You’re an amazing storyteller and I love that you are always writing. I love the promo picture for Spring Affair with the yellow tulips. Who designed that beautiful dress? 

It was an off the rack dress that my stylist got for me. He used to work for Nordstrom’s and I really liked it and wanted to keep it, but it was the kind of dress that kept sliding off your shoulder. I was bummed because I wanted to keep it for stage but it would have driven me crazy while I was performing.

You are described by many as “outrageous.” What is your take on why you are described that way? 

I think it is that over the years, I’ve gone headlong into some topics and experiences that were at the time a little more taboo. I think when you are an artist and you are authentic and talk about things in a multi layered way, I think that it can be construed as outrageous. I like to think that what I do not only pushes some buttons but also reveals some truths about our culture and myself.

I have always been inspired by your ability to connect with audiences and you have a fierce and loyal fan base to prove it. What is it about building conversations with people, whether it is through performance, radio interviews or just daily conversations with people that excites and motivates you to be a conversationalist? 

I think now, more than ever, people are looking for touchstones. It is just nice to know that you can have a conversation with somebody that you have admired for a long time and love their work. But that they also have humanity. That is what I always respond to and people that I am fans of, when they step outside of their personas and can really be present. I think that is a culmination of a total person as the artist and as the human being. And I think one without the other really doesn’t fully excite me because you want to know that somebody is authentic behind what they are saying as a human being. 

You have never allowed yourself to be put in just one box. Is there a medium of performance that you haven’t tried yet, that you are interested in? 

No, not really. I’m not like one of those people. I am not looking to direct or stepping out of the box in that way. So, I think just more of what I’ve been doing?

I mean I have been writing a TV project with my friend Judy Gold for over a year now. But because of the writers and actor strike, that’s on hold. But that’s okay. I mean it is there. It is evergreen, it’s not going anywhere. It is just a matter of everything coming to a resolution for actors and writers and then stepping back into the arena and getting back to work. I’d like to be on a show that I created and that I have more creative control over and have it run for four or five seasons and have that experience of it being my show, so I am hoping this is the one. So, we will see when things pick up again, how they will play out. 

You are a feminist and voice for LGBTQ rights. What are your thoughts on the antics of the right-wing contingency regarding drag performers?

I think it is all just theater on the part of the right wing at this point. There is nobody who hasn’t seen a drag show or watched RuPaul. It is just so mainstream at this point. It’s just stupid. I mean I don’t think it’s a fly by, but it will pass through and they will be on to the next thing.

As someone who loves beauty and glamour, do you have a favorite beauty or make up tip?

Well, there’s a million things because I have worked with so many great people over the years. But the secret that I’ve learned is I can never do it as well on myself as the masters can do it. And I cannot do my own hair. That is out of the question. I can do the day to day, if I have the right haircut, which I usually do and a good color, it can look cute casual, but there is no way that I could emulate the fabulousness of my hair that a great hair person can. So honestly, I don’t have any secrets except to not over do it when I do it myself. 

Do you read books or are you more of an Audible person? 

Ok, no, no, no, no, no, no. I am absolutely not an audible person. I am reading Goon Squad right now. Hold on, I don’t want to get the wrong title. It is called, A Visit from the Goon Squad. It is a writer named Jennifer Egan. It is a really good book. So, I like hard, not a hard back, but I’d like a copy. I like to hold a book and read it and that’s always something that I will always do. I don’t like to read on the Kindle and I don’t listen to Audible.

My takeaway from interviewing Sandy B is that she is an absolute original, she was also charming and kind. She was present, intentional, genuine and quick with a laugh. If you want to see a show that is unique, fast paced and funny, join me at Spring Affair! Let’s show up for this icon and sell out The Parkway! 

I can’t wait to see you there for Spring Affair!