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Saturday, August 31, 2019
Friday, August 30, 2019
The Other Leading Man - Model Rob
 Before Charlie (lol), there was Model Rob. He and I are both from Detroit. We did some numbers together on show back in the day ie Rene & Angels's I'LL BE GOOD and Dennis Edward's & Siedah Garrett's Don't Look Any Further (both of which I reprised with Charlie in Florida- ha!). HOWEVER, I didn't get to work with Rob the Model till we reconnected here in Florida. His slideshow videos are some of the most viewed on my YouTube Channel (link in bio wink wink). Also, for nearly the past decade he has been everybody's favorite little (creepy) vampire. His talents run the gamut and as Model he can go from gentleman in menswear, to boudoir to raunch leather to frightening, chilling vampire that would make Frankenstein blush. The Vampire Set was all his idea. He did his own makeup and styling. It is probably the most intense shoot I have had with a model EVER, as he really thought he was a vampire. Run! Lol. I loved every minute of it. |
The Leading Man
 Well, well as I reminisce about my stay in South Florida the past 13 years, putting the finishing touches on my move back home to Michigan, let me tell you about all the female impersonators leading man around these parts. No matter the genre of music, the style, character; whether funny or serious Charlie V. Carter III is the go to guy. Hundreds of performances, a lip sync GENIUS and so damn lovable. Thank you, Charlie for so many great performances, your genuineness, your hilarity on those car ride home GETTING READY webisodes. Thank goodness for Facebook so we can keep in touch. You are one magic man! (((Diva Hugs))) |
David and Gus and the gang at Monkey Business Bar
 David (top left) and I (top rght) after a show at Monkey Business Bar in Fort Lauderdale back in the day. Of course, there is story there. Back in 2006, I was at a major crossroads in my life. At 36 in Detroit, I was professionally lacking, stagnant even. Artistically, I felt I had done all I could there in both theatre and drag shows. I called Diva Kingsley and Diva said, "Girl, I don't know why you don't just come down here? David can help you get a job at the agency, you can stay with us for a year and you can do shows at Monkey Business." Well, I went down to Fort Lauderdale in March for a week to get the lay of the land, as it were and met Gus, the bar owner at Monkey Business Bar. The next month in April 2006, I got on that Greyhound and it all happened. Just like Diva said. I got the job at the agency with David, I roomied with them for a year and I had a show that Gus booked me on the very first weekend I was in town. Gus has always been so great to me. 300 plus shows later, he also introduced to Doug when we both needed a roommate years later, he always has a space for us entertainers to hone our craft. With Diva, David and people like Gus, they all breathed new life in to me as not only an artist, but as a professional and, mostly, as a person. David Bork, I also want to thank you for being such an integral part of my life and your contributions behind the scenes for so many of us, but for me and the GETTING READY series as on screen talent, and let's not forget all those webisodes your alter ego Madison Avenue co-directed and videographed. I say all this to say that, I have never looked at my having to move back to Michigan as a failure. Life is different now. Perspectives change. Life also happens. I have felt artistically stagnant again for awhile now. Doug, who was like a lifeline to me, passed away. Then the day gig went kaput on me and then I got another one, then that faltered. I wish my art paid all the bills and provided medical insurance. I mean, don't all artists wish that? I always say there are more artists out here like us, than those who are "established." So, David, Diva and Gus, I THANK YOU for laying my foundation in South Florida. If that wouldn't have happened hundreds of performances wouldn't have taken place, nearly 100 photo shoots wouldn't have come to fruition, 17 books wouldn't have been published, over 500 webisodes in 22 seasons of GETTING READY would have happened, all of our collective works may not be all over YouTube, Instagram, Facebook. And now, when I get back home to Michigan, I can bring all of that energy to eager talent awaiting my return. Everything is cause and effect and you better believe I recognize. God bless you and, again, THANK YOU for broadening my horizons and helping me find my extended family here in Florida. |
The Lady Fancy
 As I prepare to move from South Florida back home to Michigan, I want to acknowledge some of the friend artists who I have worked with. I met The Lady Fancy the same night as I met Nancy Ross. They were inseparable. It was for a Christmas show at Monkey Business. They are both now stars in their own right. And rightfully so. I want to thank Fancy for a number of things; for putting up with that extension off my right hand: my camera in her face hahaha for all those backstage banter GETTING READY webisodes. She always styled my hair. Wigs were too hot for me, so she found a way and it always worked. Mostly, I am really grateful to The Lady Fancy and hubby, Ron, for The Gospel Jubilee. There is nothing like it. It is church of a different kind, but not as a joke. This is a bonafide ministry. I know some patrons where this is their way of going to church. For her to transform a nightclub setting in to a roots, Southern Gospel service is not an easy feat, but they do it every last Sunday of the month and have been a long time. Lady Fancy thank you and Ron for the gigs, the hairstyles, the rides and for Amazing Grace. God bless you! |
Nancy Ross and I
 As I prepare to move from South Florida back home to Michigan, I want to acknowledge some of the wonderful friend artists I had the pleasure of working with. I started this little reality show on my YouTube channel and well, this entertainer breathed LIFE in to it EVERY time she made an appearance. The webisodes that Nancy Ross has appeared in are some of the top viewed, commented on and liked of the series. Not only that, "Nancy" and life partner are responsible for the lovely Christmas decorations and designs that I have been showcasing for years. Because of them we are able to celebrate my favorite time of year all year round. These are incredibly talented people and I am forever grateful to them both for inspiring so many visions and Nancy, most especially for the laughs. |
OBSTACLES
 Model: Jamie Page As I move from South Florida back home to Michigan, I want to acknowledge some of the artists I had the pleasure of working with. This singer is more than just that. He is a multi faceted ball of talent. Let's see some things I have witnessed over the years; recording artist, songwriter, rapper, comedian, cook, model, actor... as well as a stand up guy, activist, husband, father, devout promoter for his MMA fighter brother. He is all encompassing and I will continue to promote him and his work on my various social media platforms. I am grateful for this shot especially! |
Waiting
 Model: Laurie-Anna As I prepare to make my way back home to Michigan, I want to acknowledge some of my friend models I had the pleasure of working with. I would work with Laurie-Anna any given day of the week. This photo is one of my most popular ever and she is one of my various social media sites favorite models. We met at "work" and she trusted my vision and vice versa. Her beauty resonates inside out. She will forever be my Sophia (Loren), BELLA!!! An icon and she doesn't even know it. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
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