Q and A with Rocco D’Amore
| 26 May 2010
Drag King extraordinaire Rocco D’Amore talks to CHERRIE
You’ve been doing drag for a long time now, how did it start?
Believe it or not, I started at a very young age in my bedroom – even before I knew what I was doing was called ‘drag’.
Your character Rocco D’Amore is really visible now. You’ve appeared on everything from billboards, to the cover of the Mardi Gras guide, to performing with George Michael. I know you’re a fan of George’s how did that come about?
It was weird. I got a phone call the day before the show asking if I'd step in ’coz he had pulled out, but then on the day he was back in on the show. Diva.
Tell us about Rocco D’Amore’s Emporium. It’s a great idea, drag kings and queens together, I’m surprised more of this doesn’t happen. Why did you do it?
Well I guess I did it ’coz it’s not happening anywhere else that I know of. I'm tired of these ‘men only’, ‘women only’ events. We’re all in the same boat, let’s party together!
What can we expect from you at the Burlesque Festival?
I'll be MCing at that one and hopefully I'll be cracking a whip, too!
What’s been your favourite moment on stage?
I'd have to say impersonating George Michael [at Mardi Gras] and seeing 12,000 faces look up at me with confusion.
Any regrets?
None what so ever.
Rocco D’Amore is quite the favourite with the ladies, what’s his secret?
His after-shave cologne
When and where can we see you?
I'm on every Sunday at All Dragged Up And No Where To Show at Neverwhere (Melbourne). And then the second last Saturday of the month at Emporium DK&DQ. Along with King Victoria at the Greyhound, and sometimes in Sydney.
Photo by: Zara Albion-Lawson
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