DeeZaStar Pushing the boundaries of design and performance, this compelling performer has been a fixture on New Zealand's gay stages and streets for over a decade. Who are you and what's your background? Kneel Halt, but some of you also know me as DeeZaStar. Trained at New Zealand drama school and worked extensively around the country. Discovered a penchant for design and drag as I became disillusioned with the rules/assumptions of theater and became enamored with the chaos of club. My alter ego was born drawing on my training in mask, clown and stuntwork. Moved to Auckland about nine years ago from Wellington to further my performance art and have been sponsored by Red Bull for the last six. Always knew that I would some day go back to the theater with what I have garnered on my travels and did this three years ago with a one man show at the Maidment studio called Fierce! Child and just recently with Glory Hole. What's next on the performance calendar for you? Back to the grindstone for me in my little studio where I churn out one-off ensembles for other drag artists and a select clientele. I am opening a bar on Waiheke in Easter, but more and more my drag performances have taken a back seat to my theater/writing/designing/film-making. What characterises the New Zealand GLBT community for you? Generally, because we are a tiny country, we are less able to ghetto-ise ourselves in a way that can done in a bigger city. We mingle more here leather/dyke/drag/twink/vanilla... and that has to be a good thing. What is the worst thing for you about being GLBT? Still has to be that people separate us out whenever they discover our particular 'bent'. I have tried an experiment several times where I never indicate my sexual proclivity until well into something and then watch how straight people become focused on that and how I might know someone or how brave I am or whatever. It's a real drag sometimes being defined by where I stick my dick. What is the best thing? Where I stick my dick. The people I have around me, in my little ghetto, who have never had to come out, they just were and are queer, I like that. Relationship status? Yes. Favourite food and drink? A lovely fat steak and a well chilled beer. Milk and coffee are up there, and most pasta. Worst habit? Bossiness. Most noble feature? Ask someone else that question. Favourite TV programme? Battlestar Galactica, brilliantly written and filmed. Favourite movie? Requim for a dream, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, LOTR trilogy, Blade Runner, Alien... Qualities you most appreciate in a GLBT person? When I see it, dignity. What are you reading at the moment? Just finished the 7th book in Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Am perusing Art: a sex book by John Waters until I find my next fix. Who in the world including NZ would you most like to have a coffee and a chat with? Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Boy George, Arthur Tahore (My dead drag mother), Hina Lundun. Role models? Arthur Tahore, Hina Lundun, Liegh Bowery. What is the most pressing issue currently facing the NZ GLBT population? Assimilation and lack of future-proofing of our youth. If you could have one wish granted what would it be? Don't wish it be it! GayNZ.com - 12th March 2006