3 Questions With: Bella Gigante

T

owering at 6’ 10” in heels,

Bella Gigante

is one hell of a woman (with an asterisk). The creation of 16-year La Cantina at La Casa Sena singing veteran Richard Peters, she takes to the

stage on Friday with her unique brand of disco drag cabaret.

Who is Bella Gigante?

She’s a big, blond bombshell who’s larger than life. She’s my own creation—a combination of Marilyn Monroe, Bette Midler and Jayne Mansfield with a soul twist.

Contrary to most drag queens, you sing your own songs. Why is that?

I’ve always connected to strong, female artists—Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Nina Simone and more recently Amy Winehouse and Adelle. Girls that can sing and that you can feel their love and hurt and angst through their music, so when I left Cantina, it was the obvious choice.

What can biological women learn from a drag queen?

To embrace who you are; embrace your shape. Everyone is beautiful, don’t try to hide behind a smock and show off your curves.

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