Actress Alexandra Billings has married her high school sweetheart Chrisanne Blankenship. The actress currently stars in Netflix’s teen comedy I never did that. For those new to the show, you should know about her love story with Chrisanne.
Without further ado, find out all the information as you scroll down.
Meet Chrisanne Blankenship, Wife of Alexandra Billings
They met in 1976 at Schaumburg High School in their drama club, where they acted in high school plays together. Alexandra was a 14-year-old freshman named Scott and Chrisanne was a 17-year-old senior on her way to college. They played siblings in a Shakespeare play, “Twelfth Night.” Since they had to play twins, Chrisanne learned the art of mimicry from Alexandra.
But the lovers part seems, at best, unlikely. Scott Billings was a vulnerable boy who was mercilessly teased by his peers, a painful period that Alexandra recreates in “Before I Disappear.” They became very close soon after, going around town ordering drinks declaring themselves brother and sister, and then sisters.
Years later, Scott Billings became Shante, the glamorous drag queen who led the Baton Lounge. It was a time of glamour but also of danger and damage: Alexandra, as the cold and hard Shante, used drugs, worked as a high-priced prostitute, and endured abusive relationships.
“I told them, ‘I don’t hold hands, I don’t kiss on the lips,’ ” Alexandra explained. “There’s no price tag on that.” It was the only time in Alexandra’s life that Chrisanne disappeared. “I couldn’t stand Shante, I couldn’t stand the transformation,” Chrisanne said. Chicago Tribune.
Meanwhile, Chrisanne has turned her life around, embarking on a stage career and getting engaged to other men twice. Meanwhile, Alexandra has hit rock bottom as Shante, recovered, and undergone surgery to become a woman.
Alexandra and Chrisanne have rekindled their relationship and even gone on a double date (with another friend). They started out as friends before moving in together. They socialise, go to plays and movies together, and talk all night.
Chrisanne was the one who comforted and encouraged Alexandra after she was diagnosed HIV positive. Then one day, as they were getting ready to go out, Alexandra noticed that she was getting ready as if she was going on a date by grooming herself, brushing her hair, and dressing up.
“I went out with her and said, ‘Are we dating? Are we?’ and Chrisanne looked at me and said, ‘Yeah, I think so,’” Alexandra said. “But we took it very slow. Like one of those old movies. For a long time, we just held hands. It took three, four months before we kissed.”
Alexandra was the first to say “I love you”. She wrote a note to Chrisanne as a Christmas present, which basically said: “I love you”.
Before they got engaged, the couple had a falling out. Chrisanne took Alex to their favorite restaurant in Chicago. They ordered each other’s favorite dishes and Alex proposed to Chrisanne over dinner at the restaurant. The proposal took place in an intimate setting that Alex would only share if her bio was available.
According to Alexandra, Chrisanne proposed to her and said, “What would you say if?” because Chrisanne thought the actress would not agree.
On December 5, 2022, Alexandra posted on her Facebook on their anniversary, “26 years ago tonight, she said yes. Happy anniversary, wifus. You are my home.”
The couple got married in 1996 at the Bailiwick Theatre. The wedding was beautiful and they had two ministers, one male and one female. This was at a time when gay marriage was illegal. The 130 people in attendance thought they were putting on a show because gay people weren’t getting married at the time.
Alexandra’s mother boycotted their wedding because she didn’t understand and it made her sad. Meanwhile, her father pretended that he was sick. However, Chrisanne’s parents and her brother attended the wedding.
The couple recently completed their South African adventure. “It was our last day at the resort,” she added. “As we were leaving and walking to our cars and saying goodbye to the 12 other people we had spent the week with, we caught ourselves dreaming. We are so lucky to be able, in our mid-life, to finally be able to travel the world.”
In May 2023, Alexandra shared, “When Chrisanne and I were newlyweds, we were on food stamps and I was diagnosed with HIV and very sick for a very long time with not a lot of faith and hope.”
“And as time went on and we worked and supported each other, our careers began to climb,” Alexandra added. “My wife retired and became the driving force behind our production company and my teaching and art flourished, with the help of angels along the way.”
Chrisanne Blankenship’s age
As of June 2023, Chrisanne Blankenship is 64 years old. Her year of birth is 1959 and her month of birth is January.
Chrisanne Blankenship’s work
Chrisanne Blankenship is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Schmengie Inc. She has been in the entertainment industry since the early 1990s, breaking barriers wherever she has gone; she was the first female Executive Director of the award-winning Strawdog Theatre in Chicago Il, the production house Puzsch Studios, and the Owner/Operator of First Night Productions in Aurora Il.
Chrisanne has directed various plays, readings, and cabarets and developed and directed the first gender-inclusive musical “1776,” which premiered at the Apollo Theater as a fundraiser for Healthworks Theater Company, Chicago’s leading AIDS/HIV education company.
Is Chrisanne Blankenship on Instagram and Facebook?
No, Chrisanne Blankenship is not on Instagram or Facebook.
Young Chrisanne Blankenship
Alexandra Billings’s wife is Chrisanne Blankenship Young (Photo: FB)
Chrisanne Blankenship Height
Chrisanne Blankenship’s height is under 5 feet 5 inches.
Related FAQs
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Where is Chrisanne Blankenship from?
Chrisanne Blankenship is from Chicago, Illinois. She currently resides in Long Beach, California.
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When is Chrisanne Blankenship’s birthday?
Chrisanne Blankenship celebrates her birthday in January.