Trans actress Erika Ervin talks American Horror Story’s ‘Amazon Eve’ before appearing at Orlando’s Spooky Empire

Erika Ervin has many titles.

She’s best known as “Amazon Eve,” a personality she created when she broke into Hollywood’s modeling scene. That same name earned her immense popularity during her season 4 role on American Horror Story: Freak Show, and “Amazon Eve” is now a popular part of the American Horror Story canon.

She’s also personal trainer, an ex-paralegal and an up-and-coming comedian.

Ervin will appear at the Universal Doubletree in Orlando during Spooky Empire May 15-17 along with a few other members of the AHS cast. This year’s theme celebrates “Halloween Extreme,” and since American Horror Story falls into the horror genre, the 6-feet-8-inch actress seems like a perfect fit.

The modest actress spoke with Watermark on the phone to offer a colorful and candid look into the world of a woman who fought an uphill battle into show business while marching to the beat of her own oddly syncopated drum.

WATERMARK: So you’re coming into town for Spooky Empire.

ERIKA ERVIN: Yes I am.

And that is a horror convention?

Drinky bloody.

What was that?

Drinky bloody! (laughs)

Ok. So you’re funny. I wasn’t anticipating that. The interviews I read with you were kind of stoic.

Ok, so I decided to change the story. I was on a learning curve when I was doing American Horror Story. My character was a bit more stoic. So during that time I am interviewing in character. I mean, (producer) Ryan Murphy would just pull you off the set and I thought, ‘I’m not gonna break character!’ My character is what you saw, and when you read the interviews you’ll see that stoic side. Now if you know me, in person, I am a nut-case on stage. I am a veritable freak show!

And I also read you see the word ‘freak’ as a more positive term now because of your experiences.

Yes! Get your freak on. Embrace it. We all have gifts, and my gift is kind of obvious. I stand out. Who I am as a person, I almost afraid to show that person to the world.

Have you been able to start to show that person to the world?

I may create another character or incarnation. I did actually book a feature film. I am playing more of a dominant woman. I am learning how to wrangle the reporters. I learned a lot from Jessica Lange. I mean, watch her finesse.

Speaking of, what was it like realizing you had to act next to all these icons?

You realize very quickly it is about the work and it is a team effort. That is what you learn working in that environment. They were—all of them—so generous. It was a dream job, and a job I didn’t believe I could have.

When did you realize you were an actress? Did it stem from when you were modeling?

I carved my own space. I didn’t make myself only a model. I don’t think you can define me as a model. I have modeled, but I don’t know if I am a model. I’m still working on that.

From what I gathered, model seems like an apt term.

Well, that’s Amazon Eve. That is a character.

Is that the secret? Create a character and then really step into the zones that make you uncomfortable?

Well, getting to put Amazon Eve on AHS was a gift from Ryan. That gave me a sense that I created something of value.

And there are a lot levels to you. I don’t want to pry too much into the dark parts of your past, but you were bullied growing up for your height (6 foot 8 inches). That was a big problem.

I was bullied for being queer too. I just didn’t talk about it.

Yes, because all the interviews that I read, I was looking for that element and they seemed to be conveniently leave it out.

Amazon Eve, she was my shield. She was a different person. I felt like I became a human being, instead of just being a freak, a monster or Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. She’s a corporation now. There’s this great book I like to read called Fuck It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way, by John C. Parkin. There’s a segment that says, “Fuck it, create your own job, create your own universe, create your own, create your own, create your own.” And that’s who Amazon Eve became. Am I bragging? Do you get to brag about stuff like that?

I don’t think it’s bragging if you legitimately accomplish something.

Also, I am actually a stand-up comic.

Which I wasn’t aware of either! What’s the show called and how did it evolve?

I call it “Notes from an Imaginary.” A few years ago I started going on the road and doing open mics. I practiced it and refined it there. It’s not typical stand up; it’s more like theater. One big gigantic monologue, with interactions. I am always working on it. I am always working.

In other interviews you said you weren’t necessarily comfortable being held up as a transgender role model. Do you think there is a sense of obligation for openly transgender people to be advocates and is that obligation harmful?

Yeah. I mean, you don’t want me to be an advocate.

Why would you say that?

It’s like in my show, I am more of a crazy person. I am a performer. I prefer to speak in metaphors and tell stories. I don’t want to be a hero. I do good work. Being a hero? I have a hard time with that.

Is it the politics that makes it difficult because you have to be politically correct?

It all comes down to identity politics. I gave a speech as grand marshal of Pride…let me give you it. It always starts with love and hate speech. The hate speech always starts the same; by placing a group in a (previously known) category. You’re black, you’re white, you’re straight, you’re not, you’re male, you’re female. Or you’re somewhere in between.
There are other categories. It’s that kind of thinking I have a hard time with. We live in a world where we build fences. We make distinctions and anybody who becomes a beacon has to be placed with a label and thrown into an agenda. Then that becomes a form of censorship. Do you understand?

Yes. Completely.

I will do advocate-like stuff, but I don’t consider myself an advocate. I just want to be the crazy person on stage! I am an old school Dungeons and Dragons, chess-playing, over-educated, white, privileged nerd. How is that for a quote? (Laughs)

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