Mimi Imfurst | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Imfurst atRuPaul's DragCon in May 2019 | |
| Born | Braden Stewart Chapman (1983-03-02)March 2, 1983 (age 42) Hanson, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | Marymount Manhattan College |
| Occupation(s) | Drag performer, singer-songwriter |
Mimi Imfurst (born March 2, 1983[1][2]), the stage name ofBraden Stewart Chapman[3] (orBraden Stewart Maurer-Burns[4][5]), is an Americandrag performer. She appeared on thethird season ofRuPaul's Drag Race andRuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars and was a founding member of the girl group Xelle. In 2017, he became the first U.S. drag queen to perform in Cuba,lip-syncing toMadonna's "Express Yourself" with a group of local dancers.[6]
Imfurst was born inHanson, Massachusetts, and raised inMaine from an early age.[7] He had been bullied by his peers and assaulted by a school employee.[8] In his teens, Imfurst was homeless after he was kicked out of his parents' home allegedly due to his sexuality.[8] He later was adopted by a lesbian couple and started doing drag at the age of 16.[9] Imfurst attendedMarymount Manhattan College.[7]
Mimi Imfurst originally went by the drag name Delilah DeMistra, which was inspired byHedy Lamarr's character inSamson and Delilah.[7]
Mimi Imfurst is perhaps best known for his annual Christmas show where he portraysJesus's motherMary, for which he appears inNick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.[10]
In 2010, Imfurst acted in several Off-Broadway plays, includingBoylesque, a parody of the filmBurlesque, which opened at theLaurie Beechman Theatre.[11] She also acted inMayo on Your Breakfast at Tiffany's at theBowery Poetry Club, Ilja Sapiroe'sThe Diary of Anne Frankenstein at13th St. Repertory Theatre,[12][13] andThank You for Being a Friend, a parody ofThe Golden Girls.[14][15] Imfurst starred in the title role inRhoda Heartbreak.[16]
Imfurst was featured in the web seriesQueens of Drag: NYC bygay.com in 2010. The series featured fellow New York drag queensBianca Del Rio,Dallas DuBois,Hedda Lettuce,Lady Bunny,Peppermint, andSherry Vine.[17]
Mimi Imfurst auditioned three times before becoming a contestant on thethird season ofRuPaul's Drag Race.[18] He placed high in the first two challenges but was eliminated in the episode "Totally Leotarded" after lifting fellow contestant India Ferrah over his head during their lip-sync.[19] Imfurst was among 12 former contestants brought back forRuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars. He was partnered withPandora Boxx to form Team Mandora, but was eliminated in the first episode.[20] In the show'sfifth season,Jinkx Monsoon impersonated Imfurst for the main challenge during the episode "Lip Synch Extravaganza Eleganza".[21]
In 2011, Imfurst appeared in anEntertainment Weekly photo spread along withPandora Boxx that featuredMelissa McCarthy channelingDivine.[22] Imfurst also appeared on the cover ofNext withCarmen Carrera andManila Luzon.[23] The same year, Imfurst starred as Rodney in the Off-Broadway playMy Big Gay Italian Wedding.[24]
In December 2014, an animated version of Imfurst appeared in the RuPaul's Drag Race: Dragopolis 2.0 mobile app.[25]
Mimi Imfurst has appeared onCelebrity Apprentice andThe Howard Stern Show. Imfurst also performs as a stand-up comedian, having opened forKathy Griffin andMo'Nique.[26]
In 2017, Mimi became the first American drag queen to perform in Cuba since the embargo.[27]
In May 2018, two Philadelphia performers alleged that Mimi made unwanted advances over Facebook Messenger and said they engaged in sexually explicit role‑play chats because they feared being blacklisted from the local drag scene if they refused.[28]
Mimi issued a statement acknowledging initiating late‑night sexual conversations, noting that the exchanges made some people uncomfortable, and apologizing; Mimi stated the chats were believed to be consensual at the time and that the impact was not understood.[29]
Xelle (stylized asXELLE, pronouncedexcel) is an American pop "girl group", originally consisting of members Mimi Imfurst, JC Cassis, and Rony G. The group first met in 2010 when Imfurst hosted a karaoke bash.[30]
For Xelle's first music video "Party Girl," the group started a successfulKickstarter campaign, meeting their goal of $3,000.[31] "Party Girl" was directed by Hilarion Banks and costumes were provided byGeoffrey Mac.[32] "Invincible," Xelle's second single was released on February 14, 2012, with proceeds of the song going toGLSEN.[8] "Invincible" features fan-submitted videos holding signs that deal with victimization and bullying issues.[33]
Xelle's music video for "Queen", dedicated to the lateSahara Davenport, featured appearances by Imfurst's fellowRuPaul's Drag Race contestantsAlexis Mateo,Jiggly Caliente,Jujubee,Manila Luzon,Pandora Boxx,Phi Phi O'Hara,Raven,Shannel,Tammie Brown, andYara Sofia.[34] Xelle has appeared onBig Ang andJersey Couture.[35]
Imfurst departed Xelle in July 2013, with an official statement released by the group on their web page August 1, 2013.[36]
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Party Girl" (feat. Mimi Imfurst) | Queens |
| 2012 | "Invincible" (feat. Mimi Imfurst) | |
| "Queen" (feat. Mimi Imfurst) | ||
| 2013 | "Hologram" (feat. Mimi Imfurst) | |
| "Red Flag" | ||
| 2014 | "Sweat" |
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "Another Lie" | Non-album single |
| "Sandwich" | ||
| "Someone to Screw" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist | Himself | |
| 2010 | Whorrey Potter and the Sorcerer's Balls | Fag Hagrid | |
| 2012 | Nous York[37] | Chanteur hôtel de luxe |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | What Would You Do?[38] | Himself | |
| 2011 | One Night Stand Up[37] | Himself | Episode 10: Dragtastic NYC |
| 2011 | RuPaul's Drag Race | Himself | 11th Place (Eliminated in Episode 3) |
| 2011, 2012 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked | Himself | |
| 2011 | NewNowNext Awards | Himself | |
| 2012 | RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars | Himself | 11th/12th Place (Dual Elimination with Pandora Boxx in Episode 1) |
| 2013 | Nurse Jackie[39] | Season 5, Episode 2: "Luck of the Drawing" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Queens of Drag: NYC | Himself | Produced bygay.com |
