Alright, Bianca, I have to ask the now go-to standard question: How’s the quarantine treating you?
Bianca Del Rio: Well, you know, I’m drinking, like most, and I’m trying to make the best of a fucked-up situation and keeping my brain occupied in the best way possible. You know? I think like everybody, you try to find that balance. And I think the only perk to it is that you know that everyone else is in the same boat you’re in. So it’s not that insanity of like, “Oh, my god, the world is closing down on ME.” It’s happening to everybody.
I wanted to ask — because you’re someone who’s been on the road for years and years and years, and also tours year-round — has this break been weird for you? I feel like it must be a lot like when you’ve stopped riding a bicycle; you sort of have to learn to get back on again.
BDR: Oh yeah…oh yeah, yeah, yeah! I’ve given up [laughs]… No, it’s a completely different feeling. I had a fitting yesterday and I was wearing heels for maybe an hour, and I gotta say I felt an unbelievable pain, like I hadn’t been in that type of pain in a while. So it’s that thing. I think it’s just the readjustment phase that will be interesting when I go on the road, which is happening this month, actually, with Voss Events’ Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021. So it’ll be challenging to be in shoes and doing two shows a day. But you got to kind of get out there and do it. I think that’s the only way to handle it. You know what I mean? I’m an old bitch, so 25 years of wearing heels and just taking a year off is wild.
Something I was curious about, because I know you did a few digital things last year: Most notably, you co-hosted a fundraiser with Lady Bunny to help local queens across the country. Could you see yourself doing more digital stuff in the future sort of post-pandemic? Or is that just not for you?
BDR: Well, I mean, I think we struggle in our society now with context. So it’s a weird thing when you do insult comedy, or anything on that level, and you record it. And then you’re presenting it to a virtual audience. It’s a little different. I mean, even with shows that I’ve recorded and filmed, it’s a different vibe — and I also hate watching myself — so I prefer a live audience. But I think if anything, 2020 has showed us that you kind of have to make the best of every situation there is.
I think one of the reasons why I did fewer shows last year was because I was just assuming it was going to end rather quickly [laughs]. You know what I thought, Oh, well, in a month, things will be better. And now seeing how things are, I’ve actually started a podcast, which will start this month with Starburns Audio. I’m able to do my new Bianca Del Rio Podcast because I’m actually in one place for a spell.
So I’m not opposed to it. And I’ve gotten a little tech-savvy, if you can imagine being 45 years old and finally figuring out how to work computer! It just requires a little effort, but I think that’s probably where all of us are heading. So I wouldn’t pooh-pooh the idea. I think I’ll probably end up doing more than I thought initially, for sure.
