Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Fruity.
Hi Judy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was a burlesque and drag fan for over a decade before I jumped in. I took a few drop in burlesque classes in 2023, then I signed up for an actual series my mentor, Kim Bustible, and that helped me develop my first act. The end of the series was my first show, and it has been up from there. I have performed in almost a hundred burlesque shows, and since my drag persona Joe Mato is brand new, he has only performer a handful of times. I have traveled to four other states to perform.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My performance career has been pretty smooth. Nothing comes without setbacks. I am a fat Black performer in a thin and white dominated space. Sometimes I’m tokenized as the “well we need a diverse person in the show” but for the most apart, especially locally, I am treated well by my peers. A lot of the burlesque community’s struggle right now is finding venues who will house our shows.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been a professional burlesque dancer for three years. I have done drag for about six months. I have been coined “Thee Juiciest Tease In Tennessee” and bring my weirdo naked lady persona all around the Southeast. I am proud to be a Fat, Black, Queer mother living in the South. There are a lot of dancers around town, but there is only one Judy Fruity.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
It’s more of a teenage memory, but I graduated from Nashville School of the Arts on the Grand Ole Opry stage in 2009 as a violinist.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missjudyfruity?igsh=cGJnd3JqeXE5a2Z1&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@judyfruitytn?si=arcYMTCpDAaf1ZMi
Image Credits
Action Figure Photographic, Cheyenne Parkans, Elizabeth Beckwitt, Frat Girl Chas, Kevin Moore, Photos By Chad, Vividly Vivien Photography
