ShAnTii Interviews Kanela

 15 Q&A’s with KANELA
 By:  ShAnTii

Hello again Speak Your Mind guests and Klick N’ Read readers.  This time around we are interviewing a wonderful and dear friend of ours, Valentino’s lovely Star and M.C. – KANELA!  Sit back and enjoy the ride we have in store for you.

Note:  All of Kanela’s answers and/or responses are in red font.

Hey Kanela!  You look lovely tonight.  As always, it is good to see you and thank you for accepting this interview and I am sure the readers will enjoy it as well. Thank You!!

Q:  Everyone that I have spoken too in reference to your interview, had one question that they really want to know.  Hmm - O.K.?  How many years have you been doing female impersonating and has Kanela been your one and only stage name?
A:  I have been doing female impersonating since 1994 for twelve years and yes; Kanela has been my only stage name.  That name was given to me by Chanel Dumont and her lover at the time.

Q:  Can you remember the name of the first club you performed at?
A:  The Planet in Harlingen – way back.

Q:  What do you like to be referred too – a female impersonator, drag queen etc…  and why?
A:  I would say a female impersonator because a drag queen would be somebody who is almost 24/7 in face and in costume.  I only get in face and costume to entertain, so I would say a female impersonator.  Nothing against Drag Queens.

Q: Wooow!  That is so exciting.  What has been your favorite wardrobe and song you have performed too in your history of  being a female impersonator?
A:  Favorite song would definitely be Over The Rainbow by Patty LaBelle and I do not want to sound that I am not humble but I have had so many wardrobe I can’t choose one.  But as for favorite song, yes - Over The Rainbow.

Q:  Everyone knows that besides being a fabulous dancer and entertainer, one of your other significant traits and talents are sewing your gowns, costumes and outfits.  Mhmm. When did you start making your outfits and where did you learn?
A:  OK!  Let me put it to you this way.  If I tell you when, you are going to know how old I am.  So, I am not going to say when, but I will say that I started when I was thirteen.  Where and how did I learn?  I started by myself and I learned from people in my country in Puerto Rico.  I also learned from ladies who used to sew from the old school like grandmas and aunts and then I tried going to school in New York.  What they were teaching me I already knew.  Again, I’m not trying to say that I wasn’t humble, but what I was being taught I already knew, so I guess it is a God given talent.  I did get a lot of help from people when I was young.

Q:  What wardrobe has taken you the longest to make?
A:  I would say my evening gowns.  Yeah, my competition evening gowns because competition evening gowns are so detailed and there is a lot of material and beading involved and you have to be so careful in it looking clean.  So I would have to say my competition evening gowns.

Q:  Let’s talk a little bit more about the queen side? OK!  How many pageants do you recall competing in and what crowns/reigns have you held during these past years?
A:  As far as pageants the first one I remember doing was the Miss Texas Riviera USofA and that was a preliminary to Miss Texas UsofA which I did not go compete that year.  I also got Miss Laredo Metroplex, Preliminary to Miss Texas International and then I went to compete for Miss Texas International and I won Miss Texas in 1999.  I also got 1^st Runner Up in 2000 Miss USA International.  I also got Miss RGV Diva in 2003 and Miss Texas Diva also in 2003.  I also got Miss Cameron County UsofA and the last one was Miss Texas Usof A where I placed 17^th out of 41 contestants.  

Q:  I know you have phenomenal support from friends and club goers including myself and Speak Your Mind - Thank you ShAnTii, yes baby yes that’s true!  But have you ever had family members go out and support you during these endeavors throughout your career?
A:  YES!  Yes I’ve had.  I’ve had my family come and support me.  Actually, my brother,  sister-in-law and my nephews have come to see me perform at Valentino’s and when I have performed in Houston and San Antonio they have been there for me also.  I have a lot of support.  My support system is very good.  Family and friends for me is the most important thing in my life because that is what keeps me going.

Q:  This might sound like a silly question but do you know of any straight gender male or female impersonators and what are their stage names?
A:  Not that I know of.  I have seen them on T.V.  Milton Berle was the first Drag Queen was the first Drag Queen I remember from the 1930’s and 1940’s.  He did female impersonating, but I did not know him of course. 

Q:  What is your advice Mhmm - to anyone who would like to do the role of a female or male impersonator?
A:   To keep it real!  If it is about entertaining and female or male impersonating, if that is their thing – keep it real.  If they feel like they are a man trapped in a woman’s body or a woman in a man’s body that is a different story.  I understand that one would have to be 24/7 in face, but if it is about entertaining and female impersonating.  I say, keep it real and be true to yourself and respect the public of course. 

Q:  Tell me what Star, Icon or Diva has been your inspiration and why?   Who is your true idol?
A:   I have two.  One Hispanic and one black female.  #1 would have to be Patti LaBelle.  I love the way she has her stage presence and the control she has when she sings and what she brings and gives of herself that comes out in her songs and her performance.  I also love to impersonate black female singers.  The other one would be Olga Tañon a Hispanic because she is from my country and I am very Latino.  I love merengue and I love Olga Tañon.  Those are my two most important females that I impersonate. 

Q:  Whom do you admire and who is your favorite drag queen performer? One that is a local entertainer.
A:   Hmm?  That’s a hard one.  There are many people that I really admire.  I think if I only say one person I am not going to be fair to the others, but if I have to really mention somebody that I really admire and enjoy seeing on stage I would have to say Tommy Ross.  I believe she is from Dallas, Texas.  She impersonates Diana Ross.  When she takes the stage, she doesn’t have to dance, walk or do anything.  All she has to do is just stand there – and she has me!!  That kind of female impersonating, I like.  I have so many others I could mention, but that is why I do not want to mention nobody specifically here in the valley because a lot of my female impersonator friends I do admire very much.

Q:  Tell me your most memorable experience – so far haha at Valentino’s as MC.
A:  Hahaha!!!  ShAnTii, that is a good question you know why?  Because a memorable experience for me is every week.  There is something different every week. I’ll tell you this much.  Every time I walk down the stairs with my “Kanela” intro music and I walk down the stairs, not doing anything but just say, “buenas noches Valentino’s” and I hear the people scream – that experience for me every Saturday night is the most important for me – really.   The way the public accepts me whether they’re gay, bi or straight but by the way they accept me and scream when they hear my name – that’s very nice and important for me.

Q:  How is the love of your life?  Uhugh?  I know he is a strong supporter Oh yes!! And an avid Kanela fan.  How does he contribute to your talents and success?
A: Hahahaha!  We fight every week! As far as what are you going to wear? I don’t like that hair.  Don’t do that song.  I don’t like that song.  That doesn’t go for you.  Wear different shoes.  The only disagreements we have had in our 11 years of relationship is because of Kanela.  He is very supportive.  He is very picky.  He expects so much of me.  It doesn’t matter if I am only going to walk on stage, stand or sit on a chair.  He wants for Kanela to look perfect and I understand. 

Q:  What are your last words you would like for our readers to remember.
A:   OK?  I thank everybody for all the support they have given to me throughout the years.  Coming from a different country and coming to Texas and receiving all this love, support, respect and admiration, I really am very thankful.  I hope I can still do it for many many more years as long as this face holds a little bit of make up and as long as they want me – I will be there for the public.

  Well, Kanela, thank you for letting Speak Your Mind interview you.  We want to take the opportunity to thank you for being a supreme supporter for Speak Your Mind and the gay community.  Voyager will make sure a beautiful picture of you is posted for this article.

I have to thank you ShAnTii and Speak Your Mind Brownsville for all the support you have given not only to Valentino’s and to the gay community but also to ME.  I really love you guys at Speak Your Mind Brownsville so much.  And by the way, you are invited to the Valentino’s Awards because Speak Your Mind Brownsville will have some recognition on that night.  You guys better be here and I thank you so much for helping me out and for being there for us.  

Now, I’m speechless. Hahahaha  Hahahahaha

Que diosita te bendiga ShAnTii…..!!!!!  
Thank you Kanela – you too!!!!

*  Until NEXT time on 15 Q&A’s with ShAnTii – remember – we are all SUPERSTARS!