Phillyist Framed Returns!
Across the Ist-a-Verse
Yo, Philly in the News
Leslie (in the middle) poses behind Dave "The Dumpster"
First, a little bit about yourself.
I moved out when I was 16 [she's 19 now]. I'm an artist. Grew up in the sticks, so I like to hunt and fish. Moved down to Philly with a friend and started working at the [strip club] pretty much right away [as a bartender]. I'm a visual artist - I love to paint and sketch. I've won gallery competition awards. Trained ballet dancer. I've taught dance as well. Try to do everything. Known as a tomboy. Not much time for art. More time spent designing tattoos for friends.
What are your goals?
My parents were both teachers, so education has always been big for me. I want to go into social work. As an adopted child, I want to do something that helps kids. The system just isn't there. I've lived in different cities. I want to move to Texas next. I don't see myself settling in one place or another. I'll go back to school eventually. Modeling is my focus for now.
So you just moved to Philly 3 weeks ago. I could think of better ways to become acquainted with the city than Wing Bowl. You are staying, right?
I've worked with photographers here before, but have never been out on the town. Always thought my first outing would be to the Art Museum but it was being half-naked in front of 20,000 plus screaming guys. At the hotel prior to the event, walking down through the lobby it felt like I was turned over to the wolves. "Show us your tits," they chanted again and again, but after it was turned down enough times they became my personal entourage. The only disrespectful person of the entire day was the guy who walked up to me in the lobby and pulled up my underwear really hard. The hotel, which is right next to the arena, was absolutely crazy. Maybe I should have been drunk too. Someone put a cooler of Heineken before me and said, "It's yours."
The rest of the interview after the jump...
Did you know what you were getting yourself into? Gorging, vomiting, as well as flashing by strippers and spectators alike - all for a raucous crowd?
No. The owner of the club I work for asked me. A few days before, I checked it out online. I was like, "Whoa - it's like Mardi Gras." And the conditions at the event were awful. 300 girls lined up in corridors of the Wachovia Center in 30 degree weather in their underwear. We were right by the loading docks and for some reason there were giant bundles of ice everywhere, waiting to moved.
What were your motivations going into this?
I thought it would be a lot of fun. A good friend of mine was one of the eaters. I wanted to be with my friend, "Black Death," but was paired up with "Dave the Dumpster" instead. Thought I didn't have a chance going into it, but changed my mind once I stepped into the arena. Once I saw the other girls. I knew about the prizes, but honestly I was excited about the contest enough that that didn't matter so much. Told Steven Singer - who is a great guy (met Hugh Douglas as well, another great guy) - "You can keep your jewelry – I want chicken wings," as he passed around necklaces for all the Wingettes. I was told I didn't advance to the later rounds because my eater didn't do well. Everybody, including people from the radio show, told me that I was Miss Wing Bowl. Next year I'll be paired up with "El Wingador," the former champion who is coming out of retirement, so I'm sure I'll win.
Any exposure's good exposure then?
I have enough exposure through the internet. It is good exposure though. But it's also a big party. People have seen me in the days since and have said, "Hey, weren't you in Wing Bowl." I want to do a shoot with Wing Bowl girls covered in hot sauce. Maybe some wrestling.
What was your view of the men in attendance - both contestants and spectators? Good place to find a boyfriend?
[Laughs heartily] They wouldn't have been able to remember me the very next day. I rooted for Dave the Dumpster, an extremely nice guy. All his friends were entirely respectful. Glad I got to represent him instead of Damaging Doug - the ultimate prick. So arrogant. So disgusting. He was disrespectful to everyone - contestants and girls. Fans were amazing. Walking out to the arena, they still had the glass up from the last hockey game. Great idea. I felt very secure. Ten marriage proposals. Kissed some little boys on the cheek. I didn't want any guys to touch me so we gave them a little; one girl took cards out of my cleavage with her teeth and passed them over to them with her mouth.
Your view of the other women?
Some were friendly. Made a few friends. There were the girls who had their noses up in the air. We were all lined up in 6-inch heels and g-strings freezing together, so I didn't get it. Some of the strip club girls were just plain rude. Trying to talk to others was plain impossible. Asked one girl what she thought of the upcoming King Tut exhibit and she replied, "What, Xzibit is coming to town?"
Is it as degrading as it seems or just good fun?
People make it a lot more piggish than it is. The women there want to be there. We're giving the fans a reason to be there to support the competitive eaters. If it wasn't for the girls, seventy percent of them wouldn't be there. The only thing gross was watching them shove wings in their mouths. Some girls are going to hate me for this.
What about the flashing?
That was only the strippers. Wingettes would get banned. I didn't see any myself unfortunately. I was shaking my boobs and butt though - having a good time. There should have been more flashing[laughs].They had good music.
How much do you think - if any - you've diminished you're ability to be critical by participating?
If there was camera there I would go nuts.
So your credibility wasn't damaged?
No. I did what I wanted to do. Everybody should do what they want to do. These feminists piss me off. They set us back a few steps. They go out of their way to separate men and women when we should be equal. Why should we have to uphold some degree of serenity and decency? That takes away from peoples' character. They should be behind us because we're showing what we have and who we are. As much as feminists hate men, they hate women more.
What do you say to people who think it's a joke - nothing more than a drunken Bacchanal?
It's a serious contest. A title and a car. Go to a football game and there are half-naked girls there. It's a serious competition and we're there to support them. These guys take a lot of time preparing and promoting.
20,000 drunken fans screaming "Show us your tits..."
Don't knock it until you try it. Same thing as the Super Bowl, but with more girls. It's a job, a job to support them, but we love the attention as well. It's a beauty contest as well.
And not a desperate ploy for attention?
We're there to do a job. It's a serious contest, part of an international federation. Most of the criticism comes from jealousy and ignorance. People should go and try to see it from our perspective.
Photo courtesy of Leslie McKenna
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Post a comment (Comment Policy)