You know her, you love her, the site of her stained underpants make you laugh, not hurl. She's friends with New Yorkers as disparate as Sex and the City/Ugly Betty designer Patricia Fields and super big Jonah Falcon.. and everyone in between.
She's had a life that most would only dream of having and she's still having the time of her life - and there's no sign of slowing -- and best of all she's on fire with a Tuesday night weekly show at Escuelita and a recent performance trip to Brazil!
She's Lady Bunny and there is no one like her (for better or worse!)
She's one of the New Yorkers I admire the most because she started with nothing and worked her way up the ladder with hard work, innovative ideas, pluck and spunk (both the kind you do and do not like) and am honored to be able to run this awesome interview on my blog (even if blogs are "so 2008" LOL)
How the Drag Net interviews work is that I ask each of the subjects the same questions... and here are Lady Bunny answers - perfect for a Sunday morning!
A quick aside - I HIGHLY recommend getting to Escuelita early - far ahead of the 8pm start time to guarantee getting a seat .. the seating there is fucked up royally and I literally had to fight with one queen to have a place to sit down (I offered his face since it was clearly not being used but he didn't cotton to the idea). And although you have to buy a drink ticket to get in, bring a flask - they've only hired one bartender and girl, he's hot but even he can't service a couple hundred queens in short order!! LOL
1. State your official drag name.
Lady Bunny.
2. What do others call you behind your back?
Sir.
3. Who’s your best drag friend? (someone who would throw a rival down in the mud if they talked trash about you)
I'd say Miss Guy, who deejays around town and is in a rock band called the Toilet Boys. But truthfully, most of my best friends are sisters of the cloth.
4. What made you first do drag?
I experimented with it throughout my childhood and always wore long hair as a kid. When I finally met some queens in a gay bar, I just automatically gravitated to them like a zombie. In Chattanooga, Tennessee there weren't many women wearing sequins, wigs and lashes and I was mesmerized. Love my mom to death, but she was no glamourpuss!
5. Please list any awards, titles, commendations or notches that you’ve earned (real or imagined)
You know, I've received a quite a few in my time. But I'm really not one to focus on them. Since I despise America's obsession with competition, I prefer to think that people can each be great yet different without the need for a #1 or a winner. And as far as honors from charities, etc, I'm doing that work because I believe in the cause, not because I'm after some award. The only honor I need is a paycheck--that means I'm doing my job right. And I doubt if my landlord would accept a trophy or plaque as payment. Take away my gay card, but I even hate the Oscars. I don't need any committee telling me which movie is good because I have a brain of my own!
6. Where can your fans find you (both online and off)? (ie list website and regular club appearance or where you’re appearing next)
I'm performing my 1st 1 wo-man show in 10 years Tuesdays 8PM at La Escuelita. It's called That Ain't No Lady! and it's a raunchy, demented comedy revue with song parodies galore, a tribute to Amy Winehouse and jokes out the wazoo. Due to great crowd response, we've extended the run indefinitely and will even add Xmas material and keep it going through the holidays if the demand is there. I also dj at a variety of events but the most regular one in NYC is at Club 57 on Saturdays when I'm in town.
Ladybunny.net is my website where you can check out my blog--the closest thing to an appearance calendar--and also browse through ancient, heavily air-brushed photos and buy my comedy dvd. But blogs are so 2008! They can also "like" Lady Bunny Forever on facebook.
7. So you've just met a nice guy you're dating. How and when does proper etiquette dictate you come out to him about your drag persona?
I really wouldn't date anyone who I thought might have a problem with my occupation. I'm more of a sex date type than relationship-oriented anyway. I typically introduce myself as Bunny and my apartment is crammed full of wigs, gowns and jewelry so it's not a big secret! I do know gay men who tell me that their boyfriends only allow them to do drag on Hallowe'en or Night of A Thousand Gowns. I guess relationships are about compromise--which is probably why I don't have one. But I would never want anyone who didn't like the real me. No man is worth hiding your true self for. I am going to spend a lot of time on the phone saying things like "Is my wig ready?" so if overhearing that turns you off, see ya!
8. For those up-and-coming goslings, any words of wisdom? What was the worst stupidest mistake you made when you first started out doing drag that you could save some of the newbies from repeating?
No one could make my mistake. I am sort of a tomboy with drag--I can't style wigs, sew, or even put on make-up that well. Especially at first! Even though I was slimmer then, my looks in my 20s were so booger that I don't usually like seeing the older pics. I was broke and clueless! Some queens just have a knack for drag--I wasn't one of those. It took me decades to learn and many would say that I still don't have it right!
As far as advice I'd say try to do something unique. No one is going to fly you to another city id they already have 10 queens there lip-synching to Rihanna.
9. How much do you spend a year on nylons?
A fortune! Since I don't have a waist, neck or ass, I showcase my legs a lot and those hose are $15 bucks a pair. So I'm guessing $1000 per year?
10. Have you ever had a drink named after you? If so, where and when and how? If not, what would your drink be?
Poppers!
11. Who do you most admire among the legendary queens who came before you? Who should we know about from our shared past and revere?
I never got to see Charles Pierce, but he seems to have been amazing. I also worshipped Wayland Flowers and Madame. The country wasn't ready for full drag yet so the made that hilarious sissy squat behind a couch and put his hand only in drag. But Wayland's comedy was stellar. I'm also a huge fan of Dame Edna and even love her male characters. The queens currently working that I love are Jackie Beat, Dina Martina, HRH Princess Diandra, Sugga Pie Koko and Shealita Babay.
12. How do you want to be remembered long after you’re gone?
Someone who was unique and followed her passion.
CLICK HERE TO GET TIX FOR LADY BUNNY'S SHOW - DON'T MISS THIS IT'S FUCKING HILARIOUS!
First video below is the official promo trailer for the AIN'T NO LADY show, the second, the world's sickest, most twisted, sexiest, nastiest music video featuring Lady Bunny and hottie Jonathan Cedano. Seriously, this is some fucked up shit!!!! :)
