Selina Jenkins shares her personal journey

Selina Jenkins is a songwriter, performer, storyteller & music maker. Her most recent touring show ‘BOOBS’ is an intensely personal retelling of the decision and subsequent experience of having her breasts surgically removed in 2012. Here she talks to Jessamy Gleeson about her personal journey.

Image: Alison Fairley

Jessamy: Can you tell me a little bit about your work as a performer, and what drew you to combine music and performance?

Selina: As a young child I was awfully fond of a lounge room concert. I’d spend hours learning the words to my favourite ‘Eurythmics’ songs and choreographing dance moves in preparation for the four minute extravaganza I’d devised for my parents and the occasional visiting aunt.

My dad arrived home one evening with an old guitar sporting three strings and an additional hole where there shouldn’t have been, and I was sold. The years following saw singing lessons, classical vocal training, bands, a million gigs, and some success with my original music that spoke of anything from gun reform, to Dolly the cloned sheep, to a comedic tune exploring the ethics behind eating bbq chicken.

Song writing was my jam and I clocked relatively early on that the telling of a good story while allowing yourself to be vulnerable without taking yourself too seriously, was a sure way to capture an audience.

I performed musical comedy and cabaret as a male character named ‘Beau Heartbreaker’ for well over a decade before finding the confidence and comfort to perform as myself.

These days it’s just me on stage, no costumes or characters.

I use a combination of storytelling and original songs in an attempt to create a strong narrative while allowing moments of release between points of tension, whether that be through laughter, reflection or the experience of empathy.  

You’ve mentioned before that performing BOOBS is a little like sharing a wonderful secret you’ve had for a number of years. Can you tell me a little more about what you mean?

My current touring show ‘BOOBS’ is an intensely personal retelling of the decision and subsequent experience of having my breasts surgically removed in 2012.

It was a significant undertaking that had a colossal impact on my life, but due to the controversy that surrounded the choices I had made regarding my own body, it was something I didn’t feel that I could disclose.

It took me seven years to muster the confidence to share this particular story, and I was terrified. Not because I had any regrets about my decision, but because I had undergone an incredibly positive physical and psychological transformation that I knew would challenge people in a way that I couldn’t predict. I presumed to see confusion and anger and disbelief, and there has certainly been a bit of that, but I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelmingly positive response. Audience members expressing understanding and empathy and acceptance. A lot of my fear has dissipated and I feel excited to share this wonderful secret that I have held so close for so long.

Meeting the young person who finally feels a little less alone with their thoughts and feelings about their own body, or the 65 year old woman who wishes she had of done the same thing years ago, or the many, many women of varying ages who just want autonomy over their own bodies. It’s these stories that encourage me to share mine.

Image: Nayt Housman

For anyone who has watched you perform, you are one funny lady! How do you think comedy helps to communicate a political message?
I realised a while back that I could never really pull off the broody, sexy musician/performing artist thing. I love having a laugh and I’ve always been a bit of a clown on stage. Hearing an audience laugh not only breaks the tension for them, but it relieves a lot of the pressure for me too. Introducing comedy into a performance allows space for things to go wrong. If I forget what I’m saying or the mic stops working, it’s okay. It also creates an environment where people are more receptive to opposing ideas or politics because if you can laugh collectively, myself included, you’re gradually breaking down the ‘us vs them’ mentality. I think it’s difficult to want to harm someone if that someone is making you laugh. We’re a complex and gross species, but if comedy can begin to open even the most tightly closed mind, I’ll give it a go.

We’ve just come through the height of restrictions for the COVID epidemic, with live performance as one of the major casualties. What does it mean for a performer to be separated from her audience?

I’m devastated at the current state of our industry, and furiously disappointed with those who continue to undervalue the Arts. Money may make the world go ‘round, but it’s art that makes the ride worth taking.

I did a little online work like many other performers, but it’s not the same. Magic can happen with a live audience, I’m sure most people have felt that at one time or another. It’s a magic that stays with you, changes you just that little bit.

I tend to disappear between seasons anyway, I’m very much an introvert off stage and not nearly as prolific as many other performers. But I live for that live audience magic, and can not wait to see bums on seats once again.

Image: Nayt Housman

What do you see as the biggest issues currently facing women, non-binary and gender diverse people of Victoria?

It has been no surprise that the government initiatives that have formed their pandemic response continue to neglect and overlook the most vulnerable members of our communities. 

The disproportionate allocation of funding into male dominated workforces, a further stripping of resources at a time when domestic violence against women was at an all time high and the refusal to acknowledge that women have been, and continue to be amongst the most heavily impacted.

I fear that the reallocation of funding and support that was dismal to begin with ‘to get our economy back on track’ will leave women, non binary and gender diverse people with even fewer resources.

What’s next for you? We know that BOOBS is on the road next year – you’re heading over the Adelaide for the 2021 Cabaret Festival. What other plans do you have for 2021, particularly after this year?

I am taking ‘BOOBS’ all over the country this year, travel permitting. I’ll keep folks posted, but we’re hoping to get to most capital cities.

Between tours I’m doing a wee bit of studying so I can build a house this year. I’ve put together a couple of bookshelves in the past, I figure it’s the next logical step. To be honest, I’m shitting myself, apparently a lot of people still believe women can’t do this sort of thing, and they don’t hesitate to tell you. But I do love a good challenge, one boob or one nail at a time.

 Interview Jessamy Gleeson