Jahna Steele

Infobox_Celebrity
name = Jahna Steele

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caption = Jahna Steele star of Trantasia
birth_date = birth date|1958|9|29|mf=y
birth_place = San Antonio, Texas
death_date = death date and age|2008|1|24|1958|9|29
death_place = Las Vegas, Nevada
height =
occupation = showgirl
salary =
networth =
website = [http://www.thejahnasteele.com/ thejahnasteele.com]

Jahna Erica Steele (29 September 1958 — 24 January 2008Clarke, Norm (January 26, 2008). [http://www.lvrj.com/news/14450897.html Jahna Steele R.I.P.] "Las Vegas Review-Journal"] ) was an American transgender entertainer and Las Vegas showgirl who was voted Las Vegas' "Sexiest Showgirl on The Strip" in 1991,Anderson-Minshall, Jacob (March 1, 2007). [http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=6148 Las Vegas Showgirl.] "San Francisco Bay Times"] "Entertainer of the Year, 1992," and "Most Beautiful Showgirl, 1993."Archerd, Army (November 14, 1994). [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117862585.html?categoryid=2&cs=1 Caron dances back in time.] "Variety"] She was fired after being outed as "a man" by a tabloid television show. Steele made numerous film and television appearances, including hosting a transgender beauty pageant featured in the film "Trantasia".

Early life and career

Born John Matheny in San Antonio, Texas, Steele joined the cast of the "Crazy Girls Revue" at the Riviera in Las Vegas during the late 1980s. In 1991, Steele was voted "the sexiest showgirl on The Strip" Stein, Martin (July 22, 2004). [http://web.archive.org/web/20041011224621/http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/2004/07/22/cal_feature.html Was She or Wasn't She? Transsexual beauty pageant marks the return of Vegas' most notorious showgirl] . "The Las Vegas Weekly"]

Outing and its effects

Most people in Las Vegas, including the producer who hired her and her costars, "knew she was transgender but didn't care."Broverman, Neal (March 25, 2008). [http://www.advocate.com/issue_story_ektid52479.asp Death of a showgirl] "The Advocate"] She was outed on a 1992 edition of the television program "A Current Affair". The story of her outing and its negative effect on her showgirl career was featured in "The National Enquirer." Staff report (1992). 'Sexiest show girl' in Vegas fired because she used to be a MAN! "National Enquirer"]

After being fired from "Crazy Girls Revue", Steele was a frequent talk show guest and sang in nightclubs across the United States before moving to Hawaii. She also appeared as a guest star in a second-season episode of "NYPD Blue" ("Don We Now Our Gay Apparel"), playing the character Candace La Rue. [http://entertainment.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=541857 NYPD Blue episode guide via MSN] ] Steele later returned to school, and "learned how to do things other than entertaining" so that she'd have something to fall back on, studying computer courses and working for United Blood Services before she worked for a women's health facility and got certified in nonprofit management.

Transsexual beauty contest hostess

Steele made her comeback in 2004 when she hosted The World's Most Beautiful Transsexual Contest at the Riviera. Clarke, Norm (May 15, 2004). Transgender star plans comeback. "Las Vegas Review-Journal"] A documentary feature film based on the pageant, "Trantasia", recognized Steele's pioneering place in the history of the transsexual community. Steele was also featured on several segments of "Entertainment Tonight" in connection with "Trantasia". Following the success of the film, Steele continued her singing career and was the spokesperson for Tingari Skin Care System. Steele was working on her "kiss-and-tell" autobiography, "Always a Lady" Pratt, Paul E. (May 16, 2007). [http://www.outlook-mag.com/News/tabid/55/newsid377/1260/Transsexual-Former-Vegas-Showgirl-Working-on-Tell-All-Book/Default.aspx Transsexual Former Vegas Showgirl Working on Tell-All Book.] "Outlook Magazine"] when friends reported she died in Las Vegas. Davis, Andrew (February 6, 2008). [http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=17436 Passages: Jahna Steele.] "Windy City Times"]

References

External links

* [http://www.thejahnasteele.com/ Jahna Steele website]
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* [http://www.trantasiathemovie.com/ Trantasia website]
* [http://www.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/individual_display.jsp?obitID=3500344 Obituary, Las Vegas Review-Journal]