Nowadays, despite all the homophobia that tries to prevail in Brazil, it is relatively easier to live your sexuality. But imagine forty-five years ago? At that time, homosexual was synonymous with criminal, marginal, sick and outcast of society. Gays – whether transvestites, transsexuals, men who had sex with men – had three life options: marginality, the closet or… the shine of the spotlight.
Astolfo Barroso Pinto chose third. Born with that name – as incredible as it may seem, since the second surname gives rise to double meanings – in Cantagalo, a city in Rio de Janeiro, in 1943, as a teenager he began to cross-dress, and it would not take long for him to adopt the name that would make him famous. : Rogéria.
Rogéria was an attraction in the neighborhood where she lived with her family, and had the support of her mother, Eloá, and her two brothers. Surprisingly, the family did not discriminate against young Rogéria – who at the time was still called Astolfinho. And it was at the end of the 50s that she threw herself into the night.
"Every doll makes its debut, and so as not to deviate from the rule, I also made mine, but in Cinelândia", she said, referring to the classic Rio neighborhood. "I confess that I don't regret it, because there I lost all my regrets and did everything I always wanted to do."
In 1962, at the age of 19, Rogéria was already involved in the artistic world. She worked as a makeup artist at TV Rio, where she did makeup for stars such as Fernanda Montenegro, Emilinha Borba, Marlene, Elizeth Cardoso and Nair Belo, among others. It was at this time that actress Zélia Hoffman started calling her "Rogério", because she considered "Astolfo" too pompous.
In interviews, Rogéria has already recalled: "While I was putting on makeup, they were in my ear, nagging me that I didn't belong there, but on the stage. That's when I asked Fernanda: How do I go on stage dressed as a woman? And this diva replied: Art does not depend on sex. If you have talent, it will work, it doesn't hurt to try. So I went and it happened!"
Rogério became Rogéria, a name that was celebrated when she won a costume contest in 1964. Dressed as Lady of the Night, one of the stars of the Moulin Rouge in Paris, she came in first place, tied with Suzy Wong. In the same year, she performed at the Stop nightclub. "In the first one I did, I explored the transformation thing a lot. A good wig, legs showing and that's it", she recalls.
Rogéria's career in revue theater began, becoming famous in an area until then dominated by women. First she performed in the show "Internacional Set", until she ended up in "Les Girls", the most important transvestite show of all time. The project was touring in Brazil, and Rogéria joined the troupe.
Afterwards, she became the big star of Carlos Machado, a powerful impresario of Rio's revue theater in the 50s and 60s. Her success took her outside the country – notably, Europe and Africa, where she performed shows in countries such as Mozambique, Angola and Spain. Then, France – Paris –, where she was enshrined in the famous Carroussel club. At this stage she let her hair grow, started taking hormonal treatment, and her feminine figure took over once and for all.
We were already in the 70s, and with it came the fashion for androgyny, bisexuality and masculine-feminine – see groups like Dzi Croquettes and Secos & Molhados. Brazilian transvestites and transformers caused excitement at shows in European nightclubs. And in 1973, already a superstar, Rogéria returned to Brazil.
Since then, over the last 35 years, Rogéria has become a popular icon in the country. Present in theater, cinema, TV, a notable figure in Rio carnivals, an admired celebrity – by women and, amazingly, men –, she remains a diva who is above labels. And all this taking into account her choice not to have surgery. Rogéria has always declared herself happy with her sexual organ.
Great montages such as "Gay Girls", "Gay Fantasy" and "Rio Gay" enshrine Rogéria even more. He partners with Agildo Ribeiro in "Alta Rotatividade" (1976), acts in the Brazilian production of "Querelle" (1989, where he takes on the role played by the French Jeanne Moreau in Fassbinder's film), and tours with solo shows, such as "Adorável Rogéria " and "Rogéria Solta". More recently, she was featured in "7, the Musical", by the duo Charles Moeller and Cláudio Botelho.
In cinema, he acted in several productions, including "A Maldição de Sanpaku" (1990, by José Joffily) and "Copacabana" (2011, by Carla Camurati, where he appears singing "Rosa"). And on TV, she was a constant presence, appearing in soap operas such as "Tieta" (89) and "Paraíso Tropical" (2007), in addition to being a judge on the game show "Batalha dos Astros" (83, TV Globo), and having participated in programs such as "Sai de Baixo", "Você Decide", "Brava Gente", "A Grande Família", "Toma Lá Dá Cá" and "Amor & Sexo".
At 68 years old, Rogéria will receive another tribute. A documentary about her will begin to be produced in 2012, with the title "Rogéria Frente e Verso". A project that will immortalize the life and career of a national artist who transcended the issue of gender identity.
Thanks: Estrela Rogéria website
