, yes and yes. I don't make all of my clothes (some I do buy) but I do make quite a lot of them. I really love fashion and being able to imagine something in my mind and then create it for real. I'm not the best sewer and I don't know all the technical stuff with sewing but I think I get by quite well. I'd love to learn more and be able to design even better ensembles. I went to Cosmetology school so I know a bit about hair too. I really didn't like touching and washing people's heads so my career ended there. I also thought ok I can only handle one gay stereotype not all of them! I'm glad I have the knowledge though because it helps me create come fun styles. And for the etc. part I also make all my own mixes for shows and lately I've been incorporating video into my act as well. I'd love to do more videos and really combined my live act with video all the time. I work in television and I love it. It's really the medium I see myself going further with.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag?

There's two really. The first was when I won Miss Rochester. I had work really, REALLY hard to win and I had previously tried three times before. The local paper also did a story about me and entering the pageant. In it, I had said I wasn't going to enter again. After I said that and it was in print I thought, "Oh shit! I better really win! This is it!" So after about 5.5 hours of the pageant I actually did win! It was one of the highest attended years and when I did my talent number I really felt like I was in a rock concert. It was really exciting.

The second one was being chosen to be on a VH1 documentary about drag queens called "Boys Will Be Girls." They followed five queens around in their life and then made it into an hour long show. I was featured as the Madonna impersonator. It was so much fun and the actual show turned out fabulously! It was cool because for the three days they shot it, radio stations were calling, newspapers, so many people. Of course, once they left my phone didn't ring for about two days and I thought, "oh no my fifteen minutes is already up!" I figure that was about 2.5 minutes of my 15. I'm waiting for the other 12.5!

What else should we know about you?

You should know I created a public access & internet sketch comedy television show called "the GAY (means happy) SHOW!" It's really campy and fun and features and features some amazingly talented drag queens from Rochester (who new this small city would have such a talented drag scene). You can watch skits from the show at youtube.com/gayshow and full episodes will be coming to www.pandoraboxx.com very soon!



Thanks so much to Pandora for taking the time to answer all our random questions! Stay tuned to Logo early next year to see if she makes it onto "Rupaul's Drag Race" and check out her website or myspace to stay up to date on everything else Pandora!