The Mobile, Alabama-based gay and gender non-conforming team The Prancing Elites ( Kareem Davis, Jerel Maddox, Kentrell Collins, Tim Smith, and Adrian Clemon ) made quite the impression when it debuted on Oxygen, thanks to a mix of, among other things, down-home wisdom, a fighting spirit—and, of course, dance skills.
The Prancing Elites Project is returning to the network this month, and there are several changes, including a new manager. Windy City Times talked with leader Collins and dancer Maddox about stereotypes, their city and what viewers can expect.
Windy City Times: I've never been to Mobile. How would you describe that city, and where should I visit?
Kentrell Collins: We're a retirement city, I'd have to say. People go see [Battleship Memorial Park]. Where else do they go?
Jerel Maddox: Yeah. There are also seafood restaurants and the bars. Downtown is pretty cute.
WCT: Moving on to the South in general, do you think it's accurate when it's said that people are more conservative and small-minded in the South than elsewhere?
KC: Yeah. A lot of times, people in the South are not exposed to much. People are afraid of what they don't know.
JM: I'd have to agree. People in the South are more vocal about what they're not comfortable with and with what they're not used to. I recently got back from the Bahamas; there aren't a lot of openly homosexual people there and they didn't say much to me, although they used gestures and facial expressions.
WCT: With the second season of your show, there's a new manager [Montre] in the mix. [Note: Both Collins and Maddox say "Mmm-hmm" simultaneously] So what would you like to say about the manager and the role he plays this season?
KC: This is just me, but I think I can speak for everyone on this one...
JM: Yes, you can.
KC: ...Not to take anything from Suzanne [the manager from the first season], but she was more of a small-town agent. Considering that we're trying to grow and take our brand to the next level, we needed someone who could actually help us do that. Someone from L.A. is more our speed.
I would say his role is that of a manager, a mentor, a friend, a shoulder to cry on. He's always giving advice about what's right and wrong.
JM: He's pretty much our "momager."
WCT: So he's your Kris Jenner—not that I'm comparing you all to the Kardashians.
KC: Well, yeah...
WCT: He's interesting. In that first episode, he came across like he was taking no mess.
KC: Yeah. You have to keep watching. You know what they say: "A person who wants the best is not going to take anything less."
WCT: Let me ask you about your group. What do you think is the biggest misconception about The Prancing Elites?
KC: Ooh—that we all want to be women.
JM: That's one of them. People keep thinking that we're cheerleaders. No—we're all-around dancers.
WCT: Jerel, what kind of feedback have you been getting about your new haircut.
JM: At first, I didn't like it but I always like to change my look. I've been getting a lot of positive feedback. I was like, "I guess I look cute."
WCT: Since you like to change your look, you might be blonde next season?
JM: You never know. I might be bald-headed. [Interviewer laughs.]
KC: Well, you can have that. Yes, ma'am!
WCT: Kentrell, do you agree with your teammates that you have control issues?
KC: Once again—like I just said about Montre—I want the best, and I don't want anything less. So if I know what you're capable of and I have to push you to get what I need, I will do that.
JM: I'm sure Matthew Knowles was a control freak—but look at Beyonce now.
KC: And look at us now.
WCT: And Kentrell, do you still want to be a parent?
KC: Oh, yes; I definitely do. And now the pressure is on because my sister is expecting a baby in May, and my little brother just had one about five or six months ago. I'm not saying I'm going to have one next year or next season, but hey...
WCT: You never know. You may have six kids, for all we know.
JM: Whoa!
KC: Whoo—that's too much.
WCT: With teammate Kareem, there's a conflict with him and a competing group. What's going on there?
KC: I told Kareem that he's not seasoned enough to be a director; I told him he can mentor or coach. This is not something you can just put together overnight. We get mad because, every time we see them, they have on something that we've worn. If you're the director, you'll be seasoned enough to come up with your own creative ideas. Otherwise, it's like you're only doing what you know.
JM: True.
KC: If you have nothing nice to say...
JM: I'm just here. I'm under the direction of Kentrell Collins and I honestly don't have anything to say regarding that situation. I will let Kentrell handle that. I'm just here in the presence of the Lord.
WCT: [Laughs] I know what that means. Jerel, tell me about your makeup line.
KC: I don't have a makeup line. I do love the art of makeup, though, and how it makes me feel when I get done up. This season, people will get to see a more personal and passionate side of me. I feel that everyone is beautiful; it's just fun, to me.
WCT: I wanted to wrap up with a few quick questions. Of the five of you, who takes the longest to get ready?
JM: Kareem.
KC: I agree.
WCT: Who's the funniest?
KC and JM: Adrian.
WCT: Who gets angry the quickest?
KC: Jerel.
JM: Who? Not me! That's you! It's Kentrell. Everybody says Kentrell.
WCT: Kentrell, who learns the dance moves the quickest?
KC: It depends on the dance style. Kareem may learn hip-hop faster than me [and] Adrian may learn a ballet piece faster than me, but I may learn a jazz piece faster than them.
WCT: Who's your celebrity crush?
KC: I would say [pro-football player] Odell Beckham Jr.—and Chris Brown.
JM: Odell's my baby. And I like [Empire's] Jussie Smollett—and Columbus Short [formerly of Scandal].
WCT: Lastly, what's your favorite Beyonce song?
KC: I like the acoustic version of "Speechless."
JM: The one that takes me there was when I saw her perform "Resentment" with the On the Run tour. I felt her; I've been through everything on that song. I like "Deja Vu," too. I like "Run the World." You can put on any Beyonce song.
WCT: Describe the upcoming season of The Prancing Elites Project in three words.
JM: Amplified, dramatic...
KC: Emotional
The second season of The Prancing Elites Project debuts Tuesday, Jan. 19, on Oxygen at 7 p.m. CT. See Oxygen.com .
