Icon: Amanda Lepore

Amanda Lepore is an American model, nightlife hostess, fashion icon and performer. She is atransgender icon; she was born male but has had sex reassignment surgery. She has been the advertising face for Heatherette, M.A.C. (cosmetics), Mego Jeans, Swatch, CAMP Cosmetics and more. Fashion design company Heatherette has used Lepore's image on much of their clothing and has chosen her several times to model their brand during Fashion Week.^[1] Lepore is also noted as a regular subject in photographer David LaChapelle's work. She participated in his Artists and Prostitutes 1985-2005 exhibit in New York where she "lived" in a voyeuristic life-sized set.^[2] She is represented by Classic Entertainment Group (Manhattan, New York). Lepore resides in New York City and works as a nightlife hostess at many of the city's popular parties and clubs.


Modeling

Lepore used to model for labels such as Heatherette, The Blonds, MAC Cosmetics. She is also featured in many fashion magazines like French Playboy, Ponytail, DAMn and TUSH. She is on the cover of Lords of Acid's 1999 album Expand Your Head.

[edit]Acting

Lepore had a cameo in the film Party Monster, directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato and was also featured in Another Gay Sequel in 2008. Lepore is expected to make her first feature film cameo appearance in years, in the indie film, Shifting the Canvas,^[5] written and directed by Chuck Griffith, and was set to start production in summer 2008. The film, which highlights current issues such as gentrificationand gay enclaves, will star John Paul Pitoc ("Trick", "Thank You, Good Night"), Scott Thompson ("Kids in the Hall") and others.

She has also had cameos in music videos for artists such as Elton John, Thalía, the Dandy Warhols, Girl in a Coma,^[6] Grace Jones,Cazwell and TIGA^[7] for his "Sunglasses at Night". Amanda Lepore has a strong relationship with Cazwell, she appears in most of his music videos, including "Watch my Mouth"^[8] and "All Over Your Face"

Music

Currently, Lepore is exploring musical projects with producers Fatal Art Syndicate. Her first single "Deeper" is a trance dance song written byLady Bunny, a drag queen and hostess of Wigstock.

There are two unreleased tracks produced by DJ Gomi that were played in NYC nightclubs circa 2003, the first "Up In This House" was featured additional lyrics and vocals by Kevin Aviance while the second is "Amanda, I Am". Another track, "Turn Me On, Turn Me Over", has not yet been released.

Lepore in 2005 released her first album "Introducing... Amanda Lepore" which contains "Champagne" and "My Hair Looks Fierce". In 2007 released a remix album, entitled "Fierce Pussy", which can be found on her website^[10] and "My Pussy E.P." that contains "My Pussy (is Famous)".^[4] Many of her songs were produced by Cazwell, whose 2006 album features Lepore in the title track "Get Into It". Lepore also sings the main title for Another Gay Movie, "I Know What Boys Like". Remixes of the song are available in the "Fierce Pussy" album. She also performs "Cotton Candy", from the soundtrack of "Another Gay Sequel".^[11]

June 2009, Amanda performed at the Historic Majestic Theatre in Detroit, MI with The Divas of the Majestic: A Divine Lites Productions. This was for Detroit's Metro Pride Fest. This was the first time the Majestic had a "drag" show as well as Amanda Lepore.^[12]

On her MySpace page and in many interviews Lepore has mentioned working on her new album "I...Amanda Lepore" ^[13] scheduled to be released in 2011.

Merchandise

In October 1999 Swatch released "Time Tranny", a watch designed by LaChapelle with Lepore on the face displaying a printed crack on the glass and marble stripes as the background. LaChapelle however was not pleased with the results and had the first version withdrawn and destroyed making it a rare collectible. The original version was accidentally sold in the UK, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The second version displays no cracked glass and a blue and yellow striped background. To date "Time Tranny" is the fastest selling limited edition Swatch.^[15][16]

On August 7, 2008, Lepore announced she would be introducing "Collection Lepore", a line of cosmetics in partnership with Glen Ellyn, Illinois-based CAMP Cosmetics. The line will be distributed in boutiques and online in 2009.^[17]

In April 2006, Integrity Toys launched an Amanda Lepore doll produced by Jason Wu. All proceeds went to AIDS charities. A doll auctioned at the after-launch party sold for $1,500. It was announced that the doll has already raised over $50,000 for DIFFA.