Tori Amos - Interviews Archive

The Advocate (US)
March 1, 2005

Big Gay Following

Tori Amos

"I'm drowning in serious questions," says a laughing Tori Amos, the innovative singer-songwriter whose career shot into orbit with the 1992 multiplatinum breakthrough Little Earthquakes. She's juggling phone interviews while heading toward a BBC radio appearance to promote her newest album, The Beekeeper. "I need a bit of fun," she says with a sigh, and we're happy to oblige. - Richard Andreoli

What advice would you give a drag queen who wanted to preform as Tori?

Make sure you wear the right shoes. It's very important. You need at least 12 to choose from backstage--12 for the Disciples. You name them and you can decide, Am I going to have Peter under me tonight or Thomas?

Name three queer music legends, living or dead, with whom you'd love to duet.

Freddie [Mercury], Marlene Dietrich, and Boy George. Or we could go Boy George as Marlene Dietrich.

Your gay fans have been clamoring for the release of "It Might Hurt a Bit," your duet with Michael Stipe. Will we get to hear it anytime soon?

Probably not. I had so much fun doing that, and it was magical for me. That was when I was on Atlantic, and although the people I've fallen out with are all gone now--they've all been fumigated from there--I'm not quite sure where the masters are locked. I have access to a lot of my masters, but that's one of them that might have "gone on walkabout."

What about your cover of "Like a Virgin"?

I know who holds the keys to "Like a Virgin," and that is my husband, Mr. Hawley. So if we get a divorce, then you will probably be hearing that cover, because that's how he'll get back at me.

As a mother, have you had to explain gay men and lesbians to your daughter yet?

She understands that her Uncle Duncan is looking for a prince, and that's something she's known for a while. He's not seen with future princesses; he's always seen with cute guys on his arm. Now one of the latest questions has been, "How come Uncle Duncan is looking for a prince, the prince is always kissing a princess in the movies?" And I say, "Well, you're watching a Disney movie [and] that's just how this particular story goes." That's my latest answer. "Well, why don't we see a princess kissing another princess on the lips, Mommy?" And I think, OK, You're only 4! So these are the latest questions and answers as we're watching Disney movies.

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