Robyn Banks

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Robyn Banks
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BornMay 18, 1990 (31)
Harlem, New York
NationalityAmerican
Other namesManny, Manny Montage, Kelly Kelly, Sandy Beaches
CitizenshipUnited States of America
OccupationDrag Queen
Years active2009–present
Style'Class But Ghetto'
Height6'1
Websitehttp://www.RobynBanks.com

Todd Keith, better known as Robyn Banks, is an American Drag queen. He was born in 1990 in Harlem. He is the second born out of four on his mothers side of the family and the fourth out of eight on his fathers side. Banks has described his mother as an uber supporter and an early influence on his life. He explained, "I grew up with a mom who told me I could do anything I put my mind to. I just want you to also make sure people are respectful, as a black little boy it will be hard to navigate life.” So I tried my best to keep my head up and not really let anyone dim my light, Im loud, black, fem, and very outspoken."

In 2008 Robyn Graduated from Harvey Milk High School as school president. He then went on to study photography at Boricua College. Robyn then changed his major and started studying acting at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). After seeing an interview with actor Tom Cruise, Robyn decided to change his major once again “… I remember seeing Tom (Cruse) saying something along the lines of “with acting you may start out struggling. Sometimes you don’t even know where your next meal is coming from...” I didn’t want that for myself. I didn’t wanna have to struggle in that way. I hear about people moving to places with very little to no money in their pockets. I wish I could be like that. I am too scared to live THAT kind of lifestyle. So before I spend anymore money on school I need to figure out what it is I want to do in life.” Robyn then attended Mercy College (New York) to study Early childhood education From there, on Robyn went on to be a middle school dance teacher, teaching in The Bronx.

Beginning of Drag Life

Robyn attended Harvey Milk High School as well as it's after school program The Hetrick Martin Institute. During his time there he met his two best friends where they created the dance group XOXO. Robyn and the group would perform at different non-profit organizations such as GMHC and Callen-Lorde Community Health Center and friends also marched in the Manhattan pride parade for 6 years straight. While attending The Hetrick Martin Institute, Robyn fell in love with the art of Ball culture. While watching and learning he befriended DJ MikeQ, Leiomy Maldonado, and Dashaun Wesley who are all apart of the smash HBO Max show Legendary (TV series).

While attending The Hetrick Martin Institute, Robyn discovered drag. He was asked to do a Tina Turner performance with some friends. Afterwards, he had gotten compliments on his legs. "... Growing up I always got compliments on my legs. Every summer my grandma would say "...Lord if I had legs like yours when I was growing up..." she never finished the sentence but I definitely made sure I took great care of them. I always thought drag was just dressing up here and then as a woman and performing. But once I found out I could make some cash money from it, BABY that was it for."

Robyn's first drag name was Kelly Kelly. He stated "I loved the name because it was also the name of my favorite WWE wrestler at the time. She was pretty, blonde and fit so basically everything I wasn't." He then changed his name to Sandy Beaches. "I knew I wanted a funny name that was a play on words, but I felt like Sandy did not fit me." After two more name changes Robyn finally settled on his current name.

In 2009 Robyn became The Hetrick Martin Institute’s first Miss Stars pageant winner.

Career (2018–present)

Robyn has regularly hosted drag shows in New York City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. He has performed at many different LGBT bars such as Stonewall Inn,[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] The Monster Bar, Pieces Bar, The Ritz, Therapy, 3 Dollar Bill, Club Cumming, The Q Bar, HUSH HK bar, Playhouse, Metropolitan (bar). As well as Boots and Saddles [9], Posh Bar and lounge, and Vodka Soda Bottoms Up which have all closed down.

Drag Queen Story Hour (2017–2020)

Robyn was a part of the organization Drag Queen Story Hour.[10] During his time with them, he became close with teenage drag performer Desmond is Amazing[11] and their parents as they would show up regularly to Robyn's reading events. In March of 2018 Drag Queen Story Hour held a fundraiser event that was open to people of all ages. The event included story reading and lip sync performances. Robyn performed Madonna 1989 single Like a Prayer (song).[12] The next morning a video of the performance started circulating on the internet. He was mainly praised for performing such a song in a church, while also being criticized for doing it. Some were attempting to get the video removed by reporting it. While being interviewed about the show Robyn Stated “… I can't remember for the life of me what the other song was, but it was between that and Madonna. I almost chose the other song, but then I just thought when am I ever going to have a chance to do this song in a church?"

In June 2018 Robyn hosted Brooklyn Pride Festival. [13] Later that day, Robyn along with some of the drag queens of Drag Queen Story Hour were the Grand marshal of the Brooklyn Pride March.[14]

In December of 2018 & 2019, Robyn won the Social Media Queen award for the way he kept his Instagram fresh and updated. In the summer of 2019, Robyn along with two other readers from Drag Queen Story Hour, became the faces of Macy's[15] Herald Square.

During his time with the organization, Robyn has read stories and performed at places such as Park Slope United Cethodist Church, NYPL Riverside Library, Brooklyn Public Library, NYPL Harlem Library, New Amsterdam Branch Library, NYPL Hamilton Grange Branch, Queens Public Library, NYPL Webster Branch, New York Public Library, Elmhurst Community Library Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, The Children's Museum of Manhattan[16], Brooklyn Children's Museum [17], and RuPaul's DragCon NYC.

In May 2018 Robyn became the first brand ambassador for the gender neutral clothing store ‘The Phluid Project’. [18] Robyn performed and toured to talk about the new clothing-line and his involvement with the company.

In 2019, Robyn was given a two page feature spread in the coffee book titled 'The Untitled Book’. [19] [20] [21]

In 2020, Robyn was apart of the Phluid Project's ‘BE YOU & PROTECT BLACK TRANS WOMAN’ fall campaign. [22] [23] [24]

Robyn also became a cast member of Z100's 10k Cash Cam give away.[25] On day 3 Robyn was eliminated coming in 5th place. Later that year, Robyn marched with them in the New York City Pride Parade. [26]

In June of 2021, Robyn was also a part of ‘Play Out Apparel’s’ pride limited collection. [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32]

In December of 2021 Robyn became apart of cosmopolitan's Cosmo Queens Campaign [33]

In February 2022, Robyn was apart of Phluid Project's pre spring collection that featured LGBTQIA icons.[34] [35]

Personal Life

Robyn is openly Gay. He stated "When I came out to my mom her reply was "Okay so do you want pizza or Chinese?" she also told me that she did not have a problem with it as long as I was respectful gay black man. That is something I will always live by." Banks has also stated that his hobbies are collecting perfumes & vinyl records which he then frames and hangs.

Robyn has a dog named Buddy, who he often refers to as "The last thing standing from my last relationship."

Discography

  • Jawbreaker (2018)
  • Longtime Listener, First Time Caller (2022)

Featuring Artist

Caption text
Artist Title Year Album
Loco Ninja Oats 2014 Combat Kween
Loco Ninja Bum Bitch 2013 non-album single
The Gaze Karaoke 2018 Sociable - EP
Vinegar Strokes Surrender 2020 non-album single

Filmography

Caption text
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild! Voiceover Credited
2009 The Greatest Extra Credited
2010 Step Up 3D Extra Uncredited

Television

Caption text
Year Title Role Notes
2008 MTV: Dissed Self Episode 2: B*tch With A Capital B

Web Series

Caption text
Year Title Role Notes
2020 Z100 10K Cash Cam Self 5th Place

References

  1. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CZqIVm1MCix/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR3KTtkDuo9I-mU4_4L27PBaVBu46ufHxipVtetMBi3CbXF_dk7HPTufWkY
  2. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/B48YnO5BW_-/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR0f6JbPTxrlcgRc6QeXyPz0S_pb6lLyMaFH148vMTGCJdddfz7YE2U4srM
  3. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/ByjokPchanf/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR3U7uj3YHajD7MgJZaQIi4q1M2cwoO0wGYTy0wEb8eYIedtOi6fi24gppk
  4. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/B2w9CNYgufc/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR0aO65B0x4WU41uVQT55qn14FaQFx2vspMKE4ef-WxVwcx81kH2Mo7LZxo
  5. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BxUXWXfhZQz/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR03EoNtqt6Tgv9ciBBhW7EGEKEj5nsOwzuh0SaPbf_KwZzVAh3IaxdLug4
  6. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo4jgVhB_wL/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR1zqduAlSlm2V9ApaDGpk1k3wbLvve9mmT4DJjy8jxE87Fl5xPhq3A24eA
  7. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf_LGMbh_9c/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR0UkYT8ya9eZaSCu0WhnEI_BmKQ6TENjkiJPKFQl285r1qR7AqQ_6KD1eU
  8. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BgPOBBeAWYb/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR3KTtkDuo9I-mU4_4L27PBaVBu46ufHxipVtetMBi3CbXF_dk7HPTufWkY
  9. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BevxbUDDyyo/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR3-z4pvZ_QqYALHOMYlDJGzJ_eMqIzrb84yD-vhEXdLObDhrZ6pXKHxdzw
  10. ↑ https://www.dragqueenstoryhour.org/books-we-love-3/robyn-banks/
  11. ↑ https://m.facebook.com/DesmondisAmazing/posts/905154716312284?locale2=fr_FR
  12. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/dragqueenstoryhour/videos/368750476935275/
  13. ↑ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e8b79c6ce146309e2bd8344/t/5e8bfab891435e1c78d2133c/1586231997962/2018-BK-Pride-Guide.pdf
  14. ↑ https://bklyner.com/celebrate-lgbtq-pride-2018-in-brooklyn/
  15. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X15Z0fUfYQ&t=72s
  16. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/dragqueenstoryhour/photos/pcb.580637635746557/580637535746567/
  17. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/events/1834091726638923/?ref=newsfeed
  18. ↑ https://thephluidproject.com
  19. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BynCuv5pMMN/?fbclid=IwAR0f6JbPTxrlcgRc6QeXyPz0S_pb6lLyMaFH148vMTGCJdddfz7YE2U4srM
  20. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx7jRo9JjMg/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR0ygJVsZXdRrHKspXByJlZqKapCwrXkeHnm1LUSXbfRqftzN-uaFKcqD5E
  21. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/B06_wZ1HUPv/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR3-z4pvZ_QqYALHOMYlDJGzJ_eMqIzrb84yD-vhEXdLObDhrZ6pXKHxdzw
  22. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ_QOntFmBW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  23. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CGfmYnol1ee/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  24. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CF2USiugOFL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  25. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CGfeQXkAB8h/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR1wOrDWW32c7NlWj_61lhu6jWXfrz9y5dhEAzBhfpbSME7Kk-bzZEK3fmA
  26. ↑ https://z100.iheart.com/content/2021-06-28-pics-our-favorite-moments-from-nyc-pride-2021/
  27. ↑ https://www.playoutapparel.com/collections/tops/products/the-cream-gold-racerback-tank
  28. ↑ https://www.playoutapparel.com/collections/tops/products/navy-terrycloth-racerback-unisex-tank-top
  29. ↑ https://www.playoutapparel.com/collections/streetwear/products/navy-terrycloth-racerback-unisex-tank-top
  30. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CZA13fsh_wZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  31. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CWtKJo6gNib/
  32. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CTiVMlehR8T/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  33. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/a38514725/robyn-banks-cosmo-queens/
  34. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CZr9-ioF93s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  35. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CZew4Serovw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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