MeeVee Exclusive: Interview with Nip/Tuck's Willam Belli
Willam Belli -- that's Willam, not William -- has spent the past year working on the hottest TV shows on the air. From Nip/Tuck to My Name Is Earl,
this boy who spends most of his time dressed as a girl is all over your
TV screen. We had the chance to chat with Willam as he headed off to
his latest project. It was time to find out if those Nip/Tuck spoilers were true, what acting in drag has done for his career, and what it's like to be in the latest Christina Aguilera video that's all over MTV.
Has the experience of being on Nip/Tuck changed your career in any way?
It
really has. I’m the first person thought of for any role that comes in
for drag or trans. But then, I can’t get called in for guy stuff. I have a really
tough time getting my foot in the door.
Can’t they see you’re just working it?
I know, right? But
I’m thankful. It’s [Nip/Tuck] the best job I’ve ever had so far. It’s basically
“actor Christmas.” I get to pee on people, I get to have sex, I get to
fight, I get to have surgery -- it was a lot of fun.
While you’re only in three episodes, you had such an impact. You shot a
Nazi!
It was originally supposed to be just one
episode, and they liked me, so they brought me back. We had to sign for the
scripts on the set because it [the season finale script] talked about who the Carver was.
I was reading it and Ryan [Murphy, series creator] walked by. I said to
him, “I am not in Kill Bill. You can’t
bury me alive.” He said, “Keep reading it.”
Can you tell us what’s going on with Cherry Peck this season?
Ariel’s dad
definitely is alive. He’s in prison. Cherry is alive, as far as I know,
but I’m not sure when she’s coming back. I was in episode 4.2
technically because of the flashbacks, so I don’t think I’m dead. I ran into Ryan back in
May and asked him when I’m coming back. He said, “I don’t know; the
network didn’t like the torture stuff.” Apparently he gave an interview
in the L.A. Times about how the network tried to cut it out. They got it from 14 minutes to nine because they felt
it was too graphic. They wanted Cherry completely gone, and [Ryan] fought
for me.
You appeared in Saved, My Name is Earl, and Nip/Tuck.
Every time you appeared on these shows, there was a ratings spike. Do
you think that’s coincidence?
I
don’t believe it’s all about me. I know that there are a lot of gay
people tuning in to see me. I pick my projects carefully. Everyone knew My Name Is Earl
was the hot ticket in town last season, and it was going to help save NBC. I went in there and said,
“I’m a drag queen too; you can cast me as that.” They were like, “Oh my God, I love that idea.” So they did. Saved basically came down to
either me or Alexis Arquette. The Surreal Life sort of trashed any credibility she had, so they went with me.
What other projects have you been working on?
Right now, I am headed to the studio to record some ADR for a pilot called Tranny McGuyver.
It’s my first series that I’m a big lead in. I am shopping a demo with Sony, trying to be the
Rock 'n' Roll RuPaul. I am going to New York in the late winter/early
spring for a musical called, “Rock of Ages.” It’s an '80s jukebox
musical with Poison, REO Speedwagon, Journey, and Mr. Big, plus all
those great groups. I have the blog
and I'm trying to get paid for [writing].
Have you had trouble finding roles that don't involve drag?
I got my first agent because of Sex and the City.
I was having trouble getting roles as a guy. All I could get in for was
musical theater. If you’re openly gay, all they really want to see you
for is gay roles, and it’s only if a straight name passes on the gay
role. Every straight actor loves to play gay.
Do you think
that once an actor comes out of the closet, he'll only be considered for gay roles?
Most of my roles are LGBT in essence. Those roles
have been providing for me, and it’s enough of a niche for me to work. I have to fight to get in the
door for “the grungy video clerk.” Rupert Everett could do every part that Hugh
Grant does, but they’re not going to cast Rupert Everett. They’re going
to cast Hugh Grant. Alan Cumming doesn’t look as gay
depending on how his hair’s cut. He can
play straight roles. But I have a
feminine quality about my face that doesn’t translate into masculine on
screen. I understand that and I know where my limitations are. My
eyebrows are thin naturally, I can’t do shit about it. I can’t put
Rogaine on them.
What do you do in your spare time? What keeps you busy?
I
just did the Christina Aguilera
video a few days ago for a few days. It was a 1930s circus theme.
It was fun. I loved it -- I had pink hair. I’m
working with one of Babyface’s guys that did Josie and the Pussycats. I’m going to Letters to Cleo's Kay
Handley’s house to record. Now I’m singing,
“Josie and the Pussycats.” I love that movie.
I know you love TV. What is your favorite TV show?
Easy; Footballers' Wives.
I want to be Tanya Turner so bad. Her little sister is awful. She is
like a pale comparison to Tanya Turner. Tanya Laslow Turner Biggs
Turner, whatever her name is, I love her. I definitely think that’s my
favorite show; I try to TiVo it every week. I
watch Animal Planet with the Animal Police where they put kitty
abusers in jail.
Tell me you saw the Showbiz Pets Moms and Dads episode where the dog is biting the lady on her...
Sweetheart,
I was a vocalist on it. They couldn’t get the rights to use RuPaul’s
song during the dog fashion show, so that’s me singing. It’s on my
resume.
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