Eoin O'Callaghan met with Jerri Singer on a cold Wednesday night as she made final preparations for act at the Space n’Vada show at the George.  It’s a year since the much loved Gerry Singer became Jerri Singer, (a subtle name change, major career move) and began performing drag at the George. 

The first thing that came across when meeting Jerri, was that in addition to being beautiful and raunchy, Jerri is also gentle, genuine and beautifully soft spoken. She’s also generous about friends and colleagues, and modest about her beauty and talent. Over the course of half an hour behind the scenes, I attempted to unwrap the layers and find out more about the real Miss Jerri Singer

Eoin:   Jerri, it’s lovely to meet you tonight.  You’re looking very revealing. You know, you can be as open as you like in this interview?

Jerry Singer:  I’ll try to keep my legs closed, I won’t open them yet, maybe later.  (laughs)

E:  So, when did you decide that drag was the way forward for Gerry Singer?

Jerri Singer : One year ago, one year ago, I did pride bingo, and Shirley and Panti were pushing me into doing it and I’ve never looked back. 

E:   Were you dissatisfied as a regular cabaret singer in the George?

J S:   I was quite satisfied, I was doing quite well, but Bingo is a drag show, and a lot of people expected to see drag, I was doing well, but the drag thing is….. well you know (pause) - I’ve never got laid as much! (smiles)

E:    Really!

J S:    (big smile) Oh yes

E:  Do you feel that the fact that you sing live is an advantage? 

J S: No, I think it’s really about a drag queen performing.  Yeah, I sing live, but there are a lot of mimers out there who are doing fantastic stuff. 

E: Have you considered getting work in London, as there is a tradition of Queens singing live there. 

J S: Well, I haven’t, not yet, but I have got some work in the Canaries, I went on a holiday, and I ended up working, and I’m going back there in September.  I’ve got about six shows in club Nestor. 

E:  Do you enjoy it, is there a different audience over there?

J S: A lot of English people, a lot of Irish people saw me, it was amazing, I was a star over there, I signed autographs, it was fantastic!

E:  Who, are your musical influences?

J S:  Well, believe it or not, any of the songs that I do wouldn’t be any of my favourites…….my favourite singer of all time would be Diana Ross,  I like Joan Armatrading, I like (emphasis) Barbara Streisand.

E: What about Bette Midler so, do you like her?

J S:   Ah, she’s fantastic, I’ve got one of her backing tracks, Deserve You.  I want to do it. 

E:  So the songs you perform, does it always start with the song?

J S:  I used to always sing the songs that I liked, now I’m looking at the song that the audience like, the gay songs, like camping it up a bit, so there’s going to be some Kylie Minogue in there, a lot of Cher, and a lot of gay stuff, like Geri Halliwell

E: On the subject of Geri Halliwell, Do you spell your name G E R….

J S:  (cuts across) J-E-R-R-I

E: Oh, sorry, I’ll have to get that one right, ah yeah, that’s closer to G-E-R-I Halliwell, that’s what I was wondering.   

E:  Is Linda Martin high up there on your list of role models?

J S:  She’s fantastic, I know Linda a long time, she’s absolutely fantastic. In fact, I think I know Linda fifteen years. She was lucky enough to represent Ireland in the Eurovision. Years ago, I recorded songs for Eurovision, for Eurosong, for Castlebar, I never got the break, but I recorded songs with some very famous song writers. One was Joe Burkette, and his songs twice represented Ireland in the Eurovision, the only ever Irish language song to represent Ireland Ceol an Gra, he wrote that, and also Horoscopes for Sheeba, he wrote that. And I recorded about eight/ten songs for him, original songs, got some airplay and everything, but, never made it, you know. 

*******

E:  Maybe you’ll become a star now

J S:   I hope so

E:  At the recent pride Birthday Bingo concert Linda Martin singled you out for mention?  How did you feel about that? 

J S:  Oh, I thought it was great, as somebody said to me the other day, ‘I believe you were married to Linda Martin’ (laughs) I wish!  I could rob all her dresses if I was, aren’t they fantastic. But do you know something, I think I’ve a better figure than her. 

E:  I’d say definitely, without a doubt!  Some people say you stole the show at pride this year as part of the GUBU float?

J S:   Well, I always try and stand out.  But I mean there were amazing costumes there.  I think I looked fantastic, but a lot of other people did too. 

E:   Tell us about your work with GUBU?

J S:  On the opening night, they asked me to come and do some work there, and they said if anything was ever happening again they would contact me.  They asked me if I would host the pride night there.   

*****

At this point preparations for Space n’Vada are at an advanced stage, and the Diva herself, Vada Bon Reve passes down towards the bar area, looking simply fantastic.   Kisses between Vada and Jerri ensue,

Jerri  :  Look at this gorgeous bitch

E:   Have you any comment for Gay-ireland.com Vada

Vada  :  IT girls don’t cry.  When the red carpet runs out, stop walking!!  

Jerri :    It’s a pity her dresses are too big for me, because if they fitted, she’d have none left.   

 -- We return to the interview --

E:  So, Jerri, have you any projects in the pipe line?

J S:  There is something on the cards, but I can’t really talk about it - well, there’s the possibility of a one night gig a week in Dublin.  One can’t interfere with the other venues and the nights with them.   

******

At this point, Dial Emma approaches us, on her way to perform.

Dial Emma:   Hallo

Jerri:  You look fantastic, if you weren’t a lesbian I would be very keen on you. (laughs) 

Emma departs, Jerri and I attempt to resume the interview. The awesome Renntecca approaches straight after, in super high heels, making her more than 7 feet tallJ S: Oh my god, she terrifies me this one, Jesus, I wasn’t expecting to have a nightmare tonight (laughs)

 ---we resume the interview ---

E:   You have a very raunchy show.  Why is that so?

J S:   I’m a raunchy person, I’m a sexy person, you know I like to portray who I am in everything I do.   

E:  Do you have any good drag buddies in Dublin?

J S:  Well to be honest with ya…..I mean, I would consider Vada a good friend – (emphasis) very good to me, very helpful, gives me great encouragement and Shirley Temple Bar and Panti. I’ve got Dial Emma who has been fantastic. Everyone has been really good to me, so I consider them all friends, we all know each other you know. There’s no bitching.

E: There have been  rumours about yourself and Charlotte the Harlot?  Do you have any comment?

J S:  Okay, okay (sounding jaded) I snogged her one night and that’s about it.  I haven’t slept with her yet, but maybe I will (laughs) maybe I will. 

E:   Jerri, it’s been fantastic talking with you, and I wish you all the best with your performing career.  Thank you

J S:  You’re very welcome.  Thanks

November 2001
Thanks to Eoin, Jerri Singer and The George