En Femme Interview
Beulah Lamont
Interviewed by Robyn Ann
The Large and Lovely Beulah Lamont - the reigning Miss Gay Universe at Large was recently in Trenton as hostess of the Miss Gay New Jersey Pageant. (See Related Feature). Miss Lamont was born in Baltimore, Md., and performs at The Hippo in that city. She has appeared on numerous television talk shows and is in great demand as a hostess - she works and produces the Miss Gay Maryland, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic, Miss Gay Delaware, Miss Numbers and Miss Hippo pageants as well as co-producing the Miss Gay New York and Miss Gay New Jersey pageants. She is also hostess (and producer) of several male entertainer events as well as an active fundraiser for various projects and local AIDS support groups including AIDS Action Baltimore. She travels and entertains with recording artist Debbie Jacobs and has appeared all over the globe. We are delighted to be able to present this dynamic and beautiful person to our readers.
1. Tell us about your title - "Miss Gay Universe At Large."
Beulah: The title "Miss Gay Universe At Large - 1988" is a title that I was proud to acquire. This competition is specifically designed for the Big and Beautiful Female Impersonators. Most competitions welcome larger girls, however they seldom do well. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule. This competition is designed for impersonators of 200 pounds or more.
2. How long have you been in the Female Impersonator business?
Beulah: - I've been in the business since December, 1977. I reached a national level about four years ago.
3. And what made you decide to get into the business?
Beulah: - I started into the business as a fluke. I started out as a comical Host on a dare from a friend. Here I am now!
4. Where have you performed?
Beulah: - Where haven't I? Chicago; Boston; Providence; Rehoboth; Wilmington, Del.; Trenton; New York City; Long Island; Hartford; Washington, D.C.; Columbia, S.C.; Atlanta; Dallas; Ft. Lauderdale; Tampa; Little Rock; Birmingham; Montgomery; Oklahoma City; Philadelphia; Asbury Park; Omaha - do you think that's enough for now? And of course, Maryland. I travel and sing live with recording artist Debbie Jacobs. I open the show lipsyncing to a couple of songs and bring her out, we sing one or two of her songs live, she does her show and then we close together. I have done radio and performed and appeared on local and national television as a Female Impersonator.
5. With whom have you performed? Other Female Impersonators?
Beulah: - Former Miss Gay Americas - Norma Kristie, Lauren Colby, Naomi Sims, Tasha Kohl, Francesca Wakeland, Jennifer Fox and the reigning Miss GA - Vicki Vincent. Also - Former Miss USA's - Diana Hutton, Tommy Ross, Michael Andrews and the reigning Miss USA - Natasha Edwards. Plus - Charlie Brown of Atlanta (my girl!), Lady Baronessa, Ginger Grant, Donna Day, Dana Douglas (former Miss Continental), Dana Manchester and the list goes on and on!
6. Which performer do you yourself most enjoy?
Beulah: - It's very hard to pinpoint one person because so many people are great for so many different reasons. My Girl's Charlie Brown from Atlanta does stand out the very most. I owe her. We owe each other. She is so professional, I work with her very easily. So many of our people often take a lot for granted.
7. Do you specialize in any characters in your act?
Beulah: - I don't really specialize in any particular character. I have done Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Divine (which was great, I must say!) I'm mainly known as the Large and Lovely Beulah Lamont. I know I'm large, I know I'm lovely and I do the best that I can do.
8. Which do you most enjoy doing?
Beulah: - I enjoy being Beulah and Divine.
9. We've touched on some of the more interesting aspects of the profession - the people, the places - but what are some of the drawbacks or the downside of the business?
Beulah: - the downside to this business are people who stereotype. Because I'm a Female Impersonator by trade, people automatically assume me to be (dressed as) a woman, always. Before they know me at all, they think they know me, only to realize that they didn't really know me at all I'm not against
TV's, TS's or anyone else. People should just accept each of us for the person we each are. I'm just a gay male who does Female Impersonating for a living.
10. How hard is it to 'get up' for each performance?
Beulah: - It's not hard to get it up at all! Oh, I'm sorry - I mean it doesn't take a lot for me to get psyched up for a performance. It's in me to do what I do. I find it hard to explain, but I love my job and when you really are in to what you do, I think it shows.
11. How long does it take to get prepared for each performance?
Beulah: - I allow up to three hours for TOTAL preparation. I've gotten away with 45 minutes due to a late flight or two. I like to take my time and reconstruct my features with make-up.
12. What was the ultimate high point of your career?
Beulah: - There were many high points - a few were doing television, hosting Miss Gay America annually with Charlie Brown.
13. Any 'embarrassing' moments?
Beulah: - There is always an embarrassing moment. About six years ago, I performed under the influence of Quaaludes, liquor and acid (kids! don't try this at home!) and made a public fool of myself. I paid for it dearly and had to work very hard to get back up. Since then none of my girls or myself ever get lit up to work. After the show they can do whatever they want. I guess we all learn by our mistakes. I know I have.
14. How long does it take to perfect a character/routine?
Beulah: - It depends on the character, the routine and the person preparing. Personally, it took me almost two months before doing Divine and about one month on Dolly Parton. It took me about four or five years to build a foundation for Beulah. I'm still learning everyday.
15. How and when did you decide you could make a living as a Female Impersonator?
Beulah: - About three-and-a-half or four years ago, I took a chance and left my regular job. Chuck Bowers - owner of the Hippo in Baltimore (Maryland's largest gay bar) - gave me a chance. It worked and here I am. Without Chuck and the Hippo I don't know where I would be today. Thank you very much.
16. Why do you suppose Female Impersonators are so popular as an art form?
Beulah: - Because it's mysterious and glamorous, yet very entertaining. Some people fulfill their own fantasies through us. I work regular dinner theaters where the audiences are mainly straight, they can't get enough of it! As long as people like it, I hope I can do it.
17. Turning to your personal life - are you involved in a relationship?
- and
18. Do the rigors of performing and traveling make it hard to sustain a relationship?
Beulah: - I recently ended a relationship of a year-and-a- half. It's tough because you need trust in a relationship. Without trust you have nothing. That goes for friends and friendship as well. People today always seem to feel that they'll miss something, so they are always looking for what they can't and don't have and get upset when they lose what they had. You figure it out. It's rough being on the road, I often miss them (my friends) and hopefully they miss me. I sometimes take them on road trips. Currently, I'm safely dating a few handsome men.
19. There are many crossdressers in your audiences. What are your feelings/thoughts on transvestites?
Beulah: - I really don't mind what people do. Life is short. Enjoy yourself to the fullest. You don't want to get older or sick and wish you would have done something - do it and love it, if you don't like it at least you'd then know it. I'm glad TV's can feel welcome and relaxed in my audiences. They're people too, so are you and I.
20. And finally, what are your plans for the future?
Beulah: - My plans for the future:
- To keep competition alive for all Female Impersonators, and most importantly, to keep it honest.
- To entertain as long as I professionally can. If I get bad and don't realize it, I hope a friend would tell me so. I always want to be known as a good entertainer.
- To own my own business (other than Lamont Productions) and retire with someone special, maybe-a redhead!
- To do my part in helping to eliminate the deadly disease AIDS. I currently raise funds for AIDS Action Baltimore on a regular basis. I also do for others, but I see the money that's donated put to good and immediate use. There's a group that has the "Beulah Lamont Grant" which benefits A.A.B. Their name is Simplicity Attractions, Unltd.
- To somehow let everyone know how much I have appreciated their support. I still am overwhelmed by the turn-out at shows and contests, as well as fund raisers, too. Without their support I often wonder where I'd be. And...
- To return to Europe as often as possible!
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