Shalimar Seiuli
Saoaumaga Atisone Kenneth Seiuli (July 6, 1976 – April 22, 1998) known professionally as Shalimar, Atisone Seiuli, or Shalimar Seiuli was an American–Samoan transgender dancer and public figure who gained infamy when she was seen getting into the SUV of the actor Eddie Murphy.
Shalimar Seiuli | |
|---|---|
| Born | Saoaumaga Atisone Kenneth Seiuli July 6, 1976 Mesepa, American Samoa |
| Died | April 22, 1998 (aged 21) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Accidental fall |
| Other names | Shalimar, Atisone Seiuli |
| Occupation | Dancer |
On May 2, 1997, Seiuli, a known prostitute, was being watched by police getting into the SUV, unaware that Murphy was the driver. Murphy was pulled over, questioned for thirty minutes, then released, while Seiuli was arrested for an outstanding warrant on prostitution charges. Murphy claimed he was just being a "good Samaritan" by giving Seiuli a ride.[1][2]
Overnight, the story made headlines, and was later parodied on an episode of Saturday Night Live. The National Enquirer paid Seiuli's $15,000 bond for exclusive details on her ride with Murphy.
Early life
Seiuli was born to a devout Mormon family in the village of Mesepa, American Samoa.[3] From a young age, Seiuli identified as female; adopting the name Shalimar after the imported French fragrance as a teenager. Seiuli was the cheerleading captain at Leone High School and was crowned Miss American Samoan Island Queen in 1993.
By 1996, Seiuli moved to Los Angeles, California where she began her transition from male to female via hormone replacement therapy; affording the pills by getting into street prostitution on Santa Monica Boulevard, a street notorious for transgender prostitution.
Arrest and subsequent infamy
At 4:55 AM on May 2, 1997. Los Angeles Police officers followed and pulled over a Toyota Land Cruiser after watching Shalimar enter the vehicle. It was then discovered that the driver was actor Eddie Murphy. Murphy was questioned then released since nothing illegal had occurred; however, Seiuli was arrested for an outstanding warrant for prostitution.[4] By morning, the story made international news, with a tabloid paying Shalimar's fifteen thousand dollar bond for details on her arrest.
Shalimar was then the subject of Candace Watkins book, In the Closet with Eddie Murphy, which featured stories by Atisone and other transgender sex workers who claimed to have had sexual encounters with Murphy.
Murphy hired Hollywood private eye Paul Barresi to help defuse the scandal. Due to Seiuli's rising celebrity status, she filmed an erotic movie and left prostitution to become the House Madame of the nightclub, 7969, in which she performed erotic routines as a dominatrix with live snakes. Actress Demi Moore and actor Charlie Sheen reportedly attended her shows.
Death
On April 22, 1998, Seiuli was found dead on the sidewalk outside of her apartment building by a neighbor in the same building. Clad only in lingerie, police suspected that Shalimar was locked out of her apartment, and tried to use her robe as a rope to slide down from the roof then swing to an open window, but instead, she fell five floors and suffered severe head trauma, resulting in her death.[5]
References
- "Scary hints about Eddie - NY Daily News". nydailynews.com.
- "Double Trouble". PEOPLE.com.
- "Atisone Seiuli (1976–1998) sex worker, performer". 6 August 2008.
- "Eddie Murphy busted with transsexual prostitute in 1997 - NY Daily News". nydailynews.com.
- "The Death of Eddie Murphy's Infamous Passenger". E! Online. 1 May 1998.