Check Out Amanda Sue’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Sue.

Hi Amanda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started performing in Dayton in 2010, and soon started traveling and performing across Ohio, and the Midwest when in 2015 I captured the title of Miss Gay Ohio America. I moved to Columbus shortly after joining the famous West Family and the cast in their legendary production shows helmed by Nina and Virginia at Axis Nughtclub.

In 2017 I won the title of National Miss Comedy Queen and took my act on the road entertaining everywhere from New York to Oklahoma. During the COVID lockdown, my relationship with the National Miss Comedy Queen family evolved into a weekly drag show from home broadcast and viewed throughout the US and abroad that occurred for over 20 weeks!

In 2020 I produced, wrote, co-choreographed, and starred in my own production show “Red, White & Sue” at District West.

Since 2021 I have taken the opportunity to work freelance judging competitions and performing all over. In Columbus I have had the pleasure of hosting and performing all over, I just agreed to hosting a weekly Comedy show in 2023 at a new comedy club The Attic. I host a weekly RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing party at Cavans Irish Pub Frodays at 8pm, as well as hosting a Celebrity Impersonation show, in which I portray Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry among other pop stars on the weekends. January 13th and 14th I’ll be doing sets at The Midest Comedy Fest (mqcfest.com) and I am writing a new production show coming to AWOL soon.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing up in Springfield, Ohio I absolutely faced a lot of intolerance and ignorance. I had to learn to not follow a lot of the examples placed in front of me because those examples were incredibly wrong. However finding my tribe as a queer person came quickly when I got involved with local theatre, and eventually drag.

I’ve overcome a lot to stand where I am today, including some personal struggles as well as manipulative and corrupt employers and business relationships. People feel comfortable taking advantage of or underpaying a queer artist, and I’ve always stood very firmly in knowing my value and worth. Art has lost a lot of its gatekeepers and that’s wonderful because we need more trailblazers and advocates for the artists. I feel like I’ve always fought for queer equality and the rights of the artist.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what makes drag unique is the fact that it’s such an all-encompassing art. I have to be the one choreographing and dancing the number, writing and telling the jokes, costume designing (and sometimes creating), doing the hair and make-up, ext.

Because of how unique the art form is, the opportunities it presents are also unique. Like it’s incredible how a performance can impact someone, and the relationship I’ve built with my audience is something I treasure. The fact that they allow me to use this medium to tell stories with music and jokes and fashion is so powerful.

As a queer person being able to be a voice for my community and a voice for change and love is the most powerful thing.

What were you like growing up?
I was a huge attention seeker. Practically tap dancing out of the womb for the spotlight. I was the youngest child and grew up so unapologetically different than anyone around me. I was playing with Barbies at a young age, I was obsessed with Britney Spears and spent hours trying to learn her dance moves.

I learned from a young age that my sense of humor was a great defense mechanism. I used television and pop culture as an escape from the bullying and ignorance I faced, and then reflected on what I learned from those things as a shield. I started “playing the part” of a class clown, and was able to divert the attention of the bullies away from my queerness with cheap laughs, bad impersonations, and dirty jokes.

I wasn’t popular by any means, but I survived a pretty rough climate and then flourished.

Ultimately I hope my work resounds with people for being so joyous and funny. I take the well-being and representation of my community very seriously, even if I don’t take myself too seriously.

Pricing:

• Private Parties/Special Events start at $150.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/the.amanda.sue
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.amanda.sue

Image Credits
Queer Haze Photography, Jordan Penrose Photography, and Scott Kirby Photography