Willam Belli holds the distinct honor of being the only queen ever disqualified from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and that title, alongside her in-your-face attitude and formidable comedy chops, seems to have served her just as well as winning the crown. Minus the whole $100k part.
Since her wonderfully disgraceful exit from the show, Willam has cropped up in popular YouTube videos like “Boy Is A Bottom” and the highly educational multicultural followup, “Es Una Pasiva.” She’s also racked up an impressive list of TV and film credits, including a part in fellow RPDR alum Bianca Del Rio’s upcoming Hurricaine Bianca.
On May 23rd she’ll appear at the iconic Castro Theater in San Francisco for The Drag Queens Of Comedy alongside Bianca, Alaska, Michelle Visage and a bevy of gut-splitting queens. There will be two shows that night at 7 and 10 p.m., but get your tickets soon because you won’t want to miss these bitches.
We caught up with Willam to talk about her roots, the show, and if she prefers silicone or water-based products — you know, the important issues of the day.
Queerty: Where are you from?
Willam: I live in Inglewood.
Where do you consider home to be?
I’m a citizen of the world but I get mail in L.A.
Tell us about the first time you put on full drag. How old were you? What was the look?
I remember being 6 or 7 and piling on my one-eyed great aunt’s costume jewelry and furs. She was from Jersey so there was a lot to play with. The look was eclectic and very community theater dowager.
Who were your gay role models growing up?
My lesbian aunt and my gay uncle made it really easy for me to see that gay was a normal thing. I remember she was pissed I turned off a Gloria Estefan video because she liked her.
What about your first crush?
I wanted to marry all of New Kids on The Block. Now I just want to fuck one of them (Danny).
Were you picked on as a kid?
I was quite overweight but I wasn’t picked on much. I always had a slick mouth and my sister was one grade ahead of me and friends with all the kids who would’ve been inclined to be douches to me.
Do you have a drag mother?
No. But I had someone who steered me early on, sneaking me into clubs and was very kind to me though. His name is Momma and he is an L.A. staple.
Who are some of your favorite queens to work with?
I like working with Courtney Act, Alaska Thunderfuck, Bianca del Rio and Michelle Visage. Oh, Logan Hardcore is a hoot, too. And all the girls at Play in Nashville and S4 in Dallas.
When did you start acting?
My first paid acting gig was at 16.
What was the first time your drag wold and your acting world collided?
My first paid gig when I was 16 was an MTV show that I was in drag for.
I read somewhere Divine is one of your inspirations.
He is. I want to bring that shock and in-your-faceness that he had back to drag.
What’s your favorite John Waters movie?
My favorite John Waters movie is probably Cry-Baby.
Do you have a straight guy crush?
My straight guy crush is Blake Griffin (he plays basketball).
If California runs out of water where would you go to find something to drink?
I haven’t paid for a drink in a gay bar in three years. So a bar.
Have you been watching Drag Race season seven? Anyone you’d put money on?
I like Turtles.
No one loves Ru more than us, but did you ever get tired of calling everything Ru-this and Ru-that on the show?
I think this question calls for a Rupaulogy.
Tell us about the show Drag Queens of Comedy 2015 at the Castro Theater (May 23, 2015) — what can we expect?
It’s interesting to see what each performer does. Like if someone’s act bombs, do you still call it stand up comedy or just a spoken word performance?
We’ll go ponder that in the woods later, but in the mean time let’s play a little rapid-fire:
Taylor Swift or Robyn?
Robyn
Little Shop of Horrors or Rocky Horror?
Rocky Horror
Leather or latex?
Leather
Looking or Transparent?
Neither
Can balls be sexy?
Sure
Sam Smith or Adam Lambert?
Adam
Martha or Oprah?
Martha
Silicone or water-based?
Silicone
Grindr or Scruff?
Jack’d
Great, we know where to find you! Thanks for playing.
jason smeds
All I see in drag queens is a female stereotype. Long hair, lipstick, tight dresses…this is almost like a fetish. Sorry but I don’t like fetishes. Female-loving fetishes are as far away from male homosexuality as you can get.
JPDonahue
jason smeds: And if it weren’t for Drag Queens… Stonewall would not have happened and you might be living in the shadows today.
Tommy Fiorentin Howell-Owasso
@Maria
QJ201
I love this twisted bitch…and her don’t give a F attitude.
jason smeds
JPDonahue,
Stonewall is over-rated. Gay law reform happened about 8 years prior in Illinois.
Stonewall was a reaction to harassment. It had little, if anything, to do with gay rights.
JPDonahue
@jason smeds: “Stonewall is Over-rated.” Maybe you should put that on a t-shirt and proudly wear it. Your comment makes me wonder what your age is. Nothing to do with anything other than perspective.
JPDonahue
@JPDonahue: Or… if you’re just That Guy.
Lindoro Almaviva
@jason smeds: Gay law reform happened about 8 years prior in Illinois
And if we had not done anything else, we would still be waiting for the laws to be changed all over the south, gay marriage would be illegal nationwide with a constitutional amendment and we would be celebrating the 3rd or 4th year anniversary of homosexuality being taken off the mental diseases list; and let’s not even talk about how many more millions would have died because of government inaction on the face of AIDS.
If you are one of those gays who thinks that we attained what we have had in part because of the benevolence of the heterosexual community i feel sorry for you. No, I don’t, I would say go live in Louisianan and try to fight your way.
Stonewall might have been an initial reaction against harassment, but it was able to tap into a collective anger that was much MUCH bigger than a set place in a set time and it sparked a movement that is still going.
So, on behalf of all those drag queens who fought back so your entitled ass could diminish their impact on our lives: You are fucking welcomed.
Xzamilio
Queef on muh tits, bitch!!!
jason smeds
This idea that Stonewall and drag queens were the beacon for gay rights is laughable. It’s put out by bar-hopping activists in New York. It’s total BS.
Gay law reform began in Illinois. New York took years – yes, years – to catch up.
If you’re a New Yorker, keep believing that you were at the vanguard of gay rights. I wouldn’t want to ruin your fantasy world….
Dustiny Love-Lawsuit
She’s a tard
Charlie in Charge
@jason smeds: Many gay men adore drag queens without having any attraction to or fetishes about women. They are gay icons celebrated for their gifts for performance and better than average wit. They don’t care what your opinion of them is.
McShane
@Xzamilio: LOL!! Isn’t that from Jiz Is Dead?
You shut your ugly boat mouth. XD
Xzamilio
@McShane: I drink with my ANUS!!! I have my drinks ANALLY!!! Pour wine in a douche… and drink it ANALLY!!!
I love Willam!!!
JPDonahue
@jason smeds: Soooo… you’re just That Guy.
JPDonahue
@jason smeds: Soooo… you’re just That Guy. Don’t Feed The Trolls! Internet Trolls, that is!
stranded
Willam is hilarious. Despite the lack of new episodes this year, I still watch The Beat Down on youtube at least once a week. I’ve watched them all so many times. Paint Me Bitch was really good too, but not as many episodes.
lykeitiz
Does anyone know if the Joey Stefano movie is still going to be made? Willam had been cast as Karen Dior. There’s still an IMBD page…..no activity.