Interview with a Superstar!
Michelle Michaels
VR: Who is Michelle Michaels?
MM: Michelle is a character that a shy guy named Shawn created to be able to be more outgoing, show what’s on the inside, and be onstage entertaining. She is a dancer, can get nasty or have high class depending on the surroundings. She’s just a good ole girl who enjoys having a good time and watching others enjoy themselves.
VR: Where are you living these days?
MM: I currently reside in Greenville, NC (for those who don’t know where that is think ECU).
VR: I know this is a hard question, but can you tell us what your life has been about, say that last 5 years or so, if not longer?
MM: Wow I barely remember last year much less 5 years, let me think. 5 Years ago I was living in Las Vegas, NV. I performed at many of the gay bars under the name “Vampira” as well as Michelle. I was studying at UNLV for a degree in Dance Choreography. From there I have been to blessed to have won titles such as Miss Central Tx @ Large, Barbie Girl Millennium, Las Vegas Mardi Gras and others. I moved to Greenville, NC in 2002 and was not welcomed with open arms. I fought to make it in this state and finally 2 years later I was crowned as the cities titleholder Miss Greenville USofA. I have since went on to win Miss Voo Doo Goddess and Share the title of Miss Wilmington USofA.
VR: When you were growing up and each morning you would look in the mirror, did you feel that was the wrong person looking back at you?
MM: I wouldn’t necessarily say the wrong person as much as I would say a person who hadn’t been given the chance to grow. I have always been the type that didn’t feel right and never knew why. As each year passes I become more comfortable with the person I see in the mirror, maybe just because I see Michelle more than I do Shawn.
VR: Who was your inspiration when you were growing up?
MM: Paula Abdul. I fell in love with her choreography styles. I always applauded entertainers who could do more than one thing.
VR: At what age did you start doing drag?
MM: 1 week before my 18th birthday, actually on a dare. The club hostess and I were friends and it was Halloween armature night. We made the bet that I couldn’t last one number. If I won I moved into the house & had free rent for 3 months, if I lost I paid double rent to cover hers. She put the makeup in front of me and told me I had 1 hr before I went on stage. I went out looking like a cracked out Gloria Estefan. My first number was Black Velvet. Well not only did I last the number I also won the contest, 7 years later I’m still going.
VR: Did you have someone to help you along at the start?
MM: I never truly had a drag mother, but what I did was go every weekend to the dressing rooms and offered to dress the entertainers. I would sit and watch them paint and learn so many different styles. With all the traveling I do I still find myself sitting back and watching the big names get ready just to learn new things. I always stand behind the fact that you never know everything there is, if you think you do your career is probably about to end.
VR: Are you a full time lady now?
MM: No, I still live my life as Shawn, I consider myself a bi-sexual’s Dream. I go home as a Male but I go out as a female, talk about the best of both worlds.
VR: I see you have performed all over the country, is there any one place you care for above the others?
MM: There have been two locations that I felt like home and that the staff and cast was a family. I got my start at Club Krosover in Killeen,TX. That truly was home. I miss it badly. The other is the one I am program director at now, Club Barcode in Greenville, NC. This town is where I had to fight the hardest to pay my dues so I am thankful and enjoy what I have done.
VR: Who do you admire these days?
MM: Kirby Kolby, Dana St James, Chi Chi Larue
VR: I was looking at your website, I see you have a lot of titles over the last few years, is there anyone that you are more proud of than the others?
MM: The one that is the dearest to my Heart is the Miss Greenville USofA. I am the emeritus.
VR: What has been your biggest accomplishment?
MM: Still performing this long. A lot of people give up after the hurt and battling I went through. It just makes me fight harder.
VR: Do you have any pet peeves?
MM: Queens who have the “Im a diva” Attitude when they haven’t even won an armature night. Come on now.
VR: Do you think you are a nice person or do you think you can be a bitch at times?
MM: Shawn is a nice person, Michelle is a bitch but hey it works for me. I can be your best friend but don’t cross me because then it’s on.
VR: What do you think makes you stand out above others?
MM: I try to be unique. I don’t mind getting involved with the crowd and jumping up on there table or pulling someone on stage. I’m a people person and love making the crowd feel like there part of the show instead of just viewing it.
VR: Do you get nervous when you are asked to speak to a group or perform on stage?
MM: No I feel more comfortable on stage than I do off. I host many shows a month and love being able to talk “shit” and get people going.
VR: Would you ever consider SRS(reassignment surgery) or do you enjoy being a male playing a lady on stage only?
MM: I have been on hormones before and seriously considered going transgender but financially it is not the right time. I dont want to start it without being able to finish it.
VR: Are you in love now and if so, can you share that with us?
MM: Nope I haven’t dated in the past 2-3 years. I would love to have someone special in my life but I don’t deal with BS. I don’t need a man but I would like one.
VR: Where do you see yourself in the future?
MM: I don’t think about the future I live in the here and now. You are not guaranteed anything beyond the moment. Live each day like its your last and never have regrets.
VR: Do you consider yourself a transgender person or just a performer that does his/her act in a dress?
MM: Is it possible to be both? I feel like I am a lot happier as Michelle and would love to live my life as her but sometimes I do enjoy being Shawn.
VR: What do you think you have to offer the transgender community, anything at all?
MM: Support! Applause! Thankfulness! and Gratitude!
VR: What words of wisdom would you give to someone who is reaching out for help?
MM: Don’t ever take no. If you want help fight for it. Don’t demand it but ask it.
VR: Do you have a final statement, for our readers?
MM: Thanks for taking the time to read about me and hopefully people come and see what I’m all about. Never judge a book by its cover although I play a bitch onstage look past my charade and get to know the real me. Yes the makeup does come off and there is a caring person underneath. Same goes for a lot of entertainers. Get to know us, not the club us but us.
