Whether they know it or not, the gays have been waiting for this movie. And it’s finally here. RuPaul’s new feature film Starrbooty hits the LGBT film festival scene this summer! Luckily, I snagged a role in the film as an extra, and it was hilariously fun! The pairing of RuPaul and Mike Ruiz, who directs the film, appears to be a good fit; they seem to bring out the best in each other. I was able to grab an interview with RuPaul and get some insights on their collaboration on Starrbooty. (It follows after the jump)
– AguynamedWayne
Wayne: Ru, I’ve always loved the Starrbooty character. Was it fun reprising one of your earliest incarnations?
RuPaul: I had a blast! It was always my intention to reprise the role, I just didn’t think it would be 20 years later. In fact, when I landed my first major record deal, I was gonna make a Starrbooty album, but the project morphed into Supermodel of the World.
I’m a firm believer in the power of laughter. I think it’s very difficult to fear something if we find it funny. In Starrbooty you take what could often be described as negative stereotypes, and through the use of satire and comedy you show an audience just how ridiculous those negative portrayals are. Was that always your intent when you created the character of Starrbooty?
Absolutely! Laughter is my most favorite spell to cast. It’s gotten me through the most difficult times and taught me to not take the illusion of the material world too seriously.
How did you first meet Mike Ruiz, and what attracted you to working with him (besides the whole “tall-dark-and-handsome” thing)?
I met Mike in the mid-’90s, but I didn’t realize we shared the same twisted sense of humor until many years later when he directed my video “Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous.” He’s a great guy with a kind heart and a keen eye for beauty. I always feel safe with him behind the lens.
Are you planning to attend the film festival screenings of Starrbooty?
Yes. New York, Philly, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. I’m very excited to see the reaction from the audiences. I think the movie is a friggin’ laugh riot. It has everything I love about movies: bitches who kick ass, great dialogue, outrageous costumes, and lots of nudity.
Will there be a Starrbooty soundtrack album?
Yes, and it effin’ rocks! On one of the tracks I rap the following lyrics: “Rise, shine, clock say pussytime. Bust my pussynut while I’m fingerin’ yo’ butt! Do I suck dick? You ain’t seen shit! Throw a c-note, watch it slide down my throat.”
Rock on, you scandalous wench! OK, last question. And this one is just to make the bigwigs at WOW nervous. Do you have any really twisted dirt that you would care to dredge up and share with us about your one-time managers, Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey?
OMG! So much dirt it would make your hair curl up and turn green! We’ve been very close friends for 22 years. When I think of all the things we’ve been through, and all the love we share, the triumphs and disappointments, it makes me feel very mushy and grateful and nauseous. Nothing prepared me for the intense love I feel for the friends who’ve known me even when I didn’t know myself. It’s really some powerful shit. And in the end, that’s what this experience here is really all about.
– AguynamedWayne
