Roxanne Collins

June 5, 2025
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Montrose Star
Posted in MONTROSE STAR SPOTLIGHT
3

By Johnny Trlica

In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 in New York City, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera arrived at the Stonewall Inn where they found themselves in the middle of a riot that began a movement. Police had raided the bar and were arresting patrons.

“There are many competing stories about what Johnson did during the raid on the Stonewall Inn, but it is clear she was on the front lines. Johnson, like many other transgender women, felt they had nothing to lose. They were not only angered by the police raid, but also by the oppression and fear they experienced every day. In the wake of the raid, Johnson and Rivera led a series of protests,” wrote WomensHistory.org. Rivera has been credited to have thrown the second Molotov cocktail.

Together, Johnson and Rivera founded a group to help homeless trans youth in New York City and Rivera fought to ensure transgender people were included in the victories achieved by the gay-rights movement.

Earlier this year, the word ‘transgender’ was erased by the National Park Service website that covers the history and significance of the Stonewall Uprising. This was a “deliberate attempt to erase our history and marginalize the very people who paved the way for many victories we have achieved as a community,” the Stonewall Inn and the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative said in a joint statement.

The page was also updated to remove the “T” from the previously used acronym “LGBTQ+” — now referring to the community as either “LGB” or “LGBQ.” They are trying to make transgender people invisible.

The military is expelling more than 1,000 active transgender service members, putting on full display the administration’s efforts to erase a vital part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Roxanne Collins burst onto the Houston entertainment scene almost four decades ago. Many will remember her show-stopping performances at EJ’s, then later on stages all over town. No one does Tina Turner better than Roxanne, except for Tina herself.

Roxanne, like all other transgender people, has been affected by the anti-trans sentiment sweeping the nation by right-wing politicians. One thing is for certain, though: Roxanne Collins will never be made invisible.

She is in the Pride edition of the Montrose Star Spotlight!

Name:

Roxanne Collins.

What is your zodiac sign?

Sagittarius.

What is your original hometown?

Whistleville, Georgia (about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta).

How long have you been entertaining?

37 years.

What was the first time you did drag and what motivated you to begin?

I was out day drinking on a Sunday. Imagine that, lol. A dear friend and I were at Cousins (now Barcode) and there was a bulletin board in the corner and a flyer caught my eye. It was for a talent night. I asked my friend what that was as I had just moved here from a small town and didn’t know. Long story short, he told me what it was, and after a few drinks talked me into doing it! And I loved it. Now all these years later I’m still doing it.

Who are some of the performers you enjoy working with today and what would you consider your signature song?

It’s no secret I adore working with my sisters, Tommie Ross and Kofi. Several times a year we get requested to do our theme show that we do together. As for a signature song, probably “Simply the Best” by the Queen, Tina Turner. Probably my most requested song with “Fancy” by Reba is a close second, lol.

What is the thing you enjoy most about the stage?

The people.

Who is your inspiration? Any drag role models?

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the extra layer of knowledge to even know what drag was when I started. So it was a lot of trial and error to get where I have gotten and last as long as I have. I attribute that to my relationship with the people, not another queen, per se.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I’m not conceited enough to know the answer to that.

When not on stage what do you do for fun?

I started a movie club for singles who don’t like to go to movies alone but don’t have a lot of available friends. We had stopped but I’m getting ready to start it back up.

With this being Pride month, tell us what Pride month means to you.

Honestly, this year as my rights — not LGBT but my rights as a trans woman have already been stripped away, and more are under threat I can’t answer that as I type this. I see online that many in LGB want to divorce from the T so I really don’t know how to answer that question. This month they will be jubilant and celebrate Marsha and Silvia as pioneers in the Pride movement. That’s what it used to mean. But now trans is a liability and a noose around the neck of the political movement, or so they will have you believe and so they will have the U.S. believe. So, I don’t know what Pride means to me this year. I feel more pride in being chosen for this article right now. I’m taking my time to think about Pride.

What are your thoughts on all the anti-trans and anti-drag rhetoric coming from political activists?

I think I addressed that in the previous question, but I will add that the call is also coming from inside the house, as well. It’s not just activists and politicians with oh-so-much to say. Sometimes it’s the very ones with the dollars in their hands tipping us at the shows voting against us.

What is the most recent television series that you binge watched?

Season 2 of Dynasty (the original series).

Where and when can we catch your act?

I am a cast member of “DIVAS in a Man’s World,” a theatrical touring illusion show. I do Tina Turner and Chaka Khan. I am the weekend show director, celebrating 10 years at Barcode. You can catch me there every Friday and Saturday, and our two new shows are debuting in June! I love creating shows for my audiences. They are loyal and faithful and deserve the best, and I truly want to deliver that. I listen to what they respond to and truly try to anticipate what I think what they will love next. The shows coming up are tailor-made for our people. I don’t want to give too much away. You’re just going to have to come out and see!

Tell us about “Divas in a Man’s World”.

“Divas in a Man’s World” is a show I joined the cast of a few years ago. During the pandemic, they saw my quarantine concert and sent me a message saying how impressed they were. All these years later they reached out to me and asked if I wanted to join the touring company. Illusion work is where my heart has always been, so I jumped at the opportunity. I love doing the large theatre tour to sold-out audiences, hearing them cheer and be true fans of the artists we embody. It’s truly exhilarating.