The Lady Chablis
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The Lady Chablis (born Benjamin Edward Knox (March 11, 1957) is an American entertainer.
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[edit] Career
Chablis became notable in the early 1990s when she was featured as one of Savannah's colorful characters in John Berendt's book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, based on a true crime story. In the book, Chablis and her larger-than-life adventures provided a counterbalance to the darker narrative of murder that was central to the book.
Chablis played herself in the 1997 movie of the same title, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Kevin Spacey and John Cusack. Chablis made several appearances on talk shows when the book and the movie were released.
Chablis frequently performs at her "home" nightclub of Club One in Savannah. Chablis also continues to travel the US performing at various venues and special events, such as gay pride gatherings. She has also appeared on radio shows.
[edit] Transformation
According to Berendt's book, Chablis was a preoperative transsexual; Berendt wrote that he met Chablis as she was returning home from having a hormone injection. It is clear whether Chablis has undergone gender reassignment surgery, she has said so in her book 'Hiding my Candy'. Chablis is considered a preoperative transsexual, as well as a full-time transvestite, and drag queen. Chablis was interviewed about the making of the film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil in the documentary Damn Good Dog.
[edit] Awards & Titles
In her early career as an entertainer, under the names Brenda Dale Knox and The Lady Jonel, she won multiple titles in drag pageantry including:
- Miss Dixieland 1976
- Miss Gay World 1976
- The Grand Empress of Savannah 1977
- Empress of Atlanta 1996
- Miss Cosmo USA 1997
- Miss Garden City 1997
- Miss Atlanta Universe 1998
- Miss Georgia National 1998
- Miss Southern States USA 1998
[edit] Autobiography
Her autobiography is titled Hiding My Candy: The Autobiography of the Grand Empress of Savannah and was first published in 1996 by Pocket Books.
[edit] Filmography
- "Damn Good Dog" (video documentary) - Herself 2004
- "Partners" (TV Movie) - Beverly 1999
- "Midnight in Savannah" - (TV documentary) - Herself 1997
- Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - Chablis Deveau (as Lady Chablis) 1997
