On spur of moment, Brooklyn singer wins Streisand impersonator contest

October 19, 2012 By Raanan Geberer Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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On the spur of the moment, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens resident Felicia Watkis entered and won the recent Barbra Streisand Impersonators Contest, and won a seat to Barbra’s Saturday night concert at Barclays Arena.

Watkins, who is a visual artist and a raw-food, or live food, vegetarian chef, was walking back from the library when she happened to see a notice of the contest, she says.

She went home, got a red sailor suit that her mother had made for her back when she was in a school production of “Funny Girl,” then hurried back to the contest site at Albee Square.

“I also wore my Obama scarf, because Streisand is an Obama supporter,” Watkis said. Watkis sang “I Am the Greatest Star” from “Funny Girl” and won.

The contest was hosted by professional Streisand impersonator Gayle Robbins.

Although Watkis has never been a professional singer, she has always sung, she said. Among the other singers – other than Streisand, that is – that she admires are Sammy Davis Jr., Diahann Carroll, Audra McDonald and Ella Fitzgerald.

As far as Streisand is concerned, Watkis admires her resilience, confidence and perseverence.

In general, Watkis says, “I won the contest not on my appearance, but my ability to sing well.” She adds that “Despite the fact that many of us humans see differences in our appearance, I believe that if there are aliens from other planets, they might think that all humans look alike. Our DNA is 99 percent the same.”

Watkis plans to continue singing. “I’d like to be on the David Letterman Show!” she says.

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