Monique Dupree at C2E2 2020

Today, I feature one of the last pictures I took before the pandemic hit and the world shut down. Coincidentally, it features Monique Dupree, one of the first celebs I met at a comic con.

Nicknamed "Tha True Original GATA, Dupree has had a long and varied career. One of 10 children, including brother actor Tony Todd, Dupree appeared in 1989's Lean On Me. Since then, she has had many acting roles, along with being a model, burlesque performer and more.

Along the way, she also got involved in wrestling. She filled a lot of roles for Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore and also spent time in Impact Wrestling.

I have met Dupree a few times over the many years, but I was still surprised when she recognized me at C2E2 2020. I was walking by her booth and she called me over to chat a bit. No, it wasn't just to get my cash for a photo, because she didn't even charge me for this pic. She was as sweet as could be.

Go to MoniqueDupree.com to learn more about all of her work. If you go to any comic con, keep an eye out for her, because she also likes to be in costume at or away from her booth.

C2E2 returns April 26-28. Go to C2E2.com for all the info. I hope to see you there.

Monique Dupree and me in Chicago, IL-March 2020.

Monique Dupree at Motor City Comic Con 2008

The Motor City Comic Con was supposed to be this weekend, but it has been postponed due to the pandemic. While I sadly wait for the situation to be resolved and the MCCC to be rescheduled, I am recalling some of my favorite times there.
I met Monique Dupree at one of my first times at MCCC. "Tha Original Gata" is a singer, model, actress and more, including a wrestling personality. Sometimes called the original black scream queen, Monique's resume includes all genres of movies, dating back to her role in Lean On Me.
She is also the sister of actor Tony Todd.
Monique's work in wrestling has mainly been in House of Hardcore, the wrestling events headed by hardcore legend Tommy Dreamer. I was happy to see Monique at Great Lakes Championship Wrestling's Blizzard Brawl (which is a joint effort between Dreamer and Wisconsin promoter and #SuperFriend David Herro) last year and at C2E2 this year. At both events, she wasn't even listed as a celebrity guest, but she was accompanying Dreamer. I was just happy to see her again! I pointed out Monique to a few fans who didn't realize who she was, but were very happy to meet her.
Her combination of acting and wrestling makes her a dual threat at comic cons. She draws fans from both areas of entertainment. Actually, her beauty and personality make her a triple threat, as fans are drawn to her just for being her. She is very sweet and fan-friendly and a great addition to any comic con.
Check MoniqueDupree.com and follow Monique on at @ThaOriginalGata on twitter for more info and updates on Monique. Go to MotorCityComicCon.com for more info and follow MCCC on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Monique Dupree and me in Novi, MI-May 2008.

Monique Dupree at Comic Cons, Wrestling Shows and More

I first met Monique Dupree at The Motor City Comic Con years ago.  Dupree earned her place at such cons be appearing in horror movies, but she has also done singing, modeling and more in the world of entertainment.

I actually recognized Dupree at a wrestling booth at a comi con years later.  (This is odd, because I never recognize anyone, even when I know they are scheduled to be there.)  Dupree was helping work the booth with thee wrestling talent.  She fit in well there, too, because she has appeared on some wrestling shows,

I bypassed the wrestlers, because I had previously met them and I talked to Dupree.  She was a bit surprised, but she was as pleasant as can be.  I have since met Dupree several times, including the last Blizzard Brawl in December of 2015 and i am sure I will see her again.  Between her movies, wrestling and all else, she will pop up somewhere.

Monique Dupree and me in December 2015.

Friendly Encounters: Aniviel Lynn and Monique Dupree

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Aniviel is one of the dear people I have met through Resistance Pro.  She is funny, beautiful and tough.  I did not realize just how tough she was until she actually started training to be a wrestler.

Monique Dupree is an actress and she is also involved in wrestling.  I met Monique years ago at the Motor City Comic Con, and I have sen her a few times since, but I did not recognize her or make the connection.  Sometimes the Johngy brain fails me.

At C2E2 earlier this year, I got to see these lovely ladies together.  Now this would make for an interesting match, but at least on this day, they were manning tables and meeting people.  Both ladies looked awesome and both seemed to be having a blast and helping others to do the same.

In this picture, Aniviel is not doing her usual lick shot.  I have been the happy recipient of several "licks" over the years and I consider myself honored to have been included.

I am also honored to be Aniviel's friend.  I encourage everyone to come out to a Resistance Pro show and check out her in-ring work.  She is highly entertaining and you will love the rest of the show, too.

Monique Dupree and Aniviel Lynn in Chicago, IL-March 2015.