Montreal drag icon Manny has worked in films, television, magazines and modelling with the biggest names in the business, and now at age 65 is the oldest regularly working drag queen in Montreal.
While the international drag scene churns out newcomers and quickly tosses them aside, Manny – a.k.a. Manny Cortez Tuazon – is a survivor who started out as a 16-year-old club kid when Montreal’s Gay Village was centred around Stanley Street in the 1970s and early 80s, when it was also known as the West Village.
After his family emigrated to Canada from the Philippines when he was 12, Manny quickly discovered Montreal’s fabled West Village where he became a regular at Montreal’s famed Lime Light disco. The iconic nightclub rivaled Studio 54 in New York City and helped establish Montreal as disco’s Second City.
A former go-go boy, Manny became a much in-demand makeup artist who first did drag at the invitation of Quebec pop icon Mado Lamotte. The rest, as they say, is history.
On the eve of Manny’s 65th birthday on October 5, we sat down for a candid Q&A about his fabled career.
What was it like growing up in the Philippines? How young were you when you realized you weren’t like the other kids?
Manny: I knew I was different from a very young age. When the kids used to play, I always chose the role of the heroine in games like sword fight or hide and seek, preferring to play characters like Wonder Woman over Spider-Man or Thor. I was very aware of my sexuality. I knew I was attracted to men. But I also found women beautiful, and I would try to emulate them.
You grew up in a very supportive family. What was your personal coming-out experience like?
Manny: When I was about 16 I was outed by a friend who thought that another friend was stealing his boyfriend and used me as bait. That second friend was royally pissed off and screamed at the top of his lungs, “You leave my boyfriend alone!” He then telephoned my family and told them, “Tell him to stop trying to steal my boyfriend!” He outed me to my parents. He later apologized to me but when I got home my Dad was angry and my Mom was crying. I was sent to my room feeling unloved. The next day was a school day and I composed a goodbye letter which said, “This is who I am. If you don’t want me, that’s okay. I’ll be fine. I will be able to handle this.”
I then stayed with a friend for three weeks. My parents found me because I reached out to my great friend Carmen. She came to visit me where I was staying to make sure I was okay. She had the good sense to tell my Mom where I was. The next day, I hear a knock on the door, and there was Mom and Dad, crying. Mom said, “Please come home.” And Carmen was like, “This is your kid. You better love him no matter what or who he is. If you don’t want Manny, he can stay with me where at least you know he will be safe.”
So I ended up going home. My father eventually came around, and my mother adored me. Afterwards, I had a more relaxed and respectful relationship with my family, which also benefitted my two brothers and sister.
Your late mom Natividad Cortez Tuazon was so proud of you.
Manny: My Mom always championed me. She found her way through me and I found my way with her.
What do you remember about Montreal’s West Village?
Manny: I was the baby of the group. Think Boys in the Band, and I was the baby. Everywhere they went, I tagged along, and my eyes were like flying saucers. The lineups. The beautiful people. I was like, “Oh my God, look at that! This is the place to be! This is more gay than the other place! Next weekend I’m going to come here on my own to see if I can get in.”
Were you as fashionable as you are today?
Manny: I would say so because I had creativity. I knew how to make an outfit my own. When I started doing that, I was never refused entrance anywhere. I was often picked out of lineups to go in.
What was it like to hang out at the Lime Light?
The hardest part was getting in the third floor of the Lime Light. We called it heaven because once you made it to the third floor, you were in heaven until 6 a.m.!
Your idol Grace Jones hung out at the Lime Light a lot. She also performed there on 8-9-10 December 1981 on her A One-Man Show Tour.
Manny: I saw her perform all three nights in a row! The first night I was blinded by the spotlights, second night I came with my sunglasses! I also saw Grace perform at Oz (disco on Guy Street). She was a big influence. I mean, Grace is singular, right?
You began your makeup artist career with MAC Cosmetics at the iconic Ogilvy’s department store in 1992. You ran MAC Cosmetics in Montreal for many years.
Manny: I was the first male makeup salesperson in Montreal for MAC. From there I moved to full-timer, Assistant Manager, trainer, Manager, and I opened all the PRO locations. I also worked with MAC Cosmetics spokesmodel RuPaul in Montreal. MAC was 28 years of my life!
What is your one piece of advice when it comes to buying makeup?
Manny: Get a sample and try it on. Don’t buy it blindly thinking it’s your colour. Ask for a sample and test it. Go home with a little container.
As a makeup artist, who are some of the big stars you have worked with on music videos and photo shoots?
Manny: I was very lucky to have a friend who worked at MusiquePlus back in the day. My first celebrity client there was P!NK. I did the make-up for everybody from Backstreet Boys to Alanis Morrisette. One time Sonia Benezra was interviewing Céline Dion, and Céline was already made up. But during a break I was touching up Sonia and Céline told me, “What about me?” I asked her “Are you sure?” and Céline replied, “Do what you think I need!” We also had a brief conversation. She was very nice.
When did you first do drag?
Manny: I had been a go-go boy in dance clubs. I evolved from being a club kid to becoming more feminine. The hair came in, the heels came in, fake boobs. My friend Nicholas Jenkins asked me to dance at Sex Garage, but his loft party was busted by police before I arrived. I was also the door person at Squeeze at Metropolis – some nights the guest list was six pages long! I had security at the door. I came late into the game of drag – probably around 1992-1993 – and the first song I ever did was I’m Every Woman by Whitney Houston, it was my drag christening at Sky Club. It was Mado’s night, and afterwards she told me, “You’re coming back next month!” That’s how I started drag.
How many wigs do you have?
Manny: Well over a hundred. I may have the same makeup or costume on, but wearing a different wig transforms me.
You have shared stages with everybody from Jimbo to Onya Nurve. What do you think of the mainstreaming of drag?
Manny: I think it’s great. Hopefully it reaches a kid somewhere and gives them the hope and courage to pursue their dreams. It’s also why I like to do my drag workshops and performances at Dawson College. I always try to convey the message that you need to be true to yourself and be respectful of others.
You are Mother of the legendary House of Manny. Your drag family began in 1995 and over the decades has been home to more than 40 drag artists, dancers and other performers.
Manny: They call me Nanay which is Filipino – Tagalog – for mother. I am there for my children, whether it’s for artistic or personal issues. I also make sure their costumes are washed and ironed so they have fresh outfits onstage. Right now I’m mentoring my drag daughter CC Chanel. She’s going to be a star.
I also present the Slaysians concert series because I am unhappy with our lack of representation. I’m not boasting when I say I’m the fucking only Asian queen onstage when it comes to big parties. There are others who have not been given the opportunity, chance or venue to showcase their talent.
You turn 65 on October 5. That makes you the oldest working drag artist in Montreal. How does it feel to still be working on the city’s biggest stages?
Manny: Honestly I am now just learning how to accept my flowers seriously.
How do you feel when people call you a living legend – because you are, Manny!
Manny: Thank you so much, but I’m not done yet! This year at La Soirée 100% Drag at Fierté Montréal, Mado received a Lifetime Achievement award. Mado told me, “Maybe you’re next!” I replied to Mado, “No, Nana goes before me! She was there first. If it is me, I want you to give it to me because it was you who discovered me.”
You have been humble your entire journey.
Manny: One doesn’t have to make noise to be loud.
INFOS | Manny headlines the 7th edition of SLAYSIANS at Cabaret Mado on December 10.
Follow Manny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannyzuniverse/
