Showbiz legend Carol Channing on Johnny Depp playing her and the loyalty of her gay fans

At 92-years-young, Carol Channing is still so full of energy that she is going to appear in Fire Island later this summer for an event that will include a Q&A.

I can think of nothing more glorious than Carol Channing being Carol Channing.

Anyway, Michael Musto spoke with the showbiz legend about that and a variety of other things for Out.com.

In regards to her still-loyal gay following she said: ‘I am terribly grateful. I mean, gay men seem to always know who has talent before the rest of the public does, don’t you think? A stamp of approval from the gay community is almost a guarantee of success. Just ask Liza Minnelli, Bette Midler, or Cher. I think they would agree.’

‘In San Francisco, they made me their Queen,’ she added. ‘They have a new Empress every year, but a Queen is for life. Isn’t that wonderful?’

Then, of course, there are all the drag impersonators.

‘It’s a huge compliment and I’m always honored, but it is hard to watch,’ she admits. ‘Every time I see someone impersonate me, I can’t help but think I must have a hormonal imbalance.’

What if Johnny Depp follows through on his long-rumored hope of playing Miss Channing in a film one day?

‘Wouldn’t that be great?’ she says. ‘People say, “But he is a man,” but it doesn’t surprise me at all. I can’t remember the last time one of my impersonators didn’t have a 5 o’clock shadow.’

After reading the Musto interview, I feel the need to post my favorite Carol Channing number: Before the Parade Passes By from her signature role as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!