‘RHOA’s’ Miss Lawrence deserves more than 15 minutes

Could the cross-dressing ‘Closet Freak’ be the next Sylvester?

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Not to knock, but Real Housewives of Atlanta’s musical track record has become a played-out punchline. Don’t get me wrong, Kandi’s the shit — if only because she’s so damn A-Town — and I am glad she was able to use the show to jump her solo career off this season after so many stalls in the past. But it still feels like too little, too late. Then there’s Kim Zolciak, the “Tardy for the Party”-poppin’ token whitey of the show who’s foray into dance pop has almost been as tacky as her platinum-blond wig line.

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It’s as if releasing music via the RHOA-reality platform is the best way to not be taken seriously.

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That said, “Miss” Lawrence might be the exception to the rule. Which is sorta odd, considering he wears high heels, totes brand-name bags and is a dead-ringer for Damon Wayans’ Men On Film character from “In Living Color.”

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In case you missed the third season (don’t act like all y’all were that engrossed in Sunday night football), Atlanta native Lawrence Washington is Kandi Burruss’ latest protegee, a cross-dressing hairstylist with churchified gospel chops and a penchant for over-the-top showmanship. Burruss crafted the perfect lil’ house ditty for dude, titled “Closet Freak,” which he debuted with a vogue’d-out performance on the RHOA after-show “What What Happens Live” a few weeks ago in the presence of drag queen royalty (and former Atlantan) RuPaul. Lawrence’s real “Closet Freak” coming-out happened last summer, during the filming for the third season, at Aurum Lounge. ATL blogger ATLien was on-hand to capture the madness (see vid below), and the single hit iTunes last week on Jan. 28. Kandi and Lawrence are currently working on his debut LP.

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While dude obviously makes no bones about being openly gay, he’s said in interviews that he hopes people won’t concentrate on his sexuality as much as they focus on his music. And I get that — though it should be noted that aside from the side-splitting side-show of a reality show on which he co-stars, his sexuality is the central part of his image — but if artists like Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj have capitalized off of arguably contrived gay associations, it seems like a truly legit gay dude should own that.