But that didn’t show in this year’s Windy City Gay Idol, as ManWaring finished third overall.
“The people involved [with the event] were absolutely incredible. Honestly, the nicest, friendliest, [most] caring, and insanely talented group of people on the planet,” she said. “Everyone in the community opened their arms to me and I could have never dreamed for a better experience.
“I was shocked to even make it into the final three, simply because I barely knew anyone.”
She just moved to Chicago and decided to give it a shot thanks to last year’s winner, Maria Pahl, who she met at Crew Bar & Grill—and Pahl encouraged ManWaring to give it a go after a fun night of karaoke.
“She had never met me and went out of her way for a stranger,” ManWaring said. “I will never forget that, but that is the kind of competition this is: genuine. Honestly, I could not have lost to two nicer and more deserving people on the planet. [The winner and runner-up] were absolute pleasures to work with. So all in all, I am extremely honored and grateful.”
ManWaring said the best part of Windy City Gay Idol was simply meeting “the incredible people involved. … I have so many new friends who came out of the experience; I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”
THE STATS
Age: 25
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Relationship status: “In a relationship”
Job title: “I am a singer/actress/dancer, so obviously I work at Chicago Tavern restaurant serving.”
Hobbies: Remodeling and revamping old, unwanted furniture; vintage and thrift shopping; and movie-hopping.
Favorite TV shows: “This is an insanely hard question because I watch a ton of TV, so I will just list a bunch of great [shows]: Weeds, Alias, True Blood, Game of Thrones, One Piece, and above all, Dr. Who.”
Preferred drink at a bar: Bulleit Rye old fashion, gin martini super dirty with blue cheese olives, and wine