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Drag Mainstreamed…Rupaul’s Tyra Sanchez Interview!

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!

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Rupaul’s Ongina…Simply Gorgeous!!!

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!

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Brittany in China, The Joe Meltdown Boys, FLESH and Annastacia for HIRE at Talbott!

We haven’t written a weekend wrap up in awhile so we thought we’d just let everyone know where we’ve been and our thoughts on the good, the bad and the, well, ugly…but since this is basically what we’ll be doing for IndyScene now, make sure to find us there, but a more grueling report can always be found on raannt!

Last night we headed out to Talbott Street to endorse our good friend Joe Melton aka Joe Meltdown…who was drumming it up with DJ Deane! Two weekends ago we heard Joe at Subterra with DJ Orion and once again…he didn’t disappoint! We’re seriously considering changing our names from the boys of raannt to the Meltdown Boys as we’re quickly becoming groupies and can sweat it up dancing all night to his beats. DJ Deane was amazing too packing the boys and gals on the dance floor. Joe and Deanne together never let us down! One word to the folks at Talbott…a little less on the fog machine…we couldn’t even see one foot in front of our face and it isn’t Halloween, is it? Other than that, the night was awesome!!!

In the drag room we were once again amazed by Annastacia DeMoore, the newly crowned Miss Indiana All-American Goddess 2010, who amazed the crowd, dancing her ass off, doing a hilarious intro bit into several songs and jumping at least five feet in the air from the stage to land in splits on the floor bringing the standing room only crowd to thunderous applaud!!! Annastacia will be having a benefit show at Talbott on the 25th to raise money to send her to Nationals so come out for a great show. She always heads a drag show at The Ugly Monkey once a month, with proceeds going to charity…and you know how we love charity! Before the show, we were chatting it up with good friend and Talbott headliner Vicki St. James, telling her how we were really impressed with Annastacia, etc, and she took us back to meet her. Now we hear there’s been a lot of chatter in the drag world, and while we don’t really know much about that, because we just enjoy a good show, we’re here to tell you, Miss DeMoore was nothing but friendly, courteous and professional, always important in any entertainment field. So here’s our thought…we’ve seen here several times at Talbott now and every time the crowd goes just simply crazy…maybe it’s time to add a third act to squad or have a permanent alternate so every once in awhile a girl can take a night off. Our vote is for Annastacia DeMoore as the third headliner at Talbott! We think with Asia and Vicki…she’d make the perfect addition! Thanks for your time girl and we hope you didn’t rip a muscle hitting the floor!

Last weekend found us out at Cadillac Ranch with newly crowned Miss Cosmopolitan Courtni Hall, who was previously Miss Teen Indiana USA and Miss Indiana USA 2009! Courtni is now heading to compete for the title of Miss Indiana America, which Katie Stam recently took to THE Miss America and won! Courtni, her boyfriend Jared and their bevy of gal pals were a blast as Cadillac Ranch General Manager Brandon Slate and Events Coordinator Hannah Farahan made our evening a complete blast, putting us in a humongous VIP section and giving us first class service! Thanks guys…we always have such a great time at The Ranch and can’t wait to come again!!! The only unfortunate part of the night was when some ridiculous fool…obviously not comfortable enough with himself, tried to charm Courtni by telling her he was New Orleans’ Saints coach Aaron Kromer??? So, the boys of raannt and Jared, Courtni’s boyfriend, googled Mr. Kromer on their IPhones only to find out that this nobody didn’t in the least bit resemble Aaron Kromer…sad, sad, sad the extent some people will go to…and to think this guy had to be well into his forties. Oh well, hope your lying ways helped you into the bed of some young chickie because they weren’t working in our corner!

We also wanted to say goodbye to our dear friend Brittany Mason who will be in China for the next three months taking over the Asian Fashion Industry…We talked to Brit just hours before she boarded the plane for some city we can pronounce. She was super excited but a little sad that she wouldn’t be back in Indy until June to pick up her little baby dog CoCo! Brittany just shot for Maxim and will be working in China for their fashion season…we wish her the best and since she can’t use facebook or text while there…we’re going to use our Skype and Knocking Video Apps so we don’t miss a second!

As always…come out to see the boys of raannt at FLESH Mondays at Landsharks tomorrow from 9-3…Since it’s Spring Break come out in your best Spring Break attire and win a Jager basket valued at $500

Eyes Open, We’re Watching!

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IndyScene…THE boys of raannt talk SCENE…

The new and improved IndyScene website will be up and running later this week…and the boys of raannt have their very own little column! So stay tuned and check out IndyScene to see what’s going on all over Indy!

And thanks to our good friends J.R. and Kelley over at IndyScene for giving us this chance…just wait as we all take over Indy!!!

Eyes Open, We’re Watching!

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FLESH Monday’s at Landsharks…Posse Party!

Come join us tonight for FLESH Mondays at Landsharks Posse Party!!!…Bring the biggest group of people with you and all of you be there by 11:45pm with some kind of common theme, and you will win a Jager basket worth over $500. After that, you and your posse can fight over who wins the contents!

Flesh is every Monday from 9-3 at Landsharks in Broadripple…NO COVER and DRINK SPECIALS!!!

So come on out and remove the stress of the first day back to work!!!

Eyes Open…We’re Watching!

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Housewife of Atlanta or Lesbian Lover to World Reknown DJ Tracy Young?

Could it possibly be? It’s almost too good to be true that one of the REAL Housewives of Atlanta is a lesbian? God, we love this…and not only that, but she is supposedly linked to hot lesbian, world reknown DJ Tracy Young. So what is the truth behind Housewife Kim Zolciak, seen below in her Prop 8 Photo…

Apparently, in a quote from US Weekly, recaptured in The Huffington Post this morning…“A source tells Us, “Tracy broke up with her longtime girlfriend to be with Kim. Since they’ve been together, Tracy lost a lot of weight and got really skinny for Kim. They seem to be beyond happy with each other.”

Well, we can only wait to see…but hopefully, they’ll bring it all out on the camera eventually, making another gay person a superstar!!! Way to go girls!!!

For more information read the article at The Huffington Post here!

Eyes Open, We’re Watching!

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Chile Earthquake…Hawaii Tsunami Hits Hard on Internet…Could Twitter be a Hero?

The earthquake hitting Chile this morning was recorded at a 8.8. If it holds to this, it will be written in the record books as one of the greatest earthquakes of all time. And now…as we wait, watching the tv, twittering and using social networks, people are waiting to see what will happen when the tsunami, resulting from the earthquake, will hit Hawaii on Hilo Bay, shown below.

Newscasters are saying this is the first time that social networking has ever been used in this manner…helping one another…even twitter caution and ways to make it to safety. In a world critical of the internet, blogging and social networking, could it possibly be that the internet may come out as a hero in the wake of Mother Earth?

Obama has already stated that the US will send assistance and now we are waiting and watching. And just on the heals of the earthquake in Haiti, maybe all of us here, can be a little kinder, care a little more, enjoy life a little bit more and love one another…

We’ll See…

For more information and safety warnings, visit NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
here.

Or visit CBS news here.

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Our Big Gay Dream Wedding!!!

Ok Everyone…If you don’t know by now we’re getting married in Las Vegas and the big day is August 25th!!!! We are trying to win our dream wedding at Crate and Barrel and need you help…

Go to the link below and vote for us!!! We don’t even need 100,000 so we would be more than willing to host a huge party when we get back for everyone that votes and supports us!!! So get everyone to vote…we only need about 5000 votes to catch up!!!

Vote Here for Peter and Alex’s Dream Wedding!!!

Eyes Open, We’re Watching!!!

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Kim Kardashian Friend Mike Snedegar Talks With raannt…

We have been lucky enough to become distant friends with Mike Snedegar who has been giving the boys of raannt some great advice on planning parties and events. Mike is the Entertainment Director for the Tao Group in Las Vegas. Mike, who was on the most recent episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, was kind enough to talk to the boys of raannt and give us the inside scoop into his life, his career and the secret life of celebrities!!!

1. What is your name and your position at Tao?
Mike Snedegar – Entertainment Director – TAO Group

2. You are from the Midwest. What do you think about being from the Midwest has prepared you for being successful in Vegas and what would you be doing if you weren’t at Tao?
I consider myself from the south because of Kentucky, some people argue but we always say “where the hospitality of the south begins” . Being form Kentucky I keep things in perspective, and I always remember where I came from. Im simple guy at heart, and I miss the sound of a screen door being shut and the smell of freshly cut grass!

If I weren’t at TAO? Who knows? Probably something to do with celebrities in some form or another.

3. What is the best party you have ever been to and why?
That’s a hard question to answer- but usually the best parties are the ones I cant really talk about!

4. What is the best event you ever planned and why?
My events with Kim Kardashian are some of my faves because we plan them out together as far as theme and décor and seeing everything from my ideas come to life is so cool. but, The Madonna concert afterparty for the confessions tour in 2006 is my favorite – there is no one bigger than her.

5. Best hotel in Vegas?
The Venetian and the Palazzo of course! I also love Mandarin and Trump tower

6. Most interesting celebrity you have ever met?
My favorite celebrity encounters have been Drew Barrymore and Pink, because they were both as nice as I expected them to be which doesn’t always happen

7. Why is Tao successful?
The team and all of the employees behind it make it happen everyday.

8. The boys of raannt are getting married in Vegas in August. If you were planning our wedding, what would you do?
a suite for the weekend, dinners, one night of clubbing, maybe a show, some sightseeing, shopping!

9. What are three vital ingredients in a successful party or event?
theme, details, celebrity

10. Worst party you have ever planned and what went wrong?
I once did a party called WIG OUT in ….like 2005, one of my first events. Where we had people wear wigs…I still laugh about it today. Nothing really went wrong it was just a silly idea….

11. Are you single and how does your job affect, positively or negatively, your dating and being in a relationship?
I am single, and I work a lot of hours, so anyone I would date would have to be understanding of that. Right now im kind of married to my job J

12. Best city in the world?
LA

13. Best club in the world?
TAO!

14. Soundtrack CD to your life?
music is my favorite thing in the world, couldn’t pick one album….but my current playlist right now is:

A loaded Smile – Adam lambert

Un-thinkable (I’m ready) – Alicia Keys

Lift Me Up – Christina Aguilera

So Happy I Could Die – Lady GaGa

Bulletproof (Nacey remix) – LaRoux

Scream My Name – LMFAO

Street Lights – Kanye West

15. Last book you read and current book you are reading?
Last book I read: IF you have to cry go outside – Kelly Cutrone

Current reading: Are you there vodka, its me Chelsea – Chelsea handler

16. A Movie that profoundly affected your life?
American Beauty, ET, Saving Private Ryan,

17. Television shows you consistently watch?
E! News, Keeping up with the kardashians, project runway, Watch what happens live, kell on earth, dancing with the stars, Larry king live, Anderson cooper 360,

18. Boxers, Briefs or other?
Boxer briefs

Thanks Buddy!!! You Rock!!!

Eyes Open, We’re Watching!!!