Rochesterian a Contestant on Reality Competition!

Last night I tuned in to one of my new favorite guilty pleasures, RuPaul's Drag Race, a competition "for the next drag superstar" entering its second season on Logo (channel 438). Lo and behold, a Rochester drag queen is competing! Meet Miss Pandora Boxx:

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According to Pandora's website, RuPaul said of her in People "She’s quite the dichotomy, because she’s young and vivacious but she’s also part of old world drag aesthetic. She’s very smart and knows her pop culture." So far we have only seen some of this, but hey, last night was only the first episode. The show website further describes Pandora as "this season's funny girl" and "a real contender for the top prize." We did see Pandora help a less experienced queen learn how to use a sewing machine - good sports(wo)manship, Pandora! And did you know that in November 2009 she was voted by City Newspaper, the alternative news magazine for the area, as Best Drag Queen in their annual Best of Rochester awards?

As an aside, Pandora also has a blog of her own; while some of it is pop culture references and self-promoting (including for a show she did called The Lipstick Massacre that I missed and would love to see when it comes to GeVa's Theatre's NextStage), there are also a few posts on politics and various causes. I say good for her for taking a risk in discussing something important to her as an entertainer on a largely lighthearted blog.

Every Monday at Tilt, one of the gay nightclubs in downtown Rochester, they are having a viewing party to watch the latest episode (the episode starts at 9PM, but feel free to show up early). Drop in and meet Pandora - and all the other fabulous ladies. Don't get Logo and can't make it to Tilt? VH1 replays the episodes Tuesdays at 9PM. As for me, Monday nights I will be at home with my knitting and Loverman rooting for the hometown girl!