Queer Eye’s Jai Rodriguez on Playing Angel in RENT, NYC Nightlife Culture & more

06/16/20 • 47 min

Jess welcomes an actor/singer/performer she has admired and loved for nearly twenty years — Jai Rodriguez — well-known as the Culture Guru on the OG Queer Eye on Bravo. Jess fell in love with Jai years prior, when he was starring on Broadway as Angel in RENT and doing cabaret "after shows" singing early JT & Kelly Clarkson. We chat about his experience playing Angel, the HIV+ beloved drag queen before he was even out in his own life, making a name for himself in the NYC nightlife scene to his eventual big break on Queer Eye/Bravo. We also discuss his role in the Gaga/Beyonce video for "Telephone," starring in "Sex Tips" in Vegas and the kooky connection to Scheana Shay & Camille Grammer.

Follow @jairodriguez, @jessxnyc, @hottakesdeepdives

Follow @jairodriguez, @jessxnyc, @hottakesdeepdives

Previous Episode

Reaction to Firings of Stassi Schroeder & Kristen Doute (w/ Sexy Unique Podcast’s Lara Marie Schoenhals)

Jess has an emergency kiki with Lara Marie Schoenhals (Sexy Unique Podcast) to process their thoughts & feelings around the sudden firings of Stassi Schroeder & Kristen Doute this week. We discuss their blatant racist aggressions targeted at former VPR cast member Faith Stowers, Stassi & Beau’s relationship, the financial implications, why "cancel culture" is idiotic, predict Stassi's eventual comeback and where Vanderpump Rules goes from here.

Announcing Patreon! * patreon.com/hottakesdeepdives for bonus episodes!

Follow @larzmarie, @jessnxyc & @hottakesdeepdives

Next Episode

Black & Bravo’d: Hot Take Mic Pass on Jax, Stassi, Kelly Dodd & more (w/ Semajh Bludson)

Jess welcomes Semajh Bludson (@semajwithanh) to provide his hot takes on the racist state of affairs at Bravo, specifically relating to VPR, Stassi, Jax & Kelly Dodd. Semajh shares his own experience as a young, queer Black Bravo fan living in Maryland and sheds light on how the network could have handled the Stassi/Kristen moment in a more constructive way. Semajh also touches on Porsha Williams, Teresa Giudice, Andy Cohen, Kathy Griffin, Leah McSweeney, Katie Maloney & Garcelle Beauvais.

Follow @semajwithanh, @jessxnyc, @hottakesdeepdives