To Be or Not To Be
a Female Impersonator
Teronce Styyles
mrstyyles@excapethematrix.com
I have to say this interview was one of the best to conduct by far. It was unpredictable, humorous, informative and an eye opener. I learned so much from this interview and can say that the person that I interviewed was funny, warm hearted, open minded and understanding. I hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I’ve had conducting it. Prepare yourself for the unexpected. You can’t say that I didn’t warn you. Read at your own risk.
TS: I apologize for taking you away from your clients. I’m so honored that you are willing to participate in this interview with me.
C/S: It’s cool. I’m excited to do this. Am I coming in clear?
TS: (Laughing) Yes you are. I’m just going to ask you a few questions. It’s going to be harmless.
C/S: Okay, sounds good.
TS: First question, who is Corey & Sabrina Blue?
C/S: Corey is a
gay man that lives in Maryland and Sabrina is a female impersonator who lives
inside of Corey.
I just love to entertain people; it’s like second nature to me.
TS: How did you come up with the name “Sabrina Blue?”
C/S: Well, I was hanging out in DC with a friend of mine by the name Alley Cat Blue. We became really good friends, so when I decided to be a female impersonator I had to come up with a female name and then a last name. So I took my favorite cousin’s first name, which is Sabrina, and Alley Cat’s last name, Blue, and created Sabrina Blue.
TS: Good stuff. What’s a typical day for Corey & Sabrina?
C/S: A typical day for Corey starts between the hours of 10am and 2pm, which depends on how much liquor went into his system the night before. He then goes to work and styles hair all day, being on his feet and dealing with menopausal women. After work he goes home and goes to bed. Sabrina’s typical day begins on a Sunday at 2pm in the afternoon in order to prepare for performances later in the evening.
TS: What’s the technical term for your profession? I heard so many terms such as illusionist, cross-dresser, etc. Please enlighten me on all of the terms.
C/S: It’s all the same to me. Now let me define a cross-dresser. A cross-dresser is a man that puts on women clothing and you can clearly see that he is a man, whereas a female impersonator looks like a woman from head to toe.
TS: When did you realize that you wanted to be a female impersonator?
C/S: It all started when I was a kid. I was infatuated with kids in the 90’s called “club kids.” I always wanted to be one of them as I got older. I would lip sync to a lot of songs and I got good at it. I thought to myself [that] I would really like to pursue this as a career. In 2002, that’s when I met Alley Kat and she thought it would be a great idea to start performing since I have a very animated personality. So I’ve been performing ever since for five years now.
TS: Who inspires you to perform?
C/S: Well, I have to say that Alley Kat groomed me as a performer but the music is what inspires me.
TS: What do you enjoy most about it?
C/S: Touching people and seeing someone cry over a song that I perform.
TS: Do your family and friends support your profession?
C/S: Oh hell
yeah, if I didn’t have the support I wouldn’t be having this interview with you.
We have specific type of people we are attracted to just like the next
person.
TS: What are your dreams/aspirations?
C/S: To be a celebrity hairstylist and make up artist. Really just being successful in whatever I decide to do.
TS: How do Corey and/or Sabrina handle rejection?
C/S: (Corey talking to Sabrina, actually he’s talking to himself) Sabrina, can you handle rejection? (Sabrina talking to Corey) Child, no. Sike. It’s a bullet to bite sometimes but we can handle correct rejection. If it’s down the wrong way you will get another reaction.
TS: Do you feel that female impersonators don’t receive enough recognition?
C/S: It depends on the type of people that female impersonators associate themselves with within the lifestyle.
TS: Do you get more support from the gay community then the heterosexual community?
C/S: I get more from the gay community because the heterosexual community has a stereotype of female impersonators. I do have some heterosexual fans because they took the time to understand what I do.
TS: Are those heterosexual people females?
C/S: Actually females and males.
TS: Wow, I would have never thought that you would have heterosexual male fans.
C/S: Yes, my heterosexual male fans will come out to the gay club and see me perform. They don’t have a problem with it because they are secure with their sexuality.
TS: Since, we touched base on that, why do you think heterosexual men are so homophobic?
C/S: Goes back to the stereotypes because a lot of heterosexual men think that all homosexual men want to get on their knees and give them head. They think all homosexual men are after them and that’s not the case at all. They fail to realize that we don’t like every man that we see. We have specific type of people we are attracted to just like the next person.
TS: Do you have to take the time for heterosexuals to understand your profession?
C/S: Heterosexual people can be really closed minded. They don’t want to deal with a gay person but when they meet someone such as me they give me my credit for what I do. I had a heterosexual man admire me after I performed and he was with his girlfriend. He was amazed that I was really a guy and I performed the way that I did.
TS: That’s how you know you have good talent.
C/S: When a straight man admires Sabrina I have done my job.
TS: I always wanted to know the answer to this question. Do you have to be a homosexual to be a female impersonator?
C/S: That’s a very good question. Look at Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo and Wesley Snipes. Even though Too Wong Foo was a movie they were female impersonators and they are heterosexual men. So no, I don’t think you have to be a homosexual to be a female impersonator.
TS: When and where was your first gig?
C/S: It was 2002 at the Bachelor’s Mill in DC for one of Shiquetta Lee’s events. I performed “You Are My Friend” by Patti Labelle and three months later I won Miss Bachelor’s Mill.
TS: Wow, that’s what’s up.
C/S: I came prepared and ready.
TS: How long will you continue to be in this profession?
C/S: I don’t know; as long as I can still perform.
TS: Are you tired of the profession?
C/S: I’ve taken a break. I’m picking and choosing what I do.
TS: Have you ever performed in the ball scene? You have to school me on all of the categories and things because I’m not into the ball scene personally.
C/S: I use to be in the ball scene. I use to walk butch queen up in drag realness.
TS: Now what does that mean?
C/S: It means a gay man dressed up in drag looking like a real woman.
TS: Wow, that’s a whole lot.
C/S: Yeah it is. This is a whole other topic to discuss in the magazine.
TS: I really need to get schooled on all the terminology because I get confused.
C/S: It’s a lot
going on with the ball scene. I always said that I just wanted to see what it
felt like and I did. The first three ball competitions I participated in I won
and the first pageant I did I won, so I was done and was over it. I didn’t get
wrapped up in all the madness. I just wanted to see what it was like.
TS: What has been your biggest disappointment and challenge since being in this profession?
C/S: I guess my biggest challenge is everyone coming together to support each other. My biggest disappointment is the diversity within the gay community.
TS: Why a female impersonator?
C/S: It was the easiest thing for me to embrace. For me to become someone’s secretary or law clerk would take me years to embrace (laughs). It’s not about the money. I just love to entertain people; it’s like second nature to me.
TS: What makes Corey or Sabrina uncomfortable? Doing this interview (laughs).
C/S: (Laughs) This is fun. I love it. No, but ignorance makes both Corey and Sabrina uncomfortable.
TS: What advice would you give those that are interested in becoming a female impersonator?
C/S: Come correct. If you are going to do it, do it well and don’t half step.
TS: What’s next for Corey and Sabrina?
C/S: Getting on stage in either a play or being involved in movies and television; basically becoming a well rounded entertainer.
TS: I heard you were awarded 2007-2008 Entertainer of the Year. How did you get nominated and how did it feel to win?
C/S: It felt good and it was an honor for the gay community to nominate me. To my understanding I was nominated first and then a recipient.
TS: Well, that concludes the interview with Mr. Corey & Ms. Sabrina Blue. Did you have a good time?
C/S: Yes, I had a lovely time. Thank you so much.
TS: You are quite welcome and thank you for taking time out of work schedule. Until next time, this is Teronce Styyles you have just been Excaped.