by: MisS VictoriA DaviD
Recently, a duo artists in London has come to my attention. As a matter of fact, I witnessed them perform together at the WayOut Club in Minories as well as at Martha's Restaurant and Bar in Soho. They stupefied the atmosphere at each venue and produced such engaging shows!
Each artist has a winning flair and panache as they can effortlessly fire up an audience and thrill a crowd. It is achieved by individually delivering belt-out songs with humour and by coquettishly dancing around with a gymnastic flip twist. They are both no longer amateurs in the industry of spotlight extravaganzas as each artist has triumphantly accomplished competitions and stood out in shows beforehand.
Brandy X who is also known to her admirers and friends as Brandy Xtravaganza or Brandy X Mandella was born in America and grew up in a Mexican culture. At a very young age, she outrightly embraced her identity & expression as a transgender woman. She was full of motivation in reaching her dreams and satiated with selfless love which she bestowed to others by acceptance. Her determination was put to the test at the age of 12, which she transcended, she then secured herself a place in modelling, acting and dancing. Her beauty and personality attracted myriads of audiences and like-minded companions. As things inclined favourably, she was signed-up and cast to feature at a clothing company, American Apparel; in a reality competition television series, RuPaul's Drag Race; in a comedy-drama television series, Transparent Season 2 and at various Gay Pride festivals. Moreover, that experience also paved the way for her to work with artist like, the American female highest-selling R&B artists, Toni Braxton; the Austin, Texas multi-platinum singer, Ciara; the Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese; the American entrepreneur rapper, Kesha and the American singer- songwriter, Parson James.
Her unceasing perseverance as a transgender woman of colour contributed to her achieving a life in London while also she was having an influencing over the nightlife. That is why when Martha's Restaurant and Bar launched as a rebranding brand in Soho, she landed a job and became the face of it. Ever since the first opening of Martha's, she has been the prominent receptionist for the curious walk-in customers and the prosperous pre-booked guests. Apart from her glamorous role, she still possess a character in acting; perceptible beauty for modelling; choreography mindset in organising dance numbers as well as savviness in hosting events. Actually, she has been hosting her own live shows like the “The Brandy Brunch” which is currently at Martha's. Because of her gregariousness and versatility, she has been heartily invited to exclusive events in central London and beyond. In particular, the Bombshell Club London; Circa the Club in Victoria Embankment; Glitterbox at Ministry of Sound; The Groucho Club in Soho; Heaven Nightclub in Charing Cross; Metropolis Gentleman's Club in Bethnal Green; O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester and The WayOut Club in Minories.
Brandy X's supple movements and burlesque outfits in her stimulatingly cavorting around shows is a by product of being affiliated with the ballroom culture world of the LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming society that originated in New York from the 1980's. As a matter of fact, she belonged to the House of Xtrvaganza in Los Angeles for 10 years and is now related to the L.A. Nightlife sensation, Hector X aka Kiki, as a daughter. If you have watched an episode of the drama series entitled POSE, you already know what I'm referring to here? If you would like to become acquainted with her and read more of her future shows, you can follow her on the following accounts:
Instagram username la_fierce
Geri Love started her passion for singing in her hometown in the Republic of the Philippines. She has had the opportunity to work in the entertainment industry that enhanced her talent and widened her experience. Her first involvement was with a transient R&B band where she was their main vocalist. However, when she decided to leave the band and ventured out single-handedly she ended up in comedy clubs in Timog, Quezon City. Like, the Metro Concert Bar; Laffline Comedy Bar; Punchline Comedy Bar and the Musicbox. Here she adapted the stage name Gee/ Geezel and worked as a regular singer, a whimsical comedienne and a wacky event hostess.
She never stopped loving her passion for singing as she also participated in a few Trans community singing competitions where she met acquaintances, friends and made supportive connections. Because of her drive and hard work, she was noticed by one of the long-established television networks known as ABS- CBN. They hired her as an outside performer for a noon time variety show called MTB's (Magandang Tanghali Bayan) Divading and the first live comedy- gag show called Yes, Yes Show! During her time at ABS-CBN and after being discovered by a talent scout, she was bolstered and encouraged to join famous singing competitions. Like, the Clown in a Million of ABS-CBN where she clinched as a finalist. When Geri Love's enthusiasm in the industry abated, she carried over a different role in the outsourcing industry. However, her attachment to and love for music weighed more that led her to reconvene in Japan as an entertainer or also called newhalf. Before she was ultimately chosen as one of the first class Okama talents for the Satcho's Club, she endured a painstaking elimination process. To be more specific, she was one of more than 800 transgender hopeful talents who were exhaustively screened in a day. Thereafter, her name was shortlisted and her application to become a professional singer in Japan was guaranteed. Upon embarking on the bandwagon to Japan, Geri's fate changed positively. As matter of fact, when she was already working in Japan she also secured additional contracts from different omise (club). This furthered her stay as she was helped in obtaining a supplementary working visa on four occasions. That is why, she has an adequate knowledge about the Japanese people and their rich culture because of visiting a few capital cities in Japan like Tokushima, Kumamoto and Tokyo.
She treasures her years of working in Japan. It helped her to save enough cash that she then later used in securing her application for a student visa going to the United Kingdom. Coming over to the United Kingdom is another milestone for her especially upon elevating her love for music. She secured a place in an institution and studied a Diploma course in Popular Music. After finishing the course, she eventually propelled and took a B.A. Degree course in Creative Musicianship at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP). She graduated with first class honours. Whilst she was “burning her eyebrows” (studying hard), she was also actively involved with the LGBTQIA+ festivals and various clubs in central London and beyond. This opened doors for her to join singing competitions again which she greatly benefited from. It also enabled her to practice even more her vocalisation outside the institution; she was gradually recognised in the LGBTQIA+ community and that also boosted her stage presence. Her success prevailed because of her singing voice and charismatic personality. Consequently, it trajected her to win victories in numerous singing competitions like the CXR Got Talent in Charing Cross London; Madame JoJo's Tranny Academy in Soho, London and the Q Factor in Frome, England.
Geri Love isn't just destined for singing as she was once a pageant enthusiast because of her beauty queen friends. When I say enthusiast, she involved herself as one of the entrants to a few prestigious beauty pageants here in the U.K. Such as, Miss Mango Tree 2014 at the Mango Tree in Belgravia, London and proclaimed as the 2nd runner-up; Miss Exilio 2015 of the Exilio LGBT Latino at Guy's Bar in London and proclaimed as the title holder; Alternative Miss London 2016 at the WayOut Club in Minories, London and proclaimed as the title holder as well as Miss Mango Tree 2018 at the Mango Tree in Belgravia, London and proclaimed as the 3rd runner-up. If you would like to become acquainted with her au naturel singing voice and support more of her future shows, you can contact and follow her on the following accounts:
Instagram username gerilovesyou
Twitter username gerilovesyou
