Name: Hedda Lettuce, interviewed by GayCities New York editor JJ Keyes
Home: NYC
Relationship Status: Many lovers
Favorite City: NYC
Spotted on a typical New York Friday night: Making love
Career: Drag Queen
Next performances: Metropolitan Room, NYC, Dec. 18, 19, 20, 24
JJK: Hedda, you are one of our favorite drag queens. It’s a real honor to chat with you. How long have you been performing for?
HL: I have been performing for about 15 years. Give or take a few years.
JJK: Where did you get your start?
HL: In the early 90’s. I began my drag career in activism. Act UP and Queer Nation were a big deal. To raise funds for Queer Nation a few queens would gather in Sheridan Square, with a boom box and some ratty wigs, and lip-synch for money.
JJK: How long have you been in New York?
HL: Well, I was born in Pigeon Tit, Tennessee. My Mama, Shredda Lynn Lettuce, gave birth to me in our trailer. We were very poor and I always dreamt of leaving that god forsaken place. Luckily I did, got on a bus to NYC, and the rest is history.
JJK: Last time we checked in with you, you had thrown your wig in for the 2008 presidency. What was it like to be in the running?
HL: It was a horrible experience. All the back round checking and tabloid stories about my torrid love affairs with various criminals ruined my campaign and wore me down mentally. I thought of running for Mayor of NYC, because I was god damned sick of having that fucker Bloomberg treating NYC like his Kingdom, but after ten minutes of hard deliberation I gave up on the idea.
JJK: Do you think you’ll run again?
HL: No.
JJK: Campaigning aside, what is your calendar like this fall?
HL: It is very busy. My holiday show-Lettuce Rejoice-happens at the end of Dec. I just finished a pilot for a reality show about drag queens, and I will be touring to warmer climates in late winter with my stand-up act.
JJK: What is a day in the life of Hedda Lettuce like?
HL: Fabulous of course.
JJK: What did you do for Halloween?
HL: I spent Halloween on a cruise shit to Belize. It was a glorious time.
JJK: You have had quite the extensive career! We loved you on Project Runway, of course, but just looking at your website I’m reminded of how much TV and film you’ve done. What’s it like to be such a superstar?
HL: What do you think it is like–fucking amazing!
JJK: I was just watching To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar and am obsessed. Did you know it was going to be an instant gay cult classic?
HL: Hmm. No. But working with Patrick Swayze, was just wonderful. He had a thing for green haired ladies, but I won’t kiss and tell.
JJK: You were amazing on Sex and the City… you’re my idol. What was it like playing Samantha’s ex-beau turned Bingo Drag impersonator?
HL: It was wonderful. Sarah Jessica was all business; she could care less if you lived or dies. Cynthia Nixon, was a doll. Kim Catrell and I had a twenty minute conversation at the crafts service table. She was gorgeous and so down to earth. The brunette was a complete cunt.
JJK: Do you have a favorite New York Moment?
HL: My favorite moments are when I leave NYC, head out around the country, and come back. I need to leave NYC for a bit to remember why I love it so much.
JJK: So, tell us, what is the best restaurant in New York?
HL: Hmm, any restaurant where I don’t have to pay.
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