Interview with Angelique Munro

Angelique Munro’s life story reads like a powerful script, filled with moments of pain, transformation, triumph, and hope. Born and raised in Chicago, she came into a world that did not yet have the words to understand who she truly was. As a child, she faced abuse and rejection simply for daring to say “I am a girl,” yet she carried within her a spark that no cruelty could extinguish. That spark grew into resilience, a fierce determination to live authentically, and eventually a dazzling career on the stage. For over two decades, Angelique has been one of Chicago’s most respected female impersonators, a performer who has captivated audiences with talent, humor, and charisma. Her artistry opened doors to opportunities across the United States, from the bright lights of New York and Las Vegas to national television appearances on The Ricki Lake Show, The Tyra Banks Show, and E! Entertainment Television. But Angelique is far more than a celebrated entertainer.

 

She is a survivor who turned her hardships into fuel for advocacy. Having walked through abuse, depression, and the long shadow of self-doubt, she emerged with a deep compassion for others and a commitment to giving voice to those often silenced. As a transgender woman and HIV/AIDS advocate, she has inspired countless people through her courage and honesty, and as a motivational speaker she shares her story not to dwell on the past but to shine a light toward a better, kinder future. Her life is a reminder that authenticity, though sometimes costly, is also liberating. Today, Angelique continues to reinvent herself, moving from the nightclub stage to the television screen with projects that blend entertainment with empowerment. She knows the power of visibility and the importance of being true to oneself, and she carries that message into everything she does. Meeting her is to meet a woman who embodies strength, vulnerability, and grace in equal measure.

 

Monika: Today it is my great pleasure and honor to introduce my guest, Angelique Munro. Angelique is a remarkable American entertainer whose career has spanned more than two decades, lighting up stages across Chicago and far beyond. Hello Angelique, welcome to the interview!

Angelique: Hello Monika! The pleasure is truly mine. Thank you for such a beautiful introduction.
Monika: You look absolutely stunning, Angelique. What is your secret to maintaining such beauty and radiance?

Angelique: Awe, you’re too kind. I really eat healthily and sleep as much as I can. I don’t smoke or do drugs, and I never sunbathe. Taking care of my body has always been important to me because it helps me feel strong and confident.
Monika: To begin, could you share a little about your background and where your story started?

Angelique: I was born an only child on May 27, 1970, in Chicago, Illinois. I am a survivor of child abuse because my mom didn’t understand what being transgender meant and would beat me so badly whenever I said, “I am a girl.” Growing up with that pain shaped me in ways I still carry, but it also gave me a strength I never knew I had.

 

Performing on stage.

 

Monika: When did you first realize that your inner sense of self did not match the body you were born into?

Angelique: Oh, I think I always knew as a child that I was born in the wrong body. I’ve always felt a deep emptiness inside me because I was born with male parts and not female. For years I struggled with major depression, and yet, even in those dark moments, I held on to the hope that one day I would live as my true self.

Monika: What was it like for you as a child growing up with that knowledge and confusion? 

Angelique: I had no clue as a child that I was transgender, all I knew was that I wanted to be loved and accepted for who I was. As early as I can remember, my life was a struggle; I survived emotional, sexual, mental, and physical abuse. It felt overwhelming, but even then I dreamed of a life where I could finally be free.

Monika: How do you look back today on the difficult journey you have lived through?

Angelique: I battled my demons with thoughts of suicide, and it was a long and painful road. Now all of that is behind me, and I am finally in control of my life, and I will never allow anyone to harm me again. My greatest wish is for people to appreciate, love, and respect one another for who we are, not for who they want us to be, because true acceptance changes lives.
Monika: Do you remember the moment when the idea of performing on stage first became real for you?

Angelique: Well, this Halloween, October 31, 2015, marked my twentieth anniversary of being Angelique! The very first time I ever dressed was on Halloween twenty years earlier. I was honestly a little nervous but deeply excited when my boyfriend at the time and my best friend suggested, “Let’s all dress up as girls and go out to Boystown.” So I bought a wig, got some makeup, and had my friend Debbie make me a dress. Once I was put together, everyone told me I looked like Ginger from Gilligan’s Island, which made me laugh so much. That night opened a door I never thought possible.

Monika: What was that first night out like for you?

Angelique: While barhopping I ended up at Roscoe’s, and two staff members from the Legendary Baton Show Lounge spotted me. They came up and asked, “Are you Teddy?” I said, “Yes, but not tonight,” and we all laughed. Then they told me, “You look really good, and you need to talk to Ginger Grant to get a guest spot at the Baton.” It felt surreal, as if the universe was giving me a sign.

Monika: Did you follow up on their suggestion?

Angelique: Yes, the very next day I went to the Baton, because it was something I often did to see the girls perform. I talked to Ginger, and she actually gave me a guest spot, allowing me to be there for two years straight. Those early nights on stage gave me confidence I never knew I could have.

 

Another headshot.

 

Monika: How did you first choose your stage name?

Angelique: My drag name originally started out as Norma Jean, because I always admired and felt a connection with Marilyn Monroe. One Sunday night, after a show at the Baton, a group of guys approached me and said, “We remember you from Atlanta, but you look a little different, Norma Jean.” I was shocked because I had never been to Atlanta and never done the things they described. I told them, “You have the wrong girl,” but I was shaken and went downstairs to the dressing room. Monica Munro asked what was going on, and after hearing the story she said, “You know, I think we need to change your name. You do resemble this Norma Jean, but you are very Angel-like and unique.” Her words really touched me. 

Monika: So how did you finally become Angelique Munro?

Angelique: That night I went home and kept thinking about what Monica said. I wrote down the words “Angel” and “Unique,” and that’s how I came up with Angelique. By then, Monica Munro had become my drag mother, and that’s how I became a Munro. The name felt right immediately, as if it belonged to the person I was meant to be.

Monika: How did your career grow in those first years?

Angelique: In the first two years of my drag career, I worked at the Baton doing guest spots. Then I met different performers, including Xviara Snow, who told me about other bars and opportunities. She invited me to see a show at The Nutbush in the suburbs, and I was blown away. It was a well-put-together show with huge production numbers and themes, and I felt so honored when they asked me to become a member of Absolut Diva. That was truly one of the most enjoyable times in my career.

Monika: Looking back, what were some of the highlights of your performances?

Angelique: Working with such talented and creative individuals under the direction of Burt Pitcher was unforgettable. Over the years I performed all over Chicago, probably at every gay bar, and later branched out to other states, including New York, California, and Las Vegas. I also appeared on television, including The Ricki Lake Show, The Tyra Banks Show, and E! Entertainment Television. Each opportunity reminded me that art can be both survival and celebration.

Monika: What did performing on stage mean to you personally?

Angelique: For me, the entire reason I began doing drag shows was because it was my outlet to be accepted as a woman. My life was not easy being born transgender, but drag gave me a place where I could be seen and loved for who I truly was. Every performance was like reclaiming a piece of the happiness I had always longed for.
Monika: Can you take me back to the memory of your very first performance on stage?

Angelique: Yes, it was on a Sunday night in November 1995 at The Legendary Baton Show Lounge. I was so excited and nervous. I performed just two numbers, and the audience response was so positive that it made me want to keep going.

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Andrew delivered the news, but he knows that his dramatic and
over-the-top sister will do anything to get her way. Erica has a secret.

Monika: Outside of performing in shows, have you ever been interested in pursuing acting?

Angelique: Yes, actually, since high school I have always enjoyed acting and being on stage. A few years ago I was cast in a mini-series called “Shelter City” for web-based TV on Gay Chicago TV. Unfortunately, only the pilot ever aired, but it was still a wonderful experience.

Monika: Many people say beauty itself can be a source of strength and empowerment. Do you feel that way in your own life?

Angelique: Ha ha ha, well honestly, I don’t view myself as beautiful. I would say that I am a very strong woman who remains humble thanks to the love and support I’ve received over the years.

Monika: When you were preparing for your transition, did you have any transgender role models whose paths you wanted to follow?

Angelique: That is a very interesting question. I would say there were many who had transitioned before me, but my reaction and thoughts were, “I will not go in that direction!” ha ha ha. By that I mean some had bad operations or work done, and they didn’t even look natural.

Monika: How did you approach your own transition differently from what you had seen?

Angelique: I always said that when I transitioned, I would seek a professional doctor and go through therapy first. Sadly, most girls don’t, because it is cheaper to buy hormones and silicone off the streets. Sorry, that’s not for me, and I don’t mean to judge, but if something was to go wrong, I would want a professional doctor to hold accountable.

Monika: Today there are many visible transgender figures in the public eye. Are there any women you admire and respect in particular?

Angelique: Honestly, I admire and respect anyone who transitions, because it’s not easy for everyone. There are so many women who struggle every single day. It takes a lot of courage to make the transition, and I truly applaud them. 

Monika: When did you finally make the decision to begin your transition? 

Angelique: I was always terribly afraid of my mother, so I did not transition until after she passed away from lung cancer in 2006. I was 36 years old then, which is somewhat late in life to transition, but better late than never.

 

With her dog Cleo.

 

Monika: Looking back, what would you say was the most difficult part of coming out and embracing your true self?

Angelique: As an adult, now at 45 years old, when I look back over my life, I truly feel I am a survivor, and I hope I can be an inspiration to trans youth who may be battling similar struggles. I have faced many obstacles since childhood, and I believe each one has shaped me into the strong person I am today. I truly feel I am a good person with my head on straight, and I have learned to cut negative people out of my life and focus only on those who truly love me for who I am. I finally feel happy living each day as the woman I was always meant to be.

END OF PART 1

PART 2

 

All photos: courtesy of Angelique Munro.

© 2015 - Monika Kowalska

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