Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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What made Chahlis s male impersonation) foi reasons she he Chablis said she is not a role model and has no desire to be one because she does not want to be labeled. "Label a street, label a building, but do not label a human being," she said. "Respected and an influence in some body's life, I hope I can be, but not a role model. I make mistakes just like everybody else. Society will give you a label in a minute. With that label comes so much stress, and I don't have time for all that mess." Chablis is currently on a 23-day book tour to promote Hiding Mv Candy. She said she likes doing book signings because she meets people who are interested in her. Chablis signed copies of her autobiography at Intermezzo in Five Points on July 20. According to Ruth Smyrl, manager of Intermezzo, Chablis has done South Carolina a service by bringing national attention and recognition iaj uuiumum. "We're happy for Chablis and all of the opportunities she has," Smyrl said. "We're also excited for her and the Columbia community. Chablis has put Columbia on the board nationally." Refore Chablis gained fame from Midnight in the Garden pfGwd and T?.vil anH HiHino Mv | / Candv. she worked in gay bars as a female impersonator for 15 years. She said gay bar owners took advantage of her and never gave her insurance, bonuses or benefits. Although she had to work hard and struggle through her youth, she said her success "wouldn't be as much fun" had it occurred when she was younger. "During my youth, I was in training for what is happening to me," Chablis said. "People say that I have changed some. I know I've changed, but if s in a positive way. There was a time when I didn't want anyone to know that I was a female impersonator, but now I want them to know I'm a drag queen. I'm a big ol' man in a dress." Chablis' success has given her the i :J uppui Luuiiy tu u avei, wmuii sue saiu opened her mind because she met a myriad of different people. She said even though she understands the South I ^ >0 successful is that mouth. I 0 so long, hep hosting shows )s such a hig focus...l wish I a female imj known C and southern culture, she believes the Confederate flag should be removed from the State House dome. 1 want some black man from New York to want to come to Columbia and open a business so black folks won't have to work at the Burger King," she said. "Unless that flag is gone, no black entrepreneur is going to come nere. I probably wouldn't feel this way if I hadn't had the chance to travel and see that there is more than Gervais Street. Ifs all about learning." Chablis said the atmosphere for the gay community in the South is now more "relaxed" but gay people still suffer discrimination at the hands of other gay people. "Gay folks are the ones who should be helping each other," she said. "Gay folks are the ones who can get people like me a job, but they don't because they are scared of what their employees or co-workers would say. Gay people are the ones who continue to call us 'drag queens' and 'nothings.'" Chablis said she wants to use her success to "open the door" for as many people as she possibly can. "For the ones who have yet to experience life, I want the door to already be onen." she said "All thev have to dn is push it a little bit. If they have the courage to push it, the door will open." Sam Hunter, a female impersonator in Columbia, has known Chablis for more than 10 years. He said he is proud of her for "booming in the book industry." "What made Chablis so successful is that mouth," Hunter said. "Her witty personality helped her out so much. Her being in the business (female impersonation) for so long, her hosting shows and emceeing have helped her out tremendously, and that's one of the main reasons she has such a big focus...I wish her the best of luck and keep on pushing until she reaches the top." finr jn f/irmn finn r\n Tho rbnUlio' a v?i w *>! v/i Kio?i'i>v/r ? v/i f a ??/\* j v/i i^L/i/to upcoming appearances, call Grand Empress Enterprises at (803) 376-5080. Lt to write or t .v.v v.v. . . v.. v. ... .v. . Hep witty personality Lei ; and emceeing Lave help hep the Lest of lucL and L x . r I DGPSonaior in v^oium hablis fop mope than ?f| * ^ j ; ^ ifj * Chablis said tha nrocass of wrltii book, I remembered things that I ha< qITP flVlAtncV \ W.XW ^XXXV/ VV/C7 ped hep out so mucr gp out tpemendc eep on pushing until ig her autobiography was 1 a buried Inside of me. It was Call us at' ibia who has JO ijears m? ' vtV- ^ Sk^SI^' - S ^v ^ * ijl * ; 4 ' ? wW^ii, ,| ?t % ' lifli &;t^ c * i. Hgp beincj= in the business (fe)uslij, and that s one of the main I she peaches the top. 2 w h ikJi ? $#* : :# * ' |EPP'" :herapeutlc: "During the course of writing that a return to my childhood." 777-7725T Mi'Mm