Amanda Lepore, Transtastic Bombshell

Amanda Lepore calls New York City home and it's a place where she often gets paid to enter a room lips first! Her vavoomy looks and commanding presence will certainly not be lost on San Francisco, where the "most famous transsexual in the world" will be performing at Beaux and Midnight Sun on December 14 and 16. I got to ask Amanda about her transformation as an individual and entertainer, plus her upcoming trip to the Bay Area.

Ronn Vigh: We're both originally from New Jersey. Is there anything from your Jersey roots that still sticks with you today?

Amanda Lepore: Not really! I have lived in New York since 1989, at this point I feel like this is home. It's a happier place for me. The only things that I have from my childhood days are memories of my mother and friends from that time.

Ronn Vigh: You started as a host at various nightclubs in New York City but have certainly evolved as a performer since then. Can you tell me a little about the evolution of Amanda Lepore and where you draw your inspiration from?

Amanda Lepore: Being bullied in my past and my mother being schizophrenic, I spent a lot of time in solitude without self-confidence. Once I began modeling for David LaChapelle, the level of exposure and having to interact with people and perform, and even being nude in front of people, broke down my barriers. The reaction from people began building my self-confidence and I started enjoying what I was doing. Also, getting a positive reaction to the work was satisfying, and the feedback was empowering!

Ronn Vigh: When you're in San Francisco, you will be performing "'Tis The Season- A holiday performance by Amanda Lepore." Do you get caught up in the spirit of the holidays?

Amanda Lepore: I like the spirit of the holidays, the warmth of it. I have happy early childhood memories of my parents bringing out the tree and my father dressing up as Santa. The Christmas decorations, holiday parties; how could you not be happy during the holidays?

Ronn Vigh: Is there anything at all you dislike about this time of year?

Amanda Lepore: I don't like cold because I don't wear much. But the snow is pretty!

Ronn Vigh: What can we expect from your performances at Beaux on December 14 and The Midnight Sun on December 16?

Amanda Lepore: I'll be performing numbers from my album and newer stuff I do at the SoHo Grand in New York, and I also will be singing "Santa Baby."

Ronn Vigh: You didn't start singing until later on in your career. However, was it something you always planned on doing?

Amanda Lepore: As a kid I did want to be a singer and would play around with a hair spray can as my microphone, so I did envision myself someday doing it. But then I was more preoccupied with my transition.

Ronn Vigh: What are some of your favorite songs?

Amanda Lepore: I like girly stuff like Marilyn Monroe and Peggy Lee, and music by Lana Del Rey and Emeli Sand�'s cover of "Crazy In Love" for The Great Gatsby - I like the feeling the music and visuals of these evoke, the glamour that we don't see much of anymore.

Ronn Vigh: You are often described as "The Most Famous Transsexual In The World." I have two friends in San Francisco who are wonderful transsexual stand-up comedians, both with amazing stories to share. While their stories are very unique, they still have a way of being unabashedly open and honest yet completely relatable to a broader audience of vastly different backgrounds. Why do you think so many people can relate to you and how have you overcome struggles along the way in becoming the strong woman you are today?

Amanda Lepore: People being inspired by me make me feel good and it inspires me in turn. The risk I took with David LaChapelle was big to me; it could have gone a complete other way. I was one of the first people to become famous going against the mold. I don't think that Lady Gaga could have made it at that time. Models looked like models, pop stars looked like pop stars, there was a formula, and I did not fit the description of what was going on in pop culture at the time - let alone an openly transsexual figure. Being at the right place at the right time with courage and hard work, I survived the era and went on to establish myself and turn into my own person. I think why people relate to me so much and why I have longevity is because they look at me and see a symbol for survival, strength and success.

Ronn Vigh: I myself am a stand-up comic but I'm also a yoga teacher, so I "retox" just as quickly as I detoxed. Working in clubs and performance venues with late nights and booze a plenty, do you have any secrets on how you keep such a beautiful figure?

Amanda Lepore: I don't follow a strict diet! I eat as healthy as I can and I don't really drink. I make it look like I'm drinking, I normally order a ginger ale in a champagne glass. It does look more glamorous to have a drink in your hand. And I practice yoga too! I also dance a lot when I'm out working at the clubs, and living in New York City I walk everywhere to take care of my errands.

Ronn Vigh: Celebrities often have clothing and accessory lines, and you have had your face on a watch, your own lipstick, bath products and perfume. But one thing most don't have is their own doll modeled after them! How did that come about and what does it mean to have your own doll created for you?

Amanda Lepore: It was incredible because it was so beautiful and it was made so well. It even had nipples, a pussy, my lips, boobs and ass were bigger than Barbie's! And I wasn't made out of plastic. I was made out of porcelain that had perfume baked in the porcelain. It was very lux! If anyone has an additional one and would like to give it to me as a gift, I would love to have one. Jason Wu, who made the doll, now dresses the First Lady - which is ironic since the doll is like Marilyn and he would've been making clothes for Jackie O.

Ronn Vigh: What was the best advice ever given to you?

Amanda Lepore: My mother would always say, "When people make fun of you, ignore them and hold your head high with dignity and pride." I think that was very classy advice.

Ronn Vigh: And what's the best advice you have for others?

Amanda Lepore: My advice is, "Really do what you want in your heart, no matter how hard it is, because you'll be happier and more fulfilled in the end."

Amanda Lepore will be performing at Beaux, 2344 Market St. on December 14 and The Midnight Sun, 4067 18th St on December 16.