The Story of a Boy, His Shoes, and a Mother's Mean Streak: Stig's Payless Pro Wings

Pretty much Stig during his middle school years.

Growing up in Pace was not easy for any of us who didn't have much money. When Stig shared his story with me, it resonated deeply because I had a similar experience but not just with shoes but clothes from department stores like K-Mart, TG&Y and *Zayres. The kids we grew up with were a shallow bunch, and to this day some still are.

Stig's grandma did the most she could for her son's little boy because his mama, Barb, ruled his daddy's life and bank account and she resented Stig just for being born, “stealing every bit of fun she felt she deserved.” Stig's dad could have put his foot down, but it would have meant giving up whatever it was that she used to cast whatever spell she had on him. While not wealthy, Gran was well off enough to take care of him. On occasion, his parents would throw a bone, usually already chewed on.

A few days before he started the 6th grade, Gran took Stig to University Mall for a little shopping for new clothes for school. Stig's mom told her she already bought him some shoes and would drop the boxes off the night before, in time his first day. I remember Stig was excited because he thought his mama was going to be different for a change and take an interest in him. Gran spent around $400 on Stig’s new clothes—back then that was a lot for pants and shirts, even if she hadn’t taken him to the more expensive stores in University Mall. Gran took him to Chick-fil-A for dinner after their Saturday evening shopping spree. Stig was so excited to show off his new wardrobe to me and even more excited that Barb would be over later to drop off the three pairs of his brand new shoes.

He had worn flip flops all summer because a kid pushed him into Pond Creek and he came out missing one of his Reeboks that he worked hard to pay for after his other shoes were too tight to put on, much less walk in. He had thrown out his shoes from the previous year because his already large feet were too big for them and they were basically worn out. How often have you seen a 6th grader with size 11 shoes? He’s currently size 15. Stig and Gran both felt they should have stopped off at Athlete's Foot or Shoe City to buy a pair of British Knights, LA Gear, or another pair of Reeboks like the ones he had before the Pond Creek incident. We both went to school the next day, he went to a different school than me but when I got home, he called me to tell me how his day went and his Gran wanted to know if I wanted to go with them to Moores and Shoe City. I gladly tagged along. Our school district had a dress code that included no shorts or open-toed shoes, and as much as Stig wanted to wear his flip-flops to school, he couldn't.

Barb, Stig’s mama, played a cruel prank typical of her mean-spirited nature. Knowing that Stig's shoe size was currently size 11 and would probably be an 11.5 or 12 by next summer, she had gone to Payless Shoesource next to TG&Y and bought him three pairs of shoes: a pair of brown cowboy boots (Stig's calves were too defined even for the boots, and given the fact that he was already almost 6 feet tall, the heels would have made him uncomfortably tall), black fake suede dress shoes with tassels on the top that looked like something our old male teachers or preachers would wear, and the ones meant to be his shoes for everyday use—a pair of white Pro Wings sneakers, with velcro, which no kid wanted. Not only did she knowingly buy brands and styles that were horrible, but she also bought size 10, fully aware that he was a size 11 and could possibly be a size 12 by the time all three pairs were broken in. The kicker was she dropped his shoes off at 8 PM, knowing all the stores in our area were closed and he was stuck with ugly, out-of-style shoes that didn’t fit.

Being someone who never wanted to miss his first day at school, Stig crammed his feet into the Pro Wings shoes that were a size too small and endured a whole day of the other kids making fun of him and his cheap shoes. He could barely walk because his toes were scrunched up. To add salt to his wound, he was given two days detention for taking his shoes off in one of his classes. He had tried to loosen the velcro and had also taken off his socks to make more room in the shoes, but nothing worked. Gran called the school to raise hell, and the secretary hung up on her after telling her it was the guardian's responsibility to ensure the child had proper attire and his insubordination, which resulted in his detention, would not be tolerated by the staff. From that, Stig became a force to be reckoned with by virtue of Gran, and she told him to stand up for himself and take his shoes off in every class if he wanted to because she read the handbook, including the dress code and it never said wear shoes at all times—just no open-toed shoes.

In that particular class, which fell right after his PE class, he would slide out of the Nikes, British Knights or Reeboks Gran bought him to replace Barb’s horrible shoes and let everyone around him enjoy the aroma of his size 11s, sometimes removing his socks after PE just to make a point to his last-period teacher, the one that sent him to detention. Stig and I have laughed at this story for years and wondered if any of his classmates secretly enjoyed the revenge on that bitchy teacher. To this day, Stig stands up for himself, and when he's not sporting a pair of Doc Martens, Hokas, or Nikes, he is walking around showing off his bare size 15s.

Thanks for reading Stig's story! Got a similar tale or a funny school memory? Share it in the comments below. If this story resonated with you and you'd like to support us, your contributions would be greatly appreciated. Cheers to the resilience of kids like Stig!

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Saturday GLOWcase: Helena Cameron, AKA Daisy from GLOW

 

This weeks Saturday GLOWcase is all about the Awesome Daisy of GLOW. I chose Daisy for this week in honor of her upcoming birthday, December, 25. Happy Birthday Daisy, I hope you enjoy your day.

When I first saw Helena Cameron, who played Daisy on Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW), during her match in season 3, she instantly became one of my favorites. For nearly 30 years, I've admired her work, and I was thrilled when we became friends. Our time together at Knott's Berry Farm, shoe shopping, and hanging out on the Queen Mary are memories I cherish. Helena graciously shared her story years ago, and here's a refined version of her journey.

Helena as the awesome Daisy circa 2000

Helena Cameron's journey into the world of entertainment is unique and inspiring. Back in the late 1980s, she was working at Northrop but decided to take a leap of faith and switch to background work and extra roles in movies. One day, while filling out paperwork in a casting office, she had a chance encounter with Matt Cimber that changed everything. Matt came out of the back and asked if she wanted to be on a TV show. He asked if she wanted to join GLOW. Helena knew about the show because her ex's daughter watched it and always said she should be on it. Helena used to joke that if they pulled her hair, she’d get really pissed off. But the opportunity just kind of fell into her lap.

Matt gave her the details, and without hesitation, Helena and her friend Kell’e, who would become known as Beastie the Road Warrior, loaded up their car and headed to Las Vegas to sign up. Daisy, Helena's character, was created by either Matt or Steve. Daisy was pretty much your standard character: "You don't know where you live, you don't have any relatives, you don't know how old you are," Helena says. None of the wrestlers had characters when they arrived. Everyone wanted to be a beautiful, sexy someone. Helena jokes that she wanted to be a mermaid. No one wanted to be attached to a midget, especially one with a mole on her face, she laughs.

Daisy surrounded by the awesome ladies of GLOW

Helena's character started off as a “Bad Girl” doing the bidding of Gremlina, played by a woman half her size wearing snakeskin tights, a Gremlina-like hairstyle, and, as Helena stated, a huge mole on her face with hairs hanging from it. Daisy turned babyface when she turned on Gremlina, stuffing her into a trash can. But within the same season, she seemed to be back as a Bad Girl, though Helena perceives her more as a loner, someone on no one’s side. Daisy eventually became the GLOW champion during the season 4 finale, taking the crown from Cheyenne Cher. This was the final episode of all time. When GLOW ended, it was really sudden and unexpected. Helena and the other cast members didn’t find out until it was already over. They did a Pay Per View show featuring a few of the original GLOW girls along with new wrestlers who may have continued if the show had continued. Daisy’s last match was with Ninotchka during the Pay Per View, and she retained her crown. To this day, she is the current reigning Champion of GLOW.

Daisy's Family Feud Appearance

After GLOW ended, Helena went back to doing background work for a while. Eventually, she tried different jobs, including limo driving and stunt shows. Matt reached out to her again with a crazy request: "I want to blow you up in a box." She trusted him and went to Vegas to do a live stunt show at the Aladdin, where she reconnected with her friend Godiva.

Terry and I with Daisy at Knott's Berry Farm

Reflecting on her experiences, Helena acknowledges both the good and bad times. You're always treated horribly at one time or another in your life. Does the horrible outweigh the good? Sure, everyone has bad times. Helena had good times with Matt; she was fortunate. He was only bad to you if you let him be. They didn’t make any money, but it was an adventure. She met wonderful people and visited places she never would have otherwise.

Helena shared some insights into GLOW’s inner workings. They got their room and board, airfare, and a little per diem covered. During training, they made $100 a week for eight hours a day, and it went up to $250 a week when they started filming. They didn’t get residuals or any money from appearances like on Phil Donahue, which would have been SAG wages. Casinos recognized them because they looked so fake and ate there every day. They often got in trouble because they weren’t supposed to be around each other. The GLOW House was a house in Ventura. Helena's first roommate was Fiji. Later, she roomed with Godiva, Stinky, and Zelda. Eventually, Cher and Helena moved out of the GLOW apartments and got their own place.

Angel helping Daisy adjust the crown I presented to her

Since her GLOW days, Helena has embraced a new chapter in her life. She is now a proud mother of two beautiful children. She has also remained active in entertainment, popping up in episodes of shows like Pushing Daisies and Friends. Despite GLOW being all-female, Helena was also part of the “Transgender” choir featured in an episode of GLEE thanks to her beautiful Amazon-like stature.

The Childhood Christmas Play That Sparked My Passion for Acting

One of my most vivid childhood memories is participating in a Christmas play at our local church, the Pleasant View Baptist Church in Mobile, AL. This performance took place when I was in kindergarten, and it stands out for several reasons, not least of which was my role and the experience that came with it.

I was chosen to play the grandson of a man who read a Christmas story to the congregation. This might sound like a simple part, but for a five-year-old, it was quite a responsibility. My primary task was to sit on his lap for a significant portion of the performance, and while that might seem easy, it presented its own unique challenges.

Firstly, his breath was not exactly what a child would enjoy—a blend of menthol, peppermint, cigarettes, and whiskey, probably to take the edge off his own nerves—something that I distinctly remember to this day. Maintaining a starry-eyed, attentive expression while dealing with this was no small feat for my young self. Additionally, I had to stay awake and engaged throughout the entire reading, which lasted about 35 minutes. For a kindergartner, this felt like an eternity.

Despite these hurdles, though I was not exactly into "church," the play was a significant part of my early Christmas experiences. It embodied the spirit of community and the festive season, bringing together families and friends to celebrate the holiday in a meaningful way. The traditional decorations, the familiar faces of the congregation, and the excitement of being part of a performance all contributed to a memorable occasion.

Since I didn’t really have a grandfather in my life, I thought of the man as being my real grandfather during those moments and beyond. I would seek him out before church services just so I could sit with him. I can't remember his name, but he was a good sport and went along with it to the point that I think some of the church members truly believed we were family. This experience sparked my interest in wanting to be an actor, and perhaps even a singing actor. The support and encouragement from the congregation and my mama helped build my confidence and appreciation for the traditions that make the holiday season special.

Later in life, when I began performing in singing and acting, I would always think back to this experience and thank my "fake grandfather" for going the distance with his role. Looking back, I realize that this early experience was not just about the performance itself, but also about the confidence it instilled in me. The support and encouragement from the congregation and my mama helped build my confidence on stage, many years later. Every time I stepped into the spotlight, I carried with me the lessons learned and the sense of belonging fostered during that memorable Christmas play.

Saturday GLOWcase: The GLOWing Journey of Little Feather🪶🌵🌄🔥🌿🎶🐻🌲🏹

🪶🌵🌄🔥🌿🎶🐻🌲🏹LITTLE FEATHER🪶🌵🌄🔥🌿🎶🐻🌲🏹

Little Feather entering the ring

In the spirit of National Native American Heritage Month, I am dedicating this week's Saturday GLOWcase to the first "Indian Princess" of GLOW, Little Feather. Admittedly, each time a match was announced featuring any wrestler with "Little" in their name, I would cringe, knowing there would likely be a serious beatdown, as the smaller wrestlers were usually paired up with opponents twice their size. Despite the unfair size advantage, Little Feather always brought her A-game to the ring, showcasing her resilience and skill.

One memorable match was between Little Feather and Ninotchka. Little Feather seemed ready to fight, but Ninotchka, played by Lori Palmer, showed that her character was not as sadistic as everyone thought. Lori brought a lot of humanity to her "bad girl" persona, showing mercy upon Little Feather. This unexpected twist highlighted the complexity of both characters and added depth to the storyline. Little Feather played her character exceptionally well, and despite another "Indian Princess" coming along in seasons 3 and 4, Little Feather's spirit and legacy could not be recreated.

Little Feather's contributions to GLOW were significant, as she represented strength, resilience, and cultural pride. Her character was more than just a wrestler; she was a symbol of empowerment for many viewers. Celebrating her during National Native American Heritage Month is a fitting tribute to her legacy and the impact she made both in and out of the ring.

Just a few months before joining GLOW, she was a homeless teenager living on the streets of Las Vegas, escaping an abusive childhood. She reconnected with Debbie Debutante, with whom she had previously been on the same gymnastics team. During their encounter, Debbie mentioned she was part of a show that needed someone to portray a character called Little Egypt.

When she met with David and Matt, they proposed several ideas for her role. One suggestion was to be a tag team partner for Spanish Red, potentially named Little Red, which she would have enjoyed, particularly being new to professional wrestling. Having a partner would have been advantageous, especially since Spanish Red was such an iconic figure in the ring. Ultimately, they chose Little Feather for her, noting her resemblance to a Native American character as a logical fit given they already had a Hawaiian character.

She was one of the few wrestlers who performed without boots, resulting in a foot injury during practice before the last show of the first season. While executing a monkey toss with Spike, the Heavy Metal Sister, she overshot the landing, resulting in her body weight crushing her foot. Despite the pain, she borrowed boots from one of the Headhunters for the final match featuring Little Egypt and Little Fiji versus the Heavy Metal Sisters.

Following her time with GLOW, she moved to Los Angeles where she pursued stunt work and appeared in minor roles as an extra in various films and TV shows. Her favorite experience was appearing in the graveyard scene with Penguin in "Batman Returns." She also appeared in an indie film called "Sex Crimes" (not a XXX film!) where she participated in a bar fight scene with her younger sister, who stood nearly six feet tall and would have been perfect for GLOW had she been older.

At barely eighteen, she deeply appreciated the perks of living at the Riviera Hotel, especially after experiencing homelessness and starvation. The free buffet and bar tab were especially welcomed, even though she wasn't yet twenty-one. She fondly recalls those times, bringing friends to the hotel, ordering pizza to her room, and signing for drinks like a high roller.

One particularly cherished memory is how she began living at the hotel. She quickly bonded with Sally the Farmer's Daughter and Scarlett the Southern Belle, who invited her to stay in their room when she had just moved out of her apartment and had nowhere to go. Eventually, she was given a room with Palestina, turning their stay into an extended slumber party filled with pillow fights and endless fun. She recently shared that she loves alternative music and fondly recalled Hollywood taking her to her first heavy metal concert, AC/DC.

She expresses immense gratitude to the fans for their continued love and support for GLOW. The show brought together a group of young women chasing their dreams and building lifelong friendships. She's always moved by how GLOW has positively impacted many lives, providing role models and an escape. She is particularly touched by fans who weren't even born when GLOW aired but discovered it through YouTube. The appreciation from fans means the world to her, and she thanks them all for their unwavering support.

If you would like to purchase episodes of GLOW on DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS, check out eBay for deals on NEW and media.