CHARLIE HIDES
Who or what were the biggest influences for you growing up? Once upon a time, a young man had court ordered electroshock therapy and promptly forgot his childhood. Then, the man who lived in the van under the bridge down by the river. Free Candy! The first time you put on a dress? I was an altar boy, so we wore frocks every Sunday. How about the first time you did it professionally? March 17, 1989. I hosted a St. Patrick’s Day Party at Club Cafe in Boston and screened my first short film. When the owner handed me a pile of cash from the door at the end of the night, I thought “Time to quit the day job!” Did you have a drag mother? If so, please describe your experience. Mother Teresa was my drag mum. “Tess” and I used to go club hopping in Calcutta and knew all the places where you could pick up truckers. Favorite song to lip sync to? I always sing live, but I have been known to lip-sync to the chorus of my new single, “Don’t Call Us” (check out my YouTube video for the lyrics). Best or funniest “I fucked it up” moment? That time I got caught burning down the orphanage I was raised in. Ooops! What or who inspires you? Art, music, nature, pop culture, the lint in my
navel...Inspiration is all around us. What does drag mean to you, really? Drag is an act of protest, a political statement, as well as an increas- ingly relevant form of creative self-expression. Tell us the story of when you found out you’d made it inRPDR? I’d just flown into London from Boston and was jet lagged and half asleep when I got the call. I wasn’t sure what they were talking about for the first couple of minutes, so I had to ask them to repeat them- selves. When It hit me, I screamed, danced around the house and woke the neighbors. I’ve been on a high ever since. Most common misconceptions people have about drag artists?
That we are all university graduates with an advanced degree in Astrophysics. I’m hoping to debunk that myth. What do you hope people get from your performances? Entertained. My job is to engage them for as long as I’m asking for their attention. If they temporarily forget their cares and worries and their spirits are lifted, then I’ve done my job. And if I can get a free drink and bus fare home, I’m happy.
EUREKA O’HARA
Who or what were the biggest influences for you growing up? My granny and my mom. When I was bullied growing up, they taught me to laugh it off and be as positive as pos- sible. It really helped me live a better childhood. I love them so much! First time you put on a dress? I was 13 and convinced my mom to let me dress up like a girl at our mall’s Halloween event. I twirled through that mall and got my whole life… Just big as hell!! How about the first time you did it professionally? I made my mom and whole family come to my first Friday booking. I made a costume from sheets and did “Money Honey” by Lady Gaga and my wig fell off and the dress fell apart. But, my mom wasn’t the only one screaming at the top of her lungs for me, the audience did too! Did you have a drag mother? If so, please describe your experience. My drag mother is the amazing Jacqueline St. James, a former Miss Gay USofA at Large. She is an open trans woman and my rock. She believed in me when no one would and when I cried, she held me. I can’t explain how much my drag mother is my hero! I advise everyone to get a mentor, be they a drag mother, father, sister, or friend. Without guidance, I would have never made it this far! Favorite song to lip synch to? “Mamma Knows Best” by Jessie J... Really, anything by Jessie J! Best or funniest “I fucked it up” moment?
On my way to a booking, I was driv- ing through mountains and my car was overheating. I pulled over and looked under the hood and noticed a cap was steaming, so my dumb ass tried to twist the cap off and radiator fluid flew up my arm and side, giving me third degree burns! I had to drive another 10 miles—with my car overheating and my arm out the window—until I came to a Walgreens. I almost gave this elderly woman who worked there a heart attack, as I came in screaming and crying for burn relief spray! What or who inspires you? Everyone that survives this life. I am inspired by the emotion of people. People give me the strength to overcome my difficulties, because I see them do it daily. What does drag mean to you, really? I wanted to be a dancer growing up and with drag I’m not ridiculed because of my size, I am celebrated. Dancing and wowing my audiences is my drug. Most common misconceptions people have about drag artists? They are not cross-dressers. We do not dress up just to have sex with people! It is too hard to get out of drag and my big ass is too musty after a show to have sex in full drag! What do you hope people get from your performances? I just want to make people happy and entertain them. If I can inspire along the way, then “Hell yes!” I want people to stop being ashamed of who they are, their size and shape and all!
MARCH 2017 | RAGE monthly 21
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