Grizzly Kiki | Pop Culture & Interviews With Queer Artists

"Pero Like, It's me Valentine!"   If Valentine Addams had it her way, she'd paint the town lavender. Born in Mexico and raised in Chicago, she's a Drag Queen obsessed with that particular shade of purple and with a face to die for! Valentine's aesthetic is ultra-feminine, body positive, and pure fantasy!   As a curvy girl, Valentine has taken matters into her own hands and creates garments that accentuate her best assets. Dressed in fashions that include leather, lace and everything in between, she becomes an intergalactic drag princess whose best friends are Sailor Moon and unicorns.   Valentine was in town for the 5th annual Buswhig drag festival and dropped by the Grizzly KiKi studio to chat with us and spill some "T" about the Chicago queens she works with!

HERstory Of The World!   On Episode 3, the 7 remaining queens return to the workroom with Tatianna's elimination fresh on their minds. This week, the queens perform in a musical inspired by legendary historical women and represent "The Future of Drag" on the runway. With the musical challenge now a firmly established element and the runway theme open to interpretation, how well each contestant fares all depends on their access to a time machine. Maybe Alaska can lend them hers!   These girls are truly All Stars and every elimination is guaranteed to be a nearly impossible decision and this week's choice was a difficult one to accept.   We also answer listener questions, so keep them coming!   Come back every Monday for our unsolicited opinions about each episode!

HERstory Of The World! On Episode 3, the 7 remaining queens return to the workroom with Tatianna's elimination fresh on their minds. This week, the queens perform in a musical inspired by legendary historical women and represent "The Future of Drag" on the runway. With the musical challenge now a firmly established element and the runway theme open to interpretation, how well each contestant fares all depends on their access to a time machine. Maybe Alaska can lend them hers! These girls are truly All Stars and every elimination is guaranteed to be a nearly impossible decision and this week's choice was a difficult one to accept. We also answer listener questions, so keep them coming! Come back every Monday for our unsolicited opinions about each episode!

Introducing Lady Trinity!   Lady Trinity is a drag queen who was taught by the likes of Kelly Kline and Phi Phi O'Hara. Underneath the makeup, ponytails, and thigh high boots is Jackie Huba, a bestselling author and expert in customer loyalty and branding. Jackie's latest book, "Fiercely You: Be Fabulous And Confident By Thinking Like a Drag Queen," explores a world far removed from corporate America: DRAG!   At the age of forty-seven, Jackie found herself in a professional and personal rut. She was bored, newly single, and needed a new direction. It was during the "lowest point in her life" that she stumbled upon an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. She was immediately hooked on the show and devoured every season. The confidence and courage she saw in the Drag Race contestants inspired her to re-invent herself as Lady Trinity.    Throughout the course of her transformation, she interviewed drag queens across the United States and used the knowledge she gained to write "Fiercely You" with co-author, Shelly Stewart Kronbergs. In it, she outlines the five "Keys To Fierce," which are a framework to unleash your inner fierceness!

Introducing Lady Trinity! Lady Trinity is a drag queen who was taught by the likes of Kelly Kline and Phi Phi O'Hara. Underneath the makeup, ponytails, and thigh high boots is Jackie Huba, a bestselling author and expert in customer loyalty and branding. Jackie's latest book, "Fiercely You: Be Fabulous And Confident By Thinking Like a Drag Queen," explores a world far removed from corporate America: DRAG! At the age of forty-seven, Jackie found herself in a professional and personal rut. She was bored, newly single, and needed a new direction. It was during the "lowest point in her life" that she stumbled upon an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. She was immediately hooked on the show and devoured every season. The confidence and courage she saw in the Drag Race contestants inspired her to re-invent herself as Lady Trinity. Throughout the course of her transformation, she interviewed drag queens across the United States and used the knowledge she gained to write "Fiercely You" with co-author, Shelly Stewart Kronbergs. In it, she outlines the five "Keys To Fierce," which are a framework to unleash your inner fierceness!

Snatch Game!! On Episode 2, the drama has already come to a rolling boil. With all the Queens reeling from Michelle's harsh critique of Adore, CoCo's elimination is but a footnote. Adore is distraught and even after a pep talk from Mama Ru and apology from Michelle, her decision to stay hangs in the balance. In what may be the tightest Snatch Game to date, the girls give it their all. The resulting "Lip Sync For Your Legacy" and elimination leave us with more drama for Episode 3! We also answer listener questions, so keep them coming! Come back every Monday for our unsolicited opinions about each episode!

Snatch Game!!   On Episode 2, the drama has already come to a rolling boil. With all the Queens reeling from Michelle's harsh critique of Adore, CoCo's elimination is but a footnote. Adore is distraught and even after a pep talk from Mama Ru and apology from Michelle, her decision to stay hangs in the balance.   In what may be the tightest Snatch Game to date, the girls give it their all. The resulting "Lip Sync For Your Legacy" and elimination leave us with more drama for Episode 3!   We also answer listener questions, so keep them coming!   Come back every Monday for our unsolicited opinions about each episode!

"Dragged: The Film" is the creation of Christopher Birk, a Danish filmmaker based in New York City. The documentary focuses on the lives of several Drag Queens and was filmed over the course of two years. Rather than emphasize the glamour associated with these performers, he delved into their backgrounds, artistic processes, and the impact that drag has had on their lives. In this film, Birk explores some of the most important questions that have arisen from the mainstream's ever-growing fascination with Drag: What makes a Drag Queen? Is Drag acting? What are the benefits and the rewards? Does it make you a better person? (The list is practically encyclopedic.) Using his camera as a passport into their world, he lets the queens themselves reveal the answers.   Joining Christopher is Maddelynn Hatter, a former Grizzly KiKi guest and one of the Queens featured in the film. Bluntly honest and direct, Maddelynn details her experience of being filmed by Birk and commentary on many of the topics covered in the documentary. "Dragged" had it's first U.S. premiere at the 2016 Austin International Drag Festival and has been screened in many other countries. The New York premiere will be held on September 8th at The Center. Admission is free, but seats are limited.

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars is Back!! Season 2 kicks off with an epic twist and our favorite queens are back to battle it out for the All Stars crown and coveted $100,000.00 prize! We recap the episode after co-hosting the premiere at Macri Park with our sister, Miz Jade! Come back every Monday for our unsolicited opinions about each episode!

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars is Back!!   Season 2 kicks off with an epic twist and our favorite queens are back to battle it out for the All Stars crown and coveted $100,000.00 prize!   We recap the episode after co-hosting the premiere at Macri Park with our sister, Miz Jade!   Come back every Monday for our unsolicited opinions about each episode!

Heklina is the queen of San Francisco nightlife. From her roots in the alternative drag scene running Trannyshack to becoming owner of SF Oasis, she has seen it all and continues to forge ahead. Along with her gal pal, Peaches Christ, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and many more, Heklina is a drag icon. True to her explosive namesake - Hekla, an Icelandic volcano - Heklina has never let anything stand in her way. For many years, she ran the successful Trannyshack party. With shifts in social consciousness making the "T" word taboo - and with the party having run its course - it was retired and re-christened "Mother" shortly after the opening of Oasis on New Year's Eve 2014. This new incarnation was a complete departure from the former. At "Mother," Drag mothers bring their children to the stage to perform for their peers and admirers, thereby creating a space within which to hone their craft. It is important to note that running Oasis is only the most recent chapter in Heklina's life. During our interview with her, we went back to the beginning of her drag career; the roots of activism in San Francisco drag; and how she reconnected with her boy self after nearly two decades under the wig.

Heklina is the queen of San Francisco nightlife. From her roots in the alternative drag scene running Trannyshack to becoming owner of SF Oasis, she has seen it all and continues to forge ahead. Along with her gal pal, Peaches Christ, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and many more, Heklina is a drag icon.   True to her explosive namesake - Hekla, an Icelandic volcano - Heklina has never let anything stand in her way. For many years, she ran the successful Trannyshack party. With shifts in social consciousness making the "T" word taboo - and with the party having run its course - it was retired and re-christened "Mother" shortly after the opening of Oasis on New Year's Eve 2014. This new incarnation was a complete departure from the former. At "Mother," Drag mothers bring their children to the stage to perform for their peers and admirers, thereby creating a space within which to hone their craft.   It is important to note that running Oasis is only the most recent chapter in Heklina's life. During our interview with her, we went back to the beginning of her drag career; the roots of activism in San Francisco drag;  and how she reconnected with her boy self after nearly two decades under the wig.

Jimmy James is most famously known for resurrecting Marilyn Monroe. Between the mid-80's and late 90's, Jimmy was the world's premiere Marilyn impersonator. A native of Laredo, Texas, he discovered his resemblance to the blonde bombshell by chance and used his skills as a makeup artist to bring her to life. The result was an illusion so uncanny that it brought him both fame and controversy. From performing as Marilyn to sold out audiences to being sued by the actress' estate for appearing as her in a L.A. Eyeworks campaign, Jimmy got a taste of what it was like to actually be her! By the late 90's, Jimmy had retired not only his Marilyn illusion, but also those of Bette Davis and Judy Garland. He refocused his career and pursued his love of live singing and vocal impressions, which he had been nurturing in tandem with being Marilyn. Using secrets known only to him, Jimmy channels an army of celebrities during his shows. Among them are Eartha Kitt, Cher, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Elvis, and many others! Interviewing Jimmy was an absolute gas! He regaled us with his stories of his celebrity friends, juicy gossip, and how drag essentially put him on the map. You can catch him next on the 2nd annual Wigstock Cruise, hosted by Lady Bunny, onAugust 21 and at the Stonewall Inn on August 22, where he will be performing his one-man show, "HEARING IS BELIEVING."

Jimmy James is most famously known for resurrecting Marilyn Monroe. Between the mid-80's and late 90's, Jimmy was the world's premiere Marilyn impersonator. A native of Laredo, Texas, he discovered his resemblance to the blonde bombshell by chance and used his skills as a makeup artist to bring her to life. The result was an illusion so uncanny that it brought him both fame and controversy. From performing as Marilyn to sold out audiences to being sued by the actress' estate for appearing as her in a L.A. Eyeworks campaign, Jimmy got a taste of what it was like to actually be her!   By the late 90's, Jimmy had retired not only his Marilyn illusion, but also those of Bette Davis and Judy Garland. He refocused his career and pursued his love of live singing and vocal impressions, which he had been nurturing in tandem with being Marilyn. Using secrets known only to him, Jimmy channels an army of celebrities during his shows. Among them are Eartha Kitt, Cher, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Elvis, and many others!   Interviewing Jimmy was an absolute gas! He regaled us with his stories of his celebrity friends, juicy gossip, and how drag essentially put him on the map.  You can catch him next on the 2nd annual Wigstock Cruise, hosted by Lady Bunny, onAugust 21 and at the Stonewall Inn on August 22, where he will be performing his one-man show, "HEARING IS BELIEVING."

When we last spoke to Alaska, she had just released her debut album, "ANUS." Now, a year later, the album has become a huge success & will most certainly become a drag staple for years to come. With her "ANUS," Alaska cemented the use of the phrase "I love your pussy" as a term of endearment. It's a family favorite here at Grizzly KiKi! We took this opportunity to catch up with Alaska. As she drove through Death Valley, we talked about touring on the RuPaul's Drag Race Battle of the Season 2016 Extravaganza Tour; What its like working with Cory on "Bro'Laska"; and how the Golden Girls would deal with today's modern conveniences. In case you missed it, Alaska was also recently revealed as a cast member on Season 2 of RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race!