| . |
www.ambiente.us JANUARY | ENERO 2009
LADY BUNNY | Big Hair | Big Dreams
By Herb Sosa
Photos by Aaron Cobbett & Sergio Kardenas
Actress, deejay, singer/ songwriter, comedienne, activist, style icon, ho.
Lady Bunny began her career in Atlanta, Georgia’s gay scene, performing
alongside Larry Tee and RuPaul, later appearing in a variety of low budget films
with them.
Born in 1962 as Jon Ingle in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, Lady Bunny has lived and
performed in New York City since the 1980s,
and big hair everywhere hasn't been the same.
She is the founder and emcee of the annual
Wigstock event where 40,000 New Yorkers
flocked every Labor Day for nearly 20 years to
watch big performances, big celebrities and
big hair.
Lady Bunny has released several disco singles
such as "Shame, Shame, Shame!" and "The
Pussycat Song." She has appeared in films such
as Wigstock: The Movie, Peoria Babylon, and
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie
Newmar. In 2005 she was a roaster on Comedy
Central’s roast of Pamela Anderson and
released her first DVD, Rated X for X-tra
Retarded.
Ambiente sits down with The first Lady of Bunny
for a chat & some words of wisdom:
HS- Lady Bunny, you are very well-known as a
nightclub DJ, promoter, singer, celebrity,
activist, icon and Diva. Which do you most identify with and why?
LB- I definitely think of myself first and foremost as a slut. And you latino guys are my favorite!
HS- Most recently you have teamed up with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and
are currently featured in an ad campaign against KFC and their treatment of the chickens. How did
this come about?
LB- Dan Matthews, PETA’s campaign director, approached me in the 80’s to put on a show called Fur
Its A Drag, in which drag queens modelled blood-stained furs (which had been donated to PETA)
while I read out the methods by which the different animals were killed. For example, beavers are
killed for their fur by anal electrocution. Now I know that some of you kinky guys might get excited by
that, but it’s deadly. We put on Fur Is A Drag in NYC, Miami, Paris, London and Rome. By that time
Dan and I had become fast friends. If you've read his book COMMITTED, you’d know how hilarious he
is. And good-looking. As hey say, opposites attract!
HS- Any future Community Service work you want to tell us about?
LB- I just dj’ed in NYC for a benefit for the Hetrick Martin Institute, which is a NYC school where kids
can be openly gay and transgendered. In their own neighborhoods, they might get beaten up, so it’s
a wonderful cause which enables inner-city kids to blossom without fear for their safety. And I’m
hosting a benefit on Dec. 20th for Gay Men’s Health Crisis. And I lobby tirelessly for peace so that we
bring out young soldiers home safe where they belong. How the hell am I supposed to have sex with
them if they’re in Iraq?
HS- How did a boy from Tennessee end up blossoming into Lady Bunny? Was it instant or a gradual
transformation?
LB- It was gradual. I started experimenting with androgynous New Wave looks where I wore make-
up, but it wasn't until I met my drag mother RuPaul that I really added the heels, wigs and falsies. And
it took me a looooooong time to learn to apply make-up. I am still not as good as a lot of other
queens with shading, etc. I guess I’m a tomboy drag queen! I can’t sew or style wigs either.
HS- Who were your mentors? Why?
LB- I fell in love with Barbara Eden who starred in I DREAM OF JEANIE. I also love Charo and Patti
Labelle . Of course, all three are very different, but they share a certain magic that got me hooked
at an early age and I still can’t get enough of them. To me, they have star quality. I love Diana Ross, ,
Dame Edna, Elvira and the late, great Peruvian songbird Ym Sumac. I performed one of her songs in
WIGSTOCK: THE MOVIE.
My mom has never been at Wigstock, but she does have a copy of the movie.
But during one of her visits to NYC we both went out in drag—I put her in a wig
and lashes and she looked just like a movie star. (OK, an old movie star!) My
parents are very supportive and even have an 8 X 10 photograph of me in their
bedroom. In my old bedroom the wall is covered with press clippings. I should
send this one to add to their collection—uh, well maybe not the part about
foreskin. - Lady Bunny
HS- How did the now infamous Wigstock Festival come
into reality? (from what year to what year did it run?)
Would you like to revive it in the future?
LB- I had just moved to NYC in 1984 and was very
impressed by the many different types of drag acts
there were—drag queens singing live, emceeing,
forming dance and theater troupes, etc. I thought that
my main home base, the Pyramid Club, had such
impressive acts that they could appeal to a wider
audience and so we moved our show into the park
across the street. The first year was tiny, but we clearly
had a winning formula—i.e. no one performer goes on
for too long. Over the years it grew to 30-40,000
audience members and sometimes 40 acts. We
stopped a couple of years ago but it might pop back
up. 20 years of it was such a lot of work that I don’t feel
bad if I take 10 years off!
HS- What did you learn from organizing Wigstock?
What would you have done differently?
LB- Wigstock taught me that some drag queens can be
out of control diva bitches! But they are my sisters and
even though they may work my nerves from time to
time, once you get them on that stage, it’s all worth it.
It was also very touching to me that people would
volunteer to help out at the festival. Just when I thought I
was gonna lose it, some one always stepped up to get us through the tough times. Wigstock was
much bigger than just me, it was like a gay pride for the freaks. I just corralled them and provided the
playground.
HS- What advice would you give to a young boy in Chattanooga today, with visions of big hair and
the big city?
LB- I think every gay person needs to experience a big city. If you are anything like me, only the
biggest will do! (City, that is.)
HS- What are you working on now professionally… Music, movies, etc?
LB- Well, I have a part in ANOTHER GAY SEQUEL: GAYS GONE WILD,, as well as a song in the movie
(soon to be on i tunes from the soundtrack.) I’m also working on a new one woman show which I am
going to debut ellements of in San Francisco. I've just come from Art Basel in Miami, Phoenix, Arizona,
dj’ing in Bangkok, Beijing and Seoul for Lacoste/V Magazine and a month dj’ng in London, so my ass is
ready to be home for a while. Cuz you know we have those fly papis in NYC, too,. And my regulars
HATE it when I’m on the road.
Lady Bunny’s Beauty Tips
- How do I get my hair as big as yours?
You don’t! Just teasing!
- Best hair spray/product?
Tresemme hairspray.
- Best hair removal process?
A Good News razor! I even carry one in my purse in
case I decide to do after hours.
The morning light can be so cruel to a bearded lady.
- Do men really prefer Blondes?
Have you ever seen me in any other color? I know they prefer ME as a blonde, but I don’t
wanna discount the seductive dark locals of luscious latinas like the gorgeous Salma Hayek.
- How do I develop my fashion sense to be like yours?
I think it’s more important to find what silhouette looks best on you, and stick with it no matter
what the flavor of the minute is. I find long-sleeved mini-dresses are most flattering for me, and
I love bold prints and (like an old crow) anything which sparkles.
- Best place to shop for all things glittery?
Latinas do some of the most beautiful beadwork, and I also like costume jewelry which is found
in Asian NYC wholesale stores. And It’s a lot easier to “sell your hole” if it’s glittering!
- How do I get eyelashes like yours?
By putting 3 or 4 long pairs together on top and wearing a pair of bottom lashes as well.
It makes the eyes pop out more.
- White shoes after Labor Day?
I think you can wear them year round now--- especially in warm places.
- Wearing fur?
Never. I don’t have a problem with fake fur,, although PETA has discouraged people from
wearing it because it makes it seems as if they would wear the real thing if they could afford it.
I don’t think that’s quite true.
The ideal gig for Lady Bunny -
"Performing for a roomful of gorgeous, horse-hung, uncut, nymphomaniac
drug dealers!" - Lady Bunny
HS- You have performed in South Florida on
several occasions. What do you think of it?
- The weather, nightlife, fashion, talent & men?
LB- The weather is fantastic—until May. I was
once in Miami in August and I could barely
breathe.
The air was so humid that breathing was like
drinking—and I don’t usually have a problem with
drinking!
There are so many talented drag queens in
Florida. Florida and Texas probably have the
most pageant queens of any two states. The
men in Florida are ridiculously hot. I've spent the
most time on South Beach, and I've developed quite a taste for those delicious long, thick Cuban
cigars! Con queso! My favorite club in SoBe is Twist—it’s always so wild and always free!
HS- Do you pick up any Spanish while in Miami or NYC? Care to share?
LB- Yes. I think “hello” in Spanish is “puta”—at least that’s what all the cute young straight guys say
to me when they pass me on the street. And when I want to tell them goodbye in Spanish I just say
“No tengo dinero.”
WORD ASSOCIATION
Tennessee - Goodbye, forever!
New York – Foreskin fiesta!
Wigstock – I miss it!
TV/Movies – The Killing of Sister George.
Men - Mas, papi!
Make-up – Mas,!
Success - Mas!
Music - My best friend.
Favorite thing to wear– Foreskin
Favorite thing to eat -Foreskin
I want to be remembered (how) – As a great cocksucker!
For more info, visit www.ladybunny.net
http://myspace.com/ladybunnymusic
SIGN UP FOR MY SHEMAIL NEWSLETTER BY CLICKING HERE-- http://ladybunny.net/loader_flash.html
(Just click SIGN UP in the lower right hand corner of my homepage and enter your email to keep a-
breast of everything Bunny!)
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR MY NEW DVD: RATED X FOR XTRA-RETARDED!)
BY CLICKING HERE-- http://ladybunny.net/loader_flash_trailer.html
ON SALE ONLY ON www.LADYBUNNY.NET NOW!
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
LADY BUNNY | Big Hair | Big Dreams
By Herb Sosa
Photos by Aaron Cobbett & Sergio Kardenas
Actress, deejay, singer/ songwriter, comedienne, activist, style icon, ho.
Lady Bunny began her career in Atlanta, Georgia’s gay scene, performing
alongside Larry Tee and RuPaul, later appearing in a variety of low budget films
with them.
Born in 1962 as Jon Ingle in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, Lady Bunny has lived and
performed in New York City since the 1980s,
and big hair everywhere hasn't been the same.
She is the founder and emcee of the annual
Wigstock event where 40,000 New Yorkers
flocked every Labor Day for nearly 20 years to
watch big performances, big celebrities and
big hair.
Lady Bunny has released several disco singles
such as "Shame, Shame, Shame!" and "The
Pussycat Song." She has appeared in films such
as Wigstock: The Movie, Peoria Babylon, and
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie
Newmar. In 2005 she was a roaster on Comedy
Central’s roast of Pamela Anderson and
released her first DVD, Rated X for X-tra
Retarded.
Ambiente sits down with The first Lady of Bunny
for a chat & some words of wisdom:
HS- Lady Bunny, you are very well-known as a
nightclub DJ, promoter, singer, celebrity,
activist, icon and Diva. Which do you most identify with and why?
LB- I definitely think of myself first and foremost as a slut. And you latino guys are my favorite!
HS- Most recently you have teamed up with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and
are currently featured in an ad campaign against KFC and their treatment of the chickens. How did
this come about?
LB- Dan Matthews, PETA’s campaign director, approached me in the 80’s to put on a show called Fur
Its A Drag, in which drag queens modelled blood-stained furs (which had been donated to PETA)
while I read out the methods by which the different animals were killed. For example, beavers are
killed for their fur by anal electrocution. Now I know that some of you kinky guys might get excited by
that, but it’s deadly. We put on Fur Is A Drag in NYC, Miami, Paris, London and Rome. By that time
Dan and I had become fast friends. If you've read his book COMMITTED, you’d know how hilarious he
is. And good-looking. As hey say, opposites attract!
HS- Any future Community Service work you want to tell us about?
LB- I just dj’ed in NYC for a benefit for the Hetrick Martin Institute, which is a NYC school where kids
can be openly gay and transgendered. In their own neighborhoods, they might get beaten up, so it’s
a wonderful cause which enables inner-city kids to blossom without fear for their safety. And I’m
hosting a benefit on Dec. 20th for Gay Men’s Health Crisis. And I lobby tirelessly for peace so that we
bring out young soldiers home safe where they belong. How the hell am I supposed to have sex with
them if they’re in Iraq?
HS- How did a boy from Tennessee end up blossoming into Lady Bunny? Was it instant or a gradual
transformation?
LB- It was gradual. I started experimenting with androgynous New Wave looks where I wore make-
up, but it wasn't until I met my drag mother RuPaul that I really added the heels, wigs and falsies. And
it took me a looooooong time to learn to apply make-up. I am still not as good as a lot of other
queens with shading, etc. I guess I’m a tomboy drag queen! I can’t sew or style wigs either.
HS- Who were your mentors? Why?
LB- I fell in love with Barbara Eden who starred in I DREAM OF JEANIE. I also love Charo and Patti
Labelle . Of course, all three are very different, but they share a certain magic that got me hooked
at an early age and I still can’t get enough of them. To me, they have star quality. I love Diana Ross, ,
Dame Edna, Elvira and the late, great Peruvian songbird Ym Sumac. I performed one of her songs in
WIGSTOCK: THE MOVIE.
My mom has never been at Wigstock, but she does have a copy of the movie.
But during one of her visits to NYC we both went out in drag—I put her in a wig
and lashes and she looked just like a movie star. (OK, an old movie star!) My
parents are very supportive and even have an 8 X 10 photograph of me in their
bedroom. In my old bedroom the wall is covered with press clippings. I should
send this one to add to their collection—uh, well maybe not the part about
foreskin. - Lady Bunny
HS- How did the now infamous Wigstock Festival come
into reality? (from what year to what year did it run?)
Would you like to revive it in the future?
LB- I had just moved to NYC in 1984 and was very
impressed by the many different types of drag acts
there were—drag queens singing live, emceeing,
forming dance and theater troupes, etc. I thought that
my main home base, the Pyramid Club, had such
impressive acts that they could appeal to a wider
audience and so we moved our show into the park
across the street. The first year was tiny, but we clearly
had a winning formula—i.e. no one performer goes on
for too long. Over the years it grew to 30-40,000
audience members and sometimes 40 acts. We
stopped a couple of years ago but it might pop back
up. 20 years of it was such a lot of work that I don’t feel
bad if I take 10 years off!
HS- What did you learn from organizing Wigstock?
What would you have done differently?
LB- Wigstock taught me that some drag queens can be
out of control diva bitches! But they are my sisters and
even though they may work my nerves from time to
time, once you get them on that stage, it’s all worth it.
It was also very touching to me that people would
volunteer to help out at the festival. Just when I thought I
was gonna lose it, some one always stepped up to get us through the tough times. Wigstock was
much bigger than just me, it was like a gay pride for the freaks. I just corralled them and provided the
playground.
HS- What advice would you give to a young boy in Chattanooga today, with visions of big hair and
the big city?
LB- I think every gay person needs to experience a big city. If you are anything like me, only the
biggest will do! (City, that is.)
HS- What are you working on now professionally… Music, movies, etc?
LB- Well, I have a part in ANOTHER GAY SEQUEL: GAYS GONE WILD,, as well as a song in the movie
(soon to be on i tunes from the soundtrack.) I’m also working on a new one woman show which I am
going to debut ellements of in San Francisco. I've just come from Art Basel in Miami, Phoenix, Arizona,
dj’ing in Bangkok, Beijing and Seoul for Lacoste/V Magazine and a month dj’ng in London, so my ass is
ready to be home for a while. Cuz you know we have those fly papis in NYC, too,. And my regulars
HATE it when I’m on the road.
Lady Bunny’s Beauty Tips
- How do I get my hair as big as yours?
You don’t! Just teasing!
- Best hair spray/product?
Tresemme hairspray.
- Best hair removal process?
A Good News razor! I even carry one in my purse in
case I decide to do after hours.
The morning light can be so cruel to a bearded lady.
- Do men really prefer Blondes?
Have you ever seen me in any other color? I know they prefer ME as a blonde, but I don’t
wanna discount the seductive dark locals of luscious latinas like the gorgeous Salma Hayek.
- How do I develop my fashion sense to be like yours?
I think it’s more important to find what silhouette looks best on you, and stick with it no matter
what the flavor of the minute is. I find long-sleeved mini-dresses are most flattering for me, and
I love bold prints and (like an old crow) anything which sparkles.
- Best place to shop for all things glittery?
Latinas do some of the most beautiful beadwork, and I also like costume jewelry which is found
in Asian NYC wholesale stores. And It’s a lot easier to “sell your hole” if it’s glittering!
- How do I get eyelashes like yours?
By putting 3 or 4 long pairs together on top and wearing a pair of bottom lashes as well.
It makes the eyes pop out more.
- White shoes after Labor Day?
I think you can wear them year round now--- especially in warm places.
- Wearing fur?
Never. I don’t have a problem with fake fur,, although PETA has discouraged people from
wearing it because it makes it seems as if they would wear the real thing if they could afford it.
I don’t think that’s quite true.
The ideal gig for Lady Bunny -
"Performing for a roomful of gorgeous, horse-hung, uncut, nymphomaniac
drug dealers!" - Lady Bunny
HS- You have performed in South Florida on
several occasions. What do you think of it?
- The weather, nightlife, fashion, talent & men?
LB- The weather is fantastic—until May. I was
once in Miami in August and I could barely
breathe.
The air was so humid that breathing was like
drinking—and I don’t usually have a problem with
drinking!
There are so many talented drag queens in
Florida. Florida and Texas probably have the
most pageant queens of any two states. The
men in Florida are ridiculously hot. I've spent the
most time on South Beach, and I've developed quite a taste for those delicious long, thick Cuban
cigars! Con queso! My favorite club in SoBe is Twist—it’s always so wild and always free!
HS- Do you pick up any Spanish while in Miami or NYC? Care to share?
LB- Yes. I think “hello” in Spanish is “puta”—at least that’s what all the cute young straight guys say
to me when they pass me on the street. And when I want to tell them goodbye in Spanish I just say
“No tengo dinero.”
WORD ASSOCIATION
Tennessee - Goodbye, forever!
New York – Foreskin fiesta!
Wigstock – I miss it!
TV/Movies – The Killing of Sister George.
Men - Mas, papi!
Make-up – Mas,!
Success - Mas!
Music - My best friend.
Favorite thing to wear– Foreskin
Favorite thing to eat -Foreskin
I want to be remembered (how) – As a great cocksucker!
For more info, visit www.ladybunny.net
http://myspace.com/ladybunnymusic
SIGN UP FOR MY SHEMAIL NEWSLETTER BY CLICKING HERE-- http://ladybunny.net/loader_flash.html
(Just click SIGN UP in the lower right hand corner of my homepage and enter your email to keep a-
breast of everything Bunny!)
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR MY NEW DVD: RATED X FOR XTRA-RETARDED!)
BY CLICKING HERE-- http://ladybunny.net/loader_flash_trailer.html
ON SALE ONLY ON www.LADYBUNNY.NET NOW!
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
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