Mimi Imfurst

{{Infobox person

|name = Mimi Imfurst

|image = Mimi Imfurst (cropped).jpg

|caption= Imfurst at RuPaul's DragCon in May 2019

|birth_name = Braden Stewart Chapman

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|3|2}}

|birth_place = Hanson, Massachusetts, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|occupation = Drag performer, singer-songwriter

|education = Marymount Manhattan College

|website =

}}

Mimi Imfurst (born March 2, 1983{{Cite tweet |user=MimiImfurst |number=440008885865152513 |title=Happy birthday to my favorite drag queen. Me.}}{{Cite tweet |user=MimiImfurst |number=301780156794691584 |title=Don't miss my 30th birthday bash the RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE BAD GIRLS CLUB LIVE! Shangela, Raven, Delta, Tatianna,...}}), the stage name of Braden Stewart Chapman{{cite news |url=http://www.epgn.com/arts-and-culture/portraits/7344-25241061-braden-chapman-from-living-on-the-streets-to-living-on-stage-as-mimi-imfurst |title=Braden Chapman: From living on the streets to living on stage as Mimi Imfurst |last=Nash |first=Suzi |date=June 5, 2014 |magazine=Philadelphia Gay News |publisher=Mark Segal|access-date=September 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928031208/http://www.epgn.com/arts-and-culture/portraits/7344-25241061-braden-chapman-from-living-on-the-streets-to-living-on-stage-as-mimi-imfurst |archive-date=September 28, 2019 |url-status=live}} (or Braden Stewart Maurer-Burns{{Cite news |url=https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/life/miss-d-america-to-crown-fiercest-of-them-all-tonight/article_fc5b6ed6-3e87-5d50-a9ae-a47e3780da66.html |title=Miss'd America to crown fiercest of them all tonight |last=Reil |first=Maxwell |date=October 7, 2017 |newspaper=The Press of Atlantic City |publisher=Mark L. Blum |access-date=September 24, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211153858/https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/life/miss-d-america-to-crown-fiercest-of-them-all-tonight/article_fc5b6ed6-3e87-5d50-a9ae-a47e3780da66.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/890844506 |title=ALL THERE IS TO SAY |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=June 3, 2023}}), is an American drag performer. She appeared on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars and was a founding member of the girl group Xelle. In 2017, he became the first U.S. drag queen to perform in Cuba, lip-syncing to Madonna's "Express Yourself" with a group of local dancers.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/38588341/rupauls-drag-race-star-mimi-imfurst-makes-history-in-cuba|title = RuPaul's Drag Race star Mimi Imfurst makes history in Cuba|work = BBC News|date = 11 January 2017}}

Early life

Imfurst was born in Hanson, Massachusetts, and raised in Maine from an early age. In his teens, Imfurst was homeless after he was kicked out of his parents' home allegedly due to his sexuality.{{cite web|last=Marra|first=Andy|title=GLSEN is teaming up with Mimi Imfurst and Xelle|url=http://blog.glsen.org/glsen-is-teaming-up-with-mimi-imfurst-and-xelle/|work=Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network|access-date=5 March 2013|date=9 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722051940/http://blog.glsen.org/glsen-is-teaming-up-with-mimi-imfurst-and-xelle/|archive-date=22 July 2012}} He later was adopted by a lesbian couple and started doing drag at the age of 16.{{cite web|last=Felion|first=Marc|title=FOF #1274 – Mimi Imfurst, Second to None|url=http://feastoffun.com/podcast/2010/10/19/fof-1274-mimi-imfurst-interview/|work=Feast of Fun|access-date=6 March 2013|date=19 October 2012}} Imfurst attended Marymount Manhattan College.{{cite web|title=Second to No One: Mimi Imfurst |url=http://provincetownmagazine.com/2011/08/10/second-to-none-mimi-imfurst/ |work=Provincetown Magazine |access-date=March 5, 2013 |date=August 10, 2011 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025244/http://provincetownmagazine.com/2011/08/10/second-to-none-mimi-imfurst/ |url-status=live }}

Career

Mimi Imfurst originally went by the drag name Delilah DeMistra, which was inspired by Hedy Lamarr's character in Samson and Delilah.

Mimi Imfurst is perhaps best known for his annual Christmas show where he portrays Jesus's mother Mary, for which he appears in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.{{cite web|last=Bonfiglio|first=Jeremy D|title=Five questions with ... Mimi Imfurst|url=http://www.heraldpalladium.com/features/five-questions-with-mimi-imfurst/article_e1de946f-25cc-5714-a844-b83ee16c1723.html|work=The Herald-Palladium|access-date=6 March 2013|date=13 December 2012}} Despite this, Imfurst's role has been met with controversy. In 2005, the Catholic Advocacy Coalition named him one of the top 10 anti-Catholic people. One of his shows in Times Square was protested by over 600 people.

In 2010, Imfurst acted in several Off-Broadway plays, including Boylesque, a parody of the film Burlesque, which opened at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.{{cite news|title=Boylesque-2010|url=http://theater.nytimes.com/show/25366/Boylesque/overview|work=The New York Times|access-date=7 March 2013}} She also acted in Mayo on Your Breakfast at Tiffany's at the Bowery Poetry Club, Ilja Sapiroe's The Diary of Anne Frankenstein at 13th St. Repertory Theatre ,{{cite news|title=The Diary of Anne Frankenstein at 13th Street Rep|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/Photo-Flash-THE-DIARY-OF-ANNE-FRANKENSTEIN-at-13th-Street-Rep-20091027|work=Broadway World|access-date=27 October 2009}}{{cite news|title=Diary of Anne Frankenstein Will Premiere in NYC|url=https://playbill.com/article/diary-of-anne-frankenstein-will-premiere-in-nyc-com-163389|work=Playbill|access-date=7 August 2009}} and Thank You for Being a Friend, a parody of The Golden Girls.{{cite news|title=Mayo on Your Breakfast at Tiffany's-2010|url=http://theater.nytimes.com/show/24756/Mayo-on-Your-Breakfast-at-Tiffany-s/overview|work=The New York Times|access-date=7 March 2013}}{{cite news|title=Thank You for Being a Friend-2010|url=http://theater.nytimes.com/show/24853/Thank-You-for-Being-a-Friend/overview|work=The New York Times|access-date=7 March 2013}} Imfurst starred in the title role in Rhoda Heartbreak.{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|title=Rhoda Heartbreak, with Imfurst, Blackwell, Escobar and Gilliland, Begins Jan. 20|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/136078-Rhoda-Heartbreak-with-Imfurst-Blackwell-Escobar-and-Gilliland-Begins-Jan-20|work=Playbill|access-date=7 March 2013|date=20 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012840/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/136078-Rhoda-Heartbreak-with-Imfurst-Blackwell-Escobar-and-Gilliland-Begins-Jan-20|archive-date=3 December 2013}}

Imfurst was featured in the web series Queens of Drag: NYC by gay.com in 2010. The series featured fellow New York drag queens Bianca Del Rio, Dallas DuBois, Hedda Lettuce, Lady Bunny, Peppermint, and Sherry Vine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.outwordmagazine.com/inside-outword/glbt-news/373-queens-of-drag-nyc|title=Queens of Drag: NYC|website=www.outwordmagazine.com|access-date=2019-05-30|archive-date=2019-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530154551/https://www.outwordmagazine.com/inside-outword/glbt-news/373-queens-of-drag-nyc|url-status=dead}}

Mimi Imfurst auditioned three times before becoming a contestant on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race.{{cite web|last=Erbentraut|first=Joseph|title=ChicagoPride.com interview with Mimi Imfurst|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/215316|work=ChicagoPride.com|access-date=6 March 2013|date=1 December 2010|archive-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521001154/http://chicago.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/215316|url-status=dead}} He placed high in the first two challenges but was eliminated in the episode "Totally Leotarded" after lifting fellow contestant India Ferrah over his head during their lip-sync.{{cite magazine|last=Stransky|first=Tanner|title='RuPaul's Drag Race': It's all about the big girls this season|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/02/08/rupauls-drag-race-season-3-episode-3/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=6 March 2013|date=8 February 2011}} Imfurst was among 12 former contestants brought back for RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars. He was partnered with Pandora Boxx to form Team Mandora, but was eliminated in the first episode.{{cite magazine|last=Stransky|first=Tanner|title='RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars' react: That twist! Plus: 20 other notable moments from the season|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/10/23/rupauls-all-stars-drag-race-season-premiere-react/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=6 March 2013|date=23 October 2012}} In the show's fifth season, Jinkx Monsoon impersonated Imfurst for the main challenge during the episode "Lip Synch Extravaganza Eleganza".{{cite web|last=Sava|first=Oliver|title=Lip Synch Eleganza Extravaganza|url=https://www.avclub.com/rupauls-drag-race-lip-synch-eleganza-extravaganza-1798175728|work=The A.V. Club|access-date=6 March 2013|date=5 February 2013}}

In 2011, Imfurst appeared in an Entertainment Weekly photo spread along with Pandora Boxx that featured Melissa McCarthy channeling Divine.{{cite web|title=NEW: Pandora Boxx & Mimi Imfurst Photo Shoot|url=http://www.newnownext.com/ru-pauls-drag-race-pandora-boxx-mimi-imfurst/10/2011/|work=New Now Next|access-date=6 March 2013|date=21 October 2011}} Imfurst also appeared on the cover of Next with Carmen Carrera and Manila Luzon.{{cite web|last=Polly|first=John|title=Behind-the-Scenes Pics: RuPaul's Drag Race Queens Hit the Cover of NYC's Next Magazine! Smile Carmen, Manila & Mimi!|url=http://www.newnownext.com/behind-the-scenes-pics-rupauls-drag-race-queens-hit-the-cover-of-nycs-next-magazine-smile-carmen-manila-mimi/01/2011/|work=New Now Next|access-date=8 March 2013|date=12 January 2011}} The same year, Imfurst starred as Rodney in the Off-Broadway play My Big Gay Italian Wedding.{{cite web|last=Bacalzo|first=Dan|title=Mimi Imfurst, Hedda Lettuce, et al. to Guest Star in My Big Gay Italian Wedding|url=http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/05-2011/mimi-imfurst-hedda-lettuce-et-al-to-guest-star-in-_37531.html|work=Theater Mania|access-date=6 March 2013|date=24 May 2011}}

In December 2014, an animated version of Imfurst appeared in the RuPaul's Drag Race: Dragopolis 2.0 mobile app.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/dragopolis-2-0-has-arrived/12/2014/|title=Dragopolis 2.0 Has Arrived! {{!}} NewNowNext|website=www.newnownext.com|access-date=2019-01-02}}

Mimi Imfurst has appeared on Celebrity Apprentice and The Howard Stern Show. Imfurst also performs as a stand-up comedian, having opened for Kathy Griffin and Mo'Nique.{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.mimiimfurst.com/about/|work=MimiImfurst.com|access-date=5 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107031441/http://www.mimiimfurst.com/about/|archive-date=7 January 2013}}

In 2017, Mimi became the first American drag queen to perform in Cuba since the embargo.{{Cite news|url=http://www.out.com/travel-nightlife/2017/1/11/mimi-imfurst-becomes-first-american-drag-queen-perform-cuba|title=Mimi Imfurst Becomes First American Drag Queen to Perform in Cuba|date=2017-01-11|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en}}

In May 2018, Mimi engaged in ongoing unwanted sexual advances toward several young gay men in the Philadelphia scene that feared they would be blacklisted from the community if they did not comply. He admitted to these allegations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2018/05/11/mimi-imfurst-sexual-harassment/|title = Mimi Imfurst Admits to Initiating Unwelcome Online Sexual Chats with Two Drag Wars Contestants|date = 11 May 2018}}

Xelle

Xelle (stylized as XELLE, pronounced excel) is an American pop "girl group", originally consisting of members Mimi Imfurst, JC Cassis, and Rony G. The group first met in 2010 when Imfurst hosted a karaoke bash.{{cite web|last=Moraski|first=Lauren|title=Xelle reinvents the girl group with "Queens" and help from Janeane Garofalo|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/xelle-reinvents-the-girl-group-with-queens-and-help-from-janeane-garofalo/|work=CBS News|access-date=5 March 2013|date=19 October 2012}}

For Xelle's first music video "Party Girl," the group started a successful Kickstarter campaign, meeting their goal of $3,000.{{cite web|title=Xelle makes its first music video! by Xelle (deleted)|url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/xellemusic/xelle-makes-its-first-music-video|work=Kickstarter|date=26 February 2011 |access-date=5 March 2013}} "Party Girl" was directed by Hilarion Banks and costumes were provided by Geoffrey Mac.{{cite web|last=Donovan|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Mimi Imfurst Is a "Party Girl"|url=http://www.homorazzi.com/article/xelle-party-girl-music-video-mimi-imfurst-rony-goffer-jc-cassis-girl-group-zach-adam/|work=Homorazzi|access-date=5 March 2013|date=25 March 2011|archive-date=23 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123163141/http://www.homorazzi.com/article/xelle-party-girl-music-video-mimi-imfurst-rony-goffer-jc-cassis-girl-group-zach-adam/|url-status=dead}} "Invincible," Xelle's second single was released on February 14, 2012, with proceeds of the song going to GLSEN. "Invincible" features fan-submitted videos holding signs that deal with victimization and bullying issues.{{cite web|last=Xelle|title=When We Band Together, We Are Invincible (Video)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/xelle/invincible_b_1430176.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=5 March 2013|date=16 April 2012}}

Xelle's music video for "Queen", dedicated to the late Sahara Davenport, featured appearances by Imfurst's fellow RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Alexis Mateo, Jiggly Caliente, Jujubee, Manila Luzon, Pandora Boxx, Phi Phi O'Hara, Raven, Shannel, Tammie Brown, and Yara Sofia.{{cite web|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Alums Star in Xelle's "Queen" Music Video|url=http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/rupaul-s-drag-race-alums-star-in-xelle-s-queen-music-video?directory=100011|work=Instinct|access-date=5 March 2013|date=24 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025171555/http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/rupaul-s-drag-race-alums-star-in-xelle-s-queen-music-video?directory=100011|archive-date=25 October 2012}} Xelle has appeared on Big Ang and Jersey Couture.{{cite web|title=Press|url=http://www.xellemusic.com/press/|work=XelleMusic.com|access-date=5 March 2013}}

Imfurst departed Xelle in July 2013, with an official statement released by the group on their web page August 1, 2013.{{cite web|author=Giraffic Themes |url=http://xellemusic.com/post/57044627086/an-important-announcement-from-xelle |title=An Important Announcement from Xelle | |publisher=Xellemusic.com |access-date=2013-12-05}}

=Discography=

;Extended plays

Queens (2012)

;Singles

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

style="width:42px;"| Year

! style="width:210px;"| Title

!| Album

| 2011

|align="left"| "Party Girl" (feat. Mimi Imfurst)

| rowspan="4"| Queens

rowspan="2"| 2012

|align="left"| "Invincible" (feat. Mimi Imfurst)

align="left"| "Queen" (feat. Mimi Imfurst)

rowspan="2"| 2013

|align="left"| "Hologram" (feat. Mimi Imfurst)

align="left"| "Red Flag"

| 2014

|align="left"| "Sweat"

Discography

=Singles=

style="width:42px;"\| Year ! style="width:210px;"\| Title !\| Album
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="3"\| 2013 \|align="left"\| "Another Lie" \| rowspan="3"\| Non-album single
align="left"\| "Sandwich"
align="left"\| "Someone to Screw"

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
2008 \| Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist \| Himself \|
2010 \| Whorrey Potter and the Sorcerer's Balls \| Fag Hagrid \|
2012 \| Nous York \| Chanteur hôtel de luxe \|

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2008

| Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

| Himself

2010

| Whorrey Potter and the Sorcerer's Balls

| Fag Hagrid

2012

| Nous York

| Chanteur hôtel de luxe

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
2010 \| What Would You Do?{{cite web\|last=Sullivan\|first=Andrew\|title=What Would You Do? Drag Queens Harassed in a Cafe\|url=https://abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo/drag-queens-harassed-cafe/story?id=12332984\|work=ABC News\|access-date=6 March 2013\|date=9 December 2010}} \| Himself \|
2011 \| One Night Stand Up{{cite web\|title=Braden Maurer-Burns - IMDb\|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4260476/\|work=IMDb\|access-date=6 March 2013}} \| Himself \| Episode 10: Dragtastic NYC
2011 \| RuPaul's Drag Race \| Himself \| 11th Place (Eliminated in Episode 3)
2011, 2012 \| RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked \| Himself \|
2011 \| NewNowNext Awards \| Himself \|
2012 \| RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars \| Himself \| 11th/12th Place (Dual Elimination with Pandora Boxx in Episode 1)
2013 \| Nurse Jackie{{cite web\|last=Spargo\|first=Chris\|title=Mimi Imfurst Stopped By "Nurse Jackie," We Smell Emmy\|url=http://www.newnownext.com/mimi-imfurst-nurse-jackie-rupauls-drag-race/04/2013/\|work=New Now Next\|access-date=26 April 2013\|date=22 April 2013}} \| \| Season 5, Episode 2: "Luck of the Drawing"

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2010

| What Would You Do?{{cite web|last=Sullivan|first=Andrew|title=What Would You Do? Drag Queens Harassed in a Cafe|url=https://abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo/drag-queens-harassed-cafe/story?id=12332984|work=ABC News|access-date=6 March 2013|date=9 December 2010}}

| Himself

2011

| One Night Stand Up{{cite web|title=Braden Maurer-Burns - IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4260476/|work=IMDb|access-date=6 March 2013}}

| Himself

| Episode 10: Dragtastic NYC

2011

| RuPaul's Drag Race

| Himself

| 11th Place (Eliminated in Episode 3)

2011, 2012

| RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked

| Himself

2011

| NewNowNext Awards

| Himself

2012

| RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars

| Himself

| 11th/12th Place (Dual Elimination with Pandora Boxx in Episode 1)

2013

| Nurse Jackie{{cite web|last=Spargo|first=Chris|title=Mimi Imfurst Stopped By "Nurse Jackie," We Smell Emmy|url=http://www.newnownext.com/mimi-imfurst-nurse-jackie-rupauls-drag-race/04/2013/|work=New Now Next|access-date=26 April 2013|date=22 April 2013}}

| Season 5, Episode 2: "Luck of the Drawing"