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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Televangelists and Unlikely Gay and Drag Icons

Jan Crouch and her late husband Paul collaborated with the late Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker when Trinity Broadcasting Network began four decades ago. And despite their pious preachiness, the two televangelist wives ended up inspiring many a drag queen thanks to their tarantula lashes, painted-on brows, and melodramatic altar-call performances.

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By Madeleine Brand • Jun 2, 2016 • 1 min read

Jan Crouch and her late husband Paul collaborated with the late Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker when Trinity Broadcasting Network began four decades ago. And despite their pious preachiness, the two televangelist wives ended up inspiring many a drag queen thanks to their tarantula lashes, painted-on brows, and melodramatic altar-call performances. In fact, the women have reached icon status in the drag and gay community. How and why did these two preachy Christian ladies come to be embraced by the gay and drag communities?

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Matt Holzman

    Producer, 'The Document'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Anna Scott

    Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

  • KCRW placeholder

    Jolie Myers

    Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Fenton Bailey

    producer and director

    News
Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand