1 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:15,120 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, it's me Rosie O'Donnell and it is Onward 2 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:19,599 Speaker 1: my podcast. I'm so glad you're here. It has been 3 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:23,799 Speaker 1: a wonderful June for me, Pride Month and getting to 4 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: have all these LBGTQIA icons on the show during the month. 5 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:33,320 Speaker 1: I mean, why is it important to do Pride Month 6 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:37,159 Speaker 1: here on Onward? Well, our history is something that's not 7 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 1: taught in schools. You never really hear about famous gay 8 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: people and what contributions they have made to the world, 9 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:47,919 Speaker 1: to the arts. You just you're not taught it in 10 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:50,240 Speaker 1: some schools. Now, we're lucky if they even talk about 11 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: slavery or the Holocaust truthfully. And this is done purposefully 12 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: so we as groups of people feel shame and guilt 13 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: and are easier to keep oppressed and keep the focus 14 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: off the real issues. It's basically fascism. One oh one. 15 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 1: We lost an entire generation of mentors, fighters, torch passers 16 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:13,320 Speaker 1: because of the AIDS pandemic, and I can't help but 17 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: wonder if we would be where we are politically in 18 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:20,959 Speaker 1: this country had all these people lived. This is why pride. 19 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 1: This is why pride opposed to shame and stigma by 20 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: a society that uses our lives as political talking points 21 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: only for the reasons of power and gain. Our guest 22 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:36,959 Speaker 1: lists this Pride Month Holland Taylor was wonderful, bridget Everett, delicious, 23 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 1: Cyndi Lauper who was just so touching and moving. Plus 24 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:43,760 Speaker 1: today's guests would be amazing conversations any day of the year, 25 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:47,320 Speaker 1: but it's our job, our duty, to use our voices, 26 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 1: to share our stories, and to call attention to the oppression, 27 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: even in and especially in the face of what is 28 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 1: deemed fame and success. Our final guest, the fabulous Billy Porter, 29 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 1: my friend and brought his truths as he always does, 30 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: to this conversation in such a personal, powerful and authentic way. 31 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 1: When we spoke, Billy was on tour and the Wi 32 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:14,040 Speaker 1: Fi connection was tricky, so we lost him a couple times. 33 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 1: But what we recorded I really felt was important to share. 34 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 1: He's something else, he really is, and I love him 35 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 1: very much. Billy Porter, Here on onward, ohly on, here 36 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:43,399 Speaker 1: we are. We're finally on. Hello Billy Porter, Hello Rosie o'dono. 37 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 1: I haven't seen you since our big family feud day. 38 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 1: Billy's family and my family competed in a vicious, vicious 39 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: match of family feud, and now we're not at liberty 40 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 1: to discuss who won. However, there was a big winner 41 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,919 Speaker 1: on the show. And you're gonna have to tune in 42 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: Christmas week because I believe that's when it's airing, right, it's. 43 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,440 Speaker 2: A Christmas special we had Santa Claus questions. 44 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 1: Wasn't much much more fun than you anticipated? Because I 45 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:16,799 Speaker 1: was kind of in shock, you know. 46 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:21,680 Speaker 2: It was way more fun than I anticipated. And my 47 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 2: sister and my cousin Stephanie, with the two of them, 48 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 2: I mean, it was like we've never done anything like 49 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 2: this before, nor had we and my sister, both of them, 50 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 2: they have great personalities and are amazing people, but I just, 51 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 2: I mean, they. 52 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 1: Just they took over, honey. They took over in the 53 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 1: best way. And all I keep thinking is when this airs, 54 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: they're both going to get a sitcom. I'm gonna be 55 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 1: calling up Mary Martha going, hey, listen, remember me your friend? 56 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: Are your brothers? Could you possibly find a role for 57 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:56,800 Speaker 1: a chubby lesbian in the sixties? 58 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 3: Are you at your sixties? For real? 59 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 1: For real? 60 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 4: Old? 61 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 1: Are you sixty one years old? I turned in March. 62 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 1: I got a decade on you, right, isn't that the truth? 63 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 3: Almost? I'm fifty three, so. 64 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 1: Fifty three, Yeah, we're up there. How old were we 65 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: when we met? What year was that? 66 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 4: Well? 67 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:16,120 Speaker 3: I was twenty four. 68 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: Wow, you were a baby. 69 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 2: I was twenty four and you were close to being 70 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 2: a baby yourself. 71 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:26,479 Speaker 1: Yeah. It was pre children, that's what I al was. 72 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 3: Pree children children, right when you got the talk show. 73 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: Yes, that's right, that is so true. A couple of 74 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:35,600 Speaker 1: years after that because. 75 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:39,039 Speaker 2: You left, no, because you left Greece early to go 76 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 2: do the talk show. 77 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 1: Oh that's true. You're right, that's so true. 78 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 3: Yeah. 79 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: And then the talk show was so fun, and I 80 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:46,159 Speaker 1: had you on so many times. 81 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 2: I always say that I was like, you know, the 82 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 2: unspoken Ben Middler to your Johnny Carson. 83 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: You're not kidding. 84 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 3: I was on that show. I think I was on 85 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:57,279 Speaker 3: that show at least seven or eight times. 86 00:04:57,320 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 1: At least you were one of the you know, most 87 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 1: often appearing guests, because I always knew that your talent 88 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:10,040 Speaker 1: was beyond that of mere mortal men. Honey, it's the truth. 89 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 1: I remember the first time hearing you sing at the 90 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: Grease rehearsal, and you did teen Angel, and everybody had 91 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:19,479 Speaker 1: chilled everybody was standing up, and that's what the audiences 92 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 1: proceeded to do the entire run. You know, there's something 93 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: extraordinary about you, Billy and and that's why you're so acclaimed. 94 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: And you have the Tony's and you have the Grammys 95 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: and the Emmy. All you need is the Oscar and 96 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 1: you're right up there with the legendary egots. I mean, 97 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 1: that's pretty trippy, isn't it to think about? It's trippy. 98 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, it is trippy, especially with how it started. The 99 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 2: journey has been arduous at times, yes, you know, and 100 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:55,159 Speaker 2: even when we were in that period of your talk show, 101 00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 2: that was around the time of my first record deal. 102 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 1: That's right, I remember that on A and M Records. 103 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:04,320 Speaker 2: And you know, I write about this in my book 104 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 2: because you were so my book unprotected. 105 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 1: Please go get it, Yes. 106 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 2: You know, but I write about it because I write 107 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 2: about angels. There were angels and camped all around me 108 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 2: and have been for the entirety of my life. 109 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:21,279 Speaker 3: And continue to be. 110 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 2: And you were one of those angels simply your present, 111 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 2: simply you seeing me and going what. 112 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 3: You just said. 113 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:33,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, look at that kid. 114 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 3: It's not just normal talent. 115 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:38,800 Speaker 2: It's a different kind of talent, Yes, and I need 116 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:41,279 Speaker 2: to be a part of making sure the world sees 117 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 2: that exactly that's angelic, because that doesn't always happen. And 118 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 2: you did that for me, And I write about in 119 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 2: the book where I had already been on your show 120 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:54,839 Speaker 2: several times, right, and then I got this, and so 121 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 2: we had a rapport, right, and I was coming on 122 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:02,479 Speaker 2: now officially with my album. 123 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 1: Right, you had a record deal and you were part 124 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:08,560 Speaker 1: of that whole industry now, and it seems as though 125 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: they wanted something different from you, right, Yes. 126 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, the business was very homophobic at the time, 127 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 2: at totally, and they just picked at me and picked 128 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 2: at me and nit picked at me in terms of 129 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 2: like how I communicated, how you know, all the things 130 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 2: that everybody loves about me now, right, which is me 131 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 2: showing up as my true, authentic self and giving zero 132 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 2: fucks about what anybody thinks about it, Like that's who 133 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 2: I've always been. And at that time, I was told 134 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 2: my queerness would be my liability. 135 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:46,320 Speaker 1: Yes, we all were told that, but I think you 136 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: were told it in a way that they tried to 137 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 1: control you. 138 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:53,320 Speaker 2: Yes, And so it was the day of me coming 139 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 2: on your show for the first time with my music. 140 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: And there was a room full of people, you know, 141 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,239 Speaker 2: the people from the label and stuff, and somebody said, 142 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 2: just try not to talk to right before I went out, 143 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 2: and I know you did a million shows. And I 144 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 2: came out and you paneled me and I was like, 145 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 2: I couldn't even speak. 146 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 1: You were second gues. 147 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 3: Remember this. 148 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: I don't. I remember one time when you were on 149 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 1: It's probably this time that I was in shock. I'm like, wait, 150 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 1: he's not acting like Billy right right. You weren't giving 151 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 1: me any Billy that I knew and loved. And I 152 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 1: was thinking what happened? 153 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 3: And you said at the break in the commercial, you 154 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:33,680 Speaker 3: were like, what's wrong? What's wrong? 155 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 2: And I started to well up, and you were like, 156 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 2: don't worry about it, let's keep going. And then I 157 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:42,319 Speaker 2: came to your office afterwards and you were. 158 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:43,400 Speaker 3: Like, what the fuck did they do? 159 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 1: Right? 160 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 2: Because I said, and I told you, and you gave 161 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 2: me a big hug, and you just said, fuck them 162 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 2: up them, fuck them, sucked them. And that was all 163 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 2: I needed. Yeah, that was all I needed. And I 164 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 2: knew that you were going through similar. 165 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 1: Yes, it was hard to be a lesbian, Yes, exactly. 166 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 3: In the space. 167 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 2: You had more power than I had at the time, 168 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:09,680 Speaker 2: but it was similar spaces, correct. 169 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 1: But truthfully, Billy, I do remember that, you know, we 170 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:19,440 Speaker 1: had been told as gay people coming up that the 171 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 1: knowledge that you were gay would ruin everything. And there 172 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,800 Speaker 1: was kind of proof, right, there was like that Tony 173 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: Randall show Loved Sydney that never got on the air 174 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: past three episodes because there was a gay reference, not 175 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:35,079 Speaker 1: even a you know, it was a different time. There 176 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 1: was no will and grace on there was no you know, 177 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:41,079 Speaker 1: it was it was a different time. And I remember 178 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 1: them saying that they wanted you almost to be like 179 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:48,000 Speaker 1: Luther Vanros remember that and what killed. 180 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 3: Luther right, because he did at fifty three he did. 181 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 1: Let's talk about that, and that he yes, and he 182 00:09:56,400 --> 00:10:00,199 Speaker 1: came from a hard childhood and he he was very lonely, 183 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 1: you know, in his success. Like I got to be 184 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 1: friends with him because we lived kind of close to 185 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:08,440 Speaker 1: each other at one point, and Vanessa Williams was friends 186 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 1: with him and I was friends with her, and we 187 00:10:10,559 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 1: all ended up at his house for dinner a couple times. 188 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 1: And you know, he had cashmere wallpaper, so you'd go 189 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:20,480 Speaker 1: into his house and he'd say touch the walls, and 190 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 1: it was Beije tan cashmere wallpaper, and the house was 191 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: immaculately furnished. And there were people working in the house 192 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 1: in uniform, which I never understand, but okay, people in uniform. 193 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:38,240 Speaker 1: And then he said to me right after dinner, everybody 194 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 1: was relaxed and hanging out. He goes, you want to 195 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:43,200 Speaker 1: see the bedroom that I spend all my time, And 196 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:47,560 Speaker 1: then up in the bedroom is a normal bedroom with 197 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:53,199 Speaker 1: a king size lazy boy recliner with both sides of 198 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:57,320 Speaker 1: the armrest for coolers. So he would sit there all 199 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:00,840 Speaker 1: day and night watch his big TV, have his cooler 200 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 1: for his die coke and his you know whatever he 201 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:06,559 Speaker 1: was doing. But he was lonely. He was so lonely. 202 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:14,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, celebrity can be isolating, Yeah, brutal right, And I've 203 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 2: seen so many of my friends achieve a level of 204 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:27,079 Speaker 2: celebrity before it happened to me, right, And there's no 205 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 2: explaining it, correct, you have to live it. 206 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:31,760 Speaker 3: It's like, you really don't understand. 207 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 2: And I was the closest in proximity to fame and 208 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:41,319 Speaker 2: celebrity that anybody could be sure for. 209 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: A decade, for a long time, a longer time than 210 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:46,560 Speaker 1: anyone thought it would take for you. 211 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:51,079 Speaker 2: Yeah, but what I say about that is the reason 212 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:54,760 Speaker 2: why it took so long was because the universe, God, 213 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 2: whatever you want to call it. 214 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 3: Was preparing me to be ready for it. 215 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 2: I was not ready, Rosie. I know that's why it 216 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:07,760 Speaker 2: didn't happen at that time. Because who I am and 217 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 2: what I represent is bigger than just fame. 218 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 1: I understand that. I totally understand. 219 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 3: I know you do. 220 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:19,199 Speaker 2: It's like, it's bigger than fame for fame's sake, It's 221 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:22,680 Speaker 2: bigger than celebrity for celebrity's sake. There is a calling 222 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 2: on my life. There's a purpose, dare I say? 223 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 3: And I do? 224 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 2: Dare say? A ministry. That's the language that I speak 225 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 2: because I come from the Church. Yes, I dare say it, 226 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 2: the very place that put me out from my queerness. Yes, 227 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:42,080 Speaker 2: I do say it. Right, I have a ministry. Every 228 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 2: time I walk out of my house, every time I 229 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 2: show up to do anything, it's my ministry that I 230 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 2: lead with. 231 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 1: And might I say, Billy, yeah, that I'm so proud 232 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 1: of you every time that you've had an opportunity to speak, 233 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 1: and in the last you know, five years, you've had 234 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 1: a lot of opportunity. You have spoken to issues and 235 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 1: causes that mean a lot to you. You've spoken at 236 00:13:05,679 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: private events like for my school and inspired children. And 237 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 1: what you've done and the way you so eloquently can 238 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 1: deliver your message very much like a preacher, like the 239 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 1: best preacher, like the preachers that change your life in 240 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 1: one afternoon when you weren't expecting to be moved kind 241 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 1: of preacher. Yes, you know, and it's beautiful to watch, 242 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 1: and I feel so immensely proud of you. And then 243 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:36,079 Speaker 1: I also feel a certainty about the timing as well. 244 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:38,840 Speaker 1: I think this is the right timing for him and 245 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:40,600 Speaker 1: for us and for the world and for. 246 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:44,560 Speaker 2: Now, because I was not ready for it before and 247 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 2: at forty seven, after having lived a full life, all 248 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:50,359 Speaker 2: of a sudden. 249 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 3: Kaboom kaboom really cbo. 250 00:13:55,400 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 2: Yes, And now with social media and the Internet, all 251 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:05,920 Speaker 2: of that stuff, the way that one's mental health is 252 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:13,840 Speaker 2: targeted constantly, it feels like it's targeted on purpose. Sometimes yeah, 253 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 2: it until you actually understand what that feels like. And 254 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 2: when you were coming up, there was no internet. Now 255 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 2: imagine now, like I was like, oh my god, okay, 256 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 2: I'm here in this space now I thought I knew, 257 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 2: I thought I understood, right, and I did on a 258 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 2: certain level, right, I did on a certain level. But 259 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 2: till it happens to you, Yeah, like just for instance, 260 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 2: for an example, not to like lean into the negative 261 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 2: because I'm not that person, but just as an example. 262 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 3: So, you know, a couple of weeks ago, it was. 263 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,640 Speaker 2: Announced that I'm doing the James Baldwin story, right, which 264 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 2: is fantastic, and congratulations, thank you, and I'm thrilled and 265 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 2: it's great, and you know, you always have, Nacey. But 266 00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 2: the social media of it all has made people think 267 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 2: that their opinion matters, right. It doesn't, No, but there's 268 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 2: this forum for people to now. 269 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:12,720 Speaker 1: Just judge and criticize. 270 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:19,280 Speaker 2: And yes, I got a text message from an unknown 271 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 2: number from somebody calling me a narcissist and that I 272 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 2: should be giving this opportunity to somebody else and I 273 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 2: don't need to be doing everything, and I just spewed that. 274 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 2: I was like, who even is this? Yeah, it's like 275 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 2: that comes at you every day. Yes, And people don't 276 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 2: remember that we're human and we have feelings. Yes, And 277 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 2: my compassion is different, particularly with the kids, specifically with 278 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 2: the ones who get it really early before they're even. 279 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 3: You know, it's like, oh my god, I'm grown. 280 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, and this makes me want to lose my 281 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:04,359 Speaker 2: mind sometimes. 282 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 1: And what do kids do with that? I agree, Yes, 283 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 1: it's so difficult, you know. And my ten year old 284 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:15,040 Speaker 1: is very into the computer. She's into watching kids animation 285 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 1: on YouTube, and she wants to talk to the other 286 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,160 Speaker 1: kids who are doing the animation, and she wants to 287 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 1: like find her little tribe. And you do, as the parent, 288 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:28,360 Speaker 1: You're like, how do I keep them away from this? 289 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:33,400 Speaker 1: You try to not let them know that, like, but 290 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: we're all addicted to it, this thing, this this you know. Ever, 291 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:39,880 Speaker 1: you tell your kid to get off her computer and 292 00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:41,560 Speaker 1: you're on your own little iPhone. 293 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 3: Right. 294 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 2: Well, the world only spends forward, right, yeah, So in 295 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 2: the process of that evolution, we are the ones now 296 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 2: that must redefine because there hasn't been a definition yet. 297 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 2: It's the wild West. The same positive infrastructure that got 298 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:09,480 Speaker 2: Obama elected is the same negative infrastructure that got Trup elected. 299 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:10,120 Speaker 1: Right. 300 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:14,680 Speaker 2: It means nothing and everything at the same time. It's 301 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 2: a new technology still, and so there's no balance yet, right, 302 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 2: And we as human beings are trying to figure out 303 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:30,639 Speaker 2: what the fucking balance is yes, you know, that's what 304 00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:33,640 Speaker 2: I's that's where I find myself and it's like. 305 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:35,320 Speaker 3: There's no balance. 306 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:39,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, there's no balance, that's right, and that leads to 307 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: gross excess. I could tell you that much. And that 308 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 1: is not good for anyone. I mean, it's a horrifying 309 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:48,959 Speaker 1: thing when it reaches the culture at like Kardashian levels 310 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:53,240 Speaker 1: and really start actually thinking that anything fake, like a 311 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: Kardashian face is better than everything real, like your own. 312 00:17:57,560 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 1: You know, like the perspective is is shifted, and there 313 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:04,840 Speaker 1: is no balance as a performer, as somebody in the 314 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:07,960 Speaker 1: public eye. For many years of my like forty years 315 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:10,399 Speaker 1: of my career, you know, I could say that the 316 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 1: thing that's helped me stay grounded and find the balance 317 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:19,640 Speaker 1: is family and friends, old friends. Like oops, we lost 318 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:23,040 Speaker 1: Billy Porter. Yeah, the WiFi is not our friend today. 319 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:26,160 Speaker 1: So we'll be right back when we'll find him. We'll 320 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 1: find him for you. He's back. I don't know. You 321 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:53,360 Speaker 1: went black and then it just went dead. 322 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:57,639 Speaker 2: Yeah, my Wii, the Wi Fi here at SVB for 323 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:00,480 Speaker 2: the last couple of days has not been the. 324 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:03,840 Speaker 3: Best, right, I apologize. Let's try to get it. 325 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:08,200 Speaker 1: Okay, good, all right. So now, Billy Porter, you're going 326 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 1: on tour Black Mona, Lisa, tell me all about this, honey. 327 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,840 Speaker 1: First of all, i've heard the first three singles that 328 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:18,960 Speaker 1: are going to be released. Fantastic. You're back to your roots. 329 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:22,920 Speaker 1: This is sort of who you are. And I couldn't 330 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:25,960 Speaker 1: be happier. It's like we're getting one hundred percent Billy 331 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,880 Speaker 1: Porter all the time. It's like mainlining Billy Porter. I 332 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:30,400 Speaker 1: love it. 333 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:36,639 Speaker 2: What's really interesting is I let it go right, I 334 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:41,640 Speaker 2: let the need to be. 335 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:43,040 Speaker 3: A recording superstar. 336 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:44,920 Speaker 1: Mm hm oh. 337 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:48,199 Speaker 2: And you know I was watching Oprah and she was 338 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:51,920 Speaker 2: talking about with Maya Angelou and a Jan Levan said 339 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 2: about service m h and like, you know, the theory 340 00:19:55,720 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 2: is if you shift your intention to service, right, everything 341 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:04,719 Speaker 2: else will work itself out. And that kind of collided. 342 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 2: I saw that with that moment on your show. You know, 343 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:11,920 Speaker 2: in those years. It was in those late nineties years, right. 344 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 2: And then I moved to Los Angeles and you gave me. 345 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:17,200 Speaker 1: A car, Yes I did, which I also. 346 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:20,120 Speaker 3: Say in my book too to you in my book, 347 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:22,560 Speaker 3: and you gave me a car. I drove that car 348 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 3: to the. 349 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:25,720 Speaker 1: Great you did, and I love that. 350 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 2: I love that I had that car for fourteen years 351 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:31,439 Speaker 2: and I got kinky booth and I finally bought a 352 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 2: new car. 353 00:20:32,160 --> 00:20:35,160 Speaker 1: Good for you, baby. That was a cute little blue bug, 354 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:35,760 Speaker 1: wasn't it. 355 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:39,080 Speaker 3: Blue bug, blue bug, blue book stick shift. 356 00:20:39,119 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 2: Stick shift tone. You have to learn that doesn't even 357 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:46,439 Speaker 2: happen anymore. I love stick shift, so anyway, you know, 358 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:50,679 Speaker 2: the first experience was so traumatic for me, right, and 359 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:52,719 Speaker 2: I had so many other things that I could do 360 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 2: that I just did them, sure, And all of a sudden, 361 00:20:57,240 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 2: I'm Tony Grammy Award winning and now record companies are like, wait, 362 00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 2: why didn't it happen? 363 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 1: Right? 364 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:11,119 Speaker 2: You know what happened? Why didn't what she was thinking? 365 00:21:11,240 --> 00:21:15,320 Speaker 2: You know, like that kind of thing. So folks came 366 00:21:15,359 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 2: sniffing around me. This time, they came sniffing around me. 367 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:24,320 Speaker 2: That's nice. And I ended up signing with Republic Records 368 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:29,440 Speaker 2: in Island in the UK. And the record business is 369 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 2: still a shit show. I'm not gonna lie. It's a 370 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:37,240 Speaker 2: fucking shit yes, and it drives me. The virgo efficiency, monster, 371 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 2: the virgo efficiency. I'm not gonna call myself a monster. 372 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:46,360 Speaker 2: The virgo efficiency. Yeah, I have to change my language. 373 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 2: My therapist always says that She's like, you're. 374 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:52,439 Speaker 1: It's true what you exactly, You're not a monster. But 375 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 1: I get totally what you meant. 376 00:21:54,200 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 2: But the virgo efficiency like energy, Yeah, it's like what 377 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:06,399 Speaker 2: so anyway, But what I love about this process is 378 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:10,960 Speaker 2: it is a return, you know to the original one 379 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:12,000 Speaker 2: of the original dreams. 380 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 3: My original dream was to be the mail Whitney. 381 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:17,000 Speaker 1: Houston Honey, of course, yes. 382 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 3: Like so I got to Tony and now this is 383 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 3: the other dream, you know. 384 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 2: So like I I'm a singer first, Like, that's the 385 00:22:24,160 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 2: gift from God, is right? 386 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:28,080 Speaker 3: I heard singing in church, Like that's the gift. 387 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:30,960 Speaker 2: And what I find so ironic about my career is 388 00:22:30,960 --> 00:22:32,959 Speaker 2: that for the first twenty five years of my career, 389 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:37,440 Speaker 2: I was trying to get the gatekeepers of the industry 390 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 2: to take me seriously as an actor, right because my 391 00:22:40,920 --> 00:22:42,560 Speaker 2: queerness was in the way for that too. 392 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:45,439 Speaker 3: Finally get that going. 393 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:49,919 Speaker 2: So now I'm online and I stumble across some comments 394 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:52,000 Speaker 2: because I don't really read them like that, but I 395 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:54,200 Speaker 2: stumble across some comments and it's like, oh, I didn't 396 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:55,680 Speaker 2: know Pray Tell could sing. 397 00:22:56,280 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 1: I know it's fun to me, Billy, but you know, 398 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:05,240 Speaker 1: Broadway people, man, you were around killing it eight shows 399 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:08,360 Speaker 1: a week, standing ovations for twenty years before you get 400 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:12,399 Speaker 1: seen on some show on TV, and it changes your world, 401 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:17,800 Speaker 1: your world and your prey. Tell that character, Billy, that 402 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:21,480 Speaker 1: character was. I remember we had dinner right before you 403 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:24,480 Speaker 1: got that part, and you told me that you were 404 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:26,680 Speaker 1: going with Ryan Murphy and I had said how much 405 00:23:26,760 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 1: I loved working with them on Niptock, and you were like, 406 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:34,080 Speaker 1: I think it's going to change everything. I'm like, it 407 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:36,959 Speaker 1: sounds like it's gonna and you talked about how you 408 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:39,960 Speaker 1: got the role, and then you went out to shoot it, 409 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:44,399 Speaker 1: and then it's such a glorious portrayal and such a 410 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:51,040 Speaker 1: wonderfully needed peace in terms of gay history and the 411 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:54,600 Speaker 1: world at the right time it showed up. Don't you 412 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 1: think I think we lost them again. Oh, we lost 413 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 1: them again, but this time cursing the WiFi. H I 414 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:06,199 Speaker 1: curse you WiFi. Were not gonna be able to get 415 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 1: him back. But Billy Porter just delicious, a wonderful humanitarian 416 00:24:11,359 --> 00:24:17,119 Speaker 1: and political activist and just amazing human being. Thank you, Billy. 417 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:20,000 Speaker 1: I love you. Stay tuned because we have all your 418 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: questions coming up, so stick around. We'll be right back 419 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:48,600 Speaker 1: after this break. Okay, we're back and here is our 420 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:55,800 Speaker 1: first Little Voice Memo question comment from you a happy listener, Rosie. 421 00:24:56,040 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 5: Hi, this is Leslie from Pittsburgh. I have to comment 422 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:06,960 Speaker 5: on your experience when you saw the whales breaching. Oh 423 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:09,760 Speaker 5: my gosh, my heart was just beating as you were 424 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:14,880 Speaker 5: talking about it. My greatest fear is going well watching 425 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:17,879 Speaker 5: and being out on the water and having a whale 426 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:20,879 Speaker 5: tip my boat over and just swallow me whole. But 427 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:24,399 Speaker 5: it's just something I've always always wanted to do. So 428 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:28,520 Speaker 5: my husband just keeps begging me, please, let's let's find 429 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:31,320 Speaker 5: a time in our life to go do this, to 430 00:25:31,359 --> 00:25:35,399 Speaker 5: go well watching. So my question to you is, have 431 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:39,440 Speaker 5: you ever had a tremendous fear about something and you 432 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:43,080 Speaker 5: overcame it, or are you considering doing something that you 433 00:25:43,119 --> 00:25:47,880 Speaker 5: have a really big fear of that you're going to tackle. 434 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:51,680 Speaker 5: So I hope someday I go well watching and wonder 435 00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:54,000 Speaker 5: if I do, I'll share that with you. But thank 436 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:57,719 Speaker 5: you for sharing that experience with us. It was just 437 00:25:58,119 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 5: really really. 438 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 1: Cool to hear. Well. Thank you so much, what a 439 00:26:02,359 --> 00:26:07,600 Speaker 1: beautiful message. I was so stunned by the magnificence of 440 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:11,560 Speaker 1: these whales. I mean First of all, when you're looking 441 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:14,200 Speaker 1: at the horizon and you're staring out at the sea, 442 00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:19,480 Speaker 1: you don't really expect anything to pop up perpendicular to 443 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:23,320 Speaker 1: the horizon. Like mostly you know, if you see a dolphin, 444 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 1: they're arking. But there's not something that just pops up 445 00:26:26,880 --> 00:26:30,560 Speaker 1: like the telescope of a submarine. It doesn't happen, and 446 00:26:30,640 --> 00:26:34,520 Speaker 1: when it did, it was so magical. Now, I don't 447 00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:37,960 Speaker 1: think you should be afraid of going whale watching. The 448 00:26:38,080 --> 00:26:41,760 Speaker 1: chances of being eaten by a whale are so minimal. 449 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:45,080 Speaker 1: It's like you're more likely to get killed in a 450 00:26:45,160 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 1: yellow car on a Tuesday going in reverse. I mean, 451 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:51,840 Speaker 1: you know, if people were being eaten by the whales, 452 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:56,360 Speaker 1: I think it would really quell the interest in whale watching. 453 00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:59,280 Speaker 1: And this time of year, boy, there are so many 454 00:26:59,320 --> 00:27:03,280 Speaker 1: places to go and enjoy it. And I think it's 455 00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:06,440 Speaker 1: wonderful that you're going to face your fears, and once 456 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:08,720 Speaker 1: you do and you see the beauty of it, you'll 457 00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:12,080 Speaker 1: never be the same again. Now, there are some Orca 458 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:15,760 Speaker 1: whales that are attacking sail boats, and like the Straits 459 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:17,919 Speaker 1: of Gibraltar, which I don't even know where that is, 460 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:22,680 Speaker 1: but you know that was an interesting kind of whale 461 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:27,160 Speaker 1: behavior that's not typical, where these orcas attack these boats 462 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:30,240 Speaker 1: and knock off the rudders and sink some of them. 463 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:33,520 Speaker 1: And scientists were trying to figure out why they were 464 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:36,680 Speaker 1: doing this, this one sort of pod of whales, and 465 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:40,000 Speaker 1: one of the theories was that the mother that is 466 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:42,359 Speaker 1: teaching everyone. Her name is Gladys, believe it or not, 467 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:47,880 Speaker 1: a woman whale, female whale, had her child killed by 468 00:27:47,880 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 1: a boat rudder. That's what the thought is, that that's 469 00:27:51,119 --> 00:27:54,400 Speaker 1: what happened, and that she then taught the whales how 470 00:27:54,400 --> 00:27:58,359 Speaker 1: to attack the boats, which is kind of magnificent to 471 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:03,639 Speaker 1: think in the animal kingdom that kind of behavior is possible. 472 00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:07,280 Speaker 1: You know, I'm sorry that all these bells are dinging. 473 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:10,000 Speaker 1: We have a new ring doorbell at our house and 474 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:13,320 Speaker 1: it's sort of set to if anyone comes near the sidewalk, 475 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:15,800 Speaker 1: so all of a sudden you hear ding ding ding 476 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:19,159 Speaker 1: ding ding ding all day. I'm gonna have to reset it. 477 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:22,120 Speaker 1: But anyway, and the other part of the question, did 478 00:28:22,119 --> 00:28:25,200 Speaker 1: I ever face my fears and conquer it and doing 479 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:27,760 Speaker 1: something I didn't want to do? You know, I always 480 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:31,000 Speaker 1: wanted to ride a motorcycle, and I was afraid that 481 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:33,359 Speaker 1: I was gonna get killed. And you know, I was 482 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:35,639 Speaker 1: pretty young. I was in my twenties, and I thought, 483 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 1: I'll go slow, I won't you know, And I overcame 484 00:28:39,040 --> 00:28:42,960 Speaker 1: my fear. I took lessons and I rode a motorcycle 485 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 1: happily for like twenty years. And when I had kids 486 00:28:46,280 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 1: is when I said I can't do this anymore because 487 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:52,200 Speaker 1: one mistake and there without a parent. So I had 488 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:54,480 Speaker 1: many years of fun doing it. And I hope that 489 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:57,680 Speaker 1: when you do go whil watching, you send us a 490 00:28:57,680 --> 00:29:00,000 Speaker 1: little memo and tell us how it made you feel, 491 00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:04,720 Speaker 1: because it's beyond magical and magnificent. Thank you so much 492 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 1: for the question. Here we go, we got another one 493 00:29:06,960 --> 00:29:07,480 Speaker 1: coming up. 494 00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:13,280 Speaker 4: Hi, Rosie. My name is Matthew Rodriguez. I live in Chicago. 495 00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:18,600 Speaker 4: I actually host a TV show here and I do 496 00:29:18,760 --> 00:29:22,280 Speaker 4: that because of you. Really, I fell in love with 497 00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:26,680 Speaker 4: the Rosie O'donnald Show back in the nineties when you 498 00:29:26,760 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 4: came out, and I remember turning on the TV and 499 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:33,160 Speaker 4: being like, good God, what is this woman? 500 00:29:33,280 --> 00:29:34,600 Speaker 1: Who is she? I love her? 501 00:29:35,320 --> 00:29:37,240 Speaker 4: And then you had Broadway on the show, and you 502 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:40,520 Speaker 4: had the Lion King the Broadway edition the first time 503 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:43,680 Speaker 4: I ever saw such magic, and I made my parents 504 00:29:43,720 --> 00:29:45,239 Speaker 4: take me to New York because I saw it on 505 00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:47,480 Speaker 4: your show and it changed my life. It made me 506 00:29:47,520 --> 00:29:49,760 Speaker 4: want to be an actor. I went to school for 507 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:53,120 Speaker 4: acting and then eventually fell into hosting and Lotty lotted 508 00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:55,320 Speaker 4: out it. But this isn't about me. It's about you. 509 00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 4: Love you so much, love that you're back on with 510 00:29:58,720 --> 00:30:02,400 Speaker 4: the podcast, and I think this is the perfect format 511 00:30:02,440 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 4: for you. My one question, though not that deep. Just 512 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:11,080 Speaker 4: listen to your interview with Logic, which I loved, and 513 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:13,720 Speaker 4: I wanted to know how did he fall in love 514 00:30:13,760 --> 00:30:15,880 Speaker 4: with you? How did he get to know you? Was 515 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:20,080 Speaker 4: it from the Rose o'donald show? Because that wasn't quite clear. 516 00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:22,440 Speaker 4: He sent the message over to your table and paid 517 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:25,520 Speaker 4: for your meal at Nobu? But how did he know you? 518 00:30:25,560 --> 00:30:27,480 Speaker 4: Why was he a fan? Was it because of your 519 00:30:27,680 --> 00:30:30,600 Speaker 4: stance against Trump? I just needed to know that part 520 00:30:31,160 --> 00:30:34,600 Speaker 4: and it was never addressed. So that's my question. Probably 521 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:38,440 Speaker 4: too long, but I hope you're well. Love you and 522 00:30:38,480 --> 00:30:39,320 Speaker 4: thanks for all you do. 523 00:30:39,920 --> 00:30:43,560 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. What a sweet, sweet message. Yes, 524 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:46,000 Speaker 1: Logic like you watched me when he was a kid 525 00:30:46,600 --> 00:30:49,200 Speaker 1: and you would come home and he would put on 526 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:52,720 Speaker 1: the show and there would be a calm and a 527 00:30:52,840 --> 00:30:54,720 Speaker 1: quiet for him in a house that was sort of 528 00:30:54,760 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 1: filled with chaos and violence. And so it was the 529 00:30:58,880 --> 00:31:01,360 Speaker 1: TV show. Believe it or not, that he was just 530 00:31:01,440 --> 00:31:04,719 Speaker 1: a little boy when he was watching, and really move me. 531 00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:08,320 Speaker 1: That guy is pretty magnificent. And my children are flying 532 00:31:08,360 --> 00:31:12,360 Speaker 1: in this week to see his concert, which he invited 533 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:15,640 Speaker 1: all my kids and their friends and family to come 534 00:31:16,200 --> 00:31:19,200 Speaker 1: and sit with his friends and family and watch this 535 00:31:19,360 --> 00:31:22,680 Speaker 1: amazing man do what he does so well. So yeah, 536 00:31:22,720 --> 00:31:26,760 Speaker 1: it was my TV show, And congratulations on your TV show. 537 00:31:26,840 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 1: I'm glad you are hosting now. I find hosting very fulfilling, 538 00:31:32,280 --> 00:31:36,160 Speaker 1: especially when there's a real people to talk to. Sometimes 539 00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:39,960 Speaker 1: celebrities don't give you the kind of stuff that real 540 00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:42,040 Speaker 1: people do, which is why I always wanted to host 541 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:45,200 Speaker 1: a game show, because my focus would be on the people, 542 00:31:45,520 --> 00:31:48,800 Speaker 1: trying to make them the stars that they are for 543 00:31:48,880 --> 00:31:51,600 Speaker 1: the day there on whatever show it is. To be 544 00:31:51,760 --> 00:31:56,400 Speaker 1: affable and to be genuinely curious about people's lives, I 545 00:31:56,440 --> 00:31:59,520 Speaker 1: think is a wonderful trait to have, and I'm lucky 546 00:31:59,560 --> 00:32:02,360 Speaker 1: that that's just sort of the natural way I am. 547 00:32:03,080 --> 00:32:07,240 Speaker 1: But yeah, I'm so happy that logic and I met 548 00:32:07,360 --> 00:32:09,160 Speaker 1: and that I'm getting get to go see him this 549 00:32:09,240 --> 00:32:12,320 Speaker 1: week and thank you for your voice memo. 550 00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:17,320 Speaker 6: Here we go, Hi, Rosie, this is Bill. I'm listening 551 00:32:17,440 --> 00:32:21,360 Speaker 6: here at Knoxville, Tennessee. I'm a gay dad. We have twins. 552 00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:25,600 Speaker 6: I've been a fan forever, loved your television show and 553 00:32:25,640 --> 00:32:28,400 Speaker 6: then loved you when you were on the radio every 554 00:32:28,520 --> 00:32:34,320 Speaker 6: day for a couple of years. I was listening to 555 00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:38,000 Speaker 6: the last episode of your podcast with Bridget Everett. Boy 556 00:32:38,080 --> 00:32:43,520 Speaker 6: is she something you were talking about how some recent 557 00:32:43,560 --> 00:32:45,920 Speaker 6: shows you saw brought you to tears. And I just 558 00:32:46,040 --> 00:32:51,800 Speaker 6: saw a local performance of the Tony winning Broadway show 559 00:32:51,960 --> 00:32:55,640 Speaker 6: Fun Home, and it brought me to tears, and I wondered, 560 00:32:56,120 --> 00:33:00,400 Speaker 6: if you've ever seen fun Home? It was so amazing, 561 00:33:00,800 --> 00:33:03,280 Speaker 6: So I wondered if you've seen that show and if 562 00:33:03,320 --> 00:33:06,240 Speaker 6: you had any thoughts about that. Love you so much, 563 00:33:06,520 --> 00:33:08,080 Speaker 6: Glad you're back on the air. 564 00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:12,280 Speaker 1: Bye, Thank you so much. Bill. That's very sweet of you. 565 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:16,880 Speaker 1: I always wanted twins, so I'm wicked jealous. They say 566 00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:20,880 Speaker 1: that twins aren't placed for adoption very often, because you know, 567 00:33:20,960 --> 00:33:24,920 Speaker 1: the families think it's such a special and rare thing, 568 00:33:24,920 --> 00:33:28,360 Speaker 1: which it is. To have twins, and families usually are 569 00:33:28,360 --> 00:33:31,040 Speaker 1: able to step in and help out, and so they 570 00:33:31,120 --> 00:33:33,920 Speaker 1: aren't often placed for adoption. But boy, did I dream 571 00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:37,600 Speaker 1: my whole life of having twins or triplets. Fun Home 572 00:33:37,680 --> 00:33:41,480 Speaker 1: is one of my favorite musicals ever. I was so 573 00:33:41,960 --> 00:33:46,520 Speaker 1: blown away by it. I had no idea what to expect, 574 00:33:46,720 --> 00:33:56,240 Speaker 1: and that story of Alison Bechdel and her wonderful discovery 575 00:33:56,280 --> 00:33:58,640 Speaker 1: of who she is. And you know, I don't remember 576 00:33:58,720 --> 00:34:02,560 Speaker 1: ever seeing a music that featured prominently in a lead role, 577 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:06,880 Speaker 1: a lesbian character and the ring of keys. When they 578 00:34:06,920 --> 00:34:10,880 Speaker 1: sang that song, I was like totally overwhelmed with emotion, 579 00:34:11,520 --> 00:34:15,480 Speaker 1: remembering when I was that young and would see a 580 00:34:15,520 --> 00:34:20,200 Speaker 1: woman and be very attracted and very interested in how 581 00:34:20,239 --> 00:34:22,719 Speaker 1: she was in the world. Kind of a tougher, you know, 582 00:34:23,400 --> 00:34:27,160 Speaker 1: like somebody who rode a motorcycle and was able to 583 00:34:27,200 --> 00:34:31,080 Speaker 1: take care of herself and be fiercely independent and kind 584 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:33,920 Speaker 1: of tough but sexy. And I always thought that was 585 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:36,680 Speaker 1: my dream for myself. You know, I don't know that 586 00:34:36,719 --> 00:34:39,160 Speaker 1: I ever achieved it, but that was my dream, and 587 00:34:39,960 --> 00:34:46,120 Speaker 1: that musical is just absolutely brilliant. It really is. I 588 00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:50,560 Speaker 1: saw it a few times in New York and couldn't 589 00:34:50,560 --> 00:34:54,160 Speaker 1: believe how wonderful it is. Get the soundtrack everyone, beautiful, 590 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:57,520 Speaker 1: beautiful music in that show, and thank you so much 591 00:34:57,600 --> 00:35:00,360 Speaker 1: for writing. I loved the bridget Effort podcast too. I 592 00:35:00,400 --> 00:35:03,680 Speaker 1: thought she was amazing. So thank you so much. And 593 00:35:03,760 --> 00:35:06,160 Speaker 1: we have one more question for you right now, and 594 00:35:06,320 --> 00:35:09,680 Speaker 1: let's see what we got. Hey, Rosie, this has been 595 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:10,640 Speaker 1: from Saint Louis. 596 00:35:11,280 --> 00:35:15,360 Speaker 7: I've always admired your friendship with Madonna over the years. 597 00:35:15,920 --> 00:35:18,279 Speaker 7: I've loved her since I was a little kid, and 598 00:35:18,360 --> 00:35:21,200 Speaker 7: I've loved you since Your day is on VH one. 599 00:35:22,760 --> 00:35:24,920 Speaker 7: Do you think you could get her to do an 600 00:35:25,000 --> 00:35:29,799 Speaker 7: interview before her big celebration tour. I would freaking love 601 00:35:29,840 --> 00:35:32,719 Speaker 7: that so much. I love you guys both so much. 602 00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:36,000 Speaker 7: I'm crossing my fingers hoping that maybe you can get 603 00:35:36,040 --> 00:35:39,760 Speaker 7: Madonna on the show. I love you guys, he's out. 604 00:35:40,280 --> 00:35:44,160 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. I love Madonna. She's an amazing 605 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:48,880 Speaker 1: woman and a wonderful friend for some thirty something years now, 606 00:35:49,040 --> 00:35:52,440 Speaker 1: and I can't wait to see her on tour. I 607 00:35:52,520 --> 00:35:56,480 Speaker 1: know she's crazy busy getting everything set and whatnot, but 608 00:35:56,680 --> 00:35:59,000 Speaker 1: I will text her and we'll see what we can do. 609 00:35:59,239 --> 00:36:01,680 Speaker 1: You know, I don't like to bug my friends when 610 00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:04,759 Speaker 1: they're busy like that. I know what it takes to 611 00:36:04,800 --> 00:36:07,120 Speaker 1: put on a world tour, having seen her do it 612 00:36:07,400 --> 00:36:12,399 Speaker 1: many times during our friendship, so I'll see, Well, we'll 613 00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:14,480 Speaker 1: probably be able to get her sometime. I don't know 614 00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:17,200 Speaker 1: if it's before she goes out, but you know, for her, 615 00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:19,680 Speaker 1: finding an hour is a hard thing to do. She 616 00:36:19,719 --> 00:36:23,359 Speaker 1: schedules herself from very early to very late, and her 617 00:36:23,960 --> 00:36:28,400 Speaker 1: rehearsal is you know, boot camp. It's not you know, 618 00:36:28,480 --> 00:36:32,200 Speaker 1: for people who who want to like get by doing 619 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:35,239 Speaker 1: marking the numbers, you do it full out, and rehearsal 620 00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:37,680 Speaker 1: you do it full out so many times so that 621 00:36:37,719 --> 00:36:40,120 Speaker 1: when we see it on stage it's the perfection that 622 00:36:40,480 --> 00:36:44,080 Speaker 1: she always brings to her world tours. So I will 623 00:36:44,120 --> 00:36:46,640 Speaker 1: do my best to get Madonna on this podcast for 624 00:36:46,719 --> 00:36:49,920 Speaker 1: you and for everyone else and for me because I 625 00:36:49,960 --> 00:36:53,200 Speaker 1: love her very much and I can't wait to see 626 00:36:53,360 --> 00:36:57,320 Speaker 1: what kind of records this tour breaks and how wonderful 627 00:36:57,440 --> 00:36:59,480 Speaker 1: it's going to be with all of her hits from 628 00:36:59,560 --> 00:37:04,719 Speaker 1: forty eight, pretty astounding. Well, thank you everybody, thanks for 629 00:37:04,760 --> 00:37:07,120 Speaker 1: all the great questions. And I want to thank Billy 630 00:37:07,160 --> 00:37:10,560 Speaker 1: Porter for taking time out of his tour to find 631 00:37:10,600 --> 00:37:13,319 Speaker 1: a way to speak to us, even though at darn 632 00:37:13,400 --> 00:37:16,280 Speaker 1: wi Fi, I love him very much. Hey, next week, 633 00:37:16,920 --> 00:37:20,560 Speaker 1: next week Reality Winner? Whose Reality Winner? Do me a 634 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:23,840 Speaker 1: favor and google her before next week. Find out what 635 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:29,080 Speaker 1: this woman is about. She's pretty amazing. She really is 636 00:37:29,120 --> 00:37:34,840 Speaker 1: a patriot, and she is a whistleblower. And she found 637 00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:39,960 Speaker 1: out that yes, in fact, Russia did interfere in the election, 638 00:37:40,239 --> 00:37:43,480 Speaker 1: the twenty sixteen election, and how they did it. And 639 00:37:43,520 --> 00:37:46,920 Speaker 1: she sent three pages of top secret information to a 640 00:37:47,040 --> 00:37:50,480 Speaker 1: reporter and then was put in jail for four and 641 00:37:50,480 --> 00:37:53,960 Speaker 1: a half years, the hardest and highest sentence ever given 642 00:37:54,000 --> 00:37:57,080 Speaker 1: to anyone accused of that. It's the same charges that 643 00:37:57,200 --> 00:38:04,480 Speaker 1: Donald Trump will be facing pretty soon, right about espionage? Interesting, 644 00:38:05,120 --> 00:38:07,799 Speaker 1: So look for that next week, Reality Winner. But I 645 00:38:07,800 --> 00:38:10,200 Speaker 1: hope you enjoyed, Billy and love you. Thank you for 646 00:38:10,239 --> 00:38:11,959 Speaker 1: tuning in. We'll see you next week.