Gimme Sugar’s Leading Lady Talks to Cherry Grrl

“Gimme Sugar: Miami” is the best new show about lesbians currently on television… and we’re not just saying that because it’s the only new show about lesbians currently on television. What makes Logo’s reality series about a group of girls living and partying their way through the Miami lesbian scene so great is that the world gets to see that The L Word wasn’t actually such a big stretch from reality – there really are a lot of sexy, interesting, and genuinely cool lesbians out there. Last season Charlene and her friends showed us what “Truck Stop,” West Hollywood’s hottest Friday night party for women, was all about and we got an inside look (complete with lots of drama) as they tried to launch and promote their own club night. This season Charlene has relocated to Miami with the goal of bringing “Truck Stop” to a new city and taking her career to the next level. In the first episode we saw Charlene arrive in Miami, meet her new roommate Hilary, meet Hilary’s friends (Maisi, Jazmin, Gaby, and Angel), and begin to explore her new surroundings. Eager to learn more about what we can expect to see this season, Cherry Grrl caught up with Charlene, who is now back out on the west coast, to discuss her time down in the Sunshine State.

Cherry Grrl (CG): So… how did it all go down there?
Charlene: You’re going to have to watch to find out! (laughs) But I can tell you that I had a damn good time in Miami and the party scene out there is very different from Los Angeles. And in any city it’s very stressful to get a club started. It’s not as easy as people think it is! (laughs)

CG: In what ways did you find the lesbian nightlife scene to be different there from in LA?
Charlene: The biggest difference is that LA definitely has a bigger percentage of lesbian nightlife. We’re used to every Friday night having six to 700 girls in and out and in Miami, on a good night, it’s between 50 and 100 girls, if that. So it’s just a lot smaller.

CG: What made you decide to make the big move out there?
Charlene: Well there were a lot of things going down here in Los Angeles – a lot of personal things going on – and I was at the same time given an opportunity to start “Truck Stop” in Miami. It just happened to land right at the same time that a lot of stuff was going on so I just took that opportunity to get out of LA and hey, why the hell not? Away from all these people, away from the drama, away from everything else. But, as you saw in the first episode, drama kind of just…not necessarily follows you, but it’s the same thing anywhere you go.

CG: We got to meet your roommate Hilary in the first episode. How did you end up living with her and what was that experience like?
Charlene: I ended up living with Hillary just by searching for her while planning to go out to Miami. I just happened to stumble upon Hillary. And thank goodness she was gay and had the group of friends that she did. The thing about meeting people in Miami is that I was definitely comfortable that she was a lesbian. But then there is that whole circle of friends that are more lesbians and you never know what you’re in for. (laughs) But it was cool living with Hillary – she’s young with a very bright future and she’s got a lot to say. She’s got a very big mind. And a mouth on her.

CG: And speaking of her friends, they seem like a really hard group to break into. How was it for you trying to get to know them and adjusting to all of their strong personalities?
Charlene: I mean when I meet people I’m pretty nervous – especially when it’s one big group of friends – but I’m pretty easy to get along with and I get along with anyone. I really do like meeting new people. I was nervous at first because I was completely out of my element – in a new state, a new city, I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t know what they could possibly know abut me… It was a little nerve-wracking but they’re a really cool bunch of girls and we developed friendships and it was an amazing time meeting them – aside from the drama that follows every girl in the scene. I mean starting day one when I got there it was already like, ‘Okay, it’s day one and already there’s lots of tension.’ I was just like, ehhh, that’s exactly what I was getting away from. Other than that, they’re a great bunch of girls and Miami was definitely a fun city to live in.

CG: And in addition to all of the new girls it looks like Davonee will be joining you in Miami? What can you tell us about her arrival and how that came to be?
Charlene: Well for me it was a complete shock. I had no clue whatsoever that she was coming and so when you see that episode you see me screaming and yelling in shock that she was there. But in order to see what Davonee is doing there you have to check out the episode. But Davonee is like a sister to me so it was definitely amazing to have her there. And who doesn’t love a little bit of Davonee? (laughs) Gotta love it.

CG: How did she fit in with the rest of the girls?
Charlene: Well the thing with Davonee is that she says it like it is. She’ll call something out like it is. If there is something going on, like with drama or anything like that, she’ll call someone out really quick. And Davonee is like me – we don’t like to deal with drama. But we definitely deal with it very differently… she likes to just call it out and be like, squash it. She always gets a vibe from people right away and she’ll either close herself off to you or she’ll open up and be cool with you and be your friend. But if you rub her the wrong way, she’ll definitely let you know. It’s always good to see a little Davonee action. You’ll definitely be seeing more of her.

CG: So how has life changed for you since season 1? Do you get recognized a lot and what’s it like to be part of a show like this?
Charlene: Well when we get recognized at the club they’ll either sit and stare or girls will just come up to us. Because we’re not characters – we’re all just us – so everybody calls us by our first names and people come up and they’re just like “Hey Charlene!” and give me a big hug like they know me. I feel like a jerk because I’m like, I forgot who you are or I haven’t seen you in a long time. I don’t know if they’re a fan or if I have met them and I forgot because it was a night of intoxication, possibly. But people are coming up to you because they feel like they know you and now, with me being part of a show, the approach is different. Now I guess I’m more approachable and they can come and say “hi,” which is great. And I love giving hugs because a lot of people can relate to a lot of our stories and personas. I get emails all the time on my MySpace and my Facebook in regards to like, advice. Like coming out advice, relationship advice, anything like that because when people see me on TV and they see how I interact with all my friends they feel like they can relate to me and they feel like I would give them good advice. So that’s pretty cool – that there are people out there who are reaching out to someone that they don’t even know but they feel like they do just from watching them on television. So that’s definitely one of the most positive sides – people knowing us and reaching out to us who relate to us.

CG: Well certainly with the lack of shows out there that feature lesbians you doing this and being a part of it is very appreciated.
Charlene: Yeah and we’re definitely happy we did it. It’s empowering. It’s kind of like our sexuality is secondary and when people who don’t really know gay people or who have a one track mind or who are just negative toward the gay community watch us, maybe it’s one step closer to having them break that stereotype that they had. So hopefully it breaks all these stereotypes and people will come out more and accept being gay and just be happy. You see on the show, nobody really talks about their sexuality – it’s really secondary to us. We’re just all living our lives just like everyone else.

CG: Well maybe just partying more than everyone else.
Charlene: (laughs) Yeah well it’s LA, it’s Miami, we’re all young – why not?

For more about Gimme Sugar: Miami visit http://www.logoonline.com.