Shortly after finishing school, I found myself in this weird "'tween space". That's that space 'tween looking young enough and looking old enough, 'tween being too fat or too thin; that space 'tween being too short and too tall (I'm rarely ever "too tall", but you get the point). I wasn't willing to give up performing just because I wasn't getting cast, so I did what my friends called "pulling a Tootsie".

 

I developed a character and began performing - and even auditioning - as Ivana Dü, who quickly became known for her spot-on impersonations of various celebrities and pop icons; most notably Karen Walker (Will & Grace), Miss Swan (MadTV), and Ursula The Sea Witch (The Little Mermaid) all for which I provided live vocals. As Ivana, I earned attention from promoters, producers, and directors, landing a job as spokesperson for OUTinFla.com, performing in solo cabarets, headlining Vegas-style productions, working alongside celebrities including Alec Mapa, Lady Gaga, Lady Bunny, RuPaul, and Jimmy James, and serving at the world-famous Lips Restaurant & Cabaret.

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But after eight years in Ivana's heels (and incredible muscle definition in my calves), I longed to be back in shoes - and roles - that were made for men.  I hung up the wig, put on my big boy britches, and equipped with a reputation for being "one hell of a character," I was finally getting offers for roles in which Christopher - not Ivana - could finally shine.