Michelle Visage: ‘I’d dance with Giovanni Pernice again in a heartbeat’-Simon Gage-Entertainment – Metro

The two are still friends… (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Best known for co-hosting RuPaul’s Drag Race and appearing in Strictly Come Dancing in 2019, Michelle Visage, 56, is currently co-producing Scissorhandz, a musical version of Edward Scissorhands with N’Sync star Lance Bass.

In 60 Seconds, she talks her ‘love language’ with Giovanni Pernice, going ‘dowdy’ for a sitcom, her enduring friendship with RuPaul and Christmas in Los Angeles.

Will you turn on your Zoom camera?

Absolutely not. I love you very much but it’s Sunday morning and I’m still in bed.

I’ve got the Devil Wears Prada gala today so
I have to jump in the shower. Seventeen hours in hair and make-up… well, today I’m doing it myself so let’s say 16 hours.

Your own premiere is coming up soon

Edward Scissorhandz is for everyone who has ever felt like they don’t fit in

Very exciting. Scissorhandz. I’ve been a fan of Edward Scissorhands for a long time so when I heard they were doing this musical in LA I was all in.

Edward Scissorhands is a film about misfits. I never had a place where I felt I belonged until I found the LGBTQIA+ community and I feel like that’s why it speaks to so many queer people.

How is this different?

Scissorhandz the musical is the same story but with a twist on the ending and it’s uplifting. We have a non-binary Scissorhandz and everyone knows every song. There’s Taylor Swift and Gaga and Alanis Morissette and Leona Lewis…

Seduction had a hit called ‘Two to Make It Right’ which has Michelle on lead vocals

No Seduction [the group Michelle was in in the 90s]?

[Laughs] No! We want the tickets to sell, we don’t want to repel.

And you’re co-producing with Lance Bass of NSYNC.

Michelle and Lance go way back… (Credits: Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

Yes, we’ve been friends for a long time. We both come from girl groups. We have a subject that we all know and love and making it really gay and really camp… It’s also perfect for all ages.

And now you’re hosting Drag Race Down Under on your own.

It’s wonderful. I’m having the best time of my life. I knew what I had to do and that’s why Ru trusted me and said, ‘You do it – and just do you.’

RuPaul’s righthand woman is rewriting herstory as the host Drag Race down under

The bit where LaVoix dragged up his dad on Drag Race UK had you in tears.

I had a moment of teariness. Do not judge me for it. This older man standing by his gay son saying, ‘Why would I not love my kid?’

Do you ever wonder what your life would have been without RuPaul?

I try not to think about that because
he’s such a big part of my life. We met in the nightclubs in New York City, so we know where all the bodies are buried, honey. And then we got put together unexpectedly for a breakfast radio show and the rest is herstory.

Visage and RuPaul met at one of the legendary party organiser Susanne Bartsch’s many parties in the late 80s (Picture: Chelsea Guglielmino/WireImage)

Do you ever fall out?

You’re going to think I’m full of s*** but we absolutely have never fallen out, ever. Do we ever disagree? Absolutely, but it’s OK to disagree. We love each other so thoroughly that there’s no time for wasting.

Are you watching Strictly this year?

I have seen bits and bobs. I would do that show every year if I could.

Michelle and Giovanni had their clashes but that’s just their ‘love language’ (Credits: PA/BBC)

What was your favourite moment?

Doing Madonna was my favourite moment but obviously not the country’s. It was my love letter to the queer community. I’m very proud of that moment.

You were dancing with Giovanni Pernice, who there’s been trouble about.

I was absolutely fine with him. We fought every day but that’s the way two Italians communicate. That’s our love language. I’m still friends with Gio. Is he tough? Yeah. Is he the best teacher? Yeah. Would I dance with him again? In a heartbeat.

You’re in the new BBC sitcom Smoggie Queens…

Smoggie Queens is a ‘fun, hysterical, demented love letter’ to Middlesbrough (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Created, written and acted in by the brilliant Phil Dunning, Smoggie Queens is such a fun, hysterical, demented love letter to Middlesbrough. I play Elaine, a very dowdy office worker. It’s the first time I’ve gone into hair and make-up and it’s taken 15 minutes, tip to toe.

Is acting the way you want to go?

She’s serving dowdy office worker realness (Credits: BBC/Hat Trick Productions)

It’s my 20th year in radio and I’ll always do radio, but I want to act and I’m going to focus on that in 2025 and put it in between my Drag Race filmings and whatever else life throws my way.

What are you doing for Christmas?

Christmas is in Los Angeles. I’ve got a black tree with gold ornaments and I’m bringing tons and tons from England. One whole suitcase is going to be filled with Cadbury and Percy Pigs. It’s going to be a very British Christmas in America.

Scissorhandz has its European premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from Jan 23. You can buy your ticket here.

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