The Lady Chablis - Revision history

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2025-12-26T10:44:10Z

Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5) (Josve05a - 27655

← Previous revision		Revision as of 10:44, 26 December 2025
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	'''The Lady Chablis''' (March 11, 1957 – September 8, 2016), also known as '''The Grand Empress''' and '''The Doll''', was an American actress, author, and [[transgender]] club performer. Through exposure in the bestselling nonfiction book ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', and its 1997 [[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)\|film adaptation]], she became one of the first trans performers to be introduced to a wide audience.<ref name=People>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.people.com/article/the-lady-chablis-dies-drag-performer-transgender\|title=The Lady Chablis, Best Known for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Has Died\|access-date=2016-09-13\|archive-date=September 10, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910191408/http://www.people.com/article/the-lady-chablis-dies-drag-performer-transgender\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-lady-chablis-20160908-snap-story.html\|title=Transgender performer Lady Chablis dies at 59; portrayed in best-selling book\|newspaper=Los Angeles Times\|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref>		'''The Lady Chablis''' (March 11, 1957 – September 8, 2016), also known as '''The Grand Empress''' and '''The Doll''', was an American actress, author, and [[transgender]] club performer. Through exposure in the bestselling nonfiction book ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', and its 1997 [[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)\|film adaptation]] (in which she played herself), she became one of the first trans performers to be introduced to a wide audience.<ref name=People>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.people.com/article/the-lady-chablis-dies-drag-performer-transgender\|title=The Lady Chablis, Best Known for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Has Died\|access-date=2016-09-13\|archive-date=September 10, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910191408/http://www.people.com/article/the-lady-chablis-dies-drag-performer-transgender\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-lady-chablis-20160908-snap-story.html\|title=Transgender performer Lady Chablis dies at 59; portrayed in best-selling book\|newspaper=Los Angeles Times\|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref>

	== Early life ==		== Early life ==
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	In the late 1980s, a job offer from The Friends Lounge, a cabaret bar in [[Savannah, Georgia]], resulted in her moving south from Atlanta.<ref name=auto/>		In the late 1980s, a job offer from The Friends Lounge, a cabaret bar in [[Savannah, Georgia]], resulted in her moving south from Atlanta.<ref name=auto/>

	She performed at [[Club One (bar)\|Club One]] on its opening night in 1988,<ref>{{Cite AV media \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYzHF8oQoiQ \|title=Owners of Club One talk Lady Chablis' impact on the Hostess City \|date=2024-02-28 \|last=WJCL News \|access-date=2025-02-21 \|via=YouTube}}</ref> ~~and~~ was a regular performer there until August 6, 2016, just before she was hospitalized.<ref name=usa/>		She performed at her "home" nightclub, Savannah's [[Club One (bar)\|Club One]], on its opening night in 1988.<ref>{{Cite AV media \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYzHF8oQoiQ \|title=Owners of Club One talk Lady Chablis' impact on the Hostess City \|date=2024-02-28 \|last=WJCL News \|access-date=2025-02-21 \|via=YouTube}}</ref> Known as the "Grand Empress", Chablis was a regular performer there until August 6, 2016, just before she was hospitalized.<ref name=usa/>

	In the early 1990s, she moved with her partner, Jesse, to [[Columbia, South Carolina]],<ref name="Hinson"/> where she began working at a new spot, The Menage.<ref name=auto/> The Menage closed after three years, due to new competition, and Chablis did not find much work for a couple of years.<ref name=auto/>		In the early 1990s, she moved with her partner, Jesse, to [[Columbia, South Carolina]],<ref name="Hinson"/> where she began working at a new spot, The Menage.<ref name=auto/> The Menage closed after three years, due to new competition, and Chablis did not find much work for a couple of years.<ref name=auto/>
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	She was a prominent character in [[John Berendt]]'s best-selling 1994 book ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', during her days working at The Pickup on Congress Street. She left her job in a dispute over pay.		She was a prominent character in [[John Berendt]]'s best-selling 1994 book ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', during her days working at The Pickup on Congress Street. She left her job in a dispute over pay.

	~~Chablis frequently performed at her "home" nightclub of Club One, where she was known as the "Grand Empress".~~ Chablis traveled the U.S. performing her show, ''The Doll Revue'', at various venues and special events, such as [[gay pride]] gatherings. She also appeared on [[radio]] shows.		Chablis traveled the U.S. performing her show, ''The Doll Revue'', at various venues and special events, such as [[gay pride]] gatherings. She also appeared on [[radio]] shows.

	Chablis' autobiography ''Hiding My Candy: The Autobiography of the Grand Empress of Savannah'' was published in 1996,<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal\|last=Jeffreys\|first=Joe E.\|date=1997\|title=It's Been a Vintage Year for The Lady Chablis\|url=https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt7489q3mv/\|journal=Dragazine\|via=Online Archive of California; University of California, Los Angeles Library Special Collections}}</ref> a year before she played herself in the [[Clint Eastwood]]-directed movie adaptation of ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)\|Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', starring [[Kevin Spacey]] and [[John Cusack]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/arts/the-lady-chablis-of-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-dies-at-59.html\|title=The Lady Chablis, Sassy Eccentric in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' Dies at 59\|last=Chokshi\|first=Niraj\|date=2016-09-08\|newspaper=The New York Times\|issn=0362-4331\|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref>		Chablis' autobiography ''Hiding My Candy: The Autobiography of the Grand Empress of Savannah'' was published in 1996,<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal\|last=Jeffreys\|first=Joe E.\|date=1997\|title=It's Been a Vintage Year for The Lady Chablis\|url=https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt7489q3mv/\|journal=Dragazine\|via=Online Archive of California; University of California, Los Angeles Library Special Collections}}</ref> a year before she played herself in the [[Clint Eastwood]]-directed movie adaptation of ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)\|Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', starring [[Kevin Spacey]] and [[John Cusack]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/arts/the-lady-chablis-of-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-dies-at-59.html\|title=The Lady Chablis, Sassy Eccentric in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' Dies at 59\|last=Chokshi\|first=Niraj\|date=2016-09-08\|newspaper=The New York Times\|issn=0362-4331\|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref>
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	== Personal life ==		== Personal life ==
	Chablis said she did not want any label except her name, "The Lady Chablis",<ref>{{Cite web \|url=~~https://web.archive.org/web/20150215101606/~~http://kimwade1.com/?page_id=299 \|title=Interview with The Lady Chablis \|last=Wade \|first=Kim \|date=March–April 2013 \|website=Savannah Magazine \|language=en-US \|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> and said she found it hurtful when people called her a "[[drag queen]]".<ref name="Hinson"/><ref name=People/> In his book, Berendt wrote that he met Chablis as she was returning home from having a hormone injection.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/arts/the-lady-chablis-of-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-dies-at-59.html\|title=The Lady Chablis, Sassy Eccentric in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' Dies at 59\|last1=Chokshi\|first1=Niraj\|date=10 September 2016\|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In her book ''Hiding My Candy'', Chablis said she had not undergone [[sex reassignment surgery]].<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13\|title=Hiding My Candy\|last=Theodore\|first=Bouloukos\|publisher=Pocket Books\|year=1996\|isbn=978-0-671-52095-3\|location=New York\|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13 13]}}</ref>		Chablis said she did not want any label except her name, "The Lady Chablis",<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://kimwade1.com/?page_id=299 \|title=Interview with The Lady Chablis \|last=Wade \|first=Kim \|date=March–April 2013 \|website=Savannah Magazine \|language=en-US \|access-date=2020-02-20 \|archive-date=February 15, 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215101606/http://kimwade1.com/?page_id=299 \|url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> and said she found it hurtful when people called her a "[[drag queen]]".<ref name="Hinson"/><ref name=People/> In his book, Berendt wrote that he met Chablis as she was returning home from having a hormone injection.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/arts/the-lady-chablis-of-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-dies-at-59.html\|title=The Lady Chablis, Sassy Eccentric in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' Dies at 59\|last1=Chokshi\|first1=Niraj\|date=10 September 2016\|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In her book ''Hiding My Candy'', Chablis said she had not undergone [[sex reassignment surgery]].<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13\|title=Hiding My Candy\|last=Theodore\|first=Bouloukos\|publisher=Pocket Books\|year=1996\|isbn=978-0-671-52095-3\|location=New York\|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13 13]}}</ref>

	== Death ==		== Death ==
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	===Tributes===		===Tributes===
	Upon news of her death, several of Chablis' former co-stars made tributes to her. [[Paul Hipp]], alongside whom she appeared in the movie adaptation of ''Midnight in the Garden'', said: "So sad to hear of The Lady Chablis' passing. She was super talented, kind, and laugh out loud funny. She was a true transgender pioneer, way ahead of her time (in the [[Deep South]], no less)~~. This pic of The Lady and me was taken between shots while filming ''Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil''. Feel free to envy our glamour~~."<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BKRnW-1Dm51/ Paul Hipp's official Instagram] - September 12, 2016</ref> Chablis was impersonated on the second episode of [[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 7)\|Season 7]] of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars]]'' by drag queen [[Jaida Essence Hall]].<ref name="dragrace">{{cite news\|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2022/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-7-episode-2-recap/\|title='RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' episode 2 recap: The queens double dip in a double-headed 'Snatch Game'\|date=May 21, 2022\|first1=John\|last1=Benutty\|website=Goldderby\|access-date=May 25, 2022}}</ref>		Upon news of her death, several of Chablis' former co-stars made tributes to her. [[Paul Hipp]], alongside whom she appeared in the movie adaptation of ''Midnight in the Garden'', said: "So sad to hear of The Lady Chablis' passing. She was super talented, kind, and laugh out loud funny. She was a true transgender pioneer, way ahead of her time (in the [[Deep South]], no less)."<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BKRnW-1Dm51/ Paul Hipp's official Instagram] - September 12, 2016</ref> Chablis was impersonated on the second episode of [[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 7)\|Season 7]] of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars]]'' by drag queen [[Jaida Essence Hall]].<ref name="dragrace">{{cite news\|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2022/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-7-episode-2-recap/\|title='RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' episode 2 recap: The queens double dip in a double-headed 'Snatch Game'\|date=May 21, 2022\|first1=John\|last1=Benutty\|website=Goldderby\|access-date=May 25, 2022}}</ref>

	== References ==		== References ==

imported>Not-cheesewhisk3rs: fix reference spacing (MOS:REFPUNCT)

2025-10-09T15:40:21Z

fix reference spacing (MOS:REFPUNCT)

← Previous revision		Revision as of 15:40, 9 October 2025
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	\| image = File:The_Lady_Chablis.jpg		\| image = File:The_Lady_Chablis.jpg
	\| image_caption = The Lady Chablis, 1996		\| image_caption = The Lady Chablis, 1996
	~~\| birth_name = Benjamin Edward Knox~~
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1957\|3\|11}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1957\|3\|11}}
	\| birth_place = [[Quincy, Florida]], U.S.		\| birth_place = [[Quincy, Florida]], U.S.
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	\| death_place = [[Savannah, Georgia]], U.S.		\| death_place = [[Savannah, Georgia]], U.S.
	\| occupation = Actress<br />Author<br />Club performer		\| occupation = Actress<br />Author<br />Club performer
	\| alias = The Lady Jonel		\| alias = The Lady Jonel, Brenda Dale Knox
	}}		}}

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	== Early life ==		== Early life ==
	Born ~~'''Benjamin Edward Knox'''~~ in 1957,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/entertainment/lady-chablis-obit-midnight-garden-good-evil/index.html\|title=Lady Chablis, transgender star of 'Midnight,' dies at 59\|last=Griggs\|first=Brandon \|website=CNN\|date=September 8, 2016\|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref><ref name=":0">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/the-lady-chablis-sassy-transgender-figure-in-savannah-book-movie-dies-at-59/2016/09/08/d304ba7e-75e6-11e6-8149-b8d05321db62_story.html The Lady Chablis Sassy Transgender Figure in Savannah Book, Movie Dies at-59." Washington Post, Sept. 9, 2016.] Retrieved September 12, 2016.</ref> ~~Knox~~ grew up in [[Quincy, Florida]]. Her parents divorced when she was five, and she was supported by her aunt, Katie Bell, and grandmother, Anna Mae Ponder,<ref name=auto>{{cite book\|last=Lady Chablis\|title=Hiding My Candy: The Autobiography of the Grand Empress of Savannah\|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]\|year=1996\|isbn=0-671-52095-4\|oclc=37901705\|url=https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady}}</ref><ref name="Hinson">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/entertainment/columnists/hinson/2016/09/09/flying-home-lady-chablis-blast/90125768/\|title=Flying home with The Lady Chablis was a blast\|last=Hinson\|first=Mark\|website=Tallahassee Democrat\|language=en\|access-date=2019-10-20}}</ref> after her mother moved to [[Chicago]] to be a nurse.<ref name=telegraph/> Chablis did not meet her mother until she was nine, or her father until she was 12.<ref name=telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/10/02/the-lady-chablis--obituary/ The Lady Chablis obituary] - ''[[The Daily Telegraph\|The Telegraph]]'', October 2, 2016</ref> She went on to live with her father in the [[Harlem]] neighborhood of New York City in 1969.		Born in 1957,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/entertainment/lady-chablis-obit-midnight-garden-good-evil/index.html\|title=Lady Chablis, transgender star of 'Midnight,' dies at 59\|last=Griggs\|first=Brandon \|website=CNN\|date=September 8, 2016\|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref><ref name=":0">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/the-lady-chablis-sassy-transgender-figure-in-savannah-book-movie-dies-at-59/2016/09/08/d304ba7e-75e6-11e6-8149-b8d05321db62_story.html The Lady Chablis Sassy Transgender Figure in Savannah Book, Movie Dies at-59." Washington Post, Sept. 9, 2016.] Retrieved September 12, 2016.</ref> Chablis grew up in [[Quincy, Florida]]. Her parents divorced when she was five, and she was supported by her aunt, Katie Bell, and grandmother, Anna Mae Ponder,<ref name=auto>{{cite book\|last=Lady Chablis\|title=Hiding My Candy: The Autobiography of the Grand Empress of Savannah\|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]\|year=1996\|isbn=0-671-52095-4\|oclc=37901705\|url=https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady}}</ref><ref name="Hinson">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/entertainment/columnists/hinson/2016/09/09/flying-home-lady-chablis-blast/90125768/\|title=Flying home with The Lady Chablis was a blast\|last=Hinson\|first=Mark\|website=Tallahassee Democrat\|language=en\|access-date=2019-10-20}}</ref> after her mother moved to [[Chicago]] to be a nurse.<ref name=telegraph/> Chablis did not meet her mother until she was nine, or her father until she was 12.<ref name=telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/10/02/the-lady-chablis--obituary/ The Lady Chablis obituary] - ''[[The Daily Telegraph\|The Telegraph]]'', October 2, 2016</ref> She went on to live with her father in the [[Harlem]] neighborhood of New York City in 1969.

	She changed her name to "The Lady Chablis" when she was 16 years old and living in [[Atlanta]].<ref name=smn>"Female Impersonator, Lady Chablis, Makes Debut" - Amy A. Swann, ''[[Savannah Morning News]]'', January 9, 1994</ref> "My mom was going to have a baby and she miscarried. The baby's name was going to be La Quinta Chablis and she told me to take the name. I didn't even know what [[Chablis wine\|Chablis]] was."<ref name=smn/>		She changed her name to "The Lady Chablis" when she was 16 years old and living in [[Atlanta]].<ref name=smn>"Female Impersonator, Lady Chablis, Makes Debut" - Amy A. Swann, ''[[Savannah Morning News]]'', January 9, 1994</ref> "My mom was going to have a baby and she miscarried. The baby's name was going to be La Quinta Chablis and she told me to take the name. I didn't even know what [[Chablis wine\|Chablis]] was."<ref name=smn/>
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	=== Filmography ===		=== Filmography ===
			* ''[[This Old House]]: The Savannah House Part 4'' (1996) as Herself
	* ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)\|Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'' (1997) as Chablis Deveau (credited as Lady Chablis)		* ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)\|Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'' (1997) as Chablis Deveau (credited as Lady Chablis)
	* ''Midnight in Savannah'' (1997, TV documentary) as Herself		* ''Midnight in Savannah'' (1997, TV documentary) as Herself
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	== Personal life ==		== Personal life ==
	Chablis said she did not want any label except her name, "The Lady Chablis",<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://kimwade1.com/?page_id=299 \|title=Interview with The Lady Chablis \|last=Wade \|first=Kim \|date=March–April 2013 \|website=Savannah Magazine \|language=en-US \|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> and said she found it hurtful when people called her a "[[drag queen]]".<ref name="Hinson"/><ref name=People/> In his book, Berendt wrote that he met Chablis as she was returning home from having a hormone injection.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/arts/the-lady-chablis-of-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-dies-at-59.html\|title=The Lady Chablis, Sassy Eccentric in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' Dies at 59\|last1=Chokshi\|first1=Niraj\|date=10 September 2016\|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In her book ''Hiding My Candy'', Chablis said she had not undergone [[sex reassignment surgery]].<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13\|title=Hiding My Candy\|last=Theodore\|first=Bouloukos\|publisher=Pocket Books\|year=1996\|isbn=978-0-671-52095-3\|location=New York\|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13 13]}}</ref>		Chablis said she did not want any label except her name, "The Lady Chablis",<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215101606/http://kimwade1.com/?page_id=299 \|title=Interview with The Lady Chablis \|last=Wade \|first=Kim \|date=March–April 2013 \|website=Savannah Magazine \|language=en-US \|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> and said she found it hurtful when people called her a "[[drag queen]]".<ref name="Hinson"/><ref name=People/> In his book, Berendt wrote that he met Chablis as she was returning home from having a hormone injection.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/arts/the-lady-chablis-of-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-dies-at-59.html\|title=The Lady Chablis, Sassy Eccentric in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' Dies at 59\|last1=Chokshi\|first1=Niraj\|date=10 September 2016\|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In her book ''Hiding My Candy'', Chablis said she had not undergone [[sex reassignment surgery]].<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13\|title=Hiding My Candy\|last=Theodore\|first=Bouloukos\|publisher=Pocket Books\|year=1996\|isbn=978-0-671-52095-3\|location=New York\|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13 13]}}</ref>

	== Death ==		== Death ==

imported>Seasider53: /* Career */ gr

2025-03-31T10:38:32Z

Career: gr

New page

{{short description|American actress, author, and transgender club performer}}
{{use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = The Lady Chablis
| image = File:The_Lady_Chablis.jpg
| image_caption = The Lady Chablis, 1996
| birth_name = Benjamin Edward Knox
| birth_date = {{birth date|1957|3|11}}
| birth_place = [[Quincy, Florida]], U.S.
| death_date = {{dda|2016|9|8|1957|3|11}}
| death_place = [[Savannah, Georgia]], U.S.
| occupation = Actress<br />Author<br />Club performer
| alias = The Lady Jonel
}}

'''The Lady Chablis''' (March 11, 1957 – September 8, 2016), also known as '''The Grand Empress''' and '''The Doll''', was an American actress, author, and [[transgender]] club performer. Through exposure in the bestselling nonfiction book ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', and its 1997 [[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)|film adaptation]], she became one of the first trans performers to be introduced to a wide audience.<ref name=People>{{Cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/the-lady-chablis-dies-drag-performer-transgender|title=The Lady Chablis, Best Known for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Has Died|access-date=2016-09-13|archive-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910191408/http://www.people.com/article/the-lady-chablis-dies-drag-performer-transgender|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-lady-chablis-20160908-snap-story.html|title=Transgender performer Lady Chablis dies at 59; portrayed in best-selling book|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Born '''Benjamin Edward Knox''' in 1957,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/entertainment/lady-chablis-obit-midnight-garden-good-evil/index.html|title=Lady Chablis, transgender star of 'Midnight,' dies at 59|last=Griggs|first=Brandon |website=CNN|date=September 8, 2016|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref><ref name=":0">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/the-lady-chablis-sassy-transgender-figure-in-savannah-book-movie-dies-at-59/2016/09/08/d304ba7e-75e6-11e6-8149-b8d05321db62_story.html The Lady Chablis Sassy Transgender Figure in Savannah Book, Movie Dies at-59." Washington Post, Sept. 9, 2016.] Retrieved September 12, 2016.</ref> Knox grew up in [[Quincy, Florida]]. Her parents divorced when she was five, and she was supported by her aunt, Katie Bell, and grandmother, Anna Mae Ponder,<ref name=auto>{{cite book|last=Lady Chablis|title=Hiding My Candy: The Autobiography of the Grand Empress of Savannah|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=1996|isbn=0-671-52095-4|oclc=37901705|url=https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady}}</ref><ref name="Hinson">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/entertainment/columnists/hinson/2016/09/09/flying-home-lady-chablis-blast/90125768/|title=Flying home with The Lady Chablis was a blast|last=Hinson|first=Mark|website=Tallahassee Democrat|language=en|access-date=2019-10-20}}</ref> after her mother moved to [[Chicago]] to be a nurse.<ref name=telegraph/> Chablis did not meet her mother until she was nine, or her father until she was 12.<ref name=telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/10/02/the-lady-chablis--obituary/ The Lady Chablis obituary] - ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'', October 2, 2016</ref> She went on to live with her father in the [[Harlem]] neighborhood of New York City in 1969.

She changed her name to "The Lady Chablis" when she was 16 years old and living in [[Atlanta]].<ref name=smn>"Female Impersonator, Lady Chablis, Makes Debut" - Amy A. Swann, ''[[Savannah Morning News]]'', January 9, 1994</ref> "My mom was going to have a baby and she miscarried. The baby's name was going to be La Quinta Chablis and she told me to take the name. I didn't even know what [[Chablis wine|Chablis]] was."<ref name=smn/>

Chablis' mother moved back to Florida and practiced nursing at [[Sunland Hospital]] in [[Tallahassee]]. She lived with her mother and her new husband, who owned a dry-cleaning business.<ref name=auto/> Chablis became close to her neighbor, Connie, who offered her a lot of support and a refuge from homophobic troubles at home.<ref name=auto/>

== Career ==
[[File:Lady Chablis memorial poster.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A poster in memoriam of The Lady Chablis on the [[Jefferson Street (Savannah, Georgia)|Jefferson Street]] wall of Club One. It includes a censored version of her catchphrase, which she uses in ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)|Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'': "Two tears in a bucket, motherfuck it."]]

Chablis began her career at age 15 in the Fox Trot gay bar in Tallahassee. It was there that she met Cliff Taylor, who performed under the pseudonym of Miss Tina Devore. He was the first male in Quincy that Chablis ever met who dressed up. Taylor offered to have Chablis stay with him if she ever moved to Atlanta. She moved there in 1974 at the age of 17, previously living with her aunt in Tallahassee for about eighteen months.<ref name=auto/>

She began working at the Prince George Inn, a gay-owned restaurant, where she began a relationship with one of her co-workers.<ref name=auto/> She left in 1975 after the relationship ended, and picked up work at Eckerd's Drugstore. After becoming sick for three weeks, she had to leave that position too.<ref name=auto/> A new friend, Linda, saw the decline in Chablis' health and moved her into her two-bedroom apartment. She found another job, this time at a [[Burlington Coat Factory]] outlet.<ref name=auto/>

Chablis and Linda moved to Regency Woods apartment complex. Encouraged by her friend's lush life and surroundings, Chablis decided to return to the stage.<ref name=auto/> She eventually found herself at The Locker Room, a bathhouse.<ref name=auto/>

In the late 1980s, a job offer from The Friends Lounge, a cabaret bar in [[Savannah, Georgia]], resulted in her moving south from Atlanta.<ref name=auto/>

She performed at [[Club One (bar)|Club One]] on its opening night in 1988,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYzHF8oQoiQ |title=Owners of Club One talk Lady Chablis' impact on the Hostess City |date=2024-02-28 |last=WJCL News |access-date=2025-02-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and was a regular performer there until August 6, 2016, just before she was hospitalized.<ref name=usa/>

In the early 1990s, she moved with her partner, Jesse, to [[Columbia, South Carolina]],<ref name="Hinson"/> where she began working at a new spot, The Menage.<ref name=auto/> The Menage closed after three years, due to new competition, and Chablis did not find much work for a couple of years.<ref name=auto/>

Chablis returned to Savannah, beginning work at new club, The Edge. She lived on the western side of [[Crawford Square (Savannah, Georgia)|Crawford Square]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Square as Reminder of Jim Crow Days |url=http://www.freemansrag.com/5/post/2019/01/a-square-as-reminder-of-jim-crow-days.html |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Freeman's Rag |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oct 26, 1994, page 41 - The Atlanta Constitution at Atlanta Journal Constitution |url=https://ajc.newspapers.com/image/403711978/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref>

She was a prominent character in [[John Berendt]]'s best-selling 1994 book ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', during her days working at The Pickup on Congress Street. She left her job in a dispute over pay.

Chablis frequently performed at her "home" nightclub of Club One, where she was known as the "Grand Empress". Chablis traveled the U.S. performing her show, ''The Doll Revue'', at various venues and special events, such as [[gay pride]] gatherings. She also appeared on [[radio]] shows.

Chablis' autobiography ''Hiding My Candy: The Autobiography of the Grand Empress of Savannah'' was published in 1996,<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Jeffreys|first=Joe E.|date=1997|title=It's Been a Vintage Year for The Lady Chablis|url=https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt7489q3mv/|journal=Dragazine|via=Online Archive of California; University of California, Los Angeles Library Special Collections}}</ref> a year before she played herself in the [[Clint Eastwood]]-directed movie adaptation of ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)|Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', starring [[Kevin Spacey]] and [[John Cusack]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/arts/the-lady-chablis-of-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-dies-at-59.html|title=The Lady Chablis, Sassy Eccentric in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' Dies at 59|last=Chokshi|first=Niraj|date=2016-09-08|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref>

The Lady Chablis was featured in the closing segment of the Savannah episode of ''[[Bizarre Foods America]]'' on [[Travel Channel|The Travel Channel]]. She joined host [[Andrew Zimmern]] at several Savannah restaurants, including Elizabeth on 37th. In 2012, she was interviewed in Savannah<ref>{{cite web|author=Brian Kovalski (Savannah Georgia'Mama|url=https://www.facebook.com/miss.savannah.georgia.mama|title=Brian Kovalski – Lowell (Massachusetts)|publisher=Facebook|access-date=2013-12-05}}</ref> on the local television and internet talk show ''MAMA Knows Best'' (season 2, episode 1).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mamaknowsbesttalkshow.com|title=Domain Default page|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106010723/http://mamaknowsbesttalkshow.com/|archive-date=2014-01-06}}</ref> On April 19, 2013, Chablis performed for the grand opening of the short-lived Mama's Cabaret in [[Lewiston, Maine]], with "MAMA" Savannah Georgia.

=== Awards and titles ===
In her early career as an entertainer, under the name Brenda Dale Knox, she won multiple titles in [[drag pageantry]] including:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0149288/bio|title=Lady Chablis|website=IMDb|access-date=2019-10-20}}</ref>

* Miss Dixieland, 1976
* Miss Gay World, 1976
* The Grand Empress of Savannah, 1977
* Miss Sweetheart International, 1989
*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

=== Autobiography ===
* {{cite book|last=Lady Chablis|title=Hiding My Candy: The Autobiography of the Grand Empress of Savannah|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=1996|isbn=0-671-52095-4|oclc=37901705|url=https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady}}

=== Filmography ===
* ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (film)|Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'' (1997) as Chablis Deveau (credited as Lady Chablis)
* ''Midnight in Savannah'' (1997, TV documentary) as Herself
* ''Partners'' (1999, TV movie) as Beverly
* ''Damn Good Dog'' (2004, video documentary) as Herself
* ''[[Bizarre Foods America]]: Savannah'' (2012) as Herself
* ''[[Real Housewives of Atlanta]]'' (2013) as Herself

== Personal life ==
Chablis said she did not want any label except her name, "The Lady Chablis",<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kimwade1.com/?page_id=299 |title=Interview with The Lady Chablis |last=Wade |first=Kim |date=March–April 2013 |website=Savannah Magazine |language=en-US |access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> and said she found it hurtful when people called her a "[[drag queen]]".<ref name="Hinson"/><ref name=People/> In his book, Berendt wrote that he met Chablis as she was returning home from having a hormone injection.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/arts/the-lady-chablis-of-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-dies-at-59.html|title=The Lady Chablis, Sassy Eccentric in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' Dies at 59|last1=Chokshi|first1=Niraj|date=10 September 2016|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In her book ''Hiding My Candy'', Chablis said she had not undergone [[sex reassignment surgery]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13|title=Hiding My Candy|last=Theodore|first=Bouloukos|publisher=Pocket Books|year=1996|isbn=978-0-671-52095-3|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hidingmycandy00lady/page/13 13]}}</ref>

== Death ==
The Lady Chablis died on September 8, 2016, from [[Pneumocystis pneumonia|''Pneumocystis'' pneumonia]], aged 59,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/transgender/2016/9/08/lady-chablis-trans-icon-and-savannahs-grand-empress-dead-59|title=Lady Chablis, Trans Icon and Savannah's Grand Empress, Dead at 59|work=The Advocate|access-date=September 8, 2016|author=Broverman, Neal|date=September 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> following a month-long stay at Savannah's Candler Hospital.<ref name=usa>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2016/09/08/first-transgender-star-lady-chablis-dies-59/90093036/ "First transgender star The Lady Chablis dies at 59"] - ''[[USA Today]]'' Books, September 8, 2016</ref><ref name="tlc dies">{{Cite news |date=2016-09-08 |title=The Lady Chablis, breakout transgender star, dies at 59 |language=en |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lady-chablis-transgender-midnight-star-dies-age-59-n645006 |access-date=2023-08-03}}</ref>

On November 5, a special screening of ''Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'' was shown at Savannah's [[Lucas Theatre]] for the Arts, with a tribute to Chablis beforehand. A few of Chablis' gowns were on display in the theatre's lobby. Jerry Spence, the former hairdresser who appeared in both the book and movie, was in attendance. A reception was held at Club One after the memorial service and, after the movie screening, Club One Cabaret held two Lady Chablis tribute shows.<ref>[https://davelandblog.blogspot.com/2016/12/tribute-to-lady.html "Tribute to a Lady"] - David DeCaro, December 20, 2016</ref>

===Tributes===
Upon news of her death, several of Chablis' former co-stars made tributes to her. [[Paul Hipp]], alongside whom she appeared in the movie adaptation of ''Midnight in the Garden'', said: "So sad to hear of The Lady Chablis' passing. She was super talented, kind, and laugh out loud funny. She was a true transgender pioneer, way ahead of her time (in the [[Deep South]], no less). This pic of The Lady and me was taken between shots while filming ''Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil''. Feel free to envy our glamour."<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BKRnW-1Dm51/ Paul Hipp's official Instagram] - September 12, 2016</ref> Chablis was impersonated on the second episode of [[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 7)|Season 7]] of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars]]'' by drag queen [[Jaida Essence Hall]].<ref name="dragrace">{{cite news|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2022/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-7-episode-2-recap/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' episode 2 recap: The queens double dip in a double-headed 'Snatch Game'|date=May 21, 2022|first1=John|last1=Benutty|website=Goldderby|access-date=May 25, 2022}}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web|url=http://www.worldtalkradio.com/show.asp?sid=228 |title= Internet radio show |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109222011/http://www.worldtalkradio.com/show.asp?sid=228|archive-date=2006-11-09}}
* [https://clubone-online.com/ladychablis/ The Lady Chablis' memorial page at Club One]
* {{IMDb name|id=0149288|name=Lady Chablis}}
* [http://savannah.for91days.com/2011/01/25/the-lady-chablis-at-club-one/ The Lady Chablis Photos]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chablis, Lady}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Quincy, Florida]]
[[Category:African-American drag queens]]
[[Category:American drag queens]]
[[Category:African-American women writers]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:African-American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from Florida]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Transgender women writers]]
[[Category:Transgender women musicians]]
[[Category:African-American writers]]
[[Category:Transgender memoirists]]
[[Category:Transgender drag performers]]
[[Category:African-American women musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American women]]
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[[Category:American transgender writers]]
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[[Category:Drag performers from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Drag performers from Florida]]
[[Category:Drag performers from New York City]]
[[Category:Drag performers from Atlanta]]