Skinny Dipping

Matt Rogers is on Fire

From senior high school prom king to writer, actor, singer, podcaster, and TV host, Matt Rogers has been killing it. Most recently in high profile projects like Showtime’s I Love That For You alongside Vanessa Bayer, Molly Shannon, and Jenifer Lewis and Hulu’s Fire Island with Margaret Cho and long time friend SNL’s Bowen Yang, his star is clearly on the rise…and we are here for it. Matt is as charming as he is talented and it’s easy to see why Hollywood is taking notice.

Matt’s obsession with Hollywood started early on and would be the result of a mix of genres that included epic motion pictures, reality TV, Lost, and awards shows.

When I was seven years old, that’s when Titanic fever was happening. I think it was that moment when Kate Winslet turned around in her hat and said, “It doesn’t look as big as the Mauretania.” I loved it. She was giving iconography, she was giving complaints, she was giving “poor little rich girl.” I wanted to know everything. I’m sure that like many other gay kids, I thought I had a “crush” on her but really I was just stanning. From there, I became obsessed with the Oscars and the awards glitz and glamor and the Oscar race.

And so, I was keyed into the entertainment industry at like seven or eight years old because I think, it just looked so different from the world that I was growing up in. Inherently, I knew that I was different from the rest of the kids. When I was around 12 years old, American Idol started, and began singing in my backyard, trying to get my riffs down. I think I voted for Kelly Clarkson like 250 times in a night once. (I was on the right side of history there.) Once I saw the show Lost when I was in high school, that was when I really decided I wanted to be in television and be someone that created TV. So, all of those shows together give you a good picture of who I am with a nice dose of being a lamb, a huge Mariah Carrie fan.

Despite his early entertainment obsessions, Matt was a sports kid. He was afraid of being outed and never pursued anything he wanted to do for fear of being perceived as gay. Coming out would not only fortify his personal life but would also spark his creative career.

I worked very hard at making myself an acceptable person in my high school of 270 kids per class on Long Island, which was pretty conservative. Then when I got to college and I was at NYU, it was like, oh, wow, now that’s not an acceptable archetype for me to be, because I think everyone around me knows it’s fake and knows it’s inauthentic. And suddenly there was this shift from when I was in high school growing up where you wanted to be like everyone else. And then suddenly there was this vibrant, diverse place, with so much value put on being an individual. I decided to commit to the things that I loved – acting and writing. So, I transferred schools internally, from journalism to dramatic writing, and I started to pursue sketch comedy. I came out of the

Fire Island Photos Courtesy of Hulu

closet and started to take steps to become who I really was for the first time. And honestly, I think it helped my acting and my imagination. It was a pretty easy transition for me, and I was immediately happier for saying my truth and starting to walk in it.

With Matt’s current boom in projects, it’s easy to forget the decade-plus that Matt has had in the industry, doing the hard work, serving as a staff writer for Comedy Central’s The Other Two, hosting game shows, appearing in a myriad of improv shows with the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. Looking back, what advice would he give to a newbie to the business, especially from his point of view seeing the changes in entertainment and, more specifically, the changes in LGBTQ visibility?

I really had to develop my own take on this because there was no one to give me advice. I ended up just throwing everything at the wall and seeing what stuck. I just made sure that I was prepared to do anything that I was asked in this business and to be able to be good enough at it so that I wasn’t nervous while it was happening, and I could have a good time and show my personality. I would say that it’s a very good idea to be well-rounded, so if there’s an area of your tool belt you feel is missing, try to cultivate that area. If you are interested in acting but you’ve never done that before, you need to put yourselves in a position where you’re getting on camera and you’re acting - whether that means taking classes, scripting your own work, or funding your own things.

It’s hard, but you really have to be scrappy in the beginning and surround yourself with people that you think are special and that make you laugh. Get like-minded people and commit to those friendships and relationships. Learn to be a good collaborator, which means listening, and knowing when to say, okay, we’re going to do your idea instead of mine. It’s understanding people’s points of view. I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have those relationships that I started fostering when I was 19 in college.

One of those relationships Matt has fostered is with his bestie, Bowen Yang. The two have become a comedic power force with the success of their podcast, Las Culturistas, and now appearing on screen together in Fire Island. They met as freshmen in college, cultivated that friendship throughout, and ultimately, became best friends.

That relationship is form and foundational to both of us creatively and comedically. It’s like that throughout the rest of my career as well. I always seem to know someone on the projects I’m doing whether it’s because I’ve worked with them before, they’re a friend, or I know them through someone. The longer that you’re around in this business, those relationships really end up mattering a lot. So be kind, really try to learn from each other. And when you feel a special feeling about someone, keep them close.

What started off as a fun chat time between Bowen and Matt has exploded into becoming one of the most popular podcasts around, being named as Top Podcast by Esquire, Vulture, Time Out New York, and more, and featuring some of the top names from the biz. Why does Matt think Las Culturistas has become such a hit?

I think the podcast resonates with people because when we started it, we genuinely thought no one would listen to it - truly. I mean, we were not doing it for anyone other than each other. And because that’s the tone, we started the podcast with that and that’s what the podcast is and has always remained. And so, when people tell me that the podcast resonates with them, I really get the feeling that what they mean is that it feels like they’re a part of a conversation. It brings out authenticity in our guests. And I honestly think that there wasn’t really an effort ever to be a “podcast.” Like we’re not talking in what I call podcast voice, you know what I mean? We’re not up on the mic whispering and like saying our ideas and then giving a whole beat before someone else responds. It sounds like a conversation. I think that’s what people respond to. It started as a play-date between Bowen and I for 90 minutes a week, and that it has remained that. And now it feels like a playful, fun, you know, cultural experience for us and everyone listening, and bottom line, we just don’t take ourselves too seriously. You can’t!

Matt’s turn on I Love That For You, features him as a senior associate for Jenifer Lewis, the head of a major shopping network. In today’s age, we have different expectations of what we expect to see from gay characters on TV. The Jack Trope from Will & Grace now seems hollow. In creating his character, Matt had to add layers to his role. He wasn’t just the funny, sassy office gay.

The character I play is Darcy and he is not sassy period. Like he is NOT. I don’t think he’s ever snapped his fingers in his life. I think he would look at that as dated. He takes himself extremely seriously. And so outside of his sexual orientation, which really is not a part of the show, to be honest with you, he is an authentically gay person, but he is not struggling with his sexuality. He is not held back because of his sexuality. His sexuality is not a hurdle going forward in the show. He has other things on his plate, and he has other conflicts in his show, which do not have to do with A) his sexuality or B) conflicts that you see often when a character is this sexuality in sitcoms. I would immediately balk at that personally, as an actor, if I got a script and it was, “miss thing comes in and says, ‘mama slay,’ and ‘where can I put this juice down sister queen?’” I just would not do it. When I got the audition for this show, the character was described as dry, ambitious, and well dressed. And I loved that immediately. I really got excited about the character of Darcy in that I was going to employ in the performance this skill that I’ve had my entire life, this skill of code-switching. Darcy must be different people in this environment in order to survive. He expresses his goals. He drops his guard. He smiles. These were all little things that I thought about when I was playing the character. How does this person appear to different people in this toxic work environment to

survive it and stay at the top of it? I am really, really grateful to be able to portray him because when you see him at the end of the season, he is in a completely different space than he is in the first episode. And it’s just really exciting to play an arc with what could have been an archetype.

Filming Fire Island was a dream for Matt. Not only was he surrounded by cast and crew that he’s known for over a decade, but he made new friends off the screen. Fire Island is a skillfully crafted adaption of Pride and Prejudice. At first glance, it’s a fun romp about gays hanging out on the infamous island; but there is more to the film.

I hope that it makes the community really think about the ways in which we exclude each other and how we contribute to the sort of hierarchy in the community without even thinking about it. This movie is very much in the spirit of Jane Austin, it is about social class and the desire to be mobile within a social group. And I think it’s an extremely smart adaptation in that it does not shy away from the harsh realities of why some people are going to be more accepted than others. This movie shines a very harsh light on the racism in the community, the classism in the community, and the hierarchy in terms of body type. We have a very powerful, diverse ensemble, and every single character has a very unique experience and no matter who you are, you’re going to identify with something or see yourself in some way. And I am excited to hear what people’s pulls are from the movie based on all of its very smart social commentary, because while it’s a really fun splashy funny movie, it’s also very thoughtful and intuitive and real.

Matt’s character Luke is dealing with his own insecurities. There is a pivot in the film that challenged Matt, who has stated that it is probably the most challenging thing he’s done as an actor.

Fire Island Photos Courtesy of Hulu

The role was written for me by Joel (Kim Booster) who is my dear friend. And so, when I got the script, I really could feel myself in it and I could also feel the areas where I would improvise and where I would riff and where it would be really fun to sort of do certain things. And then there is a dramatic twist in the story that my character is integral and I think that it was the drama of that scene and the shock of what happens in that plot point that was difficult for me to play because, to be honest with you, we hadn’t had many conversations about how it would be played. I even thought it would be one way and then when I was actually doing it, it ended up being a whole other emotion that was coming out. It was extremely difficult to do this scene because it’s just a hard place to revisit and there were two days we were shooting that scene and that material, and I don’t think you know how emotional you’re going to get about doing something until you do it. I think having to access that vulnerability and bring it to the screen is very different for me. And it was the first time I’d ever been asked to do that. But I think that the way it plays out in the movie is really responsible and lovely.

From singing Kelly Clarkson in his backyard to becoming part of LGBTQ representation, Matt has stayed grounded and down to earth. Talking to him is like talking to a friend, there are no airs and there is no pomp and circumstance when he talks about being a role model in our community.

I’m a person that’s grown and changed a lot over the 13 years, I’ve been trying to do this. And now that I feel like things are paying off a little bit, I just want to make sure that the person that I am presenting to the world is someone that I like and that I stand by. I think I’m doing that right now. That’s really, all you can do is try to be - not even use the word role model, but, you know - I know there are people that enjoy and watch what I do. I just want to make them proud and make myself proud ultimately, and keep working and keep discovering new elements of myself. And if I look back in 10 years on everything I’ve done and said at this period in my life and think, wow, cringe, whatever - at this time in my life, I’m doing my best. And all you can do is your best.

Fire Island is streaming on Hulu, I Love That For You is available on Showtime. Check out our in-depth chat with Matt on our GED podcast, U.S. of Gay. Follow Matt on IG: @MattRogersTho

Drive-Thru Dialogue with Aja LaBeija

By Alexander Rodriguez

From Drag Race and Drag Race All Stars to HBO Max’s Legendary, Aja has made an indelible mark in the world of art, drag, and activism. She left drag after her appearance on Drag Race and debuted her work as a rapper and joined the ballroom scene as a famed member of House LaBeija, founded by Crystal LaBeija, whom Aja portrayed during Snatch Game. Her personal identity has been an evolution, celebrating her artistic queerness and coming out as trans. Inspired by Kylie Sonique Love’s win on All Stars as the first-ever trans woman to take home a crown for the US version of the show, she returned to drag.

Most recently, the House of LaBeija partnered with Taco Bell for its YouTube series, Drive-Thru Dialogue, which features real conversations with underrepresented voices discussing the most pressing topics for our community – all from a Taco Bell drive-thru with Aja and LaBeija House Mother Samil.

During Pride, there is much discussion about the corporate celebration of our Pride. Is it a money-grabbing tactic or true allyship? For Aja, it is clear.

It is important to partner with allies of the LGBTQ+ community that want to help raise awareness to the mass audiences on the challenges we are continuing to face. With larger corporations like Taco Bell, we are able to work together to push the envelope andinsert these “tougher” conversations, which are typically unexplored or underrepresented in mainstream media. We collaborated on an episode of Drive Thru Dialogues which is a Taco Bell social content series on Tik Tok featuring our conversation recognizing House Mothers, and all chosen mothers, in hopes of making Mother’s Day and other holidays more inclusive. I look forward to building a world where these topics are normalized and invite you to follow along with the Drive-Thru Dialogues series on Taco Bell’s Tik Tok @tacobell.

She has had the unique opportunity to have made herstory in two trailblazing genres – on the Drag Race runway and in the Legendary ballroom. Her Pride is evident.

I’m proud to be a part of the LaBeija legacy! Today, the House of LaBeija is as loud and proud as it was in 1972 and the vision of our founders is clearer than ever. As the oldest and most revered house in New York’s drag and ballroom scene, we pioneered a lot of firsts – protested against the white, Eurocentric beauty standards, paved the way for voguing and the first to host benefits to raise awareness during the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Aja is this month’s GED drag centerfold, though her artistry expands on the drag world to celebrate an art form founded in history with an eye on the future of LGBTQ+ representation: Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

How did you come up with your drag name?

Everyone was pronouncing my name wrong, so I ended up just going with the way people said it. I made up this whole narrative about how it was part of a Bollywood movie to make it seem interesting, but honestly, it was just that nobody knew how to say my name.

Guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is indulging in an extremely nerdy activity like Pokémon. As a trans woman who lives a particularly glamorous life being that I am into beauty and fashion, people don’t really expect me to have a nerdy side, but I am so into video games, anime, etc.

Favorite part about doing ballroom?

One of my favorite things about being in ballroom is that I can represent who I really am and what our culture is all about. I am fortunate to be in a position to partner with a brand like Taco Bell and speak about what goes on in our daily lives. By leveraging Taco Bell’s platform like Tik Tok for Drive Through Dialogues, I can push for more representation and empower others to be their authentic self, even as ballroom is becoming more mainstream, while continuing to reach a wider audience. In ballroom I am not considered a drag queen,

Least favorite part about doing drag?

My least favorite part about drag is how popular it has become. It’s like everybody does drag now. Everyone’s mom, cousin, uncle, and grandmother are doing drag. I am all for it but I just wish that people would do drag because they wanted to and not because they saw it as a cheap way to get famous. But at the end of the day, we see through all the façades and we know who really wants to partake and who is just doing it for the influence!

Craziest drag story?

My craziest drag story is that one time I was flying from Los Angeles to Tampa Florida after filming the promotion teaser for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3 and I was going to land late for my gig so I had to do my make-up on the plane, and it was just so chaotic. Everyone was looking at me like I was insane, and I already suffered from really bad anxiety so I was just having sweats and my heart was racing the whole time. I hated it.

Most un-drag thing you do?

Honestly, I don’t really feel like I do anything that draggy in the first place. Ever since my transition I feel like my style of drag has become very much an extension of my womanhood and I feel like the only drag thing I really do is lip-synch performance.

Strangest hobby or talent?

My strangest hobby? I have so many. I don’t really think I’m that normal of a person so there’s that. A lot of people do know this, but some people may not, but I am a medium. So, I have a few spiritual abilities that I’ve been aware of since I was a child and when I am not on tour, I am a leader of a spiritual community here in New York and I have created a queer safe space for other people to participate and not feel alone.

What celebrity most needs a drag makeover?

I feel like most celebrities are low-key drag queens.

Favorite nightlife hotspot? Despite what people may think, my favorite nightlife hotspot is home. I don’t really like to go out that much, but if I’m in the room I am the life of the party. However, I don’t really like to go out in my free time, I like to feel luxurious and indulge in peace and quiet.

Favorite non-profit?

Everyone should definitely check out the Brooklyn Ghost Project which caters to the trans community.

Go-to cocktail?

If it’s the right place I can go for a Cosmo at any time. But if the bartenders look like they don’t want to deal with a high-maintenance girl, I’ll just get a vodka sprite.

What would the name of your biography be?

Ibutola. Which is my Yoruba name.

Favorite song to perform?

“White Couture” by Aja.

Favorite moment from Drag Race?

My favorite moment from Drag Race would have to be when I stunt it on all the girls in All Stars and they had to pretend that my outfit wasn’t Studio 54 just to eliminate me even though they knew damn well it was.

How much Taco Bell do you eat in a month?

I’d say it happens at least once a week. The munchies direct me.

What do you love most about chatting with queer youth?

I love to share my experiences with people who may be going through similar things and hopefully I can help them get a sense of direction in their life. It’s unfortunate but if I am able to go through trials and tribulations I can assist others to go through them as well.

Follow me on Instagram @ajathekween and Twitter @ajaoxum.