Tobygo.com (Where the Boys Are)

Where are you originally from?

Born, Lonnie Haley, I am originally from Kalamazoo, MI

What made you move to San Francisco?

My ex-husband, bless his heart! We moved here about 4 years ago from Pasadena, CA. I loved our home there: a really cute cottage on a magnolia lined street. I didn't want to give up but did, out of love. Braddon, my ex-husband, actually had to talk me into moving to San Francisco, if you can believe that! I didn't want to move here, initially. Honestly, now that I think about it, there is high probability that I would have never resurrected Mercedez Munro, had we not moved to San Francisco. I mean, I wasn't doing female impersonation in Southern California, or any other city I was living in, so yeah… high probability. That's so interesting, now that I think about it.

Who is Mercedez Munro and what is she all about?

Mercédez is definitely a do-gooder. She loves to perform but isn't out too often. If I'm going to perform, I would much rather do it for a good cause. Don't get me wrong, Mercédez has helped with the bills every now and then, but for the most part it's all about fundraising. Everyone that knows me in the city, or has performed with me, knows that right after shows I'm usually the first to get out of drag. I like the whole theatrical aspect of female impersonation more than anything. I've done multiple plays and musicals throughout my life, I love being on stage, but, like on stage and in a theater: the ticket booth closes, the audience goes home, the curtain drops and the band packs up their gear to head home, so does Mercedez. I like leaving people with the illusion, the experience, you know? Mercedez is also about helping others, not necessarily self promotion. I think I've been out in drag, in the city twice since moving to San Francisco. Mercédez is a character, as well as an expression of my feminine side. I'm not trying to be a woman, nor do I want people to think that of me. I cannot control, nor would I want to, how other gay men in the community perceive drag queens, which for the most part is a stigma. All I know is that I look good in a dress. LOL! I'd like to say that both Mercédez and Lonnie are kind people; which make sense, especially since one is an expressed extension of the other. I want to help, I want to entertain, I want to inspire and I want to have as many quality people around me as possible

Do you sing live also?

I come from a musical theater background. I do sing live, mostly as Lonnie though. Katya, my sister; Bebe & Diva Dan have been the only Queens in the city to book me live.

What made you start drag?

It's funny, actually. I owe my entire drag career to an ex-boyfriend of mine named, Chad Gould. Back in 1988, when he and I dated and were living together, I lost a bet to him. My punishment was to enter an amateur drag show at Brothers Beta Club; which I'll never forget. I was living with, (in addition to my boyfriend), this transgendered person who loaned me clothing as well as did my makeup that night. I was petrified, but pretty! LOL.. My first drag name was pretty funny, and didn't fit me by any means, Elora Danan! It was right when the movie Willow came out and I couldn't think of anything else, at the time. Interestingly enough, that night is when I unknowingly met my drag mother, Sentury D'Alezandro. I won that night and that automatically gave me entry into another amateur drag competition in the neighboring city of Grand Rapids, MI. "Hey girl, what's your stage name?!" I remember being asked by this "mannish" looking, "Truck Driver" queen. "I don't have one yet." I replied, because I knew that Elora Danan didn't fit. I didn't know what I wanted to use. My drag friend, soon to be mother, was painting my face while I was thumbing through a magazine, trying desperately to come up with something fierce, catchy, interesting and me. "Girl! What's your stage name! We need to do the line up and I'm waiting for you!" the mannish beast said, rudely. I looked at my drag mom; she offered no assistance, shrugging her shoulders with smile on her face and one raised eyebrow. I looked down, at the magazine in my lap, and there it was! A nice, SHINY Mercedez Benz staring me in the face! I looked up, with a smirk on my face and said, "MY name is, Mercédez, with a "Z"!"

How long have you been doing drag?

I began my drag experience in 1988 and did so professionally until quitting in 1996. I quit the evening I gave up the title of Miss Gay Michigan. I never did it again, until October 13th, 2007 the night I won Miss Gay San Francisco 2007…. And people STILL spell my name wrong. LOL

Who is your Influence?

I am influenced by many great people, past and present, who has shaped me into the person/entertainer that I am today. If I had to single out one person, I would have to say my drag mother, who passed away in 1992 from HIV, Sentury. I owe everything to her! The way that I apply makeup, lip-sync, perform, dress, make hip pads, carry myself and more importantly, how to appreciate all forms of female impersonation.

What is next for Mercedez?

A storm is coming in 2009… call it, "Hurricane Munro!" I promise, however that once I'm ready to spill the tea on that, Tobygo.com will be the first to know.

How did you come up with Mercédez?

Well the, "character" Mercedez is the MUCH younger daughter of Imogen and Earl Lee Beauxregard. Both Mercédez, and her MUCH older sister, Bebe, were known as, "Those Beauregard Girls!" Both being entertainers, from child birth, they knew they were destined for stardom. When they were both in their teens, they ran away from home leaving one another knowing that they'd meet up again someday. After working several, office jobs, Mercédez decided to go back to college, which is where she met her late husband; Horrace Rutherford Kincaid McDowell Munro, tha'3rd! Horrace's family was in oil and boy did they get on like nobodies business. Unfortunately, Horrace passed away, in the late 90's leaving, "The Widow Munro," with his multi-million dollar fortune….and a slew full of wonderful children; Paju, Erykah, Tayé, Star, Mika, Chaos, Lexus, Monét and her boy, Wolf!

Mercédez decided to get back out, to pursue her very dormant acting career, after the grieving for her dear Horrace subsided in the fall of 2007. Mercédez has since been in multiple theatrical events across the country. The SF Weekly declared "Mercedez Munro commands the stage like a true empress." while speaking of her role as Josephine Baker in, "Big Girls Like to Dance with Bananas, and Eat them Also!!" You can now catch Mercédez Munro, moonlighting at Mecca, 2029 Market St, for Donna Sachet & Cockatilia's, "Queen City," every Friday at 9pm.

Favorite song?

I'd have to say, "Your Joy" by Chrisette Michelle

Favorite movie?

The Fifth Element

Favorite drink?

Blueberry Vodka and Soda

Favorite dish?

It's something that I cook. Smoked red pepper and basil, black been fritters with a raspberry chipotle, sesame seared scallop. And yes… that really is one of my dishes.

Favorite celebrity?

Angelina Jolie

What tips can you give to future Divas?

Just to pay what you've learned, forward. None of us would be here today, if it weren't for some caring person that took us under their wing. You may have surpassed them in talent, but honor them with respect by being true to your craft, genuinely nice and by showing them your appreciation. Even though my drag mother is no longer here, I honor her by doing my makeup well, by performing the songs I love; not just lip-syncing… trust me, there IS a difference! I've surrounded myself with a pretty damn good family and am proud to be a part of the San Francisco Performance community.

Your favorite Motto?

"To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform."