Dallas Favorite, Wayne Smith, AKA Cher, Calls it Quits

Just yesterday I walked into Buli Cafe on the Cedar Springs strip and spotted local Dallas female impersonator, Wayne Smith, aka Cher, checking out houses on his laptop. After saying our hellos and where-the-hell-have-you-beens, Wayne surprised me with "Girl, I retired!"

The decision to box the stilettos and coiffure was difficult for Wayne, but he explained the schedule is just too demanding for his new life with his husband. Focusing on his relationship is an important decision for the veteran actor who has been performing for more than 27 years.

Wayne is a one-of-a-kind in the industry, with a long list of accomplishments, including performances in Los Angeles, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Miami Beach, Austria and Aruba. As a seasoned drag performer, Wayne is best known for his extraordinary personification of Cher. Wayne's striking resemblance to the star is coupled with his amazing vocal ability. But, Wayne's talent goes far beyond the likes of Cher, with great impersonations of Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe and other unique drag-centric creations.

Wayne Smith has been featured on the Biography Channel, Texan Idol and a 2007 celebrity look alike reality TV show on ABC. Wayne has also been very active in the community, helping to raise funds for various charities, including the annual Cher Convention in Las Vegas. In addition, in 2007 Wayne hosted the Pink Party at Mickey's Dallas, paying tribute to a friend, Blake Ray, who lost the battle with lymphoma.

In an announcement on his MySpace page, Wayne said "I am already missing everyone in the clubs here in Dallas...I will try to support the community for benefits and charity shows. So I can truthfully say, 'You have not seen the last of me'."

So, for Wayne Smith, this is farewell...or is it? For all the Wayne Smith fans out there, we can only hope for a second farewell tour.