We’re not really sure what to make of self-professed celebrity Jonny Makeup. Aside from a few snarky Gawker references, he’s not big on our radar.
That may change as Makeup – the “heiress” of American Apparel – makes a play for wonky-eyed Paris Hilton’s new MTV show, Paris Hilton’s My New BFF.
We were curious about this specimen, who has also appeared on Tyra Banks’ talk show, so we dispatched brave Queerty correspondent Megan Metzger have a bit of face time with Makeup. And, the way she tells it, Jonny’s more than just a side show. In fact, she describes him as “one shrewd cookie.”
Read the duo’s dialogue and decide for yourself – after the jump…
Megan Metzger: How’s Los Angeles, Jonny? Don’t you miss New York?
Jonny Makeup: LA’s fine. You know, I always feel I’ll be a New York City boy, even though I was raised in a small coal mining town in central PA. I’ve been in New York for only three years, and I wanna live in a place where I feel I’m a “part of it” and I’m a part of it in New York.
MM: And how did you become the “heiress of American Apparel”?
JM: One of my dear friends introduced me to [Dov Charney, American Apparel founder]. I was dressing windows at American Apparel in between tours with VIP Party Boys. And one day he came in for a meeting and I wanted to tell him my idea about being his heiress and he yelled that he didn’t have time to listen to me and I told him, “I like that you yelled at me. You remind me of my daddy.” Then he said, “You look like someone from my family. Like a cousin.” Then I said, “Well, you look like my daddy!”
So I gave him my number and we hung out and I did work for him at trade shows and we developed a relationship. I’ve always loved Little Orphan Annie. I’ve always wanted to have a Daddy Warbucks and he totally is! He’s such a sweetheart! Everyday when I wake up in his mansion I feel so happy to be a part of his life. I’m so grateful he adopted me to be the heiress of his company [laughs]!
MM: As an heiress to the Hilton fortune, some of Paris’ duties include showing her snatch, shopping and dancing badly in cheap pastel club wear. What are your duties as the American Apparel heiress?
JM: They’re kind of similar, but I’m more of a “Downtown It Girl” than a “Hollywood It Girl,” so we could take over both scenes. I can be seen at any given day at an Echo Park, L.E.S. or Misshapes party wearing good/bad Jeremy Scott fashion. And my “M-gina” is always out, too!
MM: Life isn’t all champagne wishes and caviar dreams for P. Hilty. She’s constantly affronted by the blogosphere and the YouTube-niverse for being a daft, worthless twat. If Paris picks you to be her BFF, aren’t you afraid of catching some of that heat?
JM: Oh, I already do! Gawker loves to make fun of me. I don’t care that they hate my voice or my band or me; I was born for negative attention. My psychic told me the first word she thinks of when she looks at me is “courage.” Blog commenters sit in front of their dumb computers and take time to write about me. It means I’m on their brain or the tip of their tongue. In the words of Paris, “I loves it.” [Editor’s note: I had never heard of this man until about two weeks ago.]
MM: VIP Party Boys were recently on the Tyra Banks Show talking about Bear’s rehab experience, and Peter Party spits rhymes on VH1’s The (White) Rapper Show. Jonny, tell me truth: is this just a rue for the VIP Party Boys to dominate reality TV, or do you really, genuinely want Paris to be your bestie?
JM: I kind of really do wanna be her BFF. When I met her at Coachella, I felt a deep connection. And when I watched the Simple Life? OMG I just wanted to be with her and Nicole Richie having a gorgeous time and just doing hi-jinks! If we took over both of the party scenes, it’ll be the most revolutionary scene since the Club Kids were on Geraldo.
MM: Since your stint in Los Angeles, you’ve been politically active by participating in American Apparel’s “Legalize LA” immigrant rights march. How was the march?
JM: I had my life-size cut-out of Paris and I designed her a “Legalize LA” dress. I felt very political just like wacky Kathy Hanna [ed.: That’s Kathleen Hanna, ex-frontwoman of rebel grrrrls Bikini Kill].
Just because I’m materialisitc and all about me doesn’t mean I don’t like to help people, too. I did get some heat from some Latin queen. She was like, “Why are you hangin’ with Paris? She’s a rich bitch.” And I told her I’m a rich bitch living in LA now, and just cause we’re not Latin or immigrants doesn’t mean Paris and I don’t care too. Hello?! We need more people to hire to work for us!
MM: Tell me about meeting Paris Hilton at Coachella.
JM: Oh my God! You’re gonna gag! Okay, so we went to T-Mobile party, me and [the Misshapes’] Geordon Nichol and Cory [Nitta, of LA electronic folksters Philippians], who’s gonna produce my solo album, and the girl with the bangs from The Hills [Stephanie Pratt] put a wristband on me.
Cory and Geo came up to me and were like, “Are you ready to meet Paris?” And I was like, “O-M-F-G she’s not here. No way.” But then I looked on the couch and there was Nicky [Hilton]. She has to be here. I saw her at the bar with Benji [Madden], in pastel, super tall, glowing… I was gaggin’ with anticipation. Geordon said just go up to her. So I went up to her and buried my face in her chest for like 30 seconds and wouldn’t let go. Benji looked at me like any jealous boyfriend would and then was like, oh it’s just some gay boy. I asked her if she was ready to be best friends and she said “loves it.”
I told her my dad moved me to L.A. ‘cause I had a nervous breakdown in New York and I couldn’t wait for both of us to wreak havoc in L.A. and she was like “loves it.” We were talking but she was with her boyfriend so I didn’t want to bother here. So I was with my friend Agyness [Deyn] who’s a supermodel and we started dancing. And Geordon went up to Paris and Benji and apologized on my behalf and Paris said to Geo, “He is gorgeous. I love him.”
Then Daft Punk’s “Digital Love” came on, and Paris and I pointed to each other from across the room and started singing and then she and Benji were leaving and I blew her a kiss and she caught it. OMG, that was the most magical moment!
Z.
JERK!
http://www.ilovezeren.com
Sophia
I LOVE this guy! He is too funny. I hope to see more of him.
jenn
this guy is not a jerk.. he’s obnoxiously sweet. for reals
toots
who the hell is zeren? i mean, jesus christ – do you have to comment on everything just to get your website in the signature?
burton21
How utterly vapid.
Jen
jonny is a genuinely nice person. he’s amazing. and incredibly entertaining. <3
hells kitchen guy
i’ve met zeren. don’t ask.
kateisgrate
LOVE Jonny Makeup!
hughman
yeah, he’s right up there with perez hilton on the ick list. they even look alike.
John Santos
Poor Zeren, always getting ragged on. I personaly enjoy his comments and I think his blog is pretty funny. At least he posts as himself and isn’t some punk hiding behind a screen name. Ignore the haters, Zeren, they’re just pissed because they’ve never gotten a BIG KISS or a tiara award!
Alacer
well, he seems quite…um, possibly irritating. BUT at least he is not all bitchy like Perez Hilton. At least he’s doing SOMETHING with his “cute” obnoxiousness. Hilton is just plain obnoxious and doesn’t do ANYTHING.
Brad
Christ almighty! Someone please kill him before he multiplies! He’s no bigger a whore than Paris, but a whore nonetheless. Gag!
josh
I have met this guy, and he’s actually a really cool, funny guy. His band VIP Party Boys are amazing…..look up their songs “super teen dream” and “buut walls” (proper spelling)….those two songs are genius and really catchy.
kateisgrate
He is a dream and i don’t want to wake up!
Michael
I love how nobody has to do anything more than exist to receive attention these days. I don’t know if that means everybody truly is a star or standards have sunk too low.
Elyse
OMG JON. This is absolutely the greatest thing I have ever seen. Obviously, things are going well for you. This is soo you, I love it. I miss you, babe.
foree
Jonny Makeup is my new fave pop culture icon! love you, mean it
sugarsmack
Johnny Makeup was once featured in a ‘Do’ @ Vice Magazine. And that’s all I know about him.
Puddy Katz
John Santos
Zeren may be a nice guy and you may think he has a nice blog (I clicked it on and it is not even third rate) but his constant posting of one line comments with the link under them is nothing but spam.
I wish he would be removed.
nunya business
jonny is super nice and hillarious and gives me all sorts of hook ups
anyone have anything nasty to say go fuck urself bitch
Jenny MO
Jonny Make-up is the Fairest of them All.
A sister would know!
Mom
Jon..I love you, honey!
wretch
I saw him on judge David Young. I hate his fashion sense but find him somewhat interesting.
boo boo
There’s only one Jonny Makeup… and he rocks!!
Was soooo much fun working with such a cool guy.
For all those negative bloggers, please look at yourselves first!!