My name is Matthew Perry but I’m more Monica than Chandler

We have all grown up with Matthew Perry being a part of our lives. 

Whether from his iconic role playing Chandler Bing on the 10 seasons, 236 episode long, US sitcom Friends or featuring in popular films such as 17 Again, The Whole Nine Yards or Fools Rush In, to name a few. 

Most people won’t have felt his presence as much as me, though. 

Born in 1996, my parents called me Matthew Jon Perry – no relation to or link with the already thriving TV personality. 

Matthew was the only name my parents could agree on (and it took them until I was three days old). They had decided the name if I came out a girl, but were stumped on a boy name.  

I grew up in a small village in the North of England, unaware that there was someone famous sporting my moniker. 

My first memory of this being pointed out was in primary school. I received the nickname ‘Bing’ from a fellow classmate; I had absolutely no idea what it was and what it meant.

I went home and asked my mum about it and she explained about Chandler Bing and the link between my name and Matthew Perry. 

Following that moment, everyone knew me as Bing, which was better than possible nicknames I could have been attributed being a ginger, glasses-wearing, long haired kid. I had to laugh it off.

It wasn’t until I was around 10/11, I would finally take the plunge down the rabbit hole of Friends.

I began watching the show more and more and I found myself questioning whether I was inadvertently developing the infamous Chandler-isms. For example, his bad luck with the ladies, shameful quick wit and the pessimistic outlook on life.

Turned out I was not, thankfully. 

As a characterisation, Bing is a hilarious masterpiece, always getting in those one-liners, anything for a quick laugh.

Imagine dealing with the constant pressure of having to think of the next gag daily – could it be any more annoying?

Overall, I am a fan of Friends – I even have the complete 10 season box set – but Chandler is not my favourite character.

I relate more with Monica, which is ridiculously ironic due to the characters coupling up in Season 5, leading to them marrying one another and moving away into their ‘dream home’ for the series finale (I still feel the emotions from that).

Her cleanliness obsession and meticulous planning definitely resonate with me. 

In Friends everyone can identify with at least one character and you get those warm fuzzy feelings. Whether you’re a Chandler or a Monica doesn’t matter – the show allows you to enjoy comfort watching.

But because it’s so well known, these days I dread having to provide my name.

I wait for the few seconds’ pause followed by, ‘Oh, like Chandler from Friends?’ 

Luckily, I have a middle name so by using it at the doctor’s office or just before I’m put on hold with the WiFi provider, I can at least delay the inescapable inevitability of someone making the connection (for precisely 10 seconds before I am met with the same question).

My usual response is a stern glare and a small sarcastic laugh (maybe I am like Chandler Bing after all? Whoops). 

Matthew Perry is a cool guy, he has had his personal problems throughout the years – his past struggles with alcohol and opiate addiction have been well reported – and I praise him for getting the help he deserves.

I’m not a close follower of his, only hearing infrequent news reports; I guess I have made the conscious effort to distance myself as much from Perry and his TV character. 

As far as becoming a drag artist, DJ and club host in London, realising my birth name was going to follow me around wherever I go, I changed my professional name to Tequila. 

I have managed to keep my personal and working life separate; I can count on one hand the amount of people who know my real name as opposed to my drag name.

Ultimately, having the same name as Matthew Perry doesn’t greatly debilitate my life. Adding my middle name onto documents and social media gives me a little freedom away from Friends or any film references, but they crop up now and again to remind me of the legacy of Bing and Perry. 

I have not met Perry yet, but would love to and just have a chat about his life, his work and find out what he thinks the secret to creating and performing a character that has lasted the test of time is. 

Let’s be real, even though it’s nearly 17 years since Friends ended, when anyone hears the name Matthew Perry, your mind goes straight to his character. 

All I can say is that I’m looking forward to the upcoming Friends Reunion this summer, and I’m ready for the jokes about my connection to Mr Chandler Bing to have a resurgence.

‘OH. MY. GOD…’

Bring it on!

You can follow Matthew on Instagram and Mixcloud.

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