Aug 16, 2004

VR: Who is Charity Case?
CC: She a confident and secure person who loves what she does and considers herself very lucky to be a part of the world of female impersonation.

VR: Where are you living these days?
CC: I have lived in Dallas, TX for the past nine years.

VR: I know this is a hard question, but can you tell us what your life has been about? 
CC: That is a hard question. I have tried to live my life as honest and open as I can and to treat myself and others with the love and respect that we all deserve.

VR: When you were growing up and each morning you would look in the mirror did you feel that was the wrong person looking back at you?
CC: No, I have always been very happy with the person I saw. I was very lucky and had a family that always encouraged me to be whatever I wanted to be and to not set limits on my abilities.

VR: How long have you been getting into the drag and beauty world?
CC: I started when I was about 2 years old and never looked back. LOL

VR: Do you have an inspiration, someone you admire?
CC: I really admire Marilyn and Jane for their beauty and sex appeal.

VR: I know you are a lady about town when it comes to "pageants"!  How many do you think you go to a year?
CC: Well it seems like I am performing at one almost every week.

VR: Do you have a favorite pageant?
CC: Miss Gay America would have to be my favorite pageant but I think a lot of the systems have a great deal to offer and I think each person has to find the system that they are the most comfortable with and that they enjoy the most.

VR: Can you tell us of any pageants you have won?
CC: Well I have been very fortunate in that arena. I won a pageant the first time I was in drag and that started my career as a female impersonator. The highlights would be Miss Mid-West, Miss Missouri, Miss Illinois, Miss Heart of America, Miss Southwest, Miss Texas, Miss Southern Elegance, Miss Central States and of course my very favorite Miss Gay America for 2001. I also competed in the Miss USofA system as Miss Central States and was in the top 10. I won the titles of Missouri Entertainer of the Year and Mid-West Entertainer of the Year and was first alternate to National Entertainer of the Year two years in a row. I also held a number of city titles as well such as Miss St Louis, Miss Dallas, Miss Ft. Worth.

VR: What is it like getting ready for a pageant?
CC: It can be a lot of fun. I always liked the planning stages. It is always a challenge to come up with something new or to add a new twist to something that you have done before. It is a way to stretch as a performer and take yourself out of your comfort zone.

VR: For a major pageant can you put a dollar figure down of how much it cost when all is said and done?
CC: It is always different for different people but it can run from around $5,000 and up initially but you can reuse things so you can spread some of the cost out over time.

VR: I have seen you in so many pictures with so many people and you are always dressed to the nines, how many evening gowns do you have?
CC: You know I have never counted but I do own quite a few. Gowns have always been one of my favorite things about being a female impersonator. I have always loved the glamour.

VR: With a name like Charity Case, we all have to figure you do a lot of work for different charities, do you have a favorite one?
CC: Well, I know that my name does sound like that and I am always happy to do what I can for a good cause. There are many out there and I think we all like to give back to the community when we can, but my name really came about by accident and had nothing to with charity work. The first time I ever did drag I did a song from Sweet Charity. When it was my turn to go on stage the MC asked me my name and I hadn’t really thought about it so I said Charity. She then asked me my last name and I said just Charity but she insisted that I have a last name so I just blurted out Case, my name is Charity Case and my career took off before I even knew what I was doing.

VR: What do you think makes you stand out above others?
CC: Confidence in myself and my abilities have always helped to guide me in life. I don’t let things intimidate me and I am also willing to fail because it will help you in the long run.

VR: Do you get nervous when you are asked to speak to a group or perform on stage?
CC: No, I love being on stage. I do get that surge of adrenaline but that is a good thing.

VR: Would you ever get reassignment surgery or when did you have your surgery?
CC: No, I am very happy being a boy. Female impersonation has never been about wanting to become a woman for me. I think that I have been very lucky to have always had a strong sense of self and I have always been very comfortable with who I am. Female impersonation has been a great outlet for me to perform which is something I have loved doing my whole life.

VR: Are you in love as we speak?
CC: Yes, I am. My partner and I just celebrated our 15th anniversary recently. I don’t know where the time goes.

VR: Where do you see yourself in the future?
CC: Happy and secure

VR: Do you consider yourself transgendered?
CC: No

VR: What do you think you have to offer the transgender community, anything at all?
CC: I think we all have things to offer each other and can learn from one another.

VR: What words of wisdom would you give to someone who is reaching out for help, an up and coming could be star?
CC: Stay true to yourself and always believe in who you are. The world is full of possibilities. You just have to believe in your own abilities to achieve your dreams.

VR: Do you have a final statement, for our readers?
CC: I just want to thank you Vicki for letting me be a part of this. It was my pleasure to share a part of myself with your readers.

NOTE FROM VICKI RENE: I don't know Charity that well, all I know about her is what I see and read on the internet. I do know this, if you ask anyone that has ever been in a major pageant about this person, you will always hear nothing but good things about her. If someone needs a helping hand or a word of encouragement I bet you dollars to donuts you will find this lady someplace near, ready and able to help out.

Like I said, I don't know Charity at all, but what I do know is we need a few more of her, if we did, I know this world would be a better place for you and me. Thank you Miss Charity Case!