This week’s Ask Billy question is a fitting end to Pride Month.  Victor in Chicago says, “I just watched Enigma.  Didn’t you mention you were friends with April Ashley?  Do you know Amanda Lear too?”

Let me explain this for those of you who had enough trouble following that soap item.  Enigma is a documentary by Zackary Drucker, who is a transsexual woman and apparently a documentary filmmaker.  The doc focuses on April Ashley and Amanda Lear.  While most people know Lear as kinda a singer and occasional model, Ashley is less known in this country.  April Ashley was one of the first (and certainly most notable) transsexuals in the UK.  She became a high-profile fashion model, a Vogue cover girl, and even an actress (she appears in The Road to Hong Kong with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Joan Collins).  She married Lord Arthur Corbett, who occasionally liked to dress up in drag.  When she asked for a divorce, he asked for an annulment, claiming that since she was born a man, the marriage was invalid.  The court agreed, and April didn’t get a cent.

From that point on, April was open about her entire story – which included working at the infamous Le Carrousel club in Paris.  At that time, she claimed to have been very close to a young Amanda Lear, who was then known as Peki d’Oslo.  However, Lear has always vehemently denied these claims – despite photographic evidence to the contrary.  There’s even a police report which lists the two names as belonging to the same person.  Drucker did extensive interviews with Lear and did everything possible to try and cajole her into coming clean.  Lear laconically continued to deny the claims.  When told of Ashley’s allegations, she calls her “a drunk”.  Drucker also tracked down several of the surviving Carrousel girls, who share their memories and weigh in on the controversy (most side with Ashley).  Enigma is running on HBO and is worth checking out.

When Amanda Lear is relevant, it’s definitely time to end yet another column.  I should mention I first met April Ashley at the 1988 Academy Awards.  Cher may have won, but when I saw this striking, elegant woman across the room, I knew I had to meet her.  My opening line was that she reminded me of Vivien Leigh.  “I do hope you mean when she was still alive,” said April.  That’s my kinda lady!  At one point, a biopic of her life was going to be made starring Catherine Zeta Douglas Spartacus Jones – talk about perfect casting.  If it ever happens, you’ll certainly read about it on www.BillyMasters.com – the site that always gives it to you straight.  Should you need anything else from me, send a note to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before Kevin Spacey actually makes that comeback – perhaps on The Comeback!  So, until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.