Tranny of the Month: Holestar

Tranny of the Month: Holestar

28 July, 2011
by: TomArmstrong

First in our series profiling London's finest ladies of the night.

This month we're pub quizzing with Holestar, self-styled “tranny with a fanny” and founder of Queer Arts Community 'Hot Laser', who are currently filming a documentary on the gay and alternative nightlife scene in East London.

We meet at Dalston Superstore, Holestar looking every bit the entertainer in a multi-coloured wig and illuminous eye make-up, for 'Lets Get Quizzical', a night of pop-culture trivia and musical statues hosted by the lady herself. You needn't know the names of any chemical compounds or ancient Persian Kings to take part, just a few Geri Halliwell numbers and a half-decent lip synching ability, and if you're really good you may win one of the prizes on offer, ranging from a tin of green beans to a plastic lizard. University Challenge it ain't.

We've sprinkled the interview with a few questions from the night to keep you entertained, but no Googling, it's made quite clear from the outset that “cheaters are crap in bed!"

Question 1: Who had hits in the 80s with 'Electric Youth', 'Only in my Dreams', and 'Shake Your Love'?

I decide to start with the most obvious: Holestar is a not a man in a dress, she's a biological woman, so what does performing in drag mean to her and what kind of reactions does she get from the public? “Most reactions I get are positive but occasionally you get idiots who can't quite work out what I am and feel the need to grab my tits or privates. I don't feel a need to be rude or shady unless someone provokes me, so in those instances I'll grab them back. Don't touch the trannies honey. If you're curious, ask us and we'll tell you – we're human."

Of the word 'tranny' itself she says, “Unfortunately 'tranny' is used as a term of abuse. It needs to reclaimed, like 'queer' as an all-encompassing, positive and powerful term. I'm a queer tranny but essentially, a person.”

Question 2: Name all four Geri Halliwell number ones.

She DJs, hosts parties, produces music and is founder of an arts community, so how did she end up with her fingers in so many pies? What does her CV look like? “Two years in the British Army where I was 'Private Hole' (true story, it's my real name), a photography degree, fine art masters from St Martins and four years living in Vienna. I started drag after seeing many a ropey drag queen and thinking 'I can do that.”

Interestingly, she also teaches drag at universities: “it's incredible to take it to students and show them that drag isn't just waxed eyebrows, sequinned gowns and lip synching to Shirley Bassey. You don't need fake titties or aim for realness to embrace your tranny.”

Question 3: Who had a hit in the '90s with 'C'est La Vie'?

She also recently performed at both Lovebox and Glastonbury. “Both were quite fabulous,” she recalls: “exhausting, but such a wonderful thing to be part of. We had some amazing performances from Lucy Fizz, sploshing and covering herself in custard and gateaux, Ashley Ryder doing things with his bottom, Bourgeois and Maurice, Fancy Chance, Miss Annabel Sings, Les Goom, Mr Teds, Natalie Monroe and a famous fashion designer laying an egg – literally.”

Question 4: Who recently tweeted of Lady Gaga, “I've been doing singing mermaid in a wheelchair since 1980. You can keep the meat dress and firecracker tits – the mermaid's mine."?

Her 'Queer Arts Comminity', Hot Laser, is currently producing the film 'Hot Mess', which has seen film crews spend two years documenting the thriving, hedonistic and fabulous London nightlife scene and stars like Johnny Woo, Scottee and John Sizzle. “Anyone who can help,” she asks, “please check out the film teaser and information on the website! (www.hot-laser.com) Eventually it'll be a hub, resource and promoter of British-based queer creatives....once we get funding.”

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Answers: 1) Debbie Gibson. 2) 'Mi Chico Latino', 'Bag it Up', 'Lift Me Up', 'It's Raining Men' 3) B*Witched 4) Bette Midler

Photograph copyright Lorenzo Rossi

TomArmstrong