42. Elaine Lancaster

In honor of our MasterMind genius awards, Cultist proudly presents "100 Creatives," where we feature Miami's cultural superheroes in random order. Have suggestions for future profiles? Email [email protected] with the whos and whys.

42. Elaine Lancaster

The term drag queen might make you think of Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like A Lady" or maybe those fabulous gays putting on a show Sunday mornings at Palace on South Beach.  And when you think of Miami Beach's Elaine Lancaster, due to the fact it is a man dressed as a woman, you might think the same thing. But she or he (real name James Davis) is so much more than that. We're going to call her an entertainer, and once you hear about her background and current projects, you might too. 

Raised in Georgia, which is apparent by her adorable twang, Lancaster might be a diva, but her charm comes out through and through. These days she calls Miami Beach home, but is rarely here enough to know her own address. She is one of the most sought after DJs and party hostess not just in the Magic City, but worldwide.

She has MCed soirees for everyone from Elton John to Kate Hudson. In the 305, she rolls with only an A-list entourage, but her true BFFs are names such Lady Bunny and Pam Anderson. The blond beauty is getting ready to debut on Bravo's Real Housewives Of Miami alongside her pal Lea Black.

Some might wonder if the show will be actual "reality," she says it's pretty darn close. "It's close to reality. It's as real as reality gets, you know? The power of persuasion: they will ask you things and get you to discuss certain things. They will set up situations where they are like, 'discuss this, this and this.' They don't tell you what to say or what to do. Just a little suggestion, maybe."

1. List five things that inspire you.

-Love
-Fashion
-Success
-Music
-Knowledge

2. What was your last big project?

I was part of an ensemble cast for a reality show (The Real Housewives of Miami) on cable. It was interesting for sure. I love being in the spotlight. I strive off stuff like that. I hosted my own show in California called On Q Live, so I know what it is like to be on camera and how that all works.

3. What's your next big project?

Well, star of my own television show, actually. I can't say too much, but it has something that has been proposed to me. They want to do it and have at least eight to ten episodes filmed by June 2011. Should be something.

4. Why do you do what you do?

It wasn't an option; I knew I was going to be an entertainer. I just didn't know it would be female impersonation. When I did it and I got such acclaim as a result of the character I created, I knew I could turn it into a business. I thought I could make money and do something that I love. They say, "Find something you love and you will never work a day in your life." That is what I am doing.

5. What's something you want Miami to know about you?

What you see is what you get. I live my life very openly and honestly. I have no secrets--professionally and publicly. My life is an open book.  I'm not trying to be a woman. I'm just a man that happens to do drag. I am just trying to entertain the masses.

What's something you don't want Miami to know about you?

I'm fiercely determined. I think sometimes that can be held against you. It can be such an entitlement society. People can feel threatened by people who are looking for success. It's an odd sort of thing, but I think people are jealous of successful people. They see people on TV or singing, and they say "I can do that!" False modesty is something I have never been a fan of, but you have to be to some degree or people will hold it against you and try to set up obstacles for you.  Nothing is harder than a fall from the top. It's why people love to see celebrities have real life problems, because people can relate to that.


The Creatives so far:

43. Nick Duckart
44. Danielle Estefan
45. John Dufresne
46. Monica Lopez de Victoria
47. Bill Bilowit
48. Alette Simmons-Jimenez
49. Tawnie Silva
50. Ginger Bardot
51. Jonathan David Kane
52. Naomi Fisher
53. Rocky Grimes
54. Teresa Barcelo
55. Paul Tei
56. Lee Materazzi