Tandi Iman Dupree

Tandi Iman Dupree (August 13, 1978 – December 31, 2005) was an American drag queen best known for the "Wonder Woman" performance at the Miss Gay Black America pageant in 2001, the video of which went on to become an Internet viral hit on YouTube.

The 2001 Miss Gay Black America pageant

At the 2001 Miss Gay Black America, Dupree and another performance artist danced to a recording of "Holding Out for a Hero" sung by Bonnie Tyler. Dupree was dressed as Wonder Woman, and her performance partner was dressed as Superman.

The performance began with Dupree's dancing partner searching for Dupree. After Dupree's partner (Dee St. James) exited the stage, Dupree entered by being dropped from the ceiling, landing on stage in a split.

Accolades

Jake Coyle, an entertainment reporter for The Associated Press, described Dupree’s stage entrance at the 2001 pageant as the greatest entrance of all time.

The Dallas Voice expressed admiration for Dupree’s performance at the 2001 pageant, particularly describing the stage entrance as the "Best Drag Queen Entrance Ever."

Influence on popular culture

Dupree’s performance at the 2001 pageant inspired a tribute to Dupree on the television series Glee, where a character began her dance performance to Holding Out for a Hero by landing on the floor in a split, an imitation of Dupree's performance at the 2001 pageant. In its review of the Glee episode, Out magazine referred to Dupree's stage entry as an "epic entrance."

Biography

Dupree began her dance career in high school when she was co-captain of her majorette squad until graduation. She began competing at N-Cognito nightclub in Memphis, Tennessee, where she created original routines with other dancers in the area. Dupree died from complications from AIDS.