This month we’re delighted to introduce a new feature article #1900JOHNA, by Johna Myers. Each month, Johna will bring you celebrity interviews from around the world. Stay up to date with Johna on www.gay.vegas/johnamyers
I’m so excited for my first column in QVegas Magazine. This month, I called up Del Shores to have him tell us a little bit about his Vegas escapades and work in general. Here’s kind of how the call went…
What’s your craziest Vegas story?
About 15 years ago, I went to Vegas to see my friend Olivia Newton-John perform on New Year’s. My friend Steve and I went, both having just gotten our hearts broken. I was tired of answering questions about being “Del Shores” the writer/director, so we decided to lie, make up fake names and fake professions every time someone asked. This was before Facebook and less fame, so I wasn’t recognized like I am now in the gay community. We were at the Hilton in a hot tub with straight guys and professions came up. I said I was a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and Steve said he was my anesthesiologist. Well, suddenly we were bombarded by questions we couldn’t answer because one of the guys wife was planning a facelift. I told them I’d rather not work on my vacation and would come back with a card so they could make an appointment. We fled to our rooms, hoping to not see them the rest of the trip. The other crazy story was going to my Aunt Reta’s 6th wedding in a limo, hearing her and new husband recite vows in the care—at a drive-through chapel!
Have you ever had sex in Vegas?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. It’s a sexy city. And I love hotels. AND I’ve stayed at Blue Moon Resort. I’ve been in Vegas with boyfriends, a husband and as a single horny man, so that’s probably not enough yeses.
Oddest place you’ve ever had an intimate encounter?
Ever? I’m a very sexual person and I went through a big slut period. A hand job under a blanket on a plane once was hot. You have to be so quiet! I once drug a futon on the roof of a guest house and had sex under the stars and full moon (pun intended) in the summer time. Getting the futon up and down was a pain, but it was worth it. I’m liking this interview.
When can Vegas expect you or your work in the near future?
I don’t know. I’d love to come there with my new show SINgularly SORDID. I need to get on that, huh, as we are just now booking. The Onyx contacted me recently. I know the owners of Share. Hey, club owners in Vegas. Hit me up!
Most you’ve ever tipped a gogo dancer?
Oh I love this question! I’ve tipped $20s many times and paid more than that for lap dances, but one night, very drunk, at Fubar in LA on my birthday, I tipped a hot go-go boy a $100 dollar bill that was mixed with my wad of ones. It honestly was an drunk accident and I realized what I had done as I tucked it into his briefs—but how do you reach back in and take it back? You don’t!!! You know that it was for a worthy cause! I love go-go boys. I always say, I tip them in lieu of giving to the homeless. They work hard for that money!
What’s your relationship w/ Leslie Jordan?
We have been secret lovers for thirty years. Wouldn’t that be a fun rumor to start? No, Leslie and I are celebrating this year 30 years of working together. I adore him. He’s one of my best friends. We talk or text almost daily about just any old thing. He makes me laugh harder than anybody on this planet. And if he will work with me, I will work with him until one of us goes to comedy heaven.
Have you guys ever hung out outside of work?
Oh my God yes. Before Leslie got sober and I came out, he was my running buddy. We trolled so many bars together and have so many sordid stories, we could write a book. These days when we are in the same city, we lunch or dine occasionally and catch up.
And if our readers were to tag along for the night.. What could we expect?
Hilarity. We are the same onstage and off. Leslie tells stories with ease and I listen, then chime in with my own. If you had a meal with us, I promise, you would never forget it. There is no filter!
As someone who is on Out Top 100 lists has anyone ever questioned your validity as a person in the gay scene.. Because Of your family?
Yes. There are those in our community who love to eat their own. When tragedy hits your life, like losing your series, home and fortune (like when the legal issues of Sordid Lives: The Series happened), there are those who rejoice and write horrible things about you. When divorce happened and I was no longer the poster guy for gay marriage, there were those who wrote me—haters even in our community—who were so happy and felt that my activism was invalid because of the circumstances of my life. As far as me being a dad of two daughters, having been in a marriage with a woman before I came out, not so much. So many in our community, especially those from the Southern states like me, because of religion and society have had similar paths. Sometimes, you just have to stop reading blogs and comments on stories, and your skin gets a little thicker. I will say this though. I get much much more love that hate. And I chose to focus on that.
I don’t think a lot of people understand that you’re not just a writer. Del Shores is definitely an artist. What motivates you? Where do you pull from artistically?
Thank you, Johna. I observe. If it’s not something I’ve lived and breathed—like the film we did together SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES—I collect characters and stories by just listening! I love people. I love characters. I love the forgotten people. The ones in trailers, the ones in bars, the ones dancing on boxes, waitresses, beauty operators, cashiers at The Stop N’ Go. The salt of the earth - REAL people. And I love to tell their stories. To honor them, not make fun of.
Have you ever hung out with fans?
Many times. I love my fans. They are my employers and allow me to do what I love. I celebrate with them. I have a meet and great after almost every show - and many times, hang and go out after. Many fans have become friends. Hey, speaking of hanging with fans, I have a great event coming up. A SORDID LIVES CRUISE - hosted by myself and Ann Walker (LaVonda). We sail the Caribbean for 7 days for a Halloween cruise with lots of Sordid events, and we are going to hang with fans and have a great time. Here’s the link for the Facebook event : https://www.facebook.com/events/731469323615896 and here’s the link to book. ALL INFO: http://www.thesordidlivescruise.com Come, come, come!!!
When can we expect you to write a gay superhero drama?
Oooh, I may have to leave that to other gay writers. Not really my passion.
Realism seems to be a theme that every piece of media you’ve worked on has in common. Why?
I gravitate to what I know, what I’ve lived and characters whose stories I’m attracted to. So the fantasy films, the surreal, the superhero kind of genre, yes, I enjoy, but I’d much rather see a Horton Foote play or a Tennessee Williams play or film, than the latest Galaxy movie.
Worst car you’ve ever driven..
Easy. I had an old AMC Hornet in high school and my first year of college. It had this weird problem with the gas line and sometimes it’d die and I’d have to pop the hood, blow a hose (some things never change) and unblock the air bubble that was causing the problem. I was too poor to get it properly fixed, so that was how I rolled.
And what job did you drive it to?
I worked at Pizza Hut as a waiter, La Quinta as a desk clerk and I billed at freight company that freshman year of college (Baylor, Waco, Texas).
Is QVegas your fav Gay Vegas publication?
Well, of course. This is a very Price of Tides question. Remember Nick Nolte’s character and his sister realized that the mother had told both of them that they were her favorite? And she told them to never tell the other. So, shhhhh. Don’t tell anybody but QVegas is actually my favorite publication in the entire world!