Episode 7: Shanita Bump

This week we sit down with iconic performer and entertainer Shanita Bump!

Transcript

Junior Mintt: 0:00

Hello, and welcome back to the moment of truth podcast. This is the show where I invite you to take a moment to reflect and be proud of how far that we have come as individuals and as a community, but also honest about where we still have to go and our growth as supporters and protectors of black trans power, through personal testimony and honest conversation with community leaders, we will recognize the power we all have lurking within ourselves to not only impact our lives in a positive way, but also keep pushing black trans power forward. I am your host, Junior Mintt. And I am so excited to welcome you back. So let's just get straight on up into this gig. Okay. But as per usual, you know, we're about to start this off with a beautiful, beautiful affirmation. Again, if this is your first time doing this with us, these affirmations are to set our intentions not only for our day, but for our life, because words are powerful things. And if we truly believe in the power of that, we need to be honing in on that power every single day to make sure that we are using all of the tools in our tool chest to make sure that we are trying to live the healthiest and most self care centered life that we possibly can. So let's get into this affirmation. Repeat after me and say these words like you mean it, like you truly believe that these words have some power, and they do. So get ready and repeat after me. Great things are happening to me every day, I just have to be open to seeing them in my life. I have all I need to make today a great day, because I am enough enough to make myself happy, and enough to accomplish anything that I set my mind to. I am happy and content with my life and the direction it's going in. And when I am not, I have the power to change that direction. And play that back as many times as you need in order for the message to truly sink in. Okay, because everything that I just said is 100% true about every single person's life. Society is not built to allow us or make it easy for us to see all of the great things that are happening in our lives every single day. Because if we all took heed of all the amazing things that's going on in our lives, we wouldn't necessarily feel so compelled to get the newest iPhone or the next device. And so in my opinion, it's one of those things that ties into capitalism and your own mental health as I think so consistently about how as a kid growing up and even into high school and everything, the gratification of just getting like the newest object just to say you got it the new iPhone back well, back then it was like you know, the iPod, but before the apple I think it was the iPod Nano. But before the iPod Touch and everything rolling up in like the late 2000s it was like to get that type of technology. It was a very just like gratifying moment to know that you could fit in and everything which, in my opinion is not doing anything good for anybody's mental health. So end of monologue, but the beginning of a new one. That's the beauty of a podcast. It's literally an hour long monologue, and I'm so excited to get into the next part of it, which as you know, is the rose and the thorn. And this week has been a very, very beautiful, beautiful, beautiful week, because bitch there's a lot of roses. I just found this amazing, amazing nail polish company that is black owned. It is called minted m e and T Ed. And they have some beautiful beautiful like nail polish shade. And I was like bitch You know what, let me treat myself let me do this. And I literally just before sitting down to record this right after I just finished recording which Anita I realized that the package has been delivered and I just did my nails and they look fire bitch. Let me just tell you right now jinder euphoric, my nails look stunning, with two tones of like flesh like it's basically like a total it's slightly lighter than my skin color than a shade that's slightly darker. And I alternated on the nails and bitch they just look so stunning. They look so stunning. It's the first time I've done my nails and it just they look so good. And so that is a beautiful rose this week. Another beautiful rose is that I have got The Amazing, amazing, amazing opportunity to just catch up with some people, some random people FaceTime me, some other friends reached out to me was like, Let's catch up. And I was like, okay, and it was actually a really, really beautiful, beautiful moment, you know, when you come out of depression, and all of a sudden, you're like, Oh my god, yeah, I don't feel like a burden to people, I don't feel like a burden to talk to you, it's actually not so emotionally taxing on your own brain just to simply talk to people. And it was so fucking fantastic to catch up. So that was another positive. But I would say that if it came down to a thorn, it would have to be the snow and now would also have to be the biggest rose as well, just simply because I think this snow allowed me the opportunity to one actually sit down and actually like, put my brain to my work, because I'm actually out of like the depression tunnel right now. And so my mind is actually very, very inspired right now. And so I'm actually able to get a lot done and work that I'm actually proud of, and I'm excited to share. And so that was a very good thing. But on top of it, I've been snowed in and I couldn't leave in like, go for a walk or nothing. That's the hardest part. Honestly, as I realized, this is the longest time since like, the middle of the deep, deep, deep pandemic, unlike the highest death rates of New York Times, when I realized I didn't leave my apartment, like the walls of my apartment for like a good week. So I'm just at a point now where I'm like, Okay, I need to figure out how to go deal with this. No, because I got a good pair of boots for it. But it's still just like, everybody's leaving their dog poop in the snow, just across the street, you got to like hop over a foot of like trenches of water, because all the shoveling is just pushed it in the middle of the sidewalk or the crosswalk, and it's just a mess. So it's just so many different levels of like, I deserve better treatment than this, you know, I don't deserve to slice through the snow and be frigid. So I'm like, let me figure out what my game plan is. And I'm gonna find a park goes for a walk, I always have to remind myself that going outside is so essential for my mental health. And I can oftentimes Forget it, especially in this pandemic. And so yeah, sometimes I'll just sit down and literally remind myself that like Jr, you have not gone outside today, you need to go outside, you need to get some fresh air, go see a person, even if that person is a barista, because there are so many times where I will turn around and realize that like the reason I feel so rundown, or so tired, or whatever reason I'm not in the mood is because I have not left the apartment. And so it's very, very important for me and my mental sanity to get out there. So it's been really a moment of trying to grow in an uncomfortable situation in terms of like, it's snowing outside, and I know I really want to even just go outside for 1520 minutes. I can't. So it's like, okay, let's use this as something to be productive, and find a way to excel. And this time, we're like, you can't go outside because it's a motherfucking blizzard. And so it actually has been kind of like a challenge. Yeah, I've kind of Yeah, I guess I've presented it to myself as a challenge. And it's been actually very helpful. It's actually allowed me to Yeah, discover some new some new techniques of creating inspiration when not necessarily you You got it. And so yeah, that's kind of like the rose and the thorn which is basically the snow I hope everyone's been doing good with it in terms of like simply having shelter or you know, having heat but as well on top of it managing with like seasonal depression and as well on top of it, having to stay inside it's difficult. So sending all of my love and all of my energy to you all to hopefully get through this time soon. So that way when spring hits we can go outside with a mask on of course but let us pray. So update while literally recording this, I discovered exactly what my thought for this weekend is. So I literally today I just interviewed shanita I had a bunch of things to do today. All of them were fantastic and amazing. Which is why this is probably the only reason this is the forward because this is the first thing this week that has gone completely awry. And I do possibly put it on mercury and retrograde. But what it is is I am starving today and other than saying I had a shit ton of things to do. So I haven't really got to eat anything really substantial since this morning. And so literally, I'm starving. I ordered the food. I was like bitch, I'm gonna sit down. You're gonna record the audio edited. It's gonna be great. And then as I get to the end of recording this section, and I was like perfect is the perfect stopping point your foods almost here. The delivery person from Uber Eats just makes literally a left hand turn a block before my block. And the food is not here. It said it was delivered. I go downstairs, I check. It is not there. And I'm like what's happening? So I'm like bitch, call see what's going on. Maybe there's some glitch in the matrix, because you know, it is Murphy and retro, great. And so I call and when I pick up, I'm like, hello. And he is like, hello. And I say, Hi, on the app, it says that the food is delivered. And I went down and checked, and it was it. And that's when he just like, lets out a grunt. I don't know how else to describe what he said was the garage was just like, in hunger. And so now I am hungry. I am out the money that are ordered. And I'm still waiting. Literally. Mind you. Another reason this is the third, I literally put the put in the god help thing on there to try to get them to like, you know, refund my money, send me some food, something figure it out. And it told me to wait 10 more minutes, because the delivery person may be trying to find me. I waited 10 more minutes, and I got 10 minutes more hungry. And then I decided to put it in. And now it just says processing and I'm like it was very easy to take my money, but it's appearing not very easy to give it back to me. And so that is the song for this week. And I would say honestly, thank you to the universe because they did give me an appropriate form for you all right in time for the recording. So look at the universe, look it out, look at them. Because if this is the biggest thought again that I can actually say I have right now, then I am pretty blessed. So thank you universe. And so let's hope I get my money back. But if by the time I finished, like recording all the audio and putting together the whole episode, I've got more food or like they have sent me more food or I've gotten a refund. I'll let y'all know we'll see. But in the meantime, I am here to introduce a bad bit, an icon, a legend, someone who is truly truly a pillar of the Brooklyn nightlife scene, and now assumed to be legend of the West Coast nightlife scene and as soon as the pandemic opens up, because they literally were stranded on the west coast. And if that's not a bad bitch, I don't know what it is. So without further ado, I'm so honored and thankful to introduce someone who I respect greatly, and who has entertained me on numerous occasions and on every single one of those occasions. They have loved my job on the ground, and all of the money out of my wallet. So without further ado, give it up for the one in the only shanita bump. Hello, Sunita, I am so fucking excited to have you. I'm so excited to sit down and talk to you. We are in for a wild ass discussion. Are you excited to be here?

Shanita Bump: 13:32

Which I am excited to see. Yeah, I love you.

Junior Mintt: 13:37

Yes, I love you. The universe has put us into a place of being in the same space at the same time right now. And that is a blessing that I will never overlook. I love you and just know that literally

Shanita Bump: 13:50

literally like the pandemic like responding to people like what I would normally easily respond to within seconds. Like, it hits me like days to get to a message. And just like forgetting things aside, and like that I'm doing anything, I'll be like at the club doing not sucking shit. Like, oh my god, and I'll see like the reminders from people and I'm like, I swear I'm not avoiding you guys like

Junior Mintt: 14:17

yes, it this pandemic has really made me realize how many things I had to process and work through that was really stopping my own success. And I hate I hate referencing that drag race show. But it was by intercept. But so I'm not gonna lie, because I just recently had like the most beautiful experience ever when I got to like go home for my grandmother's funeral and I got to actually get a bunch of things off my chest to my family that I've been waiting to. And it was standing in my truth in that moment that made me realize that like, there was so much mental anguish going on in my life internally, that was really showing itself and me not even caring about the things that I was actually passionate about, you know, like, I found myself like just looking at messages and everything and just being like, thinking about all the conversations that I would have to have and just responding to them and knowing I didn't have the mental energy for it. And it's so important, especially as black queer entertainers like to take that time to yourself to take whatever space you need to process your own, like, your own emotions. And so my question for you actually, my first question will be, what have you been doing to take care of your mental sanity? Make sure you were rested? Make sure you are taking care of Sunita.

Shanita Bump: 15:42

What have I been doing? Well, I've been sleeping a whole lot. I feel like this last. It's been I guess a year now like, this past year, I've like I've touched up on like, the sleep I've missed my entire years of sleeping like I did not know how much like a tired, I really was, until pandemic it and like, finally, being able to just like get the rest of my body needs really great and like not feeling bad about taking time to get ready, either. Like, that's a big thing to remember before all this like resting you like never always on the go, Nope, can't I feel bad about it. But now like, I'm like, I don't get a hug, I'm gonna get out of bed at 5pm. Like, what? So leaving in like, accepting that I'm gonna be in bed all day. And then my favorite and most helpful self care.

Unknown: 16:38

Ah,

Junior Mintt: 16:39

there is nothing better to waking up without like setting an alarm like it, I can't even put it into words. And it's so easy, especially in the nightlife scene to get to the point of like, well, who knows that there's gonna be another gig. So I'm taking this gig, who cares if I sleep, I need to network I need to make sure that I can keep paying rent is it's been so really like so reinvigorating to truly get to take time to myself, because I think that there was like, literally a few months where I was still something that I have realized is that I as a nurturing empathetic person, I consistently want to be kind of like a therapist to others, or an ear for other people. And it took me a long time in this pandemic, to realize that, that is taxing on my own mental energy. And while it's not bad to do, which is like help other people in love other people, I have to remember my own mental energy.

Shanita Bump: 17:47

And

Junior Mintt: 17:48

it has been like, I can't even put it into like, for the first time in like, honestly, years, I knew what it was like to wake up without anxiety without feeling like there's a brick on my chest. And I just, it's so healing when you get to really, truly sit and who you are, and half the time for who you are and not feel at all. Like I'm letting someone down by taking time to myself. And yeah, it's one of those things that truly, I'm thankful for in this pandemic, I've been counting my blessings and the privilege of sitting and being with myself, and also the privilege of sitting under a roof period. I'm like, Okay, let me actually sit in the fact that as a black trans person who is doing drag as a form of paying their rent, which is actually happening I'm like, Thank you universe, and on top of it. I've worked hard enough to earn a break

Shanita Bump: 18:54

Yeah. Really have like

Junior Mintt: 18:57

and I would say the same for you though. Sunita in my head like you're like a pillar of so many different communities in my opinion, like you span genres, you span venues you span borrows, you span ever like you span every like, I have seen you Hello sign in so many capacities. So tell me, tell me, Sunita, where would you say the beginnings of Sinitta began? Where is shanita from like, shanita bump where,

Shanita Bump: 19:30

however, like first got started, I could imagine like most drag queens in New York is like when I first got to New York. I was doing the whole like, club kid thing, like going out to the parties. And my friends though, said and did that for like, a year, maybe two and I was like, why am I doing this? I feel like this is like wasting my time and money and like what am I doing just getting in a look to get fucked up. And I was like, I couldn't coin while doing this too cuz honestly too much of like a house personality like I don't have time to be like making sure everyone's okay like doing that I'm a Pisces so that was like dressed me the fuck out

Junior Mintt: 20:10

oh go on air your birthday is coming up soon Oh my god yeah

Shanita Bump: 20:14

yeah don't remind me because it means we've been in this for like a year like locked down but yeah I just started performing because I was like Why don't fucking Miami's clubs for these people for like free like I should be getting paid to do this up so then I just started performing because I needed coin and I was like this is not enough just to go out and that's that's where a little chanita because like I wanted to perform before I moved to New York by like Could I didn't have really the platform or comfortability of doing it it was from but I didn't go right into it like definitely did that whole club kid thing like wearing these ridiculous looks just getting clapped it out so what year what year did

Junior Mintt: 21:05

you come to New York?

Shanita Bump: 21:06

I came to New York in 2016 that fall

Junior Mintt: 21:10

wow oh my god that's that's a while whoa 2016

Shanita Bump: 21:18

seem like that one go but it seems so far away. Like

Junior Mintt: 21:23

I came here 2017 and I'm like, it feels like for ever ago. Right? Like so when you were doing club kids? Did you have a day job like well did you have a data of course like we all got to make our coin somehow

Shanita Bump: 21:40

Yeah, I had a I had a day job well up until like, a few months before I left New York is when I finally like went solo or just started performing and making my money off of that. But I did that for a few months before going on like tour to the west coast then when I went on tour that's when the pandemic happened so only had like been just supply like burning myself have just performed for like a few months before that like I had a job I had the same job when I was in New York old time I worked at Gothic Renaissance rip which is closing at the end of this month like it's closing bitch that and Halloween adventure they're all by the same company they're closing the end of February and right now they got hella motherfucking sales going on sales

Junior Mintt: 22:31

we go down we go down and we got to get some good cuz everything there everything there's like prime it did that also help with supplying things for your drag numbers too.

Shanita Bump: 22:42

Oh baby that's supplied like literally like me whole entire drag cuz I work next door to like a Halloween store like we're sister store so like I was able to get all of that Halloween and like stage makeup and costume anything and then like so I worked out like course that's all that kind of stuff like, right in my possession and I was able to like borrow anything I wanted to store so like I would always like sometimes be stepping out in like a 12 $100 headpiece you never know like it just I could be wearing body armor Who knows?

Junior Mintt: 23:19

If that's called innovation, because you literally turned looks without even having to spend a dime I'm so gagged right now. How do you come up with how do you come up with your numbers? Because they are also things that like I've seen you do? Like I can't say I've seen you really do the same number more than twice like and the only one I could even say I remember seeing twice was the teeth number because I gag

Shanita Bump: 23:45

yes I mean sounds really stupid. But like literally I feel like I can never ever since I started performing. I don't listen to music same was never to enjoy. It's always like what kind of what am I hearing from this? Like, what have I haha this this sounds like this. This is stupid. Then I'm like, okay, lesson number. Like everything soft. Too bad but like listening to music is just not the same. I'm always like listening for some like key word or something. But like, give me give me something for this number. So that's where they come from. I feel like people always like thing, but there's like some deeper message. And I'm like, No, all of this is like fun.

Junior Mintt: 24:31

Yes. If I had to like put into words like what your performances make me feel when I watched them. If I had to come up with like three words it would always be fun. Well thought out as in like a hyphenate. Like well thought out. And the third word I would say is probably Oh strong, strong and strong because There is something that is very, what's the word? It's very, not only political, but amazingly powerful. When a black queer performer owns their space and owns their body, especially on the stage, and you on that stage is like, it's it's just, it's like, it's pride, it is just full, unabashed ownership of your space, your body, your beauty, everything, because it just, it makes me so happy when I, when I watch you perform, because it is like it, it feels like if we, if there was a big drag house, we would be dragged cousins, like, you know what I mean? Like? Does that beautiful, powerful ownership of your space in your body come rooted from somewhere? Or was that always just like, who you were? Like, were you always just like, I'm owning this ship from the get out?

Shanita Bump: 26:00

I'm actually no, I mean, in my head, yes. But now, like doing drag, like has definitely made me like, it forced me to be comfortable with my body say I was had body issues like so say like, but like, being dragged, like, cuz I'll be very close to naked. Or wearing something, I wouldn't feel comfortable and like, force me to be comfortable in it. Because I'm like, I have to wear this regardless, like, and just maybe like, own up to like, I don't know, feeling more comfortable. Like in my body, performing. Like, if I didn't do drag that that wouldn't have happened because it just puts you out there like, it really just rips You know, you're like, hiding and all of these like makeup and clothes and stuff. But it really does just like expose you and make you put yourself out there. I feel like drag really helped me just be able to feel comfortable and be able to express myself out loudly.

Junior Mintt: 27:02

That like, that makes me so happy. That makes me so happy because it did the same thing for me. There's, there's very few. there's so few places of comfort and ease for black queer people in this world. And so I just for me, I couldn't imagine my world if I had not come across drag. Because, right, it just everything, every single amazingly positive thing in my life, every single amazing one that took me standing up and declaring who I am to myself even not necessarily knowing the words for who I am. But drag has been that catalyst from me having to boldly say that I am gay. And I'm proud of it, to figuring out that my gender is not sis to figuring out that I'm just a full on amazing, beautiful woman to being able to vocalize that and being able to put it into words and being able to see every piece of myself as a strength is something that was very much ingrained in me as a kid from my mom, she was very much like, Do you know your worth. But there is something about when you go out on your own in your own life and have to find those words for yourself and stand for yourself. And drag has done that for me. It is every single door that has opened that I'm like, bitch, I feel like I'm excited about my future drag.

Shanita Bump: 28:34

It was just like a Greenwood Village. Anyway, a whole world right now. And by saying

Junior Mintt: 28:39

I want to do drag for the rest of my life, it means I want to do something that's fluid, something that's gonna change with me grow with me. And not only me, but also my community because, ah, I freaking love every single person who I've gotten to truly deeply connect with through the drag community. It's something about being around people who see the world the same way as you and it's definitely not everybody in the community. It's not everybody who does drag but people like you.

Shanita Bump: 29:10

People like you. Yeah, you definitely like ever like like minded like, family in the community and people are like, okay, like, you just don't get it. You don't have the same struggles. And that's okay, but you don't get it. You can say you do what you don't.

Junior Mintt: 29:27

I love the way that you phrase that. You better. That's probably gonna be the promo clip. That's sickening. Where did you go to school? Did you go to school?

Shanita Bump: 29:36

I went to school for like one semester. I cannot apply that. And went to school in Ohio and from Ohio,

Junior Mintt: 29:46

not Ohio.

Shanita Bump: 29:48

And Ohio, Ohio. I went to I went to school at Kent State. I actually went in there with like, not hat under I had a major because I went to that school because my best friend was going so I could be at my best friend, because I just wanted to leave my hometown. Yeah, no, she graduated she graduated. She ended up double majoring all that bullshit, but I was like, yeah, I'm just here because you're here. It is totally my home zone.

Junior Mintt: 30:19

Are you from the Midwest?

Shanita Bump: 30:21

I am literally from Ohio.

Unknown: 30:24

Well, actually, what

Junior Mintt: 30:25

is it like to grow up in Ohio? Actually, because I'm trying to think about it. I'm like,

Shanita Bump: 30:30

it was awful when suddenly go from like, just like, small town like my graduating class was like, less than 200 people. And we were like, uniforms in high school. And it was just like, it was really, it was an awful place. I like got away as soon as I could. Oh, the uniforms. Oh my god. And that was before like, I even like came out or knew I was gay. I should have known though. I literally had like a fucking pig. He got in like, I was like, living my little closeted gay life. Mm hmm. I think it's so funny how to be like to be gay in high school, but also like, not be out or like came to terms that I was gay. Like, I definitely was still like, in denial, because that's the time like, in high school, like, my mom came out to me and like, I had like a gay mom. So I had to, like, deal with that in high school, which I didn't know that that was gonna be a whole. That was like coming out but not coming out. Like having to like, be ochiai gay child. way a gay person, child. So that was a whole lot of things. I was like, I had like, a lot of salt. Like, Hey, I didn't want to be gay in high school. But like, I it's so funny, because I'm like, Well, I was definitely very obviously gay. And people were calling me out and I was like, No, you're lying. And I'm like, wow, I was so gay. That bunch of new.

Junior Mintt: 31:54

Oh my gosh, that's that. That's gonna be a whole like portion of the memoir when you write your memoir, because I'm like, that

Shanita Bump: 32:04

must be so

Junior Mintt: 32:05

so many emotions to go through. Like, whoa, what Sunita

Shanita Bump: 32:10

it? I never had like a coming out story because my my mom came out, but I just felt like, I didn't need to is no point. No, I was like, well, what's the point? There's, there's not gonna be like anything there. She already. She's already out with me. And I was like, I don't know. Yeah. Wow.

Junior Mintt: 32:29

You know what's funny? When I think back to my childhood, my mom one of my mom's best friends when, like, up until I was like, 413. I think we had no up until I was like 12. And we had to move because our house got foreclosed, and everything. Literally one of her best friends was a trans woman named Misha kena, who I was obsessed with. We all loved her. We all loved like Misha Keaton was a part of the family. And sometimes I always, always, always think back to her. Because Luckily, we did have the opportunity to like chat again over the phone. She passed away, like not too long ago. But it was amazing for me to get to talk to her as like, a person who like at the time was understanding my transits. I didn't have the words for it. But I just think back all the time. And I think about her and how I just, she, I think about how she saw me she I know she had him feed me, you know what I mean? Like, I can look at so many children now. And you can see the queer gender, you can see the transgender you can see it in them because you can really connect to it. And I wish that I still had the opportunity to talk to her, because I would just love to talk to her about our experiences are like coming to tears, because on top of it, she was like she was married, like she had a husband. So for me, it was even like this depiction of this trans woman is like, she has a husband, she has her house, her husband was with her up until the day that she passed like, so. It's one of those things that it always gets me emotional, what I think about queer youth and trans youth and being young, and those people around us who see it in us and who like, identify the same way with us, and get to have that queer elder look at you and get to have that conversation. And that's what I hope to do for my kids in the future. Because, like, with how many kids I'm planning on having, I'm like, I know about God, like they better be there better be a shit ton of kids in this batch. I'm gonna be bad if there isn't. So I've like I can't I can't wait to get to have that conversation with them. But when they're adults, we get to be like, like teams do and everything has kids and just be like, yeah, like, it's so beautiful. I saw you. I saw you expressing this part of yourself when you were like a newborn. And then we started to crawl you started to do this. And so yeah. I'm just I love I love kids. I love babies. I love the fact that The simplification of, of opportunity, and growth and love. And

Shanita Bump: 35:11

Mom,

Junior Mintt: 35:13

I'm so excited. Like when I tell you, a man, when I accomplish everything I'm going to accomplish in this life. I can't wait because of how badly I want it like Community Center. That's like, next door to where I live that I own and like operate and like my kids is over there. My kids can help do the things we run in programs were like, do a drag shows, we're doing talent shows, we're doing community building, we're doing all these things. And I've Yeah, I just I've realized that I'm such a mother. And all I want to do all of my life is mother. I want a mother myself or my mother, my community. I want a mother, the loved ones around me. And just, yeah, keep growing. And I think that's a perfect segue to my next question for you. As you look at the growth of shanita when you look back at shanita, having come from Ohio, having grown having experience everything that you have experienced in life up into the point of right now, from clubs to bookings to now the West Coast. What do you see for shanita? Not necessarily is like, well, pad debit works out, but like, what do you want phocion Nita, what does shanita CFO shanita

Shanita Bump: 36:36

what neither, neither neither. I really want to slowly like Juanita UNITA, I want to it's so hard to like consider like, thinking about like life without the pandemic, because no matter what my thoughts are now, so focused within this bubble of what I can and can't do. So I'm going to just say it from MAC, like, I have such a hard time even imagining, like what I would do if it wasn't, but I would, I would like to like, I want to start doing like short films in like, making like horror films with my partner, because now I have, I have like everything I need, like all the tools and resources like I have all that and like someone else to do it with. Just like I love doing drag, but like doing digital videos, just like have a lip sync, like, if there is a lot like, it's a lot. And some of them I'm not as more proud of them just trying to get done to make a deadline or whatever. But like I want to actually like be able to like take the time out for shanita not just to perform just to make the coin to pay the rent, but just to like, be able to perform because I love the art of doing dragon like I want to be able to like make films because I feel like that would make that would make me focus. And I wouldn't have a deadline for like it would give me the freedom to do things and not feel stress and like really like the other do what I want to I want to start doing some like films and I want to I want to be able to perform. Like, as if I already had like, when I was performing when I had a job like that security of being like drag is it isn't my source of income. Because I feel like now that's my source of income. It's taken away from like, why truly love about doing drag? Like it's not that I'm in a place where I'm like, fuck drag, I'm like, No, I'm really tired. And some of these aren't really worth it, how it was when we used to get paid in real life. So I just want to be able to like fall more in love with like, I want to be able to fall in love with it again.

Junior Mintt: 39:11

I really love that. I really love that because not only did that have so much beautiful reflection, but as well. That was like such a beautiful summation of not only what you see for Sinead in terms of artwork, but what you also see in in terms of your mental health and your passions. And that is literally such a healthy, healthy, healthy thing that you just said I'm so happy to hear that because I fully really feel it. And that is fully exactly why like I did it a bunch in the beginning up until like the moment July hit. I was like I'm done with this basically simply because to be real, I didn't get into drag to do Three, four minute long music videos. And while I completely understand the art in it, that's not what makes me happy. That's not what like.

Shanita Bump: 40:09

Yeah.

Junior Mintt: 40:09

And also, before we forget, for your movies that you're creating and for all of the sex work you want to do, what? What type of genre? Are you envisioning? What type of porn? Do you have it? Because I do remember, I've already witnessed the Resident Evil bloody zombie moment and it's a gag. But like,

Shanita Bump: 40:28

yeah, I'm like, you already know.

Unknown: 40:32

Yes,

Junior Mintt: 40:32

yes. Oh, my gosh, yes. What is your girlfriend's Instagram and Twitter and everything to tag, so that way everybody can follow her to

Shanita Bump: 40:43

my girlfriend. Her Twitter is I think it's at Alyssa. underscore 18. A LL. Y s, a underscore et AI n. And I believe that's her her exact app for Twitter and Instagram. I mean, it's my like, she's definitely like, my Instagram and Twitter are Alyssa Stan accounts, so you will easily be able to find any of her social,

Junior Mintt: 41:15

what do you believe Sinead pumps role is for herself, but then also for her community. So when it comes to how you view yourself and your role in your community, but also the role you have to serve to yourself, what would you say that it is,

Shanita Bump: 41:32

um, the role I feel like I play to the community. I definitely, I don't know, I feel like I'm somewhere between someone's like, cool as it to someone's like, bad ass, disgusting little brother. I feel like it's because I'm like, I don't know, either way you want to be with me, it's gonna be fun. I'm here for a little time with no responsibilities. Like, it's just, we're just here to allow the gag and have fun. And I'm gonna take you there, I'm gonna take you there. They're not gonna feel bad about anything. They're gonna do whatever we're gonna play dress up, we're gonna throw pizza on the floor. Whatever

Junior Mintt: 42:15

it truly is, you need to continue

Shanita Bump: 42:21

to myself, like, the role that I think I'm like to do that. But the role that I like to myself like it being one drag character, like, is an outlet and like, it's an I don't know how to explain it's like, important to me. Like, it's like I need to Nita in order to be Grandma, because like, she needed it. Like, it's like a face. Like, I want to be Sunita, I don't know what I'm saying. Having a, please turn it into words, because I'm like, maybe I haven't maybe recognized what I want that role for myself. I know the role, what I played for other people, and like how it's important for like, representation for other people to see me for them. But like being the own, my own representation for me to see, like my first like me the first time ever in anything, like, it's still like, kind of like, trying to put a time to discover that I guess like what that is. for me. I know what it is for other people who are like, what is it? For me?

Junior Mintt: 43:46

Honestly, it's, it's, I think that not necessarily having a solid definition for yourself is a beautiful thing. And I think that when I think about the role that I like even Junior Mintt plays for me. It's one that holds me accountable. If I if I didn't say you did anything else for me, it would just be making sure that I hold myself accountable to who I actually am. Because I found that I will hold myself accountable for being true to who I am. When I'm Junior Mintt more times than when I'm just Junior. And it's learning to take that accountability to say no Junior you are not accept no Junior you are not fine with people treating you this way. No, you're not fine with someone doing this with your with your time with your energy or anything. Being able to draw the line for myself is something I can do so much easier as Junior Mintt and out of drag, but it's something that has finally been able to transfer over. And so yeah, I feel you and i think that i think the role that we play for ourselves. Add in drag for out of drag selves is one that constantly shifts and constantly changes. But as well, I do want to say that when it comes to your role in the community, and you say fun and good time and joy, that is so important. And I can definitely say it is something that you so deeply provide, because the space for black queer joy is so needed. So oftentimes, we only get called when there's when they need to put on a sad face for a cause or something, or another black trans person has died, or someone's life has been taken. But for us to be also not only held in reverence and given a platform in times of tragedy, but also in times of joy. And it makes me so happy every time I get to see you because I could to see an unbridled black queer person standing up on the stage, doing whatever the fuck they want to do, and bringing joy to a room. And that is so necessary to not only mental sanity, but also just to a community in general because I yeah, just how I said if like, if this was a drag, how's it we because it's like, we're both two sides of the exact same coin. We are a part of the executive community. And I love I love everything you craved. Anita, everything you create, people always want to say that. Because I think that what you do is such a powerful statement and such an amazing political state. But on top of it, everything that we do is black queer people is a political statement because our lives are politicized. And it makes me happy to see you impact people in so many deep ways because I've as well heard people say that you have made people have breakthroughs. And so I'm thankful for you. I'm thankful for you. You are an icon and a legend and a pillar of my community. And of course on top of it, my circle of loved ones, and I want to say thank you so much for sitting down for this podcast, but on top of it. Let these beautiful people know where they can follow you where they can pay you where they can find you.

Shanita Bump: 47:12

Ah, who is only the first of all, thank you so much for having me Junior. It's been such a delight to talk to you. I forget how like how much like I missed you like it's been so nice to like catch up and communicate with you. And like I didn't realize how much we have like in common Yeah, we're the same. Were the same fucking like little family cookout but uh you can find me Janina bomb you can find her on Instagram at shmita Bob tik tok actually the bump Twitter at you need us Anita. And you know you can find it on cash app. should be the check. Yes, bitch.

Junior Mintt: 47:51

This photo. I I'm gonna need more time to process cuz she defied her light. No, you you look sickening. You look like honestly. Really? I would lose it. I would literally lose. It literally leaves it. Oh my God. That is literally the perfect way to finish this because like

Unknown: 48:58

Mariah, literally.

Junior Mintt: 49:00

Like, like, oh my god. If I ever meet Mariah, I'm pulling that photo up. I'm pulling that photo up and be like, you're an icon and you've touched my community more times than one. You you. You need to book her next you need to book her next. Period period period.

Unknown: 49:24

It's gonna happen. Oh my god.

Junior Mintt: 49:33

Exactly, exactly. Oh my god. I love you should either. You are amazing. Thank you.

Unknown: 49:46

Thank you. Thank you. I love you. Oh,

Junior Mintt: 49:54

I miss you too. Oh, shit, you know, we'll be together soon. So I cannot wait to get them back in. And honestly, if it's the wildest part is I feel like the old Junior is going to be coming back. But such a new Junior coming back to you. So I'm like, I'm so excited to show everyone how I've grown. beech wood, that's a thing that I actually really did. It's a very weird thing for me to know that like, I'm not gonna lie, I literally had to jump to different dollar stores to try to get people with helium because they would run out whatever I would need to go. Like, literally, I would run stores out of helium. because it'd be like, yeah, people would come by every so often every once in a while when they had a birthday or something. But I was the only person who would be at$1 store every other motherfucking day being like, I need helium. I knew helium. And I was actually, I was on the verge of investing in my own helium tank before a pandemic happened. And now I'm like, catch me rolling up with my own helium tank to the gig. watch. watch. Dude, maybe I'll start a helium company. Wow. Huh? I guarantee we're not full of hot air. The gag is just to take a Tom's please put that on a T shirt is helium a gas pleat. I'm obsessed with you, Sunita, we did the thing. We killed it.

Shanita Bump: 52:07

I love you so much. That was so much fun. I can't wait for this to come out.

Junior Mintt: 52:11

And that is the amazing uncomparable should eat about. I am so thankful that I got to sit down with her and actually get to talk to her on a really, really deep level because we knew that we always had a connection from always performing together. But it was really beautiful to get to actually sit down and see how much we have in common and how many of our passions overlap because I can never put into words how amazing it is whenever I find another lamp, another lover of Mariah Carey, okay, it is it's a connection I will always share with anyone who loves her as much as I do, like every single person in the family is just having said. But let's get into the final portion of this show. Because what we are about to go into is a segment that I like to call a moment to obsess and I am going to go into three topics this week that I am absolutely obsessed with that I just can't keep to myself that I need you all to know about. And the first thing is minted nail polish y'all when I tell you this code is so beautiful and it really is holding up like when I tell you I am like obsessed with this nail polish. I can't wait to like share it on Instagram because these are going to be the nails that I have for a sub things that I'm shooting soon the tubers see and you will see exactly how sickening this meant it nail polishes okay bitch, and on top of it. The second thing that I need to let you all know about is Mariah Carey and all of the music she is releasing out of that vault. Okay, when I tell you she is releasing all of these amazing, amazing remixes. You heard me touch on it in the interview with shanita but when I tell you these are amazing remixes flips plot twists of songs, like you have not lived until you've heard the Touch My Body dance remixes like have you ever heard them? No. Have you ever heard we belong together remix? No, that's a shame. Have you heard any of the Japanese bonus tracks that Mariah Carey released that were only released in Japan that she is releasing now. No, those are some fire songs like what I tell you go on to your Spotify title, Apple Music, whatever it is. Go under there. Look up Mariah Carey, and go under EP and singles and you'll see all of them. There's like everything going all the way back to her original album. She's been re releasing them and she finally hit like all the two late 2000s Like she even actually Yeah, she just hit 2010 because she just released her obsessed remix. Can you tell I can talk a lot about Mariah Carey, but as well Funny enough, that is the perfect segue. The third thing I'm obsessed with is no names a book club, if you don't know no name, your name, it's amazing, amazing, amazing. rapper, she's fucking talented. But on top of it, all of the wisdom that she spits is so deeply profound and deeply of the moment, she is someone who truly puts pen to paper and speaks truth to power. She is someone who I think is 100% going to have such a lasting impact on hip hop as a genre, if she chooses to stay with it, because honestly, no name could literally do anything. And I think that she would be amazing at and she has this book club that she runs. And it of course, has amazing, amazing black authors and revolutionary thinkers included in them. And it's something that I absolutely adore. And I was thinking, if you all like it, let me know, DM me comment, whatever you want to do. Let me know if you would be interested in reading Mariah Carey's memoir together in terms of a book club where we like read a chapter a week or maybe a chapter a month? I don't know, we'll figure out something. But if you like it, we can definitely Ooh, maybe we'll do it through zoo. Hmm. Maybe Azuma via book club? That could be it. Mm hmm. See, I'm coming up with ideas on the spot. That's extra ideas and extra content on this podcast, y'all are here in the real, like, primordial thoughts that I'm having an idea, because I have read her memoir already. I've reread it I've highlighted, I've underlined. And so I'm like, honestly, I have enough to truly break this book down in terms of a book club, and I love it enough to dissect it. So I'm thinking maybe that might happen. That'd be sickening. And it'd be an amazing way for me to share my love of Mariah Carey with you all because everybody should love. And if you don't love Mariah Carey, I got some serious questions for you. Because how could you not love anytime you need a friend we belong together vision of love, Touch My Body hero, like the list goes on and on. And so those are the three things I'm obsessed with and a fun idea that I just shared with you. Now, I'm sad to say we are at the end of another podcast. But as per usual, you will see me back here next Wednesday. And I'm so freaking excited to share with you who our guest is when you see them next week. I love revealing it for you because I was like, I could say it at the end of this. But then honestly, well, maybe. Maybe I'll try that next week. Maybe I'll tell you in advance next week. But I want to leave it as a surprise for you once you get to see the actual promo come out on Wednesday, because the person I get to speak to next week is someone who I think, from anyone that I've had on previously. And I'm very, very, very excited to have them on here and to have them speak their mind and to Yeah, get to share a piece of themselves. Because as this podcast goes on, I'm only finding more and more of my footing and more and more excitement. And I already started off with a strong footing and a lot of excitement. So this podcast is only going onward and upward. And I will see you all next week. Thank you again for all the love all of the listening and all of the sharing. Because without you all, this podcast wouldn't be any big. It would just be me talking to myself, which I already do by myself. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And I just yeah, I appreciate you all so much. And I will see you all back here next week for another arousing episode. And I'm going to try out something brand new with this new episode next week too, and I can't wait to hear all your feedback for it. So thank you so much for all the love the patience and the listening. And I will see you next week. Bye