CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Boy, Girl. Artist, Advocate. Courtney Act is more than just the sum of her parts. I have always thought she was under estimated as a drag queen. She was widely known before going on Drag Race...and she was quick to be edited on the show as the sort of one note drag queen, and the fishy, and was getting pegged as the villain to a point. But to me Courtney has way many layers, and is very mutli faceted as a queen. Having seen her shows many times, and the last one, in Provincetown in the summer of 2018, her show covered it all.  She also entered the 2018 UK Celebrity Big Brother house with the wardrobe malfunction seen ‘round the world, but Courtney quickly proved she was no ordinary celebrity housemate. Her iconic blend of heart and humor- brains and beauty- won the world’s heart and the competition! 

And yet, Courtney Act is more than just gender or drag. She is a contemporary artist who embodies the zeitgeist of an era. One of the first artists to show their gender fluidity as well as their natural talents when boy, Shane Jenek, was passed by during the auditions for season one of Australian Idol, he came back the next day as girl: Courtney Act. Courtney showed the judges so much more than her music ability and went on to be one of the most iconoclastic contestants the show has ever seen and was signed to Sony,  embarking on a national arena tour with her fellow Idols.

 In 2014 she returned to the television arena as one of the Top 3 in Season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Though she didn’t steal the crown, she did steal the hearts of millions of viewers around the world. Courtney then released her debut EP, Kaleidoscope, featuring mainstream pop beats and lux music videos featuring collaborations with Jake Shears, Sam Sparro , William Baker (Kylie Minogue), The Squared Division (Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj). Her videos online have been viewed over 40 million times.

Proving once and for all that she was more than just a voice and a body, Courtney took on a number of controversial social causes and stories in her award-nominated political series American Act on Junkee.com. The series has had over 6 million views and saw Act fire a gun, smoke marijuana, and attend a Trump rally in full drag. I have seen some of the series...it is pretty interesting. But what I really loved was her touching documentary Becoming Courtney Act.For much of Courtney's career there was a struggle going on between the glamor puss queen and the man behind the make-up, Shane Jenek. The turning point came in 2014 when he was introduced to the concept of gender fluidity. Since then, Shane and Courtney haves used reality tv and social media to preach a message of acceptance and tolerance and gender fluid issues. If you have the time to watch this great and inspiring story about Courtney's trip, hit play. It's is also very touching to see how here parents were so accepting and supportive, especially her father. It's an intimate portrait, Jenek talks candidly, both as Shane and Courtney about his career and identity issues.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT-PROVINCETOWN

If you've been to Provincetown before , then you know that the Art House gets some prime entertainment.Later this summer when I go, I'll have the privilege to see the blond bombshell, Courtney Act, who is bringing her hit cabaret show, Boys Like Me, to Provincetown, and will perform every Tuesday-Thursday from July 14 thru August 20th. Get ready to laugh and connect with Courtney as you are taken on a journey through her adventurous love life! 

 

 Once upon a time, Sydney boy Shane Jenek tried out for Australian Idol. Not quite making the cut he wasn’t discouraged, Shane bent the rules and his gender, returning the next day as Courtney Act, and made it through to the finals. Courtney’s explosive, energetic performing style, coupled with her joyous personality, sent audiences wild and Australia had a new, slightly less conventional, sweetheart. Hot on the high heels of the TV series came the phenomenally successful national arena tour and a record deal with Sony.

 

 

 Over the coming years Courtney forged herself a name in the Australian entertainment industry, garnering chart hits, television appearances, and national advertising campaigns, and she toured Australia, Europe, Asia and America. She was even voted one FHM’s World’s Top 100 Sexiest Women (despite not actually being a woman), sang at Lady Gaga’s private birthday party, and opened for Gaga on her Australian club tour. She’s played the role of Angel in RENT the musical and she’s been the face of Sheer Cover makeup across the three major TV networks selling makeup to the women of Australia on morning television. She’s no Joan of Arc, but it is pretty revolutionary having a female illusionist, selling the illusion of beauty to females. And unless under a rock, you'll know she placed top three on RuPauls Drag Race. If you plan to be in Provincetown during this period, get out and check her out, she is so beautiful to watch, and so sweet....her show is pretty entertaining. Tickets here.

 

Some other noteworthy Mistress endorsed shows are....

JINKX MONSOON w/ Major Scales at the piano
July 15 - Sept. 18

 

Varla Jean Merman's BIG BLACK HOLE
June 28 - Sept. 7

 

WELL-STRUNG Summer Lovin'
All New Show! You know I love me some Well Strung Quartet! I highly recommend them!
July 1 - Sept 12

Audra McDonald with special guest Will Swenson
Broadway @ Town Hall - Aug 24

BIANCA DEL RIO Rolodex of Hate
Aug 10 - Sept 7

 

RETURN TO GREY GARDENS
Jinkx Monsoon & Peaches Christ
Aug. 21 - Sept 20

 

In addition Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burka have also been added to the already phenomenal lineup on August 10 and the incredibly beautiful Vanessa Williams will be performing on September 6th!!!! Too many shows, so little time!!!! Check out the Provincetown Art House for further info on these plus other shows.



LATE NIGHT...MEAN GAYS

Courtney Act and the girls are back in Courtney's new ditty, a rip on the queens of West Hollywood.

 

Wonder what Cali Boi has to say on this?

SISSY THAT WALK

You know, sometimes you just have to sissy that walk.

 

 

  

 I had forgotten how fun this song is, It's been in my head for days now. And I had also forgotten how all the girls looked FABULOUS in this video.

THREE QUEENS STAND BEFORE US.......

Three queens stand before us on this night of another entertaining season of RuPaul's Drag Race. If the rumors I hear on the drag circuit are true, I won't be happy with the outcome, but they may be just rumors. So are you.....

Team Adore Delano?

Team Bianca Del Rio?

Team Courtney Act?

THE FINISH LINE APPOACHES

 WELL, WELL WELL, here we are already the final five!!!! When I did my initial post,  the five queens in the top five are close to what I picked, and it was interesting to see the order I picked from beginning to end,  compared to how it panned out. The biggest shock was seeing Kelly Mantle go first. But the rest followed suit pretty close to my predictions, with the exception of Milk and Adore. I thought for sure it would be Milk in the top 5 along with Adore being 6th. Josyln made it much further then I ever expected, and I'm glad for her. Heaven knows she can't act or lip sync her way out of a paper bag, and her high NRG dancing needs work, but she is so frickin adorable, and paints up real nice. I'd meet her for a drink any time, she seemed like a lot of fun. She gets my surprise hit of the season award. My initial order was...

 

14- Magnolia Crawford, 13- Vivacious, 12-Joslyn Fox 11-Gia Gunn 10-April Carrion 9-Laganja Estranja 8-Darienne Lake 7-Trinity K Bonnet  6- Adore Delano 5-Kelly Mantle  4-Milk  3-Courtney Act 2-BenDeLa Crème Winner-Bianca Del Rio

 

 But here is how I think the season will pan out from here......

 

5-DARIENNE LAKE

 

I know I will regret this, but I have the feeling she will beat out Adore for top four. But lately she has been on the bottom.  It amazes me this bitch is still here. It is driving me nuts. I have no idea what is going on with RuPaul and the judges. I had high hopes for Darienne to place mid way. But she’s got a really bitter, nasty streak when someone outdoes her that’s really unpleasant. She is the nasty queen back stage you hear of.  And do they not see she only as one look it seems,  and how she got past the Talk Show Host episode is beyond me. That was a major disaster to watch, and she is no Lattrice Royale to make it this far. If a big girl should win, it should have been her. Lattrice had way more style, class, and a funny side than this Great Lake!!!

 

4-Adore Delano

 

I had a feeling Adore would place high, but not top 5. While she does have a great look some weeks, I don't think she is winning the season. But she better beat that big bitch this week and send her packing!!!!! I find Adore oddly endearing, even though she’s a hot mess. She’s kind of like a Labrador retriever puppy — if you can stand to get through this early phase of her drag life with her chewing up all your high steppers and pissing on the rug, you might just end up with something really lovely. I think Ru also sees a ton of potential in her and that’s why she’s been so forgiving of Adore’s missteps. But who really thinks Adore can win? Even Adore doesn’t think Adore can win.

 

3-Courtney Act

 

Going into this there was no question this already well known queen would be top 5. Courtney has been consistent,  but underwhelming in my opinion, so she won't win. I was expecting great things when I found out that she was part of this cast, but I’ve yet to be wowed, except for the pearl clutching moment of the bird wings!!!!. Don't get me wrong,  she is fabulous and stunning as hell, she’s giving me Olivia Newton John realness with the Aussie bit, and has legs more fishier than Long John Silvers on Good Friday. Courtney has really grown on me, both as a performer and because she seems like a genuinely nice person. When Great Lakes, Darienne was saying she should go on The Biggest Loser so she could find a nice man, and Courtney said, “You can find yourself a nice man looking just like that…” she won me over completely. I do feel she was cast just to get viewers in, with her being already well known. I don’t give a shit if she can’t make costumes or do impressions of celebrities. I would fuck Courtney Act. In drag, out of drag, either way.

 

2-BenDelaCreme

 

Just this Friday night I had the privilege of seeing this fabulous queen right here at Voyeur Nightclub in Philly where she brought the house down and is every bit the sweetheart you would expect her to be. I think BenDeLaCreme is lovely. Always pulls it off with great style. At first I thought she was just Michelle Visage’s twin brother,  but she has now done other looks successfully. I don’t see anything stopping her for second place.  DeLa’s experience with theater and music should put her in a fantastic position, and she for the most part has been consistent, but I think her closeness in style and talent and quirkiness, being so close to her friend Jinkx won't give her the win. It would be like Jinkx winning again.

 

 

So that leaves Miss Bianca Del Rio to take the win.......

 

Bianca really is the whole complete package of a drag queen with just enough campy bitchiness.  She has great style, is always flawless and is down right funny. And she has fabulous lashes for days!!!! Loved the Judge Judy, her and Ben stole the whole Snatch Game.I really like Bianca for her commentary.

 

At first Bianca’s jokes were like bad Don Rickles rejects. But she relaxed and got into the groove. Her one liners are slick as goose shit going threw a brass horn.  She is so polished and confident, I felt like she already won the whole thing from the beginning.  Bianca is far and away my favorite and has been. She is also already a legend in New York and New Orleans, and historically the queen who wins the most challenges has won the whole season. If someone is looking for the whole package- Bianca is the ticket.

 

 

So what's your thoughts kittens?

CHARLIE'S ANGELS 2.0

Looks like the fabulous Charlie's Angels are back and more fierce then ever.......

 

 

They are fighting crime, and ridding the streets of the fashion faux pas, high kicking the bullies, and guiding those young sway back queens to a better life, all the while giving good face. They are.....

 

Raja

 

Courtney Act

 

Willam Bellini

 

And together they are Charlie's Angels, and they conceal their weapons so well.

 

 

one can dream!

TO RUSSIA, WITH LOVE

  

They say that nine tenths of a woman’s charm is illusion... and Courtney Act is living proof. She has the ability to bring women to their feet and men to their knees. But, she’s not like other girls...



 Way back in 2003  hot Sydney boy Shane Jenek tried out for the first series of Australian Idol. Not quite making the cut he wasn’t discouraged, Shane bent the rules and his gender, returning the next day as Courtney Act. Courtney’s explosive, energetic performing style, coupled with her joyous personality, sent audiences wild in the first series of ‘Australian Idol’. With performances of songs like You Don’t Own Me, W.O.M.A.N. and You Shook Me All Night Long, the country was mesmerised and Australia had a new, slightly less conventional, sweetheart. Hot on the high heels of the TV series came the phenomenally successful sell-out Australian Idol Arena Tour . During all of the Idol excitement a record deal with Sony/BMG was struck which saw Courtney release ‘Rub Me Wrong’ , a film clip and a top 40 chart single produced by legendary LA-based writer/producer David Norland .

  

Love this shot of girl and boy Courtney!

 Courtney is currently appearing at Will & Toby’s stunning new venue on Taylor Square Sydney. The unreal girl has re-invented herself once again and joined forces with the sensational Jeremy Brennan and King Casual to create a totally stunning night of entertainment that is a must see.

 After wrapping up at Will & Toby’s, Courtney will be dipping her toe into the European waters to see how the temperature suits. Visiting London, Ibiza & Milan while she is there Courtney will be performing a couple of gigs and meeting the locals in anticipation of a more long term stay.

Courtney has exposed her talents as a writer for NW, TV Week, DNA Magazine and as a social reporter for Sydney’s Daily Telegraph. The readers of FHM magazine voted her as one of The World’s 100 Sexiest Women.  Out Magazine awarded her as one of the World’s Most Influential People. Courtney has also graced the catwalk during Mercedes Australian Fashion Week and made appearances on TV shows including Australia’s Next Top Model, GMA
with Bert, Mornings with Kerry Anne Kennerley, Burke’s Backyard, Cheese TV and Fat Pizza.

 In between a vacuous social life and her hectic work schedule, Courtney acts as an ambassador for the AIDS Trust Of Australia and works several programs in the field of Youth Education. In her spare time Miss Act enjoys reading, Bikram yoga, saving the planet and cites Oprah Winfrey as her religious leader. All this and still does RuPual's Drag Race, and released her new single directed at Russia......To Russia, With Love!

 

Grande Dame

They say that nine tenths of a woman’s charm is illusion... and Courtney Act is living proof. She has the ability to bring women to their feet and men to their knees. But, she’s not like other drag queen. In 2003 Sydney boy Shane Jenek tried out for the first series of Australian Idol. Not quite making the cut he wasn’t discouraged, Shane bent the rules and his gender, returning the next day as Courtney Act. Courtney’s explosive, energetic performing style, coupled with her joyous personality, sent audiences wild in the first series of ‘Australian Idol’. Courtney has performed successful seasons at Heaven, London & Ibiza, Will & Toby’s, Sydney to name a few in a totally stunning night of live entertainment that is a must see. Courtney has received fantastic reviews and left crowds amazed that she is not a real... um, blond. In between a vacuous social life and her hectic work schedule, Courtney acts as an ambassador for the AIDS Trust Of Australia and works several programs in the field of Youth Education.

And here is Courtney and her male counter, in and out of drag, cute as a boy huh?