A group of friends wanted to go out for dinner sometime and decided to venture out and celebrate Foos’ birthday on April 6, 1997. They even made flyers that said, ‘Bring your Friends. If you like them, I like them.’
“The night of my party, I walked in the club and maybe 30 people were there,” Foos said. “One of my friends grabbed my arm and pulled me into the back room, where a wig, a dress and shoes were sitting on a table that my friends wanted me to wear.”
Foos asked, “Who’s dressing up?”
They replied, “You are!”
Foos answered back, “I don’t dress up!”
They told him, “You are tonight!”
Foos reluctantly agreed.
After about an hour, he heard a lot of noise and was confused.
“One of my friends said you better hurry and get ready, Foozie! The bar is packed; there must be 200 or 300 people here!”
Foos answered, “I will be Miss Foozie!”
And so was born a Chicago icon:
Character artist John Foos, aka, Miss Foozie, is one of the city’s most loved local entertainers. She is a noted fundraiser and entertainer with a passion for making people feel welcome and having fun at community events, such as the Northalsted Halloween Parade and the Proud Pet Parade.
Foos, aka, Miss Foozie is a 2024 inductee into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, the only city-sanctioned LGBT Hall of Fame in the world. The class of 2024 includes 19 LGBT-identified individuals, two LGBT-identified organizations and one “Friend of the Community” (ally). The 2024 inductees also include former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot, WGN-TV co-anchor Sean Lewis; Reverend Charles Straight, John von Rhein, longtime music critic of the Chicago Tribune; and LaTony Alvarado Rivera, executive director of the Chicago Freedom School, among others.
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame induction ceremony is Tuesday, October 1, at the Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark). The plaques for the new inductees are traditionally given out by the mayor of Chicago.
“This is a dream come true,” said Foos, originally from the Chicago area and now living in the Edgewater neighborhood. “I am honored and thrilled to represent Chicago.
“Chicago is a beautiful city, full of fun, lively people who enjoy strolls along the beach and city life, plus all the summer festivals.
“It’s an honor to be inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame with so many who have made our world a better place. I am very thankful and excited for the future.”
Miss Foozie said she was “surprised, shocked, thrilled and honored” to learn she was being included. “I am proud to be (inducted) with such an incredible group that has made a difference on the planet, and I feel very honored that I have too.
“My character, my passion for people, my love for animals and how life is so important, especially being yourself and spreading love and being active in the community.”
Miss Foozie is a regular around Chicago, including:
- First Sunday of every month, hosting brunch at Drew’s on Halsted, and
- First Thursday of every month, Miss Foozie Bingo! At Edgewater.
Miss Foozie’s career also has included Red Dress parties, chocolate events, PFLAG events, Howard Brown benefits, Chicago PrideFest, Market Days, pet parades, Halloween on Halsted, special appearances, nightclubs, birthday parties, festivals and so much more.
Pineapples aplenty.
“Miss Foozie is a character artist who is a loving human being. She is a person of passion and caring, full of life and an animal lover,” she said. “In the beginning, Miss Foozie was trying to look as beautiful as she could as a woman, but as time went on, it was about creating a character, not a drag queen, a personality who was caring and outgoing, someone who is real to life.”
During the summer, Miss Foozie has hosted several pet parades at various festivals, such as Andersonville Midsommarfest. She also hosts the pet parade and bingo at Yappy Hour at The Northman Riverwalk Beer & Cider Garden.
This was her 18th annual Chicago Pride Fest Proud Pet Parade.
In October will be the 10th annual Lakeview Halloween Pup Crawl, and more.
“Seeing the smiles and reactions when people see me on stage or entertaining,” is a lasting memory, she said. “Many of the fundraisers that I have done through the years have done extremely well. I’m hoping to get more involved in the future.”
Foos will be included wearing a classic Miss Foozie dress, decked out with the original emblem F for Foozie.
“The Hall of Fame to me is the highest honor you can get in Chicago,” Miss Foozie said.
“Miss Foozie brings energy wherever she goes and will always be known for calling everyone a Pineapple or a hotdog, which has become my brand.”