You Do You: Proud to Be Fabulous

by Tan France (Co-Host, Narrator), Nikki Levy (Co-Host, Narrator), Janine Brito (Contributor, Narrator)

Jump into Pride with Tan France (Queer Eye), Nikki Levy, and seven fabulous storytellers as they share true tales of exploring, embracing, and celebrating queer identity.

You Do You, produced especially for Pride Month, brings Audible Members a collection of uplifting, raw, and hilarious stories from queer actors, comedians, and personalities. Co-hosted by French-tuck aficionado and super-stylist Tan France and storytelling maven Nikki Levy, You Do You is a fierce, unfiltered celebration of LGBTQIA+ realness.

You’ll hear live stories from RuPaul’s Drag Race fave D.J. “Shangela” Pierce about seeking some Beyoncé healing after a fateful death-drop injury, Janine Brito (stand-up comedian and writer for Netflix’s One Day at a Time) who made a curious calendar purchase as a tween, and Emma Willmann (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) growing closer to her sister through heteronormative wedding planning.

You Do You also treats listeners to a sometimes-fun, sometimes-trying excursion to Dubai from YouTube star Gigi Gorgeous, a mischievous switcheroo orchestrated by Percy Rustomji, and a touching story about big life decisions from Nikki Levy herself. Closing it out is a deeply personal story that’s still sizzling with laughs from the magnificent Alexandra Billings of Amazon’s hit show Transparent.

So, celebrate yourself, don’t let anyone dull your sparkle, and dive in to the fabulous, funny stories in You Do You.

Featuring stories told live on stage from the following performers:

Janine Brito
D.J. “Shangela” Pierce
Emma Willmann
Gigi Gorgeous
Percy Rustomji
Nikki Levy
Alexandra Billings

Co-hosted by: Tan France and Nikki Levy

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, LGBT, Humor, Memoir, Queer, Short Stories

2 pages, Audible Audio

First published June 6, 2019

About the author

Tanweer Wasim "Tan" France is an English fashion designer and television personality. He is currently the fashion expert for the Netflix series Queer Eye.

Reviews

[Lizzy Reads]

I don’t even know how to rate this...so I won’t.

The stories in this were funny and touching but the narrations in between felt really forced.

[Laianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this free Audible original on a whim one night when I was feeling bored. Some stories kept my interest better than others but I was nonetheless entertained while doing housework. I’d recommend this story collection to anyone who enjoys NPR’s The Moth radio hour, as the format is very reminiscent. A nice break of a quick listen during pride month.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this on audible as a members freebie during Pride Month. Honestly I picked it up because Tan France is on the cover. I’m obsessed with Queer Eye and would kill to have him style me. Anyway.

I am so glad I chose this book!! One of my favorite drag queens, Shangela, was featured. Halleiugh!

This was an audio of a group of LGBT famous people telling stories. Like Shangela’s was about when she broke her leg and went to see Queen Bey. I was crying at my desk from laughter.

I 100% recommend this book. It’s so so funny, but also with stories of loving yourself and living your truth.

[Nicci · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
The narrating between stories wasn’t for me on audio but the stories themselves were glorious.

[Mariah Roze · Rating 5 out of 5]

"seven fabulous storytellers as they share true tales of exploring, embracing, and celebrating queer identity.

You Do You, produced especially for Pride Month, brings Audible Members a collection of uplifting, raw, and hilarious stories from queer actors, comedians, and personalities. Co-hosted by French-tuck aficionado and super-stylist Tan France and storytelling maven Nikki Levy, You Do You is a fierce, unfiltered celebration of LGBTQIA+ realness.

You’ll hear live stories from RuPaul’s Drag Race fave D.J. “Shangela” Pierce about seeking some Beyoncé healing after a fateful death-drop injury, Janine Brito (stand-up comedian and writer for Netflix’s One Day at a Time) who made a curious calendar purchase as a tween, and Emma Willmann (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) growing closer to her sister through heteronormative wedding planning."

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟🤩 Could have done without the other two narrators in between each story (not annoying, just didn't find them necessary) but overall enjoyed this one very much.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories were wonderful. The narrative in between each, NOT so much!

[Anna lost in stories *A* · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a fabulous experience :) it felt like you were invited to this amazing party and during it several guests shared anecdotes and stories about their lives... some of them were hilarious, some more emotional but all of them important :) I highly recommend it :) I had a blast and even teared up a little bit, especially towards the end...

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars.

Short and fun!

I valued the short life experiences from the many different presenters, yet I felt something was lacking. I guess I am not sure what I was expecting, but I felt I wanted something deeper from the material. The stories, while enjoyable at times, weren't ones that seem to bring about a true ownership of one being proud to be who they are (aside from the very last one, I feel), and just felt like... well life experiences; some of which, were not all that interesting, but were presented well.

Overall, it was a fun quick listen, but I honestly don't know who I would recommend this to. My close LGBTQIA+ friends and family, I don't believe, would get much of a kick or laugh from it, and my non LGBTQIA+ friends, are aware and forward thinking enough, that I don't think anything here would be all that informative or all that engaging. I guess I would recommend it for anyone looking for LGBTQIA+ experiences that are more lighthearted, fun, somewhat funny, and easy to identify with and take in.

Definitely not a bad time, and worth a listen just for its short length alone. I think I just wanted a little more of something...

[Lily P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audible)

Less a book and more a podcast, this collection of famous LGBTQ people telling humorous stories is hosted between segments by Tan France (Netflix Queer Eye).

Gigi Gorgeous's story about flying into Dubai was hilarious, yet also sobering. The situation she found herself in could have been very dangerous.

Shangela's story about breaking her leg and being determined to go see a Beyonce concert was also laugh out loud funny. Truth is stranger than fiction, and you can't make this stuff up!

Loved this audio book. It only gets 4 stars because it needed to be longer.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND
May not be appropriate for child audiences--preview first and make your own decisions. (Language)

[Nina]

Not sure how to rate this so I won't, haha. The stories were entertaining and I was glad to see they spanned most of the LGBT spectrum (with the exception of bisexual, as far as I could tell) -- including lesbians, whose stories still seem rare and few between. The interludes were a bit awkward, but otherwise, this was a short and enjoyable listen.

[Everett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I barely made it through this. 95% terrible, with a few shining moments (the Dubai story, and the last few minutes from the final speaker). It's very rare for me to feel like I wasted my time on something but that's how I'm feeling with this one. This was free and it wasn't even worth that much.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could rate this more than 5 stars I totally would. The stories and the diversity and the love. Ahhhh

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely lovely little collection. Fierce and proud LGBTQIA and I loved it. I did get angry at Gigi's story about technically being a criminal in Dubai. FUUUUU what is wrong with the world?!

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the great Michelle Visage would say “Do you like gay shit? Then read this!” That’s pretty much my thoughts after reading this. Whether you’re super straight or super gay or somewhere in between you will absolutely find something to relate to and laugh about in this hilarious and gay AF audiobook. You definitely don’t have to be gay to love it though, my extra straight mom was laughing along with me at these stories. There’s just something universal about laughter and emotions, we all feel them and we all relate to them. All that mushiness aside, my fellow queers will definitely get a kick out of this one. I mean we have stories from everyone from Shangela to Gigi Gorgeous and ALL narrated by the queer icons themselves, you can’t really ask for a gayer and more amazing audiobook. Highly and super gayly recommend this one!

[Dan Beliveau · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a gay man, I appreciated the openness and stories of the featured artists. The only drawback, in my opinion, is that all the gay men were over-the-top, stereotypical. There was one Indian man that I, LITERALLY, had to turn the volume down on - more than once - because he's what I'd call a screaming queen. While I realize it takes all kinds, and I am open to all, I was sad that the men (and drag queen and transgender woman) were all so cookie cutter. I guess that's still what the world expects.

[Monet The Book Sniffing Unicorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

This was absolutely 5⭐ worthy if it weren't for the "narration" between stories. It felt SO forced, lacked any good humor, fell completely flat and broke up the good vibe each story had.

The stories on the other hand were absolutely fabulous. I loved every second of them. Laughed, teared up a bit, and fell in love with each person and their journey.

I though each person brought something so different to the table, but all tied together so well with one another. I love this collection.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another free Audible Original offering that I took advantage of. This is less a narrated book than a series of interviews/stand-up routines/podcasts about being LGBTQ for Pride Month. Hilarious, heartfelt, and thoroughly enjoyable. Also far too short! I may come back to listen to this again as it seemed it was over before it had begun.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS!!!


These stories were funny, empowering, VERY entertaining and encouraging. And the actors, comedians and performers telling them were amazing. It's already hard going through life as an adolescent and/or a young adult but to fall into the LGBTQIA category is even more challenging. However, these performers have all managed to do it fabulously 😁

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun collection of stories and there’s one or two of the people I’d like to look up and hear more from. The between-story dialogue sometimes felt forced but was generally funny. Short and sweet!

[Terri Noftsger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to this. The stories were funny and touching. I somehow forgot about it when I only had 5 min left so completed it in December. I will most likely listen again next Pride Month. 🌈

[Jessica Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much!!!!

[lunarlibrarian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn't into this collection.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful collection of stories from people within the LGBTIA+ community. Each one was hilarious, personable, and had a really important message for the audience.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, refreshing, and empowering.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of performances! It's similar to a collection of short stories where I would rate some performances 5 stars and some 3 stars so the overall audiobook gets 4 stars.

[Tiffany Oim · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! It is an amazing listen and it really helps you to understand what some people go through in their journey to be who they are.

Highly Recommend!!!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible Original Great stories by great people.

[Bookish Babbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

💜❤️♥️ Fun and touching LGBT+ stories, worth the listen

[Katrina Rigsbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much like the Moth radio hour.