Category: Drag Queens

Part angel, part bad-ass biker girl…lots of trouble mixed in with a heart of gold…how could you not love the amazingly beautiful Cassandra Cass. She was first highlighted in the documentary Trantasia and will be starring in the upcoming reality television show, Wild Things! It would seem as if this were only the beginning for this rising starlet!

1. How do you define yourself in society?
Hmmm…that’s a hard one. I really just look at myself as a person chasing her dreams. I really don’t like labels, they can be sooo confining…

2. How do you define your career?
I really look at myself as an entertainer. There are many forms, such as acting, modeling, designing and I really enjoy creating and being artistic.

3. How did you come up with your name?
My mothers name was SANDRA and my given name was CASEY. I’ve always loved Greek mythology and it just fit..My drag mother, when I was up and coming, was DENA CASS so CASSANDRA CASS just fit so well..

4. On Trantasia you seem to have a realism and a sense of humor that keeps you grounded. How important is having a sense of humor in the entertainment business?
OMG if couldn’t laugh at myself I would have given up a long time ago..There are so many ups and downs and sometimes you’re like “”WHY am I DOING THIS” but then when you see the finished product you’re like WOW I can’t believe I was a part of that!! What a dream come true..

5. What was the greatest experience you had while shooting Trantasia and at the pageant?
TRULY the sisterhood. Overall everyone was really great to each other. We knew we were part of something bigger than US and there really was a POSITIVE ENERGY…

6. What was the most humorous or most embarrassing thing that happened?
SWIMSUIT COMPETITION…The shoes I was wearing had laces that twisted all the way up to the knee and my DRESSER was more concerned about her hair than properly tying them. When I was walked on the stage they came undone and twisted around my ankle’s, tripping me. I actually fell off the side of the stage. That certainly didn’t help my chances to get into the top ten!!!….

7. Do you think transgendered people were well represented by Trantasia?
Overall yes. We wear seen as SHOWGIRLS who where in charge and and chasing their dreams.. most of the time we are seen as hookers doped up and HOPELESS, which really pisses me off. It’s time the media gave us more POSITIVE REPRESENTATION!!….

8. What can we look forward to in the new television show “Wild Things”?
“WILD THINGS” is by the same people who made TRANTASIA. It follows ME, MARIA ROMAN and TIARA RUSSELL on a road trip and a mission.. Maria’s brother was very ill at the time so we traveled around to very small towns and worked WILD and CRAZY jobs to raise money for his medical care..OMG we worked as BULL RIDER’s, sold HOT DOGS to CLUELESS construction workers, partied in biker bars. We even trained to be boxers. It’s very The Simple Life but with BIGGER BOOBS, HAIR and BOOTY!!!!..and yes we had some BIG ASS FIGHTS…THE show is TRULY AMAZING..I can’t wait for everyone to see it here in the stats!! Ohhhh did I mention, we traveled around in a broke-down Winnebago! …TRULY funny stuff!!!..

9. What are three movies that have greatly impacted you either personally or the image you create?
Pretty Woman, Barbwire and Grease….Yes I’m kinda a BAD GIRL…with a heart of GOLD!!!…

10. How will you know when you have “made it”?
STILL waiting ..not quite sure yet..ask me when the show comes out..

11. Do you get recognized and what is the overall response?
YES, really great, since TRANTASIA was SHOT I feel my look has improved so it’s kinda like looking at your high school pictures. But people are so great..I love it when people say You should’ve won!!..I’m like honey, it was not my time but I’m ready now for a REMATCH..

12. Who are three people in your field who you aspire to be more like and why?
HONESTLY I just wanna be the best me. That’s really what I aspire to..

13. Who are three mainstream celebrities you would like to have as best friends?
Madonna, Lady Gaga and Will Smith. They ROCK!!!

14. If you could have a 2 hour dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
My momma. I REALLY miss her…R.I.P

15. What is your ultimate career goal?
Just to keep on working and to been seen as the person I am, not just some “”TRANNY””. There’s talent here, I just wanna show it!!.

16. What are some misconceptions about transgendered people or drag queens?
Goodness, there’s a lot of them. I really don’t feed into that. I just hope people take it person by person and stop stereotyping!!

17. What do you think the biggest political or social issue facing transgendered people is today?
WE truly are faceless. Most transgenders don’t want people to know and I get that. There’s a lot of crap that comes with people knowing, but people need to have respect for others. It’s not ok to be mean and there is a lot of abuse that goes on and some people think its ok…I’ve always said if I meet Maury or Jerry Springer I would kick them in their balls..I feel their shows have REALLY set us back!!!

18. What is your relationship like with your family and do they accept your goals in life?
Not very good but I wish them well..

19. What is something we wouldn’t know by looking at you?
That I’m a great cook. It really relaxes me..just love it.

20. Who are your three favorite musicians of all time?
Madonna, Michael Jackson and BARNEY!!!

21. Boxers, briefs, jockstraps…or nothing at all?
NOTHING at all..I’ve worked too hard to get this body!!! Why would I cover it up?..

Thanks Sexy! We can’t wait to see the show!
Eyes Open, We’re Watching!!!

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*Pictures printed with permission of Cassandra Cass.

After our interview with Ongina from cycle one of Logo’s Rupaul’s Drag Race, we thought it would be interesting to interview one of the girls from this season…so we chose America’s sweetheart and Diva… Tyra Sanchez…Here’s what she told us!

1. What is your drag name and is there a story behind how you chose your name?

My drag name is Tyra-Symone Sanchez

Tyra means God of Battle. And when it comes to competition, arguments, or debates I will battle until the fight is won!

Symoné comes from Raven Symoné

Sanchez is the family name passed from Fabian Sanchez to Stasha Sanchez to Angelica Sanchez & finally to me!

2. Who are three celebrities who are your role models and have helped mold your image?

Beyoncé, Raven Symoné & Wendy Williams

3. Who are three people in your daily life who have helped mold your image?

Roxxxy Andrews, Jasmine Bonet & Nicole Luv Dupree

4. Do you think you get beauty, brains…or can you have both?

I think you can have both beauty and brains! Lol I’m living proof of that!

5. Why do you refer to yourself as “America’s Sweetheart”?

I refer to myself as America’s Sweetheart because I’m truly a sweet person. I’m there for you whenever you need me. I loveable, huggable & kissable! Lol not to mention I’m very goofy/ditzy at times and at other times well I can come off a little bitchy.

6. So far, what has been your greatest learning experience as a result of being on Rupaul’s Drag Race?

My greatest learning experience is that I learned that not everyone will view you in the same way. Some people will live!!! And others won’t! But don’t live… Because Tyra is to die for!!!

7. If you were the first Drag President of the United States, what three laws would you change?

Though I don’t smoke, I would legalize marijuana. Allow same sex marriage.

8. Do you believe in love?

I do. But I have yet to experience true love.

9. Any thoughts on same-sex marriage?

Honestly it doesn’t bother me, but i do feel as though you should be able to marry whoever you want. Be it guy or girl.

10. You have won several pageants…What pageants have you won and what are your titles?

Miss Dumarr International 2010
Miss Ebony South Carolina 2009
Miss Orlando Pride 2009
Miss Sweetheart Newcomer 2009
Miss Elite Newcomer 2008

11. In mainstream beauty pageants, most contestants must support a cause or have a platform…what would your platform be in a beauty pageant?

My platform would be to display my talents & creativity.

12. What are three movies that have greatly impacted your life?

Lol movies don’t GREATLY impact my life. But they do inspire me to act. Sooo I would say
1. Titanic
2. Precious
3. Set It Off

13. If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life and it couldn’t be a mixed CD what would it be?

Beyoncé Dangerously In Love (2003)

14. Three television shows you watch consistently?

Criminal Minds, CSI (LOL All of them!) & The Vampire Diaries

15. Myspace or Facebook and why?

Lol neither! Though I have them both, the extra apps that they’ve added now can be a little annoying. So many request for like kisses and hearts. Like what is that???

16. Three greatest female illusionists in the last 20 years?

Tyra Sanchez, RuPaul, Niesha Dupree

17. Last book you read or a book you are currently reading?

Lol I hate reading! Well I hate reading books, but I could read a couple more people. Lmao!

18. Your motto for life…

When you do what you have always done, you’ll get what you have always gotten.

19. You have mentioned that you have a son. What would you tell him if he came to you as a teenager and told you he wanted to be a drag queen?

As a teenager I would tell him he needs to worry about his education first! The drag would have to wait!

20. Boxers, Brief, Panties or nothing at all?

Boxer briefs! I like to be free but still put away.

Thanks Sexy…And good luck in all you do!!!

Eyes Open, We’re Watching!

Recently, the boys of raannt were lucky enough to chat it up with Ongina, drag illusionist extraordinaire, most famous for her presence on Season 1 of Rupaul’s Drag Race…Here’s what she had to say…

1. What is your name and what title would you use to describe yourself?
Like my real name? Ryan. My drag name is, as you know, Ongina and a title that would best describe her? GORGEOUS!

2. How did you come up with the name Ongina?
Ongina derives from my middle name “Ong” and using the last three letters of a certain kind of “ina” that I was not blessed with. So instead I made ONGINA!

3. On a recent comedy show you joked that you think you should have won Rupaul’s Drag Race. Do you believe this and what do you think sets you apart from other entertainers?
I did joke about winning, because who doesn’t want to win, but I do understand why I was booted off against Bebe, who happened to be the winner, because she IS who they are looking for. I was far from the typical drag queen and some people still don’t understand why I was on the show since I was very gender bend, but what people have to understand is that there’s a lot of different drag illusions. Mine just happens to be what you see.

4. Who are three entertainers, dead or alive, that you draw inspiration from?
I’m sort of a “now” queen, so I tend to draw inspiration from entertainers like Beyonce (she’s my favorite!!!), Katy Perry for her upbeat, no drama, fun and flirty songs, and more recently, Lady Gaga (but that’s still sort of a love and hate relationship.)

5. What are three television shows you watch consistently?
True Blood, Grey’s Anatomy and more recently, Spartacus! HOT!

6. What are the perks of being a girl?
That I can wear amazing shoes and clothes and feel really beautiful.

7. What are the perks of being a boy?
Who you calling a boy?

8. If you could only celebrate one holiday a year, which would you choose and why?
I’d celebrate Halloween. Forget your birthday, who wants to get old, and forget Christmas its not the same anymore, anyways. And forget about Thanksgiving, thats the gateway to weight gain during the winter season! Halloween is fun, but its sort of like Halloween every time I dress up. Hehe.

9. Any comment on your experience working with Rupaul?
Ru is amazing and the show has put me on a platform that I never expected. If I was given the chance, I would definitely do round 2!

10. Who is someone who you have met as a result of working on Rupaul’s Drag Race that has bettered you as a person that you wouldn’t have otherwise met and why?
I have met my amazing fans that has truly inspire me to keep on! Especially the ones that share the same story as I do. They have helped me fully overcome my demons about being HIV Positive and has helped me live an even happier life than before, being free and not having to hide who I am as a whole person!

11. What is a movie that has profoundly affect your life? Your career image?
I unfortunately don’t watch a lot of movies actually but my I can tell you my top 5 in no particular order: Moulin Rouge, The Fifth Element, To Wong Foo, The Devil Wears Prada, Sex in the City!

12. If you weren’t doing drag what would you be doing?
Well currently, I am a Regional Visual Merchandiser for a retail store based out of NYC. I am in charge of six stores on the West Coast including Texas, Nevada and California! I love my job. I get to be creative in a different level. I truly enjoy every minute of it.

13. What is the last book you read, if any and what are you currently reading?
Last book I read was Aiden Shaw’s The Sordid Truths. I’m in the middle of reading RuPaul’s new book as well.

14. Best city in the world? Best hotel in the world? Best club in the world?
Best city I’ve been in: London and Florence. Best Hotel I’ve been in: The Westin Excelsoir in Florence, Italy. Best Club I’ve been to: My stomping ground, Hiro on Sundays in NYC!!!!

15. We are getting married in August in Vegas. If you were to plan our wedding, what would you plan for us?
Depends on the budget! But CONGRATULATIONS nonetheless! I just better see a wedding dress on someone or I’d throw a fit!

16. If you could change one misconception or cruelty in the world what would you change and why?
Stop the war! Seriously. People don’t need to be dying over issues they can resolve without violence and death!

17. What is your favorite hat you have made or worn and why?
I really love the alligator hat I wore during the reunion special because its so couture! I also like my Barbie hat on the 3rd episode because, well, its a Barbie on my head! I love it! I donated that hat for an equality benefit here in California and made a couple hundred bucks!

18. You shared on Rupaul’s Drag Race that you are HIV+. Your honesty has served as inspiration and hope for a lot of people. What did you gain personally from sharing that on the show?
Like I said above, it has helped overcome my demons and has helped me live a free life. I am no longer afraid and with it, I am able to share my story with other people in hopes that they will find inspiration from it. I’m hoping that by bringing it in the forefront of the media, it will help educate people to protect themselves wether they are negative or positive and live a life worth living!

19. Where will Ongina be in 20 years?
I will be near 50 in 20 years and I don’t know what the future holds for me. I hope to expand my career as Ongina and expand the responsibility I have of being an HIV spokesperson to further raise awareness and continue educating people all over the world about the importance of HIV education and prevention.

20. Boxers, Briefs, Panties or nothing at all?
Boxer briefs!

Thanks Sexy!!! We love you!!!
xoxo

Eyes Open, We’re Watching!