She’s like seven feet tall in heels, usually clad in a brightly colored mini dress accessorized with a trademark towering blonde mane. You can hear her honeyed Georgia drawl from across a room. Elaine Lancaster is the most visible and celebrated queen in Miami clubland, paid beaucoup bucks to make appearances and add fabulosity to swanky soirees. So when Lancaster isn’t allowed into a local nightclub, you best believe eyebrows are gonna be raised.
Last Tuesday, a bouncer refused her admission to Mokai. And Elaine’s admirers were pissed. The subject line of one passionate email from an eyewitness read in part, “one of the greatest Artist of our time is dissed!!!!! out loud!”
Lancaster explained the situation as only she could. “The thing is, they actually told someone in our group that I wasn’t allowed in because I was in drag. How horrible is that? People really need to realize that Mokai must die,” she declared, honeyed drawl intact. “I’ve been thrown out of a lot nicer clubs than that, honey, believe me.”
Lisa Umbel, who was with Lancaster, says, “They slammed the rope shut in front of her. It’s like a slap in the face.”
Nicola Siervo, the owner of Mokai, said he was shocked to hear of the incident. “Elaine has been to the club many times, and is a good friend.” Moments later, club manager Alain Oliver called to apologize, blaming club overcrowding and the fire code, as well as the bouncer’s failure to recognize the local celebrity.
Olivier assured that homophobia was not a factor. “I’ve known Elaine for over a decade, and I would never not let her into my club. She adds color and fun. Miami is a cosmopolitan city, and Mokai certainly reflects that. Tell Elaine to call me, she is welcome here any time.” --Patrice Yursik
