Posted on: Friday, July 16, 2004
'Gay Pimp' is puttin' on the glitz for gig at zoo
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Billed as "The Gay Pimp," Jonny McGovern, 27, is hot on the New York City party scene, thanks to his glittery revue that satirizes super pop spectacles.
He will be featured in the 30th anniversary celebration of Hula's Bar & Lei Stand, performing with several local acts, 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Honolulu Zoo. The party then moves to Hula's until closing.
"It's great to be performing at the zoo," said McGovern, who is known for videos such as the earlier "Soccer Practice" and the current "Lookin' Cute/Feelin' Cute," on which he capitalizes on pop sensibilities aimed at the gay crowd.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Thailand and in Egypt (where his parents work), McGovern has evolved as both a gay stand-up comic and a performance artist surrounded by chic pop productions.
"I do love the gay night life in New York," he said in a phone interview from the Big Apple. "The energy on the club scene inspires me. I find ways to do something lively for all the gay kids from across the country who can't find such entertainment back home."
Performing at Hula's Bar & Lei Stand's 30th anniversary; a benefit for Life Foundation Also featuring: Superstar DJ Keoki from New York City, Tony Conjugacion and his hula halau, Derek Daniels and His Party Favor Dancers, Coco Chandelier and the House of Chandelier, the Men of Sensually Certified, and others • • • Post-show party "People from the Lower East Side were coming to see me, including straights, and when I pushed the fantasy and brought out the dancers and the costumers, the crowds got larger and I had a cult following," he said.
In New York McGovern has performed at such venues as Dixon Place, The Tunnel, FEZ and Caroline, and is a hot request number for parties.
"I feed off the audiences," he said. "That's how I maintain my energy and develop creativity."
He said he always was a funny guy but dared not come out while still in Egypt. He acted at Boston University, where he was able to nurture and mix singing, dancing and laughs, to keep audiences entertained and interested, he said.
"I'm somewhat of a gay fantasy — a 6-4 gay, white, R&B singer, doing comedy as the Gay Pimp, and really fitting in," he said. Often, McGovern said it's easier to do his gay bit in front of a straight audience. "You can scare 'em a bit — like, 'I'm gonna turn you gay,' and women love the Gay Pimp, too. I've had girlfriends bringing in their boyfriends and telling me, 'Make my boyfriend gay.' "
Not surprisingly, McGovern adores such music icons as Britney Spears, Janet Jackson and Madonna.
"When I started doing my act, Britney and *N Sync were doing their Janet stuff, and I have a great respect for such cheese; I am such a Velveeta fan," he said. "I like to soak it up and borrow things and put 'em in the gay blender, going over the top."
He might be dirty, but he's dutiful; "It's very unlikely that I would have a costume malfunction because I keep a tight rein on the costumes ... any malfunction we have would be on purpose," he said.
McGovern has brought his gay magic to Japan "where screaming teens greet me," he said.
"I hope to sprinkle a little bit of that magic dust in Hawai'i."
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
"I put on a wild show, often with 20 dancers, but we're bringing only three — two boys and my drag queen — when we come to Hawai'i," said McGovern.
Jonny McGovern is "The Gay Pimp."
His Gay Pimp character evolved at the height of rapper Eminem's putdown of homosexuals several years ago. "It was a way to protest," said McGovern, who recorded one of his famous "dirty songs" (with titles unsuitable for a family newspaper), that responded to the hatred.
Jonny McGovern
