AE: Great, now I really want a pop tart. … We had started talking about some of the events you talked about back in Disco Bloodbath. How did your life change after that?
JSJ: When it looked like Michael had gotten away with [the murder of Angel Melendez], I was so sickened by everything that I left New York and came out to L.A. My life changed almost immediately. I hooked up with World of Wonder [Productions] and they were doing documentaries at the time. And they suggested that I write the book. And I wrote [ Disco Bloodbath ] over the course of about five or six months. It sort of vomited out of me. I was so angry and frustrated, it just came out very quickly.
And then after that … obviously I was — I am — a very different person after the book came out. And I went through a couple of bad years where the book didn't make any money, and I was broke and had to work in a bookstore. And that was frustrating because I was selling my own book to people. That was a little embarrassing. I was trying to push a couple of other books at the time. I had an agent, and he couldn't sell any books. Things were bad for a few years. Then the movie [Party Monster] came out and it was easier to get a book deal. And now here I am, and we'll see what happens.
AE: What did you think of Party Monster?
JSJ: I loved it because I got to know Seth [Green] and Macaulay [Culkin] and Wilmer [Valderrama], and they were all such wonderful people and really embraced the story. Seth and Macaulay especially. No matter what you say about their performances, it was so much fun for me to watch them throw themselves into the roles. They lived it! Two straight boys! They would call each other James and Michael, and run around as James and Michael, and dress up. It was so adorable to see them have so much fun with the roles.
AE: I was a big Seth Green fan back from the Buffy days.
JSJ: Seth is one of my favorite people in the entire world! I mean, he's Oz — my God, Oz ! — and he's Scott Evil! He is pop culture. And Macaulay, Jesus Christ! The first couple of times I met him it was tough not to ask him to do that "Home Alone face." They were both so amazing.
AE: What's your view of pop culture now? What are you into now?
JSJ: What am I watching? I'm watching As the World Turns with Van Hansis! I'm still a Smallville fan. I cannot get enough of those homos on Smallville. I'm hating Lost. I love Blake now on American Idol. I didn't like him for the longest time, but now I can't get enough of him. I'm hoping Jordin Sparks wins, though. I'm all about Jordin. I'm not watching Dancing With the Stars. And, um, I'm glad Paris is going to prison.
AE: Who today has great style, in your opinion? Who are today's icons?
JSJ: The fact that Isabella Blow just died — that just killed me. And the fact that we lost Pat Buckley and no one seemed to care, and Nan Kempner died. All those style icons, all the great ladies, are gone. That just kills me. And it seems to me that Nicole Richie is never going to take the place of Isabella Blow.
AE: Are you writing anything now?
JSJ: Yes, I'm doing another teen book. I'm trying to get it out very quickly. It's about gay teenage werewolves. I figure it's a perfect metaphor. This repressed little homo becomes this werewolf and he goes out and attacks boys and rips their clothes off and bites them! And the next day he wakes up and he's like, "What have I done? What have I done?"
AE: When you're writing these books, are you envisioning them as teen novels? Or do you have a wider audience in mind?
JSJ: Hopefully with Freak Show there's some crossover appeal. I think anyone who's ever felt like a freak will identify with it. And I think there are enough Disco Bloodbath fans and Party Monster fans who aren't teenaged fans who are planning on buying it. I don't condescend that I'm just writing for teenagers. However they market it is another story. When I'm writing, I'm writing just for myself.
AE: Last, very important question: What advice can you give about what it takes to be totally, brilliantly fabulous?
JSJ: Oh, my Lord! It takes balls! You're going to have to throw your inhibitions away and trust in your higher power, that you deserve to be the center of attention. You have to just know that you are the most fabulous person in the room and go with it. … I mean, I could sit here and say get a red rubber clown nose and four wigs and a panty girdle and tennis platforms, but it's really — it's all in the attitude!
Good For Him!