an Artsy Fartsy interview: DIEGO SANSON

He's performed in various forms of ladies' underwear onstage and off for over 20 years now; he's marched miles in make-up & heels in gay pride parades; and he recently werked the runway for a cause in a corset and platforms like nobody's business! Oh, and did I mention that he's straight?

Who is it? None other than the Long Beach Art Theatre's current reigning Frank-N-Furter, the deliciously demented diva, Diego Sanson! I recently got a chance to catch up with the performer during this quick Q&A sesh...

AFB:  How long have you been performing in a Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast?

DS: "I've been doing Rocky Horror for 20 years now. I know...too long."

Diego explains to me that the cast had to change their name a few years back from Midnight Insanity to Rocky Horror at the Art Theater Long Beach, due to an attempt to be sued for the name by a disillusioned ex-cast member..."but we are the same cast though."

AFB:  What or who initially drew you into this crazy troupe?

DS: "I was an audience member and got picked to do a "Rookie" show- and have stayed ever since."

AFB:  How long have you been playing 'Dr. Frank-N-Furter'? What do you enjoy most about playing this character?

DS: "About 7 years. I like becoming somebody else for a couple of hours...and you can get away with a lot, especially when you're in drag."                                                                                                      

AFB:  You recently worked with and developed a friendship with Richard Elfman, creator of the cult classic Forbidden Zone (and co-founder of Oingo Boingo) when a shadowcast performance was put together for the film... What was that experience like? 

Diego performing onstage with Richard Elfman

DS: "Incredible!!! Best thing ever!! One the coolest things ever to happen to me."

AFB:  Are there plans to do more with Richard and'Cell 51' (the name of the Forbidden Zone shadowcast)? 

DS: "Yes...sometime in early 2014."

AFB:  Awesome! Can't wait to see more. Have you run into any issues or obstacles in your life due to basically being a straight drag queen? What have you learned the most about yourself by wearing ladies' undies?

DS: "Well....my mother still hasn't accepted me about me dressing up. She doesn't like it. And trying to be pretty is really hard!!"

AFB:  Tell me about it, gurl! So what, if any, are your hopes & dreams for the future, as far as performing is concerned?

DS: "Going to keep doing this until my body and mind give up. I love performing. It's addicting. And maybe, hopefully, make a career out of it one day...not sure what yet..."

Well, pretty-please Mr. Sanson- keep doing what you're doing- because we love it!

Diego sites B-movie maker Ed Wood (a pioneer in the area of "hetero" cross-dressing) as a personal hero.

Last Night a DRAG QUEEN Saved My Life...

People often ask me, "Desiree, just what is

your obsession with Drag Queens?!"

It's not a very difficult question for me to answer, since there are just SO MANY things I adore about the Fabulous World of Drag!  For me, drag queens are like the glitzy, gorgeous & glam fairy godmothers of my most self-indulgent, over-the-rainbow dreams!  I mean, they represent just about everything that I love ~ lots of sparkle, over-the-top fashions, music, dancing, fierce performances, cult cinema, comedy, sickening make-up artistry, subversive culture, gender-bending... 

I mean, really - what's not to love?!

Me, invading Venus D Lite's personal space...

But my adoration for these decadent creatures is more than skin-deep. Unfortunately, due to the small-mindedness of many in our society, most of these queens have had to endure a lot of suffering and heartache on their road to the throne ~ but in the end, they have become some of the most wonderful, caring and strong individuals you will ever meet!  This deeper side of drag - combined with all the fun & fantasy - has proven itself to be a magic elixer for me in my life. By doing what they do, these Queens have helped pull me through some very dark & difficult times. They've shown me that, come what may in life, you must always be true to yourself, love yourself...and for heaven's sake, child, do it with some panache!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all you fabulous girls for doing your thang...your talent, tucking and tears are never in vain. XOXO

LONG LIVE THE QUEENS!!!

There is no misconceiving the talent of Miss Conception...

Sharon Needles, latest winner of RuPaul's Drag Race

Gabriel Villarreal (aka Delta Work) poses with little ol' me!

The fabulous Kristie Champaigne of Velvet Lounge, Santa Ana

Delta Work (runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race 3) at work.

The sickening Latrice Royale, runner-up on Drag Race 4

MADONNA "too old" to put on a good show?

Madonna, looking fabulous in her early 50's!

It hasn't stopped these old farts!

flashback to 2001: Steven Tyler (then 53) prances onstage at half-time
with barely-legals, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears & Nelly

somehow Nicolas Cage continues
to land  "hunky" leading man roles,
opposite young hotties like
Eva Mendes (Ghostrider)
my response: Eww!

Since it was announced that Madonna was going to be the half-time entertainment at this year's Superbowl, the Material Girl has gotten a lot of flack by the media & bloggers regarding her age.  In defense of my beloved Queen of Pop - I have noticed that there are more than a few male entertainers around Madonna's age (and much older) that don't seem to ruffle any feathers for still behaving like young bucks...

international "sex symbol" John Travolta, sporting
a hair piece, pot belly and about a C-cup...

sassy senior Mick Jagger swaggered accross the Superbowl Stage in 2006