En Femme Interview

Natasia Ecstasy

Interview by Angela Gardnerr

Residents of Center City Philadelphia have been experiencing a blond event in recent years. Ever since Natasia met her hairdresser she's been blond and the event is her evolving position as Philadelphia's hipest crossdresser. Most nights Miss Ecstasy can be found working at one of Philly's hotest clubs - the Black Banana

While she started as a humble waitress, Natasia quickly worked her way up to bartender, performance artist and screen siren. Still in her early twenties, Natasia displays the savvy and wit of performers who have been around for a while longer. In this interview with Angela Gardner, Natasia tells all. Well, almost all. We still don't know her natural hair color. (Even her hairdresser has forgotten.)

En Femme: Where did you get the name Natasia Ecstasy?

Natasia: When I was coming out the Ecstasy Movement was taking place in London. Acid House music was on the rise in the U.S. and the whole English scene was exploding. Then one night at the Black Banana, a women started taking her clothes off on the dance floor. I heard a man say, "what is she on Natasia, ecstasy?" I was very connected to the music scene and I felt that the name Ecstasy would stick in people's minds. It just clicked together and I became Natasia Ecstasy.

EF: Have you ever taken Ecstasy?

Natasia: Ecstasy doesn't refer to the drug. It's a feeling of love and happiness. Totally in control and carefree. I'm like that most of the time. You don't need drugs to be that way.

EF: When did you first go out crossdressed?

Natasia: Halloween, my senior year of high school. I entered a costume contest which was judged by the teachers. I lost. I found out later two of them were afraid that if I won I would dress like that every day. Normally I went out on the weekends and played with the androgynous "CIub Kid" look. That changed when I met Coco.

EF: How did that come about?

Natasia: I was working with a designer at his boutique when Coco joined the team. She's an outstanding designer and she taught me all I know about design. We became friends and started to go out clubbing, shopping, all the important stuff. She took me to the Cartwheel for the first time and encouraged me to compete in the drag show. I did "I Need A Man" by the Eurythmics. I had so much fun! Right before I went on stage I was whisked off to the ladies room and my hair was teased into a seven-inch tall "Tower of Power." I was a sight. A good sight, I think, since I won the contest. Around two months later, I moved in with Coco. We started performing around town as a team. It was easier to sell ourselves.

EF: Well, I guess that's one way to make a living.

Natasia: No, silly, as performers for clubs and private parties. Once we did a sweet sixteen birthday party for a girl from Northeast Philly.

EF: How did that go over?

Natasia: They loved us!

EF: When did you start working at the Black Banana?

Natasia: After we had been performing for a while, the Banana wanted us to do a show on Sunday nights. They liked our look and it wasn't long before they asked if we would like to work as waitresses.

EF: One of the first things I heard about the Banana was that the waitresses were drag. Did you have any problems with the straight clientele?

Natasia: At first, our own nerves gave us the most problems. We didn't know what to expect that first night and we were overly sensitive. Also, we were used to presenting an illusion from a stage, not interacting up close. We got giggles from some people and some of the Perm Girls, those women who have big hair all the time with lots of over-processing. Some ofthem were rude. After we'd been here for a while and everyone got to know us, it got much more mellow. Now it's gotten to the point where most people forget I'm really a boy.

EF: Does that ever lead to problems? How do you handle straight men who come on to you?

Natasia: They're just like moths around a flame. No, I have a lot of friends and they all know about me. Some fantasize, others just don't care. (She giggles.) That's all I'm saying. My love life is a big secret. When I open my mouth I get in trouble.

EF: What are you favorite types of places to go out?

Natasia: I actually have more fun at straight bars than gay bars. When I say straight, I mean a mixed crowd is much better. I like a variety of people.

EF: With the mix they get, the Banana is probably the best place to meet that variety.

Natosia: Yes, and the Banana has been doing a lot to further my career. I star in the videos that run in the club. They're written, directed and filmed by Nicky London. He's had me portray everything from a '30s hooker to a psychotic model. The club has made huge posters with my photo and put me in the newspapers. I starred in a cabaret show that was written and choreographed by Suxi Miller from Pulsations and the Evening Magazine (a Philly television program) Dancers. They built a stage with lights, video and hired background dancers. It was a huge success. Everyone said I should have sung for real.

EF:Is there a singing career on the horizon?

Natasia: Why not? [ve had over ten years of vocal training and went to Performing Arts (High School) for vocal and dance. Recently I worked on my first feature film.

EF: As an actress?

Natasia: No, as a dancer. I vogued for fourteen hours for the sequel to "Mannequin," "Mannequin on the Move."

EF:14 hours in pumps?

Natasia: Yes! And then I had to go to work at the Banana. So much for glamour and show biz.

EF: Speaking of glamour, who are your favorite designers?

Natasia: I'm in love with Gaultier! He's why Madonna looks so good now. He's dressing herin sequined bras and hot pants. His clothing is so sexy. It's a major influence on my style. Nicky London put me in sequins.

EF: Your video director?

Natasia: And stylist. He's brilliant. I went from punk vamp (everything I owned was black), to Daisy Lou Slut (ripped cut-off jeans and half-tops), to Robert Palmer girl.

EF:I liked you in that look.

Natasia: Thanks. It was fun but now Nicky has me in tailored jackets, big palazzo pants with set and curl hairstyles. Very Dick Tracy.

EF: What's next?

Natasia: I can't reveal it at this time, but it's really hot and yes, it does involve sequins.

EF: What's next for your activities at the Black Banana?

Natasia: Well, the last week in June is "Condom Awareness Week" so we'll be working on a benefit for the John Locke Fund.

EF: A drag show?

Natasia: No. Everyone does drag shows now. I find them boring. Each Sunday in June is the "Do Show." More exciting than a drag show. It's a hairstyling competition with different themes. I'll be Mistress of Ceremonies. There are prizes for the hairdressers and the models. All proceeds will go to the Locke Fund.

EF: Have you ever felt you were a gender rebel?

Natasia: Yes. In high school I put up with snickers from some ofthe more up tight guys, but most of my classmates were open minded, I mean they were artists. I was nominated for Senior Prom Queen, but I won Prom King. I went dressed funky and freaky. A cropped double breasted jacket, a lacy, frilly collar, black biker shorts, big police shoes and very natural makeup. Except for the beet-red lips. Oh yes, I did have a rebel incident in school! A male classmate of mine wore eyeliner to class and was kicked out. The next day, I painted and was kicked out too. I came back with a note from the vice principal saying there was nothing in the school handbook about boys wearing makeup. I made my point but I failed the class.

EF: We're running out of space. Do you have a witty story that we can wrap up with?

Natasia: One time Coco and I went to Pulsations for her birthday. Pulsations [was] a huge club in Delaware County. We had a ball. No one knew who or what we were. We danced with men on these platforms and no one cared. I think it's because we didn't have an attitude or act like men in dresses. We were having fun and Pulsations treated us like stars. They announced us and the mascot, Pulsar the Robot, came out of his space ship and danced with us. It was a whole little show. I got my heel stuck in his grille and had to get a little unladylike to pull it out. I think he wanted to keep it. It definitely wasn't his size.