Scarlett Dailey

SD: I currently reside in beautiful Wilmington NC
VR: I know this is a hard question, but can you tell us what your life has been about, say the last 5-10 years?
SD: I have been so blessed to have been able to compete, travel, perform in clubs throughout the country for 25 years, but the last 10 have been some of the most eventful
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?
SD. I always felt different from the other kids I think I always knew I was gay and I loved to be in plays in school, so when I got older female impersonation gave me the outlet to perform.
VR: Who was your inspiration growing up?
SD: I would have to say my mother. She still loves and supports me even though I wear dresses for a living…lol!
VR: Did you have a hard life growing up like a lot of us, by that I mean teased and bullied by the kids in school?
SD: Oh God yes. School was a horrible experience for me. I would dread getting up and riding the bus to school because I had a hour ride in the morning to school and an hour ride home and the whole trip I was called fag, sissy, queer and was beat up and mentally harassed. I could not eat breakfast in the morning because my stomach was in knots from my nerves of having to face the school day and the abuse. Kids are so cruel to kids verbally and physically. To this day I still cant eat breakfast until I’ve been awake several hours.
VR: Do you consider yourself transgendered or a female impersonator?
SD: I consider my self as a female impersonator VR: How long have you been a performer in the art of female impersonation?
SD: November 2005 was 25 years for me!
VR: How did you get started?
SD: Right after I came out of the closet I went to a gay bar with friends and there was a drag show. I was amazed…so my friends dared to me to do it some time, so my 3rd time out in a gay bar I was in a dress, and what a mess I looked…lol!
VR: I know you have many many titles to your name, is there any one that stands above the others in your heart?
SD: When I was crowned Miss Gay World in 1985 I felt I had won the impossible dream. I learned a lot from being Miss World and it gave me the ability to travel and see the country, be in a movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and perfect my craft. But I was only 22 then so I felt I still wanted to compete. So I guess being Miss Gay North Carolina America has been a 25 year dream that finally became a reality to me in late 2005. so I would say being Miss North Carolina America is a lifelong dream that means so much to me!
VR: What has been your biggest accomplishment to date, not just in the drag world but in life in general?
SD: To be successful. We all strive to be the best we can be and I am so lucky to have the love and respect of the audiences, bar owners and fellow entertainers, so I feel that is a great accomplishment
VR: Do you have any pet peeves?
SD: Yes….being punctual, honest and sincere
VR: Do you think you are a nice person or do you think you can be a bitch at times?
SD: Overall I feel I am a nice person. I live by “its nice to be important but its much more important to be nice”. If I come across as a bitch it’s because someone has aggravated me to that point…lol
VR: Who do you admire these days?
SD: Well first I admire my mother because of having to deal with my crazy ass for all these years. Then there are numerous people who are influential in my life I admire in other ways
VR: What do you think makes you stand out above others?
SD: Unpredictability! When you catch one of my shows you never know what you may see. I love being unpredictable. Hey, its kept me working now for 25 years so I hope its working!
VR: Do you get nervous when you are asked to speak to a group or perform on stage?
SD: In school I was petrified when I had to public speak, but doing drag has given me the experience to be able to be an emcee, an activist and a public speaker for the gay community
VR: Are you in love now?
SD: NO!! I still hope one day I will be in love again but as of this time, there is not any special man that really has my attention.
VR: Where do you see yourself in the future?
SD: I am always up for new and exciting adventures. I’d love to perform for a month or 2 on a cruise ship or a dream is to have a drag show restaurant in San Francisco, called that southern drag show featuring good ole southern drag queens, serving up good southern cooking!
VR: What do you think you have to offer the transgender or gay community, anything at all?
SD: I always try to listen and give friendly advice to all the different members of the community. Sometimes trans gendered kids feel so alone and don’t really know where to get advise. I try to share with them where to get shoes in our size, or wigs, tights, makeup etc. Just sharing a little knowledge sometimes means the world or just a friendly smile.
SD: Scarlett Ohara, from Gone with the wind because she was a strong willed determine southern woman, much like myself.
VR: Can you recommend us a motivating or inspirational book. that has changed your perception about the world?
SD: The Bible, when all else fails there is always the right scripture to get you through.
VR: What words of wisdom would you give to someone who is reaching out for help?
SD: Take this very serious if you are creating an illusion or unleashing a hidden you. You create what people will see you as and take pride in what you do. If you desire to, then do it. It is your life and you deserve to live it your way
VR: Do you have a final statement, for our readers?
SD: Thanks so much for the opportunity to do this interview as I love the art of female impersonation, traveling and meeting new and wonderful people, a special thanks to Vicki for such an informative site that keeps the art and the legends alive forever. I hope to see you in a town near you soon.
I tried to get her to tell us about all the titles she has won over the years and you would think being in the business over 25 years she would have a few…everyone has a few here and there. This is going to rock your socks boys and girls, I did my homework and went looking on her website for the list… check out below all the titles she has won and after 25 years in the business she is still winning titles…girls take a lesson here!
She started before some of you were born and is still winning them today! Do you think she learned that “maybe with a little hard work I can win this title if I try hard, add a little extra effort here and there!”
Here is the list:
1985-86 Miss NC World
1985-86 Miss Gay World
1986-87 Miss Atlanta
1987-88 Miss Southeast
1988-89 Miss Scandals
1988-89 Miss Friends Lounge
1988-89 Miss Tidewater Virginia
1989-90 East Coast Entertainer Of The Year
1989-90 Miss College Cue Club
1989-90 Miss Continental Virginia
1989-90 Miss Fayetteville USofA
1990-91 Rockingham County Queen Of Hearts
1990-91 Miss Durham-Chapel Hill America
1990-91 Miss Southeast USofA
1991-92 Miss Virginia USofA
1991-92 Miss Gay USofA Top
12 Finalist1991-92 Miss Atlantic Coast America
1991-92 Wilmington’s Entertainer Of The Year
1991-92 Miss North Carolina Azalea Festival
1991-92 Miss Friends Lounge
1992-93 Miss Jacksonville USofA
1992-93 Miss Port City
1993-94 Miss Cosmopolitan NC
1993-94 Miss Greenville America
1994-95 Miss Friends Lounge
1994-95 Miss Independence
1994-95 Miss Jacksonville America
1995-96 Miss Mickey Ratz
1995-96 Miss Winter Fantasy
1996-97 Miss Cosmopolitan USofA
1996-97 Miss South Carolina USofA
1996-97 Miss Capital City America
1997-98 Greater Fayetteville Entertainer Of The Year
1997-98 Miss Capital City USofA
1998-99 Miss West Virginia USofA
1999-2000 Miss Legends
1999-2000 Miss North Carolina Gay Pride
2000-2001 Miss North Carolina Gay Pride
2002 Miss Rascals
2005 Miss Dickinson Ave Intersection
2006 Miss Gay North Carolina America
2006 Miss Time Out