Stout, Stout, Get it Worked Out!
Box Office Review: American Teens Are Morons
Intrepid L.A. Foodies Tackle 11-in-11 Nocturnal Challenge
Will This Go to Trial and Move to L.A., too? BART Cop Smashes Drunk Guy's Head through Window
Books for L.A. Nerds: Saints of California
Tammie Brown (Tom Andrews/LAist)
Tammie Brown was eliminated in episode 2 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” but that didn’t stop her from turning sour grapes into the sweet champagne of success. She will be performing alongside Drag Race winner BeBe Zahara Benet at tonight’s Real Fruit Tour stop at Eleven Restaurant and Bar.
Your fame has definitely increased since your appearances on RuPaul’s show. Did you come away from the experience on a positive note, or were you just upset at being eliminated so early in the competition?
TB: It was fine. I didn’t want to be there any longer, so I was ready to get out of there when I did.
That’s the impression we got! In episode two, when you were asked to “lip-sync for your life” to Michelle Williams’ “We Break the Dawn,” you deliberately chose not to sing. Why was that?
TB: Well, because I didn’t have a niche for that song. And I wasn’t in the right venue where I could clown off and do something clown-like that I would do at any venue regionally or in the southland where I perform at. It wasn’t the sort of location where I could have some fun and put myself on the line like that.
Are you saying the show was more sterile than what you’re used to?
TB: I thought the show was very sterile compared to the drag that I’m used to or that I’ve seen in movies. It was lacking in the art and camp aspect as well.
Of the drag performers who’ve influenced you, who were some who had those aspects and that energy?
TB: Well, I started actually with liking Tina Turner, and then Josephine Baker. But then there’s Lypsinka, and Coco Peru, and Jackie Beat. And Varla Jean Merman.
You were marketed as sort of the classy, Hollywood-glamour type of drag queen. Do you think that accurately depicts who you are?
TB: Well, I think that’s accurate in a sense, but I didn’t really have enough time to switch around and do a lot of things. I consider myself more bohemian, actually.
Do you think maybe the show’s challenges didn’t capture that side of you?
TB: For sure, they didn’t. We weren’t allowed to really express ourselves in those challenges.
Were there some friends that you made when you were there?
TB: I made friends with almost everybody! It was only Akashia I had problems with. It was more her not wanting to be friends with me, because I’d lend her a lot of supplies! I got along with Nina Flowers, and I’m really close with Pork Chops, which is Victoria Parker. And I’m excited that I’m going to be working with BeBe and Ongina! And I’m been helping some of the girls who are local—well, Ongina—get bookings in this area. We’re doing the gay pride parade here in Long Beach with BeBe, and Monday night I’m always at the Here Lounge.
Were you happy for BeBe? Did you think out of all the people remained after you left, she deserved it the most?
TB: Oh yeah, whoever stayed and played the game deserved it!
It sounds like there must not be too much bad blood between you and the makers of the show if you’re participating in this event on Friday.
TB: Well, actually these events have nothing to do with the makers of the show. They have more to do with VH1, Logo, and Absolut Vodka.
So it’s disconnected from RuPaul. Do you still have good feelings towards RuPaul?
TB: I’ve been viewing him 50/50 for the past few years. I’ve seen him live, and you know, he is who he is and he does what he does. Sometimes when I see drag, I’m not as happy with some of the artists as I was watching them on TV or hearing about their legend. Sometimes they’re not up to par when they’re live.
That’s certainly true.
TB: It IS true, a lot of the time! I just went to see a real famous drag queen the other day, and the show was just minimal! Whereas I’ve seen Jackie Beat—her show is always 100%, and she always has fresh, new material. Other queens go out and do things, well, half-assed!
It seems that even only twenty, twenty-five years ago, drag was largely based on actual singing, and now it’s based on lip-synching. Is that a travesty?
TB: I think it’s okay, but I think there should be more singing. I’m on the forefront with that. I actually have a new album right now, Popcorn, on iTunes!
From the show itself, what was the most positive thing you brought away from the experience?
TB: The publicity, and making friends, and my Mac Cosmetics box, for sure!
Is there anything else you think our readers should know?
TB: Just not to judge drag, to really not judge it! There’s so many people out there. And it’s an expression of life!
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Post a comment (Comment Policy)