March 29, 2020April 12, 2020 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

RAJEE NARINESINGH

In the midst of these unsettling times, here’s a story of inspiration from someone who triumphed over health challenges, and she managed to do it all with a smile on her face. Meet Rajee Narinesingh.

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Where did you grow up? I was born in New York, but I grew up in Philly. What do you miss about it there? I miss the season of fall. It’s usually so hot here in South Florida. I love fall because it’s not too hot and not too cold. How long have you lived in South Florida? I arrived in South Florida in January of 1989. So, it’s been 31 years. Why did you move here? It was time for the birdy to leave the nest and spread my wings and fly. My dad and I were clashing horribly. He said that I needed to get the hell out! What part of South Florida do you live in? I live in Hollywood, Florida. I always said that I would make it to Hollywood, but I should have been a little more specific (laughs). What do you like most about living here? I love the cultural diversity of the area and the sunshine. The palm trees are beautiful, too.

Rajée’s story is both inspiring and devastating in equal measure. An outcast literally from birth, Rajée has had to fight racism, prejudice and ignorance her entire life. Through a series of events that would have broken even the strongest man, Rajée emerged as a butterfly does from a cocoon into a beautiful spirit, yet the cruelty of life has deprived her of the traditional facial value.

What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? In the 90’s the clubs down here had a certain electric energy to them, but after the internet advanced, the energy is gone. For LGBTQ people it was somewhere we gathered to be ourselves and connect. The great thing about the internet is now you can literally talk with someone across the world. Where do you hang out in South Florida? I usually hang out in the LGBTQ city of Wilton Manors. It’s where a lot of the outreach organizations are that I do my activist work with, and I also feel pretty safe doing social outing there. Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? I’m a firm believer that everything that I have gone through makes me who I am at this moment. What’s the best performance that you did so far? I think my performance in Bella Maddo as the character “Aunt Norma.”

What’s the best movie or TV show that you’ve been in so far? I would have to say the reality show, Botched. It’s given me a platform around the world. What’s your dream gig? I would love to have my own show. Will you ever retire? Because a lot of my work now is activism, I think that I’ll be an activist until I die. What’s the weirdest question that a fan’s asked you? If I have a porno I can send them. What other celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? David Bowie on a flight coming back from England to the U.S. in 1986. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? My Facebook inbox, which is flooded (laughs). How do you take your coffee or tea? I am a coffee girl. And it’s usually the coffee-flavor Starbuck’s in a bottle. When I wake-up in the morning I put one in the freezer to get it cold and slushy. I love the rush of the coffee with the coldness. It really wakes me up.

What’s the best place that you’ve ever visited? I’ve been to Canada, Trinidad, England, New York, and Los Angeles. I think that my recent trip to Washington, D.C., for the Trans March was the best in the sense that it was a full-circle moment for me. Growing up my family would go to D.C. in the summertime to visit. I have some fond memories of being with my family together there. And here I was so many years later marching for my rights as a transgender American. Who would play you in a movie? I’m not sure? What are you superstitious about? Nothing really. Do you believe in aliens? We would be pretty arrogant to think that in this big universe we are the only beings. What’s the gayest concert that you ever went to? I have not been to many concerts. I went to the Prince’s Purple Rain concert. And the Jackson 5 Victory concert (laughs). If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? For the love that I gave to the world.

What do you want to live long enough to see? I want to live long enough to accomplish my spiritual mission here and to touch at least seven billion people with my love. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? That you can’t please everyone and that you hurt yourself trying to. What corrective surgery that you had was the roughest? The fourth facial surgery I had. They pulled back both sides of my face, and I was on the table for about six hours. What did you learn from your parents? From my mom, that niceness goes a long way. From my dad, to be precise. Who’s your favorite performer? Bruno Mars. What’s your best characteristic? My kindness. How do you enjoy spending your time? I love being in front of a camera filming. I also like to be home watching Locked Up Abroad and To Catch a Smuggler.

What celebrity do you have crush on? Drake, Prince Royce, Dev Patel, and Rick Gonzalez. Who do you admire? The fact that Nelson Mandela went from prisoner to president. Princess Diana’s global appeal. Harriet Tubman’s determination. Kyle Jenner’s wealth and social media following. And Dr. Ernest Holmes. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? My dad, so we could have a conversation about the relationship we had and life, since he’s been on the other side. Also, Jesus, Marilyn Monroe, and Gandhi. Where would you go in a time machine? I would go back just for a little bit to when Jesus was born to see how the story really played out. And then I would go 1,000 years in the future just for a little bit to see how the world will be then. What would your last meal be? A Korean bulgogi platter. What do you worry about? That I’m doing what I came here to do. What are you afraid of? That one day hate will conquer love.

If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? Probably a choir instructor. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A sheep that has toughened-up through the years. Who depends on you, and for what? My mom, and the LGBTQ community, for the activism that I do. Who are you closest with? My mom and a few close friends. What would your autobiography be called? How A Botched Beauty Touched the World! What’s on your bucket list? That I only go after I have completed everything I need to do and that I can die with the feeling of divine completion! What’s your greatest regret in life? That I started to believe “the haters” from a very young age. What’s something secretive about you that people don’t know? Damn, so much of my story is out in the world, but I don’t think that many know that I had sex behind a church once. Where can we see you? Google “Rajee Narinesingh” and you will see me all over!

January 28, 2018April 1, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

KERMIT CARPENTER

Kermit Carpenter—master of the key lime pie—reveals what he did for 25 years on a corner, and who taught him to make his famous pies

Where did you grow up? In West Virginia until the eighth grade. Then, in Maryland. How long have you lived in South Florida? For 30 years. Why did you move here? For the warm weather. What part of South Florida do you live in? Key West. What do you like most about living here? The weather—the sun always shines—and the friendly people. What Key West venue do you miss that’s gone? Fast Buck Freddie. Where do you hang out in Key West? Any great Key West restaurant, such as Flaming Buoy, Onlywood or Azur. What’s your claim-to-fame? Twenty-five years working on the corner.

Kermit’s Key Lime Orange Marmalade is a delicious way to add some excitement to your breakfast.

Who are you named after? Teddy Roosevelt had a son named Kermit. He was in the news—he passed away the year I was born. My mom had run out of family names by the time I came along. So, I was named, “Kermit.” How did you learn to make key lime pie? My grandmother taught me how to make it. What are your favorite products at Kermit’s? Mango Strawberry Jelly, Corn Relish, Green Tomato Relish, and Sesame Seed Dressing. All of them have a taste of key lime. I start my day with jelly on toast, I have the salad dressing on my lunch, and I have chips with relish at night for a snack. Will you ever retire? No. And the employees will end up with the store, so that they can continue the tradition.

How would you like to be remembered? As someone who enjoyed life. What’s the weirdest question that a fan has asked? “Can I move in with you?” What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Robin Roberts. What politician don’t you like? All of them. If you saw one of them drowning, would you save him or her? That’s a hard one. What’s your favorite drink? Red wine. What’s your most treasured possession? My mom’s violin (which I can’t play). Do you believe in ghosts? Maybe more in spirits or angels. Either living or dead, who would you love to have lunch with? Vicky “Tory” Pribble, my angel. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? A hand-sink for my new store in Key West. What’s the best place that you’ve visited, and why? Rome, because of the food, and it’s a great place to walk.

What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? Patience. What did you learn from your parents? Respect. What performer do you admire, and why? Bruno Mars, because he’s an unbelievable talent. How do you enjoy spending your time? I enjoy working 24/7, because I love what I’m doing. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Robin Roberts. Who do you admire, and why? I admire people who have strong personalities and know where they’re going. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? No way. Where would you go in a time machine, and why? I’d go back to my youth, and I’d smack myself for not listening to good advice. What would your last meal be? Pizza.

What do you worry about? Hurricanes. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A piano. I love to sit in a restaurant with live music. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A sheep. Who depends on you, and for what? My dog, and best friend, “Pirate.” Who are you closest with? My dog. What would your autobiography be called? Pie Master. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? None. What’s on your bucket list? My first cruise on October 18^th—out of Rome—to visit four Greek islands… Plus more! What’s your greatest regret in life? Not getting focused soon enough. What’s something that you never told anyone else? That I love myself. Where can we see you? On the Koningsdam, on October 18. I’ll make you a pie.

January 2, 2018April 1, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Interviews

CHARLES BUSCH

Tony Award nominee, Drama Desk Lifetime Achievement honoree and two-time MAC Award winner, Charles Busch, discusses his legendary career—including a chance encounter with Greta Garbo—before returning to the stage in South Florida and Chicago

Where did you grow up? In New York City. If you had to live somewhere other than New York, where would it be? I recently went out to dinner with a great group of people after a show in Birmingham, Alabama. We had such a fun, campy time, and I realized that it doesn’t really matter where you live if you have a group of dear friends. I think I may be learning to be less of a New York snob. What’s your claim-to-fame? To be considered truly famous, everyone’s mother needs to have heard of you. But I feel that my forty years of work as an actor, playwright and performer has endeared me to several generations of wonderful people. How would you like to be remembered? That I added a little color to an increasingly grey world. Will you ever retire? As long as I have energy and a decent memory, I’ll be out there slingin’ the one-liners and tossin’ the hips. I also still get great pleasure out of writing. I hope that enthusiasm never wanes. Who’s your favorite female performer from the 1930s and 1940s? Judy Garland. I continually learn about honesty and style from studying her performances. Who’s your favorite male performer from the 1930s and 1940s? James Cagney. He was a dynamic actor and performer. He also reminds me a lot of my father.

Charles Busch Live at Feinstein’s / 54 Below – $11.99

Who’s your favorite female contemporary performer? Miley Cyrus. I’m glad that she’s grown out of her youthful rebellious phase, and I think that she has the talent and charisma to be truly great. Who’s your favorite male contemporary performer? I find Bruno Mars very interesting. What’s your favorite contemporary film? I’ve seen The Disaster Artist twice this week, and I love it. What playwright do you admire? Charles Ludlam and Tennessee Williams. I worship them both. Specifically, when I was 17-years-old, I saw Ludlam onstage in Eunuch of the Forbidden City, and I saw at that moment that anything was possible in the theater. What story needs to be told that hasn’t been told yet? How the lesbian community—particularly, in San Francisco—rallied and took care of gay men during the height of the AIDS crisis in the eighties. What’s your dream role? Peter Pan. Did you ever run into Greta Garbo in New York? Twice, as a teenager, I saw her striding up the street. One time I followed her into an empty store, and just being in her presence made me so light-headed that I finally had to run out. When she was in New York, It was like having a mythical unicorn in our midst… What politician don’t you like? They’re too many to list.

What’s your favorite drink? Jack Daniels with ginger ale. Or, a chocolate milkshake. What’s your most treasured possession? An original seven-foot nineteenth century poster of the great actress Sarah Bernhardt, by the artist Mucha. I had the small $4.95 print of it in my bedroom as a kid, and now I have the real deal. Still, if there was a fire, I wouldn’t risk my life trying to save it. Do you believe in ghosts? I would like to. There are so many people I would love to see again. Either living or dead, who would you like to have lunch with? The late film director, George Cukor. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? A video of a dog befriending a baby deer. I’m a real sucker for cute animal videos. What’s the best place that you’ve visited, and why? Locarno, Switzerland. I was showing a movie of mine at a film festival, and I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the city. And I was also surrounded by a gorgeous group of gay men who found me fascinating. Heaven. What did you learn from your parents? My mother died when I was seven, so I don’t remember her well. My father introduced me to the magic of the theater. And for that, I’ll always be grateful. What’s your best characteristic? That I can throw myself into someone else’s fantasy of who they would like to be.

How do you enjoy spending your time? I’m so lucky that my work is also my great passion. I just love sitting at the computer working on a script; particularly, the editing and fine tuning. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Harry Styles and Mark Ruffalo. I have very eclectic tastes. Who do you admire? All of the people who are out in the cold demonstrating and resisting. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be, and why? My Aunt Lillian, who raised me and saved me when I was at a terrible crossroads. I’d want her to know that things worked out and that all of her hard work and devotion paid off. Where would you go in a time machine, and why? To see Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall in 1961. What would your last meal be? The ridiculously obscenely expensive caviar that I’ve only read about, and a huge steamed lobster. What do you worry about? Losing my mind. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A small and very stylish old spinet piano, like the one in the movie Casablanca. It’s a bit old-fashioned, but you can play any tune on it.

Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A wolf. I hate to say it, but a career of any success does leave some blood on the floor. Who depends on you, and for what? My sister, who’s currently living with me. She had some recent health issues, and for the first time, I’m learning to anticipate someone else’s needs. Who are you closest with? My sister, my nephew and a very intense circle of four, maybe five, friends. I’m very fortunate. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? Upbeat stuff, like The Andrews Sisters, The Supremes and Burt Bacharach. What’s on your bucket list? I want to make another movie! What’s your greatest regret in life? I deeply regret a few selfish and insensitive blunders that I’ve made. But I’d like to think that I’ve learned something from them. What’s something that you never told anyone else? That I live for the anecdote and to entertain. In doing so, I’ve probably told every outrageous and intimate episode of my life to either an individual or an audience. Where can we see you? I’ll be at Palm Beach Dramaworks on January 12 in West Palm Beach, and at Pride Films and Plays on January 21 and 22 in Chicago.