Exclusive Archival Interview: John Waters and The Naked Truth at The Parkway Theater (Originally Published by Twin Cities Queer Scene in 2024)

Ahead of his show “The Naked Truth” at the Parkway Theater on November 2, Waters discusses his love for Minneapolis and the legacy of Divine with Twin Cities Queer Scene’s “Derek Please!” Columnist Derek Murawski-Harguth

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY TWIN CITIES QUEER SCENE: https://www.twincitiesgayscene.com/editorial/derek-please-

Interview conducted via phone call by Derek Murawski-Harguth

Photo by Greg Gorman

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Renowned gay writer and film director John Waters, celebrated for his bombastically avant-garde and boundary-shattering cinematic works like “Pink Flamingos,” “Female Trouble,” “Hairspray,” and “Serial Mom,” has cultivated a deep connection with the Twin Cities. His presence has manifested here in various forms, such as screenings of six of his iconic films at the Walker Art Center and his annual live performance at The Parkway Theater. Waters has consistently been regarded as a cherished figure within our Minneapolis-St. Paul community. In this “Scene” exclusive interview, we delve into Waters’ Minnesotan experiences, both on and off stage. 

Ahead of his November 2 one-man show “The Naked Truth” at The Parkway Theater, we shed light on the essential contemporary physical media reissues of his films, reflect on his legendary cast — collectively known as Dreamlanders — and explore his insightful perspectives on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the competition reality television program that once paid tribute to him with an entire special episode. Waters shares his characteristically candid thoughts throughout, including how today’s drag queens channel Divine. He reflects on the LGBTQIA+ community on and off screen, with clear focus on the urgent political challenges faced by transgender people. 

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John Waters: Hello. 

Derek Murawski-Harguth: Hi, John. I’m Derek Murawski-Harguth from Twin Cities Queer Scene. How are you doing today? 

John: I’m well, I’m great. After you, I get on a plane and go to Las Vegas to the Las Vegas Book Fair. 

Derek: Oh, wonderful. I’m also doing great today. I majored in Film Studies, and you are my favorite film director. 

John: Oh, thank you. 

Derek: Yes, thank you. This is a distinct honor. Thank you. 

John: Well, thank you. I’m happy to be coming back to your great city in a wonderful theater. 

Derek: Yeah, let’s get started. Your Blu-ray reissues with the Criterion Collection are so well made and exciting for your fans. Do you have any new reissues in the works? 

John: Well, the “Cry-Baby” just came out, not with Criterion. It came out with Kino Lorber, but they did an amazing job, and they have all-new extras, interviews with everybody in it today — some of them like, you know, people haven’t seen in years — so it’s really a good package. 

Derek: I’m really excited for that one. 

John: So that’s the newest film that’s coming out. But I just did a thing with Criterion for the TV show, where I picked movies I love, and we’re gonna do more. They’re a great, classy company that’s been absolutely wonderful to work with. 

Derek: That’s great to hear. Dreamlander Cookie Mueller was recently featured on screen during the AIDS memorial on Madonna’s Celebration Tour. Do you have a favorite story from directing Cookie? 

John: I don’t know if it’s from directing or my favorite stories. When she used to go out, she’d always be in a hurry, and so I would say, “What are you doing?” She would snort instant coffee. 

Derek: Oh, wow. 

John: She would put a line of instant coffee down and snort it. And I always was amazed. She always did that and claimed it worked. 

Derek: Oh, I love that. That’s so Cookie. 1977’s “Desperate Living” is my most rewatched film of yours. What do you think the fictional town of Mortville would be like in 2024?

John: What do you mean? Every city is like Mortville now, after COVID. It’s a combination of “C.H.U.D.” the movie. Do you know that movie? 

Derek: No, I’m sorry.

John: “Cannibalistic, human underground dwellers” — C.H.U.D. — and there was even a sequel about a cute C.H.U.D. called “C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.” So I would say it’s a combination of those movies. And, you know, I don’t know. I think Mortville is, is very much like today, everywhere. You see it, everywhere, on every corner. 

Derek: That’s an apt observation. Definitely. What are your thoughts on the current state of queer cinema?

John: You know, gay is not enough. It’s a good start. I think it’s progress to admit that there’s bad gay films, too. I think now, with the new sexual revolution, it’s not so cut and dry. I always say, “You’re here, you’re not all queer, and nobody’s used to it.” That’s a new generation of non-binary. 

Derek: Do you have any stories about your time visiting and performing in Minneapolis?

John: Well, you know, I’ve been there so many different times. It’s always been a great city for me, and it’s always scary, because they always put me near the world’s largest mall — the one thing that I would never, ever want to visit. Nothing against it. But I’m scared of malls. Other people are scared to go in bad neighborhoods. I’m scared of malls. 

Derek: Yeah, Mall of America.

John: I have some great friends that live in Minneapolis, so I always see them and have lunch and everything. So it’s always been a great movie town, and it’s always been a very hip town. I always have had good luck in Minneapolis. 

Derek: That’s wonderful to hear. What can we expect at your show at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis? 

John: Well, it’s a brand new one that I’ve only done once, no, half-done it once before. It’s called “The Naked Truth,” so you’re gonna hear it for the first time.

Derek: I’m so excited! Can you describe your creative process when casting Mink Stole in a new role? 

John: Well, you know, I made movies like kids do — with their friends. I was friends with her sister — first in Provincetown — and she introduced me, and [Mink’s] real name is Nancy Stoll, so Mink Stole was just what I called her. We got along great. And then she made the first movie with me, just like all kids make movies with their friends, that’s it. And she turned into the Dreamland character actress, really… the best. And she was always Divine’s enemy. It seems like in every movie they were always enemies, where in real life, they were great friends. But my favorite performance of Mink is in “Serial Mom,” just when she enters that courtroom. It’s so hilarious, and she doesn’t even have one word of dialogue — just her expression. 

Derek: Yeah! “Serial Mom” is one of my top three favorites of yours. 

John: Thank you.

Derek: In your opinion, what is the most important lesson that people can learn from Divine’s life and career?

John: Well, don’t live beyond your means is the only one thing. Secondly, to not you know — when Divine first came out, other drag queens hated him, because they thought he was making fun of it. In a weird way, Divine was making fun of drag. Trying to look pretty, and be Miss America, and be their mother. I think almost every drag queen today shows the influence of Divine. All drag queens are hip now. All of them are tough, all of them are angry, all of them are funny. There’s nobody that just tries to look pretty. At least if they are, I never see them.

Derek: True, with the advent of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and how big drag culture is now.

John: Yeah. I mean, it’s amazing to me. RuPaul I congratulate for really making drag accepted by Mid-America. I mean, there's never… all these politicians, they can't get rid of drag. They can't get rid of gay marriage. It's way too late for that. It's already integrated. It's like getting rid of Uber or getting rid of Airbnb. You know, it's too established. They can't get rid of it. But I do fear for the trans movement, because that's who they're going to go after if, if Trump wins. Look out for them. I feel them. You know, get ready to fight. 

Derek: That is very true. It is coming down to the trans people first.

John: Well, they have to find somebody, and even Trump — once in one rally — said to his fans, “You didn't even know what trans meant three years ago.” Even he knew that. 

Derek: Yeah. That's all I have for you today, John, thank you. It was a wonderful honor.

John: Sure, and I look forward to Minneapolis. Are you going to be at the show? 

Derek: Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Parkway Theater. I'll be reviewing. 

John: Say hi. All right, ask me a good question. Ask me another good question. 

Derek: Okay, thank you. I will.

John: Alright, bye bye.

Derek: Bye bye.