ALEXIS VAZQUEZ

///Photos By: Alan Joseph

A FORMER MR. MUNDO LATINO TITLE HOLDER ALEXIS “PAPIITO” VAZQUEZ NOW WINS THE TITLE OF MR. HOMBRES 2014! HE’S A SUPER TALENTED DANCER, SEXY AF AND CAN BE SEEN ALL OVER TOWN AND IN THE WHOLE TRI-STATE AREA. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN SOMETHING CLOSE TO NOTHING. HE’S A VERY BUSY YOUNG MAN FROM QUEENS, BUT RECENTLY TOOK SOME TIME OUT FOR US HERE AT GET OUT! MAGAZINE TO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIMSELF. ANDA PAPI DINOLOS!

How did you get into dancing?
As a kid. It’s just always been in my nature. With my Latin background my first genre to learn was salsa, then along the years I grew to acknowledge the other different types of genres such as tap, swing, ballroom, hip hop, contemporary and ballet. Not having the correct guidelines on how to pursue my dance career, I took it as a hobby at first, but growing up I always knew it was my passion. It was recent, a few years ago, when I decided to take the challenge and follow my dreams, which there are no limits to, but also travel the world as the performer/artist I am.Now gogo dancing is a completely different story. It was random and unexpected. Three years ago I just got on a bar started dancing and got a great reaction from the crowd. From there on I’ve been performing in nightclubs down from the LES to midtown, uptown, Queens, New Jersey and even Connecticut. As judgemental and stereotyped as it can be, I just see it as another performance and entertainment.

Was your family supportive?
My family was always supportive of all my shows growing up, and happy to say till this day they still are. They’ve always seen the potential in me and have supported my choices to follow my career as a dancer. Even as a gogo dancer they’re all supportive. They all understand it’s something I enjoy doing, and of course it pays the bills.

Who have been some of the artists you’ve shared the stage with?
Some of my first stage performances were all with my old dance crew, unfortunately broken up, but I’ve expanded my horizons to work with other dance teams in Queens, Harlem and even the Bronx. Working with them alone it’s a lot of artists already, because we are all individual artists who just have the same vision. As far
as recording artists, I’m currently on tour with ‘80s freestyle sensation Safire. I’ve worked with Lumidee, Fat Man Scoop, Teyana Taylor, Nire Alldai, Juan Luis (Juancho) and the pop duo Karmin, whose video has gone viral on MTV hits.

Who are your dream artists to share the stage with?
If anyone knows me they know how passionate I am for dancing with JLo! Her energy is insane. She’s talented in her own craft, and of course she can dance! But as far as other artists I would love to dance with…well, all – why not!? If there’s one thing I love from this industry it is that you never stop growing as far as skills, knowledge, even persona. You definitely learn something new every day!

How were the preparations for Mr. Hombres 2014?
With the right team of professionals as far as costumes, makeup and of course dancers to basically cover every category in the pageant, preparations were actually not that hard.

Did you think you had a chance at winning?
Honestly, in pageants, they’re just like auditions. You never know what they are looking for. I was confident in my promoters, my team of professionals and my consistency throughout the competition. Either the odds were against me or with me, and everything turned out great. But as to the question itself, I did think I had a chance. I had a one in three chance of winning, and I was pretty determined to reach my goal.

How was it when they announced your name as the winner?
I mean, I think that’s the best part of the whole process. Each category is being called, and they finally call my name as Mr. Hombres 2014! It’s a big sigh of relief. Even if you think about as good as you did or as consistent as you are, it’s always a shock to hear your name announced.

What are your plans as a title holder?
To continue my legacy as a male entertainer, representing Hombres Lounge of course. And looking forward to a year of working with the Hombres Lounge staff and giving back to my Queens and LGBT community for all the years of support that they’ve given me.

Where can we see you dancing on a weekly basis?
On a weekly basis, every Tuesday I’m at Boa in Hoboken, New Jersey, 10 minutes on the PATH from 33rd St., every Wednesday at Castro on Dyckman St. at the Cockfight party, and every other weekend at Pride Lounge in Forest Hills on Austin Street. Throughout the week I get booked at different locations like Evolution in Queens and Escuelita occasionally, but now you definitely will be seeing me more at my new home Hombres Lounge.

Any new projects you’re working on?
Currently got my first gig in the West Coast, which I’m very excited about, and touring with Safire. But I’m always in the works, so follow me, stay tuned and look out for more of me in a city or stage near you!

Facebook: alexis.p.vazquez
Instagram: @papiitoidance
Twitter: @papiitoidance
For bookings, email [email protected]