TGF Interview — Drag Star Willam Belli

Willam as Cherry Peck with John Hensley on the set of “Nip/Tuck.”

Willam Belli is one of the RuPaul’s Drag Race glamazons. He appeared on the fourth season of Drag Race  and has been a regular on the show Nip/Tuck portraying transsexual Cherry Peck. He has appeared on several television shows such as Southland, My Name is Earl, Criminal Minds, CSI:NY, and others, appeared in several films and has produced several songs and videos. We were lucky that Willam could take some time in his busy performance schedule to sit down with us for a chat.

TGF: Hi Willam! Thanks for chatting with TGForum today. First I have to say hey to a hometown girl. TGF headquarters is located in suburban Philadelphia and you were born in Philadelphia. How long were you a Philadelphian?

Willam: I spent most of my childhood in Philly but went to school in Jersey & Florida. But I was emancipated at 16 and went straight back to get Philthy.

TGF: When did you first do drag?

W: I first did drag technically in 6th grade at age 11. I had a thrift store wig and dress and pretended to be Barbara Walters for a school project. The first time I did good drag though was 2 years later at 13 for Rocky Horror Picture Show.

TGF: What made you dress up?

W: I didn’t get carded when I was in drag so it was kinda my golden ticket. Plus, I really like shiny things. My aesthetic is “Whore-Clown.”

TGF: When did you come out as gay?

Two sides of Willam. (Photo by Marc Cartwright)

W: I never had to come out. I told my parents that I wanted to marry all the New Kids on the Block (except Jordan and Joey) when I was 9 and promptly asked what fisting was in the same conversation. I had a gay aunt and uncle on my dad’s side and gay family members on my mom’s so it was always something that didn’t matter.

TGF: Our readers are crossdressers and transsexuals or otherwise identify as transgendered. How do you relate to the transgender community? Is doing drag a transgender expression for you or do you see it as part of your gay identity or acting?

W: I use drag as an entertainment tool. I have no, like, yearnings to dress as part of my DNA — but I do love my job.

TGF: Your drag is exquisite and your body is bitchin’. Do you follow any exercise or beauty treatment regime?

W: I try to work out daily but with my travel schedule, I’ve been reduced to 3+ times a week with lots of hotel room stretching. Richard Simmons has a great studio were he teaches and I attend his classes frequently. I credit my abs to him.

TGF: Natural looking breasts are a real asset for anyone wanting to do good female impersonation. What type of breast prosthesis do you find work best for you?

W: Once upon a time, I would just say “size 2 supermodels don’t have boobs” and skip them altogether. But in the last year, I’ve been a devotee of www.thebreastformstore.com and their Aphrodite product. I can wear skimpy clothes without having to deal with a bra line or worrying a foam pad will slip.

(Photo by Mathu Andersen for Logo.)

TGF: Do you have to wear them with a bra? How do they stay in place?

W: They have a surface that kinda suctions to the skin and then I just slap on a t-shirt or dress and that’s enough to hold them in place for hours.

TGF: Do they stay in place if you’re being active, like working the catwalk?

W: If I know I may be breaking a sweat or being manhandled, I usually use some spray adhesive though. These breastforms have allowed me to wear things I could’ve never pulled off without a bra..

TGF: You’re on the big screen at the moment in the film Fun Size. How was that to work on?

W: Nope. I got written out.

TGF: No! What happened?

W: I did the table read and the costume fittings and then they replaced me with a real girl.

TGF: That bitch.

The man behind the glamzon. (Photo by Marc Cartwirght)

W: But I still got paid and it’s still listed on my IMDB. Shhh . . . don’t tell anyone or I won’t get residuals. 🙂

TGF: Do you have any new songs or videos coming out?

W: My album The Wreckoning is now available on my website. It has my recent singles from the past year and some awesome new jams. Some dance, some rap, some pop, some parody. Even a country song. Something for everyone. Videos will definitely follow.

TGF: Any last word of advice for aspiring drag performers?

W: Three words — sheer to waist. We can see that line at the top of your thigh girl. Also, no real woman would wear an open toe shoe with pantyhose. It’s a huge fashion no-no yet drag queens do it all the time. I read Chad Michaels and Morgan McMichaels about it. Apparently, a webbed toe is part of their drag family’s signature traits ;). I say cut the tights and secure it with some duct tape between your big toe and other toes.

TGF: On that note we must say goodbye. Thanks so much for chatting with us.

W: My pleasure.

Tags: drag, featured

Category: Drag Queen, Impersonation, Transgender Fun & Entertainment