John Barrowman talks about his cross-dressing role in La Cage aux Folles and addiction to QVC

The multi-talented star of stage and screen John Barrowman gave an extensive interview to Broadway World UK that I found to be very enjoyable. John, whose fame has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years thanks to Doctor Who and Torchwood, clearly has such a great passion for life and it comes through in this lively interview.

He starts off by sharing, in a nutshell, all he’s up to professionally: “In particular and most importantly is La Cage, and then while I’m in La Cage, I’m also releasing my second book, which is not an autobiography, it’s more memoirs over the last three years, and also a reflection on letters and things that have been sent to me by people and the questions they’ve asked regarding the first book, regarding my opinions on stuff, so it’s my insight into things. And then in November the DVD of my concert tour comes out, so that’s something to look forward to. I’ll start recording my new album for release on Mothers’ Day next year, and that begins recording while I’m still doing the show.”

Whew!

While he has become widely known as a dramatic actor, John has been eager to stay true to his theatrical roots: “One thing I have done in my television shows is that I’ve made sure people know I’m an entertainer. I’ve made sure they know that I can sing. I’ve made sure they know that my roots are in the West End. That’s why I got involved in the judging shows. I think now most people know. If you’d have asked me five years ago when I started Doctor Who, for the TV audience who only knew me as Captain Jack on Doctor Who, that would have been the case. Now, I don’t think so.”

He also talks about his love of QVC: “I don’t know if it’s so much a QVC addiction so much as I just love certain products on QVC. I’ll rattle them off to you. I love Northern Nights bedding. LOVE that. I absolutely love Cooks’ Essentials for the kitchen. I think that’s absolutely brilliant. And also Joan Rivers jewelery, because I buy it for my mother. She thinks it’s incredible. Also Butler and Wilson – listen, if you want really good jewelery and watches, do the Butler and Wilson on QVC. I’ve called in to QVC and been on the air, when they’ve been doing shows on products that I like.”

On his La Cage aux Folles wardrobe: “All my dresses are brand new. All my dresses are different. They’re styled differently for a younger and a slimmer man. That’s not to say that I don’t have my muffin top, my love handles. I’ll be 43 in March, and I am aware of it! Things have changed with me, so I can relate to strapping in my gut and my arse in a corset. The dresses look great, though. One thing I do have from my years of dancing is a good set of pins. [He stretches out his legs and points his toes.] And the high-heeled shoes – they look good. I’m just being totally honest with you – they look pretty damn good. [laughs].”

I’ll say. John Barrowman is hot as a man or a woman!