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By Sr. Entertainment Correspondent & Chief Editor, John Frazier
 There's something in that name. Jacqueline Dupree. She looks rich, classy, campy and fun. If you're a part of the club/nighttime society, most likely you're heard of Ms. Dupree and if you haven't you will.
Many of us have gone to a bar or club where there was entertainment. Before the show you might have some hot naked male dancing about, working the body for a tip but the main event is that drag-queen, transsexual, transvestite or transgender in song and "chit chat". She's bringing the crowd in. She will "read" you, "write" you and "erase" you. She will cut you up with her tongue. Don't come for her, she's shooting from the hip. She's the one that the crowd adores. In time she knows her audience and her audience knows her. Yet what happens when the club is about to close and the cosmetics has been washed off their faces, who is she? Ms Dupree gave us the opportunity to peak behind that curtain.
Ladies and gentlemen make way for the diva and recording artist, Ms. Jacqueline Dupree.
| Interview: |
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| John: |
Thank you so much to making time to speak to me. You and I have been playing telephone tag. |
| Jacqueline: |
I was out on Fire Island, and the reception is poor out there. |
| John: |
You are an entertainer. As far as sexuality, what do you consider yourself? What is the proper/correct word? |
| Jacqueline: |
Oh, drag queen for me. Yes, I'm a drag queen. I'm not trying to be a transsexual; I'm just a gay man who dresses in women's apparel for entertainment purposes only. |
| John: |
When was the first time you put on a dress? And what was that feeling like? |
| Jacqueline: |
(Jackie started to laugh at the memory) It was in 1999, when I started to do drag professionally, as for the first time putting on a dress I want to say it was 1994 -1995 in Detroit, the first time I dressed in drag, I lip-synched to Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Woman", my twin sisters were my background dancers, that was the first time that I really put on a dress. It was something that I always wondered about. (What I found wonderful is that Jackie does not lip-synch, she sings live!). |
| John: |
"Jacqueline" is bold, sexy, comic, speaks her mind. Are you "Jacqueline Dupree" when you aren't working on stage? |
| Jacqueline: |
No, I'm a totally different person. Jackie gets away with things that I would never do. She can say anything, like when straight men come to my shows, I get to do things as Jackie that I would never be able to get away with dressed as a man. |
| John: |
Tyler Perry has said that "Madea" is a character based on the women in his family. Is "Jacqueline Dupree" based on the women in your family? |
| Jacqueline: |
(He thought about it for a second before answering). Nah, not, no.......... have you seen the show, "227?" Sandra Clark, Jackie Harry, well she was my idol. I use to mimic her back in the day. So when I decided to do drag, something about Jackie Harry stayed with me. So I took Sandra Clark and Blanche from "Golden Girls", that's where Jacqueline came from. |
| John: |
I've seen photos of your many different looks; does each look have a character name and personality? |
| Jacqueline: |
No, not really, its one day I feel glam, another day I might feel really real when I dress up. When I dress up I want to give glamour. |
| John: |
What do you feel is a misconception about you and other performers like yourself? |
| Jacqueline: |
I take my career seriously. The misconception, many do it for the attention but you can tell who's really real and who's not. When I use to see drag's I thought they were bad people but that's not true, that's a misconception. Of course, some of them do exist. Many drags after the performance stay in drag, feeling themselves. I don't, I change my clothes and come back as myself. Another misconception is people think we are all bottoms, this is not true. |
| John: |
Gay pride starts off in June and ends sometime in the fall. Do you have any shows coming up during this time? |
| Jacqueline: |
Yes, in NYC its starts in June. I will be going to L.A. to ride the float in the parade; this will be my first time. I will be performing at Fire Island and D.C. as well. |
| John: |
What performer would you like to impersonate, that you haven't done? |
| Jacqueline: |
That I haven't done?................ Jennifer Holiday. Everywhere I go and I mean everywhere, they think because I'm black and I sing live and sing high, I'm asked can I do Jennifer Holiday ("And I'm Telling You"). In my shows, my signatures are: Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, I like to do songs that show my range. Jennifer's song is a classic, I have to do it right. |
| John: |
Would you consider a reality show? Say, you with five other contestants? I think that would be interesting. Something that would shed some light on this secret society, something that allows us to take a look behind the scenes? Would you be open to that? |
| Jacqueline: |
Oh, yes, of course! We could pitch that idea to "Logo"; they're always looking for something new. |
| John: |
You are a celebrity within the gay community. Can you tell me, in a few words, what's that feeling like? |
| Jacqueline: |
Oh, the love that I get in and out of drag. I've had "drags in training", come up to me and tell me that I inspire them, some wish they could sing. I try to tell drag queens they get more appreciation when people actual hear you singing live. When you sing, you really get high praise. People have come to me and say that it's refreshing to see someone in drag who can really sing. I'm a recording artist and I have a single out on I-Tunes and Amazon.com called, "Good Time". |
| John: |
Through your entertainment what are you trying to get across to your audience? |
| Jacqueline: |
To appreciate drag more. When out of drag, I look like a bouncer. When people realize that I'm "Jackie", they are totally shocked, and I love that. They are surprise at how I look "butch". |
| John: |
Have you any acting training? |
| Jacqueline: |
Yes, I have a little of that, I've been in plays, fashion shows, a couple of some independent films. Before the movie changed its title to, "Precious", it was called, "Push", I was one of the drag queens. |
| John: |
You are from Detroit which is known for its great singers; did you sing in church or anything like that? |
| Jacqueline: |
No, it's just something that I picked up, listening to Whitney Houston, back in the day. I listened to Tevin Campbell, Michael Jackson, you know people with high voices. I just started singing, no professional training. |
| John: |
How do you spend your time when you aren't working? |
| Jacqueline: |
I love to cook. I'm from a family of five, so I love to cook for four more people. |
| John: |
Where is your favorite place you want to go to, or have gone to, in the whole wide world? |
| Jacqueline: |
I can't wait to do Europe; I've always wanted to go to France. I'm supposed to go to Germany in September. As for here in the states, when I finally went to L.A., I felt like a little kid. I also like D.C. for work, at least once a month. |
| John: |
What is your opinion on gay marriage? |
| Jacqueline: |
For me, I'm not for it, I've been asked twice. Now for other people, yes, I'm for it. |
| John: |
And why are you not? Is it a church thing? |
| Jacqueline: |
I just don't see two, the same sex getting married, but for other people, I'm for it, that's them. I just don't see myself marrying another man; we could keep it as lovers. My favorite Aunt, years ago, asked me, would I marry another man, I said no, and she wanted to know why. It's not in my cards to marry another man. |
| John: |
Is that because of a church background? |
| Jacqueline: |
No, I had a few friends who have married, and I'm happy for them. I just don't see it for myself. |
| John: |
What would your friends and fans be surprised to learn about you? |
| Jacqueline: |
Well, I don't drink, I don't smoke. I'm pure. (We were both laughing at this point, but I have a feeling that he's right.) |
| John: |
Thank you for allowing me the interview. |
| Jacqueline: |
You are welcome. We must keep in touch (and we will). |
It was a pleasure chit chatting with Ms. Jacqueline Dupree. If Jackie's performing in your city, check her out, trust me you will be in for a treat. You may also contact Ms. Dupree on Facebook.
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