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Last Updated: Aug 28, 2008 - 7:18:46 PM
Freak unique
By
Aug 28, 2008 - 7:08:18 PM
UnShaunte DeFox is a hot obnoxious mess of couture and a punk-funk rebel. The Dallas illusionist tests the mettle of the Miss Texas of America pageant
DeShaun Elliot was a young teen when he first saw Grace Jones, dripping in foxtails while performing “Do or Die” on “Soul Train. ” And the little gay boy from Wichita Falls was immediately obsessed.
“Here was this beautiful, ugly, blue-black, mysterious, tough chick. She was a super-freak. And she had this power — she seduced everyone,” Elliot remembers. “She became known for telling people to fuck off. She’d slap people during interviews.”
That was more than 25 years ago. Now 40, Elliot has created another persona — UnShaunte DeFox, a drag illusionist molded in the freaky tradition of Grace Jones. In fact, the “fox” part of DeFox was inspired by the foxtails Grace wore on “Soul Train.”
On Sundays, DeFox is a regular entertainer at Elm & Pearl, and on Wednesdays he regularly performs at Woody’s Sports Bar & Video. But he’s not a traditional pantsuit diva who tries to master Celine Dion’s subtle nuances. In fact, most of the Dallas drag queens tell Elliot that his performances might fare better in New York.
“I’ve been known to put microphones in my mouth. During my routine, I’ll kiss girls on the mouth. I’ll drink people’s drinks or lick their straws. I’ll chew dollar-bill tips and then spit them out. One time, I swallowed the dollar and then opened my mouth, and stuck out my tongue to prove it,” Elliot explains.
He says that Dallas’ drag scene has a stereotype. “There’s lots of silicone — and cliques. I’m the different one. But I’m not a bitch. I’m very nice to the other drag queens, and they’re nice to me. They tell me they think I’m extraordinary,” he explains. “I’m not a drag queen because I’m transgender. To me, being an illusionist is an art form.”
He says drag doesn’t always have to be elegant.
“It’s boring to just try and look like a woman. Drag is being bigger than life. When I see drag, I want people to drop from the ceiling. I want them to lick the floor,” he says.
DeFox’s aggressive performances are complimented with outré fashions that he designs himself. “Sickening illusions — like having my entire face and neck done in mirrors with bull horns sticking out of my head,” he explains.
During a recent photo shoot, he donned a silver lame gown with a futuristic mirrored hat with a brim that covered just one eye. There was also an enormous matching cape with hood, billowed armholes and sleeves with five-foot extensions.
Being the weirdo in Dallas’ drag scene seems to be working. It’s even working on the pageant circuit. DeFox is Miss Gay Dallas of America 2008, and she recently handed over her crown for Miss Texas Latino American 2007.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition August 29, 2008.
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| - Photo by DANIEL A. KUSNER/Dallas Voice |
“Here was this beautiful, ugly, blue-black, mysterious, tough chick. She was a super-freak. And she had this power — she seduced everyone,” Elliot remembers. “She became known for telling people to fuck off. She’d slap people during interviews.”
That was more than 25 years ago. Now 40, Elliot has created another persona — UnShaunte DeFox, a drag illusionist molded in the freaky tradition of Grace Jones. In fact, the “fox” part of DeFox was inspired by the foxtails Grace wore on “Soul Train.”
On Sundays, DeFox is a regular entertainer at Elm & Pearl, and on Wednesdays he regularly performs at Woody’s Sports Bar & Video. But he’s not a traditional pantsuit diva who tries to master Celine Dion’s subtle nuances. In fact, most of the Dallas drag queens tell Elliot that his performances might fare better in New York.
“I’ve been known to put microphones in my mouth. During my routine, I’ll kiss girls on the mouth. I’ll drink people’s drinks or lick their straws. I’ll chew dollar-bill tips and then spit them out. One time, I swallowed the dollar and then opened my mouth, and stuck out my tongue to prove it,” Elliot explains.
He says that Dallas’ drag scene has a stereotype. “There’s lots of silicone — and cliques. I’m the different one. But I’m not a bitch. I’m very nice to the other drag queens, and they’re nice to me. They tell me they think I’m extraordinary,” he explains. “I’m not a drag queen because I’m transgender. To me, being an illusionist is an art form.”
He says drag doesn’t always have to be elegant.
“It’s boring to just try and look like a woman. Drag is being bigger than life. When I see drag, I want people to drop from the ceiling. I want them to lick the floor,” he says.
DeFox’s aggressive performances are complimented with outré fashions that he designs himself. “Sickening illusions — like having my entire face and neck done in mirrors with bull horns sticking out of my head,” he explains.
During a recent photo shoot, he donned a silver lame gown with a futuristic mirrored hat with a brim that covered just one eye. There was also an enormous matching cape with hood, billowed armholes and sleeves with five-foot extensions.
Being the weirdo in Dallas’ drag scene seems to be working. It’s even working on the pageant circuit. DeFox is Miss Gay Dallas of America 2008, and she recently handed over her crown for Miss Texas Latino American 2007.
On Thursday, she begins chasing after the Miss Texas of America tiara. In order to maintain the surprise of her show, she can’t divulge her routine. But it will involve 15 backup dancers, a fierce Grace Jones homage, a doppelganger — and probably her tongue licking something.
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LONE STAR PAGEANT The theme for Miss Gay Texas America 2008 is “Naughty Girls: The Chanel Experience.” Categories include evening gown, male interview, solo talent, on-stage question and final talent. (For more information, visit MissGayTexas.biz.) Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 10:30 p.m.: former titleholder revue at Illusions, 4100 Maple Ave. Thursday, Sept 4 at 9:30 p.m.: competition night at The Rose Room, 3911 Cedar Springs Road. Friday, Sept 5 at 9:30 p.m.: final talent at The Rose Room |
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition August 29, 2008.
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