Born in Alabama and raised in Georgia, James Davis, later to become Miss Elaine Lancaster, was destined for fame. Elaine conceived her name from Elaine Conti and Karen Lancaster; two fictional characters from Jackie Collins' novel, Hollywood Wives. Elaine actually derives her personality and character from two Hollywood greats, Burt Lancaster and Lana Turner.

A hostess in high demand, Elaine has worked the world over for charities, special events and nightclub venues. She has worked with various celebrities including RuPaul, Kevin Aviance, Lady Bunny, Thelma Houston, Evelyn 'Champagne' King, Martha Wash, Lolita Holloway and good friend Dennis Rodman, formerly of the Chicago Bulls.

Elaine has worked in major nightclubs such as Limelight, Bar Room, Liquid, Shadow Lounge, Warsaw Ballroom, Space, and of course, her current residence at Level Nightclub.

Graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in American History, Elaine took the opportunity for success to Europe, working as a male model in Milan and Paris with the Joy Agency.

"The modeling I did was a test for me to find out what I needed to fill my insecurities," Lancaster says. "People may think that Elaine Lancaster is just a self-absorbed character; it is quite the opposite. I do it more for other people," she says. "As 'Elaine', the character, as opposed to 'me' as a gay man, I can talk to anybody on any level; and they're gonna' be able to relate to me somehow."

Elaine considers herself to have had the good fortune of drawing good, strong and talented people into her life. She mentions Gerry Kelly as an example. Kelly is a couture fashion designer and co-owner of Level and Vivid Nightclubs.

"Elaine Lancaster existed before Level and Elaine will exist after Level," she says. "But in the interim, we have come together. It's all about creating this energy where we pull strength to our cause. And that's entertainment," Lancaster continues.

Gerry hired Elaine as the first employee of Level Nightclub. Their friendship and professional relationship had developed during their days at Liquid, where Elaine made frequent appearances, while Gerry was the Marketing Director. Gerry and Elaine are commonly referred to as the 'King and Queen' of Level. Although Elaine admits that she does not 'make or break' the club, she knows that she is a welcomed addition to Level.

Elaine describes her art form as "Superstar Drag Queen"; and she offers an explanation to the origin of the term 'drag'.

"The term, 'Drag Queen', to me, is not derogatory," she says. "If anybody has any intelligence about who they are, or about the history of men dressing as women, they would know that, historically correct, the term is 'drag queen'. 'D-R' stands for 'dressed', 'A' means 'as', 'G' is for 'girl'. It comes from the 'Elizabethan' time period of Shakespeare, when women were not allowed to perform publicly. Therefore, men would have to assume roles of women in public. As opera had its divas, theater had its drag. If you were the number one drag performer, you were the drag queen; It was a very high status," Lancaster explains.

Elaine Lancaster has also been involved with television, including appearances on Entertainment Tonight, Deco Drive, the NBC sitcom Wings, Current Affair, Inside Edition, and Hard Copy, among others. She also made an appearance in the HBO documentary, Drag Time, which aired in January 98'.

Elaine made her film debut in The Versace Murder, - an ironic twist of fate as Gianni Versaci was the predominate reason Elaine moved to Miami from Dallas, three years ago. Elaine has also made recent appearances in movies such as The Crew, Fabulous, and a BBC documentary, Miami Undercover.

From James Davis' conservative Southern Baptist upbringing, to the 'diva superstardom' of Elaine Lancaster's life and career, Elaine has definitely paved a path all her own. One might question what the degree of discrimination and prejudice a drag queen working in so many mainstream environments might face. Lancaster provides this story:

"I was performing at the convention center in Wichita, Kansas, and the Christian Coalition was having an event simultaneous to the big drag event that was being held at the other side of the convention center. There were protesters out there; the news crew came and interviewed me," Lancaster recalls. "They (the media) were 'picking' me, wanting me to say negative things about the Christian Coalition and founder, Ralph Reed. I said, 'This is an art form and I would invite any of them to come over here and watch. It is a legitimate, very talented form of entertainment. If that was my mother or father over there, I would hope they would come over, see it, and say, "You did a good job," '," Lancaster says.

"If that was my mother or father over there, I would hope they would come over, see it, and say, 'You did a good job,'," -

"This form of entertainment is not derogatory to women; if anything, it's the opposite. I got into this to pay tribute, or homage to great, strong, historical women that I had seen on the big screen, or in my own family," Lancaster reveals.

The publication of this feature comes on the eve of Miss Elaine Lancaster's 'birthday extravaganza' at Level Nightclub on Thursday, the 24th of August (2000). The theme for the special night is 'The Garden of Good and Evil', which is to be one of the biggest parties of the year for Level, with a diversity of surprises.

Last but not least, check out Miss Elaine Lancaster's web site for more info, star pictures, fan mail, etc., at: www.misselainelancaster.com. -V

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