Caught in the Act cover art

Caught in the Act

A Memoir by Courtney Act

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Caught in the Act

By: Shane Jenek
Narrated by: Shane Jenek
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About this listen

Caught in the Act is about our journey towards understanding gender, sexuality and identity. It's an often hilarious and at times heartbreaking memoir from a beloved drag and entertainment icon.

Boy, girl, artist, advocate. Courtney is more than the sum of her parts.

Meet Shane Jenek. Raised in the Brisbane suburbs by loving parents, Shane realises from a young age that he's not like all the other boys. He finds his tribe at a performing arts agency, where he discovers his passion for song, dance and performance. Shane makes a promise to himself - to find a bigger stage.

Meet Courtney Act. Born in Sydney around the turn of the millennium, Courtney makes her name in the gay bars of Oxford Street and then on Australian Idol. Over 10 years later, she makes star turns on RuPaul's Drag Race and Celebrity Big Brother UK, bringing her unique take on drag and gender to the world.

Behind this rise to national and global fame is a story of searching for and finding one's self.

©2021 Shane Jenek (P)2021 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Celebrities LGBTQIA+ Creators Celebrity Memoir Funny Witty Thought-Provoking

Critic Reviews

"He says...she says.... There is a lot more to drag than just a wig and a frock. This read is shockingly honest, raunchy, funny and moving and a hugely surprising education for me. A must-read for anyone curious to know the complexities of being Shane and Courtney!" (Dannii Minogue)

"In a world where there are now more drag queens than pubs, it’s hard to stand out. You need to be pretty, witty and unstoppable. Courtney is all three and more. I love this book." (Boy George)

"A coming-of-age story like no other. It is an honour to dive into the world of a young queer kid from the Australian suburbs and learn how they became an icon of entertainment and social politics." (The Veronicas)
All stars
Most relevant
Shane and Courtney have an amazing story to tell. A truthful account of an amazing persons life and they are still so young … can’t wait for the next book in 20 years time 😊

Loved this candid account

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I already loved Courtney Act. Well Shane as I remember him being in high school performing at Sandgate High with my friends older sister as little kids we'd watch these musicals in aw. Fast forward to Drag Race and I fell in Love even more, any book or post I could find I'd read and read was lucky enough to meet you once in person in Brisbane at the power house with Bianca! I cried all the way home because you were so lovely and kind! This book is open and raw but you feel do close as you hear of the stories and tales of a life so raw but this honest truth through. Shane opens up and really connects with you and it transcends through this book ! you won't be disappointed ♡ You are amazing Shane please remember that ♡

fall in love over and over again

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Not only will this make you laugh and cry it will open your eyes and educate you without you even being aware it’s happening. Thank you Courtney for sharing your journey (to date) and making the world a little safer for us all. P.S I laughed so much reading this, what a ride.

Must read- laugh, cry, live and learn

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Overall I liked this memoir but I probably should have read it as Shane is the narrator. Overall he is good but every time there’s an American talking in the book (which is often) he impersonates them with this awful cringey, cheesy American accent.

Shane ruins it with cringy American accent

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This is an amazing memoir of one of Australia's truest treasures. Was absolutely life changing.

One word... INCREDIBLE

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