Anyagenetalya's Blog
Winning RuPaul's Drag Race
Before I talk about how winning RuPaul's Drag Race would affect my life, I'd like to start by discussing how JUST GETTING ON THE SHOW would completely change my life!
As an aspiring actor/musician, RuPaul could be the catalyst to a career in the arts... one that actually pays money and that I could leave my day job for! (Lord, I can only imagine how good that day will feel!) Even if I were to get on the show and then get kicked off first, it still might give me some contacts in the industry and a foot in the door somewhere (even if I have to go through life as "the girl that got kicked off RPDR first").
Ok, so if I were to get on the show and then WIN... WOW! Here's what I would do:
People love to go see shows. People love to help people in need. I would go on a short international tour to every state/region that has an Imperial Court System and headline events in their area to help raise money for their designated beneficiaries, starting with CT, of course! The ICS has been in existance for YEARS, raising money for charities throughout the US, Mexico and Canada, and so many people don't even know it exists because they're making small differences. They're helping local and state charities and focussing on specific communities in need in their areas. (For example, CT's beneficiaries this year are a local soup kitchen, an area GLBT Community Center, a community theatre company and an organization that assists children with terminal illnesses.)
With assistance from a "TV celbrity" just think of the impact even one big event could make for these small organizations! People love to see shows. People love to help people in need. But, people don't always know that there are shows being done by the ICS right under their noses to raise money. As the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race I could change that!
As for jealousy... I will be the first to admit tha I do feel jealous on occasion. We all want to succeed, after all. In the Court System, however, there is no jealousy, because everyone is there simply to help others. No one cares who's prettier or the better performer, so long as they're helping to raise money for a good cause, so there would be no jealousy at all on my ICS tour! How great is that!!!
Outside of the Court System, I've been careful to surround myself with people that appreciate people. Because we pretty much built the bar's drag scene from the ground up here at my home bar, we've been able to keep it a very welcoming environment for performers, often hosting "debut" performances and allowing people to learn and grow. Queens come to O'Neill's to let their hair down and have fun. No one has to "impress" here. That's why our shows are often more fun than other bars- take away the negativity and suddenly you're having a blast performing again!
We have had a few "nasty" queens come through our bar. We call them learning experiences. And most often they choose not to come back again. They don't get the satisfaction they desire, here. No one bows down to them!
There's really no point in feeling jealous of others. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and when you start to feel that someone else has what you want, just remember that you might have something they want, too! Or perhaps you, too, can have that, with a little practice, or a little more experience, or just a little time.
Doing drag has taught me that the world is a FAR more diverse place than I ever could have imagined, and it takes all kinds of people to keep it that way. So keep digging to find who you truly are, keep finding the best of yourself, and don't be afraid to put it all out there for the world to see!
And if you're ever in South Eastern, CT... stop by O'Neill's Brass Rail on a Saturday night- we'll be happy to give you a spot in the show!
My best to all.
~Anya~
What Makes a Winner
So I'm pondering the topic of "what makes America's top drag queen" again today, and this thought popped into my head...
This race is just like every other pageant out there... RIGGED- No, no, no, I'm kidding!
Seriously, though, I feel that this race is a direct paralel to every female pageant currently in existance. (I can't compare it to drag pageants as I've never been in or even seen one before!)
The winner of RuPaul's Drag Race should have a combination of beauty, personality, talent, humility and charisma. She'll be unique enough to stand out from the crowd but mainstream enough to connect with her audience and hold their attention and admiration. She'll be funny when she can and serious when it counts. (Think pageant winner jumping in the dunk tank at the county fair, lol- thank goodness my dress only cost 10 dollars!) She'll be an eloquent speaker (we don't want a bad public image!).
This, to me, is what should make a winner in RuPaul's Drag Race.
And, honey, setting humility aside for a brief moment, I have GOT IT!
~Anya~
Oh What A Night...
I've been up all night working on my next video (the "Plea" video). I should have been in bed 2 hours ago at least!
Life is just too busy these days!
I'm so thankful that the site finally updated, and THRILLED that I'm still in the game (as much as one can be when down by 70,000 votes... Is it REALLY still anybody's game as the latest site update states?)
I'm determined, however, to stay in it until the fat lady sings. Let's see how far I can take this ride!
Chat with y'all soon!
~Anya~
Oh, the suspense!!
Is anyone else in AGONY over this wait?????
I'm in the office, and not getting ANYTHING done because I keep checking the site every 15 seconds to see if they've posted the lucky round 3 contestants!!
Help me kill the time by chatting with me!
AnyaGenetalya on Yahoo or AIM!
Talk to you soon, girls & boys!!
~Anya~
Life Is A Cabaret!
As an actor, some of my favorite performances are the ones I've done in small, intimate spaces. Spaces where the audience feels like they're right there in the moment with you. I love the art of subtle gestures and things like that just don't read in a large venue (Raya nailed this in her "I'll Never Love This Way Again" video!).
Of course, being gay, I grew up listening to a number of showtunes and wishing that I could play the girl in all these musicals! I remember singing along with the Princess to "On The Steps of the Palace" from 'Into the Woods' and wishing I could play that role someday.
My dream performance would incorporate both of these elements. It would be a small, cabaret-esque musical review, where talented drag queens and gay men would come together to perform some of musical theatre's finest solos and duets (LIVE, of course... no lip-synching in my show!). I'd want to perform from "Violet" "Sunset Boulevard" "Les Miserable" "Wicked" and many more, allowing us to sing the great numbers that are reserved for women on the Great White Way!
I'd throw in a few show-stopping dance numbers, too (a la "La Cage...") just to keep everyone entertained and thrilled with the show, but I'd want the show to have a through-line and really touch people in some way (not THAT kind of touching, you perv!)
I honestly wouldn't care if there were celebrities in the audience to see the show. I've never really been "star-struck", so while I enjoy movies and theatre, I rarely keep track of who's performing or starring in things I see. We're all just people, after all. It would be more important for me to have friends and family there to see it...
...and perhaps an interested casting director!!!
My Goal Is In Sight!!!
Ok, so coming into Round 2 I figured there was no way I'd ever get 50,000 votes to sail into the lead. That being decided, I set a reasonable goal of reaching the top 25 and getting into Round 3.
Well, ladies, my goal is in sight! I hit #25 today, which puts me in the top 25% of competitors, and (provided I get my blog posted in 4 days - stay tuned - and stay in the top 25) assures me a spot in Round 3!!
YAHOO!! Anya is one happy girl :-)
Thank you all for your words of encouragement and your compliments!
See you in Round 3!
~Anya~
Some things you might want to know...
Ok, so this isn't the Round 2 blog, but I thought it was important stuff to write about, so down it goes!
1) I do my own make-up. Every picture you see is my own work. Except for a bit of help from sisters along the way I am completely self-taught in the art of make-up design. I've studied pictures and scoured websites to get ideas of how to shape and contour my face, and I have studied the pictures on this site endlessly to get fresh and fun ideas. (thanks!)
2) I can actually sing! I have a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Miami, where I was a voice principal. I also play several instruments and have lots of experience in musical theatre, on-stage, back-stage, in pit orchestras and even music directing and conducting! If I make it to Round 3, you'll be seeing me sing live in one of my videos!
3) I spend more than I make. Perhaps many others of you are in this same situation, but part of the reason I try to spend so little on drag is because I make almost nothing at the bar I work at. We perform there simply for the joy of it! Other performers come to our bar to perform when they want to get away from the crap they go through at their regular gigs. We love our bar, we love our patrons, and we always have a blast!
4) I am a gay man. Contrary to what many people believe (or wish), I am not transgendered or transexual. I live my life completely as a boy except for performance nights. I have no fake parts that are not removable at the end of the night, lol. I do have to admit that I started shaving my legs for the summer, though... it is just too blasted hot to wear 4 pairs of panty hose to hide the leg hair!!
5) I drink Bud Light. There, I said it. I'm a classless drag queen that defies the norm and skips the martini!! Sure, I've ordered the occasional Vodka Cranberry to match my outfit, but when push comes to shove, Brian prefers a beer over a cocktail. (Do I have to turn in my gay card for this?)
So there's a bit more about me for those of you that are interested...
Look for a hot new video to post soon, and, as mentioned above, if Round 3 is in my future, look for some hot live vocals!!!
Thanks for all the love and support!
~Anya~
Proud to Represent CT!!
Hey everyone!
Well, I've just checked out everyone that's left in the race and have realized that I'm the only one left from Connecticut!!!
So, I guess I am now representing my entire state here, which is kind of scary, lol! I am proud to be where I am, though, and am going to try hard to make CT proud of their queen!
Big thanks to all of you that continue to vote for me, especially my friends and family from O'Neill's Brass Rail in New London. You truly make me feel loved!
Oh, and if you're reading this and haven't yet sent an email to your entire address book telling them to vote for me, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? (those of you that are in the Race are excused, of course!)
Love to all from your CT girl!
~Anya~
Finding myself through fake boobs...
Every queen will agree that a life as a drag queen is an interesting one. Drag has been one of the most extraordinary journey's of my life, and I'll try to sum up the experience in the fewest number of words possible.
The journey starts with a teenager trying to prove to the world that gays are just like everyone else. I wanted to be "normal." (Ok, so the pictures in the year book of me wearing that crazy pattern shirt were NOT the best way for me to show everyone I was just like them... and white pants? What was I thinking?!?)
The concept of a drag queen seemed so far away from "our" goal as a gay community of acceptance and "fitting in" that I shunned it. It would take a very good friend named Ricardo to finally make me realize that being flamboyant isn't always an act, and isn't something to be ashamed of. It was just "him" in his truest form, and I loved him no matter what. Suddenly I began to view our community in a very different way.
The specifics of the first drag experience, how it happened, my first show and all that jazz are minute details in relation to how all these experiences changed me as a human being. From the first moment of putting on a dress I realized that I had a lot of work to do from the inside. I was not comfortable in a dress. What was that telling me? I was so quick to tell everyone, "I don't usually dress like this" that I began to realize I was not yet comfortable in my own skin.
Fortunately, I didn't put drag away and run, but rather continued to do shows (I LOVED performing) and considered all the challenges I was facing excellent first-hand learning experiences.
Here is a short list of the things that doing drag has taught me:
Transgendered individuals are extremely brave and often completely hidden, right in front of you.
You will hear stories about everyone you meet, but you must figure out on your own who you can trust, and you will be better off for learning it on your own.
What you put on the outside doesn't change who you are on the inside.
Drag queens can get away with things most people can't.
Doing things in drag doesn't change the fact that you've done them.
The most important thing I've gotten from doing drag however is empowerment. While becoming Anya has certainly not changed who I am, I am more confident in myself than I have ever been. I notice the spunky side of Anya that I love spilling into Brian's daily life. I am less afraid to take risks, less afraid to be a little fabulous, less afraid to have fun with life. I have highlights and a tattoo and two cats! In essence, Anya has awakened parts of Brian that were afraid to come out!
I have heard stories of some performers that get "lost" in their alter-ego. Becoming Anya has done the opposite for me, it has helped me find who I really have wanted to be all along- a stronger person. I even spend weekends out at my bar as Brian, just to make sure that I never loose him. Because he is also FABULOUS!
I took down my videos...
To make room for more!!
The rules say I can upload 5 videos, so I took 3 of my less fantastic videos down and uploaded 3 new ones which should hit my page later today (I hope!)
Please check them out and let me know what you think... especially "Anya's Bits & Pieces" which I think is hysterical! (At least I thought so at midnight when I was putting it all together, lol.. things are always funnier when you're exhausted!)
Thank you all for voting and keeping an eye on my page!!
~Anya~
I'm Humbled!!
Hello Everyone!!
A huge THANK YOU goes out to everyone that has been continuing to vote for me over the past two weeks. I know the hardest battles lie ahead, but I am so thankful for the love you have all shown me thus far!
To my Brothers on the Phi Mu Alpha listservs, to co-workers emailing all their friends, my college friends who have started up a Facebook group for this, and of course to my loyal customers and fans at O'Neill's Brass Rail, your networking has been outstanding and has taken me all the way to page 2, one vote at a time.
I'm proud to have battled my way to where I am, slowly but steadily, and can't wait to see what happens from here!!!
My video camera will be following me tonight as I prepare for two shows, so look for some new fun insight into Anya's life very soon!!
Thank you once again and see you at the finish line!!!
~Anya~
Looking Back...
I've been spending time thinking about "how it all began" in order to prepare for videos and blogs on this site. So I went back and read some old blogs I had posted on myspace. I came across this one, "Drag WITHOUT Drama???" which I posted to my MySpace page last December.
Having now "grounded" myself a little more in the drag world, I don't agree with everything I wrote in this blog. I do, however, think it's a great reflection piece, and says a lot about how new performers can sometimes feel threatened by the "diva"-ness of the drag community.
So, sit back and enjoy the following commentary of a new drag queen writing about her first impressions of a community that is not always welcoming of performers that don't exactly know the ropes...
December 27, 2007 - Thursday
Drag WITHOUT Drama???
Current mood: frustrated
Category: Parties and Nightlife
Like many of us, I started doing drag - for fun - on Halloween. Eventually, I decided to do it - for fun - at a bar that was looking for performers. After 2 years of performing, I still consider myself a "newbie" due to the relative isolation of the bar I work at and my lack of exposure to many drag queens who consider themselves "professionals" in the field.
Over the past 2 years, however, the few experiences I've had with the "outside world" have not all been good. To put it quite bluntly, I find that many performers in the drag world are nasty, bitchy, catty, insecure, back-stabbing and generally not nice people to hang around with (which I also believe to be a large part of the reason I travel so infrequently).
There are, of course, exceptions to the rule. Some of the performers I have met are genuine and lovely, carrying themselves with pride, not false arrogance. We can all learn a lesson from these people.
Perhaps it is naivete on my part, but I spent several years of my life learning to be true to myself, and in that process realized that it is no responsibility of mine to judge others. The important thing is to be in tune with yourself, surround yourself with people that make you happy, and distance yourself from the people that don't.
Live and let live.
Now back to the "nasty" queens: I think much of the drama in the drag world comes from performers who want to be "better" than everyone else. Who has the highest title? Who has the flashiest gown? Who has the biggest hair? Who does the best make-up? Who makes the most money?
In my little bubble called New London none of that really matters. I'm fortunate enough to work in a bar where queens don't make much money. We're not all skinny. We're not all great painters. We don't have money for flashy gowns or crowns. We don't compete in pageants. Regardless, we get up on that stage and we do what we do best - for fun.
Ironically, people love us anyway! Not because we're "fabulous" or "fierce" or "famous" but because we love our friends and fans, we love the bar we work in and we love performing - for fun!
So, to all of the performers out there, please accept this invitation to escape from the "drama" and come perform here in New London. You may not make much money, but I guarantee you a night filled with compliments, good people and no stress!
Is it really worth scratching and biting your way to the top? After all... how many drag queens do YOU know that don't have day jobs???
Anya
Testimonial on Testimonials
Picture it... Groton, CT... 2008.
You get an email, "Stop texting for a minute and check out your new comment on RuPaulsDragRace.com!"
So you sign in to view your new comment, only to find a message asking you to vote for someone else!
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad people are visiting my page. But when the only purpose behind it is to promote someone else, I'd rather not even get the comment!
Quite often, I'm seeing the SAME EXACT COMMENT on hundreds of profiles... like someone is just hitting copy & paste over and over. One message even commented "GREAT NEW VIDEO" when most of the pages it was added to didn't even have videos!
The way I see it, I'm visiting pages and voting for people that I think embody what this competition (and drag in general) is all about. "Returning the favor" is nice and all, but doesn't necessarily keep the competition fair. I want people to vote for me because they like who I am and the work I do, not because they want me to vote for their favorite in return.
So for all of you that have posted REAL comments, and that have carried on REAL conversations, THANK YOU!! And know that I've voted for you because I think there's something special about you as a performer, as a person, and as a POSITIVE reflection of our community!
Now.... ON TO PAGE 2!!!!!
~Anya~
Lament of the Skinny Bitch
Ok, let me start this blog by repeating the age-old saying, "The grass is always greener on the other side."
I'm about to complain about being skinny. If that bothers you then don't read this!
Yes, I realize that being a skinny drag queen has it's advantages - i.e. shopping off the rack just about anywhere - (not to mention the hot daddies that are attracted to "boys" like me!), but let me tell you something that SUCKS about being a skinny bitch... NO BOOBS!!!
So many drag queens can just make a quick pull here, a little tug there and VOILA!! They have cleavage for days! I, on the other hand, have ribs. Not just ribs. Ribs that you can see through my pecs! (If you don't believe me, check out my "on the toilet" pic on my myspace page. You can see the ribs, and also the fake boobs in this one if you look close... obviously not my best shot, but it's funny!)
So us skinny bitches are presented with an interesting challange that other drag queens don't have to deal with, and that's creative costuming! I can't pick up the trendy halter-top dress, or the plunging neck-line top. We have to find ways to be sexy and daring without showing too much skin in the chestal area (thank goodness I've got good legs!) (is "chestal" even a word?)
This is where MY shopping gets difficult. Sure, I can pick up a dress off the rack, but 19 out of 20 dresses out there require at least a small bit of cleavage to work, so back on the rack they go for some REAL girl to buy!
So, for all you bigger girls out there, while you may feel jealous of us "skinny bitches" at times, just know that we are sometimes quite jealous of you as well!!
You gotta use what you got!
~Anya~
Things that make me laugh!!
Two things have happened in the past few days that make me chuckle every time I think of them!
First, y'all have seen that I posted a video of me doing Liza Minnelli. I've performed "Liza With A 'Z'" several times, and I have to laugh because someone posted a comment calling me LISA!
Second, if you check out my Liza video comments, you'll find a comment by none other than MY MOTHER! How many drag queens can say their mom writes them comments, lol?? Well, ok, I'm sure there are plenty of other supportive moms out there, I just haven't run across their comments, yet, so I feel special! THANKS MOM!!
Thanks to everyone for your support and your votes! We're slowly climbing the ladder!!!
~Anya~
Welcome to my Friends!
Hey Peaches!
So a few of my dearest drag friends have joined the "race" and I'm so happy for all of them.
Please take some time to check out ViennaMarriot, MissGayRI2008 and MadisonLee. They're good friends, good people, and great performers!
And, as always, thanks for your votes!!
~Anya~
My Inner Turmoil About Being a Drag Queen
Hey Peaches!!
So, lots of drag queens on this site have posted about how they first saw other drag queens and were fascinated by them or knew immediately that they wanted to be queens. This is the total opposite of how things happened for me, so I thought I'd write a bit about my experiences...
The first time I saw a drag queen it scared the crap out of me! Picture it: a 5'8", 135 pound 19-year-old college student walking the streets of South Beach when a 7 foot, 250 pound black man walks by in a bright yellow dress and turban- I just about pissed myself!
Drag shows weren't terribly popular in South Beach and Fort Lauderdale (or perhaps I just wasn't going to the right places), and frankly, the ones I saw came across as rather vulgar, so I never really cared for them. What first got me to dress in drag was not my love for the stage, the power of music or even a want for money, but simply the desire to fool straight boys! The thought of being an actual "drag queen" never even crossed my mind.
Now that I've moved back to CT, things have certainly changed, and I find myself in a stranger place than most will ever know. As a gay male, living in a rather, shall we say "sheltered" part of CT (we have ONE gay bar... lucky by some standards, I realize), drag is not a "normal" part of most peoples' upbringings.
I couldn't really tell you what made me decide to take up Brandy Alexander on her offer to do a show. But I can tell you that when I first started performing, there were actually people that wouldn't talk to me after finding out that I did drag. I guess that made me "different" in their eyes, despite the fact that absolutely nothing about "me" had changed.
Also, in a world full of gender-queers and a slew of sexualities that can make anyone's head spin, I find myself constantly answering questions about who I am and what I'm attracted to.
I will say, however, that performing has introduced me to people that I might never have had a chance to meet, and I don't mean celebrities, but your everyday transgender people that hide in their daily existances, but get the courage to talk to me because they know that somehow I'll understand where they're coming from.
I think that becoming a drag queen has also allowed me to open up the eyes of some people that might never have taken the time to realize that sometimes a person is just a person, no matter their sexuality, gender-identity, etc...
So, the point of this rather long blog, I guess, is to point out that, while we might not have all come about drag for the same reasons, and while we might not all continue to do drag for the same reasons, there is something about it that keeps us all coming back for more!
And you can count on seeing more of Anya Genetalya!
Finally Posted a Video!
Hey Peaches!
So, I finally got my video posted. It's a little "textbook", but it answers all the questions the producers wanted answered.
Now that THAT'S out of the way, I'll be working on a few that are a bit more fun and insiteful in other ways!
You have NO IDEA how exciting it is to see myself on the 5th page of over 20 pages of contestants!!! It just blows my mind!!! So thanks to all of you for making it happen!
~Anya
Find me on MySpace!!
Hey Peaches!
I'm still working on getting a video put together for this site...
In the meantime, please check out my MySpace page, where you'll find a little more information about me and TONS more pictures!
The link is: www.myspace.com/anyagenetalya
Thanks again to all of you that are voting for me!
~Anya
Hello America!!
Hey Peaches!!
I am THRILLED tonight- I just returned home from the Liberty Bell Classic softball tournament in Philadephia, PA, where my team took first place in the D Division, and then signed online to find that I'm currently on page 6 of 20 pages of contestants! YAHOO!!!! Who'd've ever thought that the small-town girl could start racking up the votes!
Well, I'm utterly humbled and excited to be where I am in the standings. Performing is my life, whether as a girl or a boy, and I can't wait for the day when I can quit the day job and be able to support myself through the arts!
Thank you all so much for your support this far! I'm working on getting a video together so you can all learn a bit more about me, so keep your eyes peeled... and keep the votes coming! Thank you!
~Anya
Give a small-town girl a shot!!
Hey Peaches!
I'm Anya Genetalya, from New London, CT. I stumbled upon this site and thought, "what the heck!" so here I am!
While you will sometimes see me impersonating Liza Minnelli (that's Liza with a "Z", darling!), I am most often just out as myself! I perform at a small bar in New London, CT called O'Neill's Brass Rail, and am also a member of the Imperial Sovereign Court of all CT, which is a chapter of a multi-national fundraising organization called the Imperial Court System. We host shows and events to raise money for local and state-wide charities.
I'm not a "fierce" queen, and I don't carry around a bag of drama or a can of whoop-ass to open up on unsuspecting victims. I'm just a small-town girl with a big-city personality and a great stage-presence! I do drag to have fun, to help others have fun and to raise money... and I NEVER take myself too seriously!
I hope to see you soon from the other side of your TV set!!
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36, Rochester, NY Votes: ??? |
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27, Denver, CO Votes: ??? |
