About Me

The following is from an interview conducted by Shandy Elliott who is the designer of my up-coming website (http://www.lawandajackson.com). I believe the information below will best describe who I am as an individual, performer, and overall entertainer.

Stage Name:
Lawanda Jackson

Birth Place:
Oakland, California (Raised in Portland, Oregon)

How did you come up with your stage name?
My name originally was Lawanda Kentucky Jackson (from KFC).

When did you get interested in drag and why?
I first became interested in drag during talent night of my Senior year in High School (for performing arts). Soon after, I went to L.A. for Gay Pride at La Cage and decided "I want to do that". I was hooked since then.

Who introduced you to drag?
My uncle used to do drag during house parties. I was 16 years old at the time.

Who was/is your role model (drag and/or real life) and why?
Drag: Cody Collins
Drag: Hot Chocolate - saw at The Old Plantation in Houston, Texas doing Tina Turner and I was amazed with her high energy.
Real Life: My grandmother, Anna Bell, used to have a performing group in Portland, Oregon and Canada called "La Bell's".

How was your very first performance?
My first performance was at a talent competition during my Senior Year in High School. I performed "Star Love" and received a standing ovation.

How long do you plan to continue performing?
I look up to Gypsy, Kenney Kerr, Tommie Ross, Edna Jean, and Roxxie Star, and I admire the longevity of their careers in this business. I will continue performing as long as I can evolve.

What is your most positive memory as a performer?
Corination in Portland, Oregon - stepping down as Miss Oregon and having my mom, dad, sisters, little brother (who was 8 years old at the time), and my grandmother there to support me.

What is your most negative memory as a performer?
Traveling to Salt Lake City on tour, several guys tried to take advantage of me.

What do you like most about performing?
Self expression and the creativity it allows and the fact that drag keeps evolving. I've made a fabulous lifestyle for myself.

What do you like least about performing?
Any negative criticism from the gay community.

Who is your favorite out-of-town performer and why?
Codi Collins - master of illusion.
Chevelle Brooks - her drive and how she breaks the myth that big girls can't dance and be glamorous.
Chad Michales, CoCo Van Cartier, Chanel, and many others (too many to mention).

What do you do outside of performing?
I like to run, swim, watch movies, and travel.

Favorite alcoholic drink?
White wine.

Favorite actress?
Sandra Bullock, Regina King, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, and Sicily Tyson.

Favortie actor?
Tom Hanks, and Anthony Hopkins.

Favorite movie(s)?
Miss Congeneality II, and the Josephine Baker Story.

What would you like people to know about you that they might not already know?
I am personble and nurturing, and I try to give to those I can, when I can.

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Accomplishments

Awards/Events
Miss Rose Bud - Gay Youth - Oregon 1979
Miss Oregon 1980
Black Entertainer Emeritus, Texas
Miss Houston Emeritus, America
Miss Black Louisiana Universe Emeritus
Miss Louisiana USofA 1998
Miss Order of Zeus Pensacola, Florida 2000
Miss Rich's USofA 2001 & 2002
Splash 2002
Top 5 - Miss Gay USofA 2002
Top 5 - North Carolina EOY 2005
Top 5 - Miss Missouri EOY 2006
Miss Legends 2007
Miss Texas Continental Elite 2007
Miss Scorpio 2008
1st Runner-Up Miss Continental Elite 2008

Education
Jefferson High School (For The Arts) 1979
Associates Degree in Theater Arts - University of Oregon 1982
Certified Cosmetologist

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Charitable Affiliations

Platform Speaker Host
Member of AALGA
Member of GLHU
Houston Food Drive
Toys for Tots
Member Aves.
Christopher Street in Los Angeles
Miss Aids Task Force
Youth Convention Host - Speaker
Youth Speaker - HIV - RL Watkins
Raised $50,000 For HIV/AIDS Research

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T.V./Film Appearances

T.V.
Good Morning Houston - Houston, Texas
Eye on L.A. - Los Angeles, California
Mark Wahlberg - New York
Richard Bey - New York
Eye on Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan
News 13 - Mississippi
Local News - New York
Local News - Atlantic City
Maury Povich Show
Ricki Lake - First American Drag Idol USofA 2003
Christina's Court (with Hot Chocolate) 2007

Film
Miss Congeniality II

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Impersonations

Individual Performances
Tina Turner
Michael Jackson
Janet Jackson
Dionne Warwick
Mary J. Blige

Dual Performances
Nat King Cole/Natalie Cole
Janet Jackson/Michael Jackson
Beauty and the Beast
Diana Ross/Lionel Richie

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