100 of the Most Influential Gay Entertainers

Jenettha J. Baines

a-argus books, 2010 - Biography & Autobiography - 340 pages

Original couture fashion design. Flawless makeup. Perfectly executed performances. Attention-commanding stage presence. This is only the beginning of what makes an entertainer engaging and truly memorable. Welcome to a backstage pass into the intimate details of the lives of some of the world's most influential gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and inter-sexed entertainers. These are their stories. Discover their fears and motivations. Experience the joy, excitement and fascination of working in the entertainment business.

These entertainers are locally appreciated, nationally known, and world traveled. They have performed everywhere from small smoke-filled clubs to Las Vegas stages. Their impact on the GLBTQI (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, inter-sexed) communities in the United States and around the world is immeasurable. Entertainers such as RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Nina Flowers, Ongina, and Rebecca Glasscock; legendary performers Mr. Charlie Brown from the infamous Backstreets of Atlanta; Tommie Ross and Hawaiian Goddess Dina Jacobs; celebrity impersonators Hot Chocklate as Tina Turner, Coti Collins as Reba McIntyre, Leigh Shannon as Bette Miller, and Andy "6-Pak" Citino as Kid Rock; Queen of Hawaii Tiana Anderson, Queen of Bermuda Sybil Barrington; the many faces of Tasha Long; the mother of Atlanta Niesha Dupree; female-to-male illusionists Romance St. James and Gage Gatlyn; the multi-talented actress and star of "The Dred Love Experience", MilDred "DRED" Gerestant; the beautiful and talented Raquell Lord, Erica Andrews and Stasha Sanchez; "at large" Kelexis Davenport, Chelsea Pearl and former Alvin Ally student and house music diva Ebonee Excell; New York actress and comedian Harmonica Sunbeam and her sidekick Sugga Pie Koko, and the greatest femme and stud promoters of all time, Miss Theresa from New Jersey, Regina Franklin from Atlanta, Madison from New York, and many, many more entertainers across the United States and beyond!

Contents

• Introduction to the Stars: 1
• The Legends: 5
• Dina Jacobs: 7
• Lisa King: 14
• Fritz Capone: 18
• Mr Charlie Brown: 20
• Samantha Hunter: 24
• Hot Chocolate: 28
• Tina DeVore: 32
• Carmella Marcella Garcia: 35
• Leigh Shannon: 39
• Taisha Khan: 43
• Misty Stevens: 46
• Lawanda Jackson: 49
• Tony DeSario: 52
• Tommy Ross: 55
• Jennifer Warner: 58
• Coti Collins: 61
• Niesha Dupree: 65
• Jessica Raye: 68
• Tracee McDaniel: 72
• The Beautiful Ones Featuring Maya Douglas: 76
• Maya Douglas: 77
• Erica Andrews: 81
• Tiana Anndersen: 83
• The Lady Marissa: 87
• Ebonee Sherry: 89
• Mercedes Alexander: 91
• Bianca Nicole: 94
• Melania: 98
• Savannah Leigh: 101
• Stasha Sanchez: 104
• Rebecca Glasscock: 107
• Leading Men Featuring Jerwan Bonet: 111
• Andrew 6Pak Citino: 115
• Christopher Iman: 119
• Archie Bonet: 121
• Tyjuan Davis: 125
• Kavon Iman: 129
• Zavior TravezMays: 131
• Simba R Hall: 134
• Nathan Brooks: 139
• Neaundre BonetDupree: 142
• Marlowe Rainbow: 145
• Damoni Dickerson: 147
• The Showstoppers Featuring Necole Luv Dupree: 150
• MilDred DRED Gerestant: 153
• Goddess Raven: 157
• Tasha Long: 160
• Sybil Barrington Queen of Bermuda: 162
• Domanique Shapelle: 168
• Goddess Blaize: 170
• Ebonee Excell: 172
• Sasha Colby: 175
• Coco Montrese: 178
• Hershae Chocolatae: 182
• Shae Shae LaReese: 186
• Nina Flowers: 190
• Ongina: 194
• Comedians MCs and Promoters: 197
• Harmonica Sunbeam: 199
• Edna Jean Robinson: 201
• Sophia Buttercup: 204
• Regina Franklin: 206
• Chicagos Heavy Diva Otis Mack: 212
• Mz Ruff N Stuff: 214
• Madison the Promoter: 218
• Janessa Jaye Champagne: 222
• Comedian PT: 225
• Ms Theresa: 228
• Sugga Pie Koko: 232
• FemaletoMale Illusionists: 236
• Shon Franklin Thomas: 238
• Gage Gatlyn: 239
• Billie Jean: 243
• Sergio Buchanan: 246
• Captn: 248
• Xander Kinidy: 250
• Tanyun Montage: 252
• Tai: 254
• Owen McCord: 256
• Dylan Gauge: 260
• Romance St James: 264
• Stefon Royce Iman: 266
• Panama Jack: 268
• Butch Kelly: 270
• Sir Erick LaRue: 272
• Maxx Lixgood: 274
• At Large Featuring Kelexis Davenport: 277
• Chelsea Pearl: 281
• Desiree DeMornay: 284
• Lady Deception: 288
• Victoria Parker: 291
• Dorae Saunders: 295
• Tamara Chevalier: 298
• Dena Cass: 303
• Victoria LePaige: 306
• Charity Case: 308
• Erica Renee Christian: 311
• Chevelle Brooks: 315
• Later Chevelle invited her mother to see her compete in the: 316
• Nova The Goddess: 319
• Teneshia St James: 325
• Meet our Author: 329

About the author

Jenettha Baines was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida along with four other siblings. After graduating from Paxon Senior High in 1981, she joined the U.S. Army and became a personnel management specialist and later an executive administrative assistant. In 1986 she received the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious, Outstanding Soldier of the Month, and MVP for the United States Army Garrison Women's Basketball Team. During that same year, she was promoted to sergeant/E-5 and decided to pursue her dream as a policewoman. After receiving an honorable discharge, she was hired by Georgia's DeKalb County Police Department from 1987 to 1997 where she attained the rank of master patrol officer. She also performed duties as an undercover street level narcotics officer and a community-oriented police officer. After resigning and relocating to Virginia Beach, Virginia in hopes of working with another department, Jenettha was diagnosed with Lupus in 1997 and suffered a crisis for nearly four years. Since living with the disease for nearly thirteen years, she has learned how to manage the pain while devoting much of her time to writing, surfing the internet, and enjoying life with her partner Kelli and their miniature pincher Noah.

Bibliographic information

• Title: 100 of the Most Influential Gay Entertainers
• Author: Jenettha J. Baines
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: a-argus books, 2010
• ISBN: 0984619550, 9780984619559
• Length: 340 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / General; Performing Arts / General; Performing Arts / Theater / General; Performing Arts / Theater / Stagecraft & Scenography