Dimple-cheeked, larger-than-life clown in a gown Bianca Del Rio returns to Australia with her 'Unsanitized!' tour.
Bianca (otherwise known as Roy Haylock) walked into the 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Werk Room and into the hearts of millions back in 2014. She took the crown home on the show, and has since toured the globe multiple times, serving up slice after slice of her trademark snarky frankness, impeccable timing and politically incorrect humour.
The insult comic has appeared in films, television specials, and on her own line of makeup remover (The Bianca Remover). She's made her West End debut in 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie', plus, she's taken her sharp commentary to the page, with her book 'Blame It On Bianca Del Rio: The Expert On Nothing With An Opinion On Everything'.
Now, after a few years of uncertainty and chaos, Bianca's back into the world of live stand-up, and she's heading to Australia as part of her brand-new comedy tour 'Unsanitized!'.
If you liked, COVID-19, you'll love BIANCA-22.
We have a chat to Bianca off the back of the announcement of her Australian tour.
We haven’t seen you since before the pandemic! In summary. . . What have you been up to?!
Like everyone else, I was mainly just trying to keep my sanity through the craziness and uncertainty. I bought a house and moved to Palm Springs right before everything went to sh.t and shut down, so that kept me busy for a few months. Then I just drank and enjoyed spending time with my dogs. It was a nice break after spending the majority of the previous seven years on the road.
What’s the biggest change in your life now compared to before all of that went down?
Both of my dogs finally finished college. Sammy is pursuing a career in nuclear physics, and Dede is taking some time off to decide if she wants to enter the workforce or apply to grad school.
Having taken to the Australian stage a number of times now (in previous huge tours here!) is there anything you’ve noticed about Australian crowds that differs from crowds elsewhere?
Aussies are a bunch of wild, crazy, drunk bitches! Actually I think that's just my fan base.
And what can audiences expect in this new show ‘Unsanitized!’?
I always say 'expect the unexpected'. Once I've had a glass or two of wine. . . Okay, okay. . . A bottle or two of wine, you never know what will come out of my mouth. Also, I interact with the audience for a large portion of my show which makes every show different since it's a different audience each night.
Do you have a go-to, faultless method when it comes to crafting your material? How do jokes form for your shows?
I really feed off of the crowd, and my audiences never disappoint. I seem to have a sixth sense that draws me to chat with the most ridiculous people in the crowd. Once I start talking to them, the jokes basically write themselves.
What is it about making people laugh that attracted you to the art of stand-up?
I like people who don't take every f...ing thing so damn seriously. Look at everything going on in the world. . . Health crises, corruption, wars, etc. We need humour and laughter to get through it all without losing our minds. I love being able to make people laugh at the absurdity of life and for an hour or two forget about all the darkness in the world.
Who do you look up to in your industry the most right now, and why?
Joan Rivers and Don Rickles. Well, I actually have to look down at them now because. . . You know. . . They're in the ground.
Your brand has expanded and your name is attached to a number of things outside of just being a stand-up comedian. What’s something you’d like to do next that you’ve not yet been able to?
I'll try anything! My own television show. My own Broadway musical. My own line of maternity clothes.
Is there anything you’d like to say to your Australian fans – be as kind or as cruel as you like – as you sign off today?
Put down the chlamydia koalas, pick up a cocktail, and get ready to laugh your asses off because I'm FINALLY coming back to Oz, bitches!
Bianca Del Rio Australia Tour Dates
31 August – Queensland Performing Arts Centre2-3 September – State Theatre (Sydney)
5 September – Thebarton Theatre (Adelaide)
7 September – Arts Centre Melbourne
9 September – Canberra Theatre Centre
10 September – Astor Theatre (Perth)
