All That "Jazmine"

[March 5th, 2003] There's reality television. And then there's The Anna Nicole Show.

Last year Anna Nicole Smith, the white-trash widow of a Texas tycoon, slurred her way through life's sleaziest moments with a pickle in her mouth and a camera up her bum. Along the way, her shit-kicking shenanigans helped usher in a new low in televised tabloid-tainment. Now, with the debut of the second season of her E!-channel show, Miss Big Thing proves lightning often stinks twice.

But enough about Anna.

You may recall an interview I did with the breakout star from the first season, the sadistically delicious designer Bobby Trendy (see Queer Window, WW, Sept. 11, 2002). Now I have the exclusive honor of introducing you to Anna's latest "Milli" to her "Vanilli," a Los Angeles drag diva known simply as "Jazmine."

Unlike Bobby, there's a local connection to this latest scene-stealer. Now, I can't give you much background on Anna's new gal pal, other than to say that she's a member of a well-connected Portland family--who, by the way, has never seen, heard or even known that such a creature as "Jazmine" existed within the body of their son. So conflicted is he about his so-called secret life that the most important condition of this interview was that I wouldn't give out Jazmine's true identity.

"I always knew I wanted to be part of Hollywood," says this 32-year-old who first showed off her imposing 6-foot-plus figure at the notorious City Nightclub at the age of 17 under the drag name of A Different World's Jasmine Guy. "I just didn't know being a gender illusionist would open so many doors."

Years ago, Jazmine made it her mission to infiltrate Los Angeles and has been addicted to its social scene ever since. But unlike other dragsters, she doesn't lip synch. She just shows up, adding what she calls "flavor" to any event.

"Oh my God," says Jazmine. "For years I would go out every night in a dress. But lately I've become much more selective."

Jazmine, talking by phone, wanted to make clear that she is also a breed apart from other Anna-be's like Bobby. "I'm thrilled I've befriended Anna and am included in the show," says Jazmine, who spends time on the show shopping with Anna, among other girly things. "But truth is, it's Anna's show. I'm not here to take the spotlight."

While she never plans to be as big as Anna, or as close to her as Anna's assistant, Kim (Jazmine confided in me that Anna considers Kim "her everything"), Jazmine definitely has a soft spot for the show's biggest star.

"I identify with Anna," says Jazmine. "And I think she identifies with drag queens. I'm not saying that we have the same story. I didn't marry a millionaire. But I love her sense of style. She's her own woman. She tells it like it is and doesn't care about what the world thinks. She's one of the smarter people I've met."

What a surprise. But it's too bad Jazmine can't share it with her family.