It all began right here in Jacksonville, Florida where I was born and raised. Shortly before I graduated from Paxon High School I stumbled upon a tape of a very prestigious female impersonation pageant, Miss Continental. It was the pageant tape covering the 1990 contest. This was the fateful year that the incomparable talents of Miss Chanel Dupree won her the coveted title. Chanel’s talents, presence, and sophistication showed through even on a tape. The package she brought to Miss Continental that year showed her hard work and true dedication to the art and illusion of female impersonation. This was my first exposure to this form of art and upon viewing the tape I realized this was what I wanted to do.

Under the mentorship of the stunning 2002 Miss USofA at Large Niesha Dupree, the stage persona of Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington was born. Miss Dupree took me under her wing and adopted me as one of her drag children. I developed my abilities by entertaining friends and fans at local nightclubs. As time progressed I grew and constantly improved myself as both an entertainer and a stage persona. I went from entering contests on talent nights at local bars to winning some of the top titles around.

My accomplishments over the past several years have pushed me to strive for a better future for myself. I have won many international titles, including Miss Gay USofA 2002 and Miss Black Universe 2006, just to name a few (click here to see a complete list of titles won).  I have other goals in mind, including winning the coveted title of Miss Continental, and pursuing a career in real estate and investments.  I have always shared interests in investments, and plan to focus on real estate while maintaining my female impersonation career part-time.

The art of female impersonation has grown and evolved over the years. Through the hard work and dedication of myself and other entertainers, a new road has been paved for future girls. We have set new standards and raised the bar of excellence a little higher. The best advice I leave entertainers, both old and new, is to always be true to yourself and show determination. If you are true to yourself, you will never have to worry about being led astray. Always follow through with your word and honor those who come before you, who are with you now and who will come after your time. Additionally, the old adage ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try try again’ would be a perfect example of the necessary determination. Take each bit of criticism and advice to heart and make it your own. Never get discouraged by those around you. Rise above the drama and be a queen, because a queen is not a queen simply because she wears a crown. A queen is a queen because she rules the hearts of her fans while showing compassion and leading others by example. With each generation of female impersonators come new standards. But there is one thing that will always remain the same: You must know when it’s time to bow out of the limelight with grace, dignity, and flawlessness. This will make way for the next wave of entertainers and leave you as a legend in the eyes of your fans.

Yours Always,
Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington