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HARSH WORDS
MATTHEW ZORPAS TALKS WITH JODIE HARSH
Photographer: Magnus Hastings
It’s common
knowledge that
there isn’t such a
thing as a formula
that guarantees
success,
particularly in
a city with so
much variety,
and determined
individuals.
However, there is not much that Jodie
Harsh hasn’t done and it seems she
has found a recipe for success. She’s
been called ‘the real queen of England’,
performed at Glastonbury and LOVEBOX.
She is ‘London’s favourite platinum
blonde’, that Gail Porter and Kelly
Osbourne have a drink with. According
to the Independent she is the ‘Drag
queen du jour, friend to the stars,
and hostess with the mostess’…
With her gigantic mane of blonde hair,
hot-pink lipstick, drag queen Jodie Harsh
– a former host and DJ of the hottest
gay London club nights – is without a
doubt an instant source of intrigue and
style. We meet her as every gay man
wants either to be her, or party with her.
Matthew: What influenced you to start
Jodie Harsh’s life and when did it begin?
Jodie: Totally by mistake – I did drag at
Heaven one night in 2003 just for fun,
and I got bitten by the bug. I thought,
what an amazing way to express
creativity while having a great time,
drinking for free and getting paid
to party! Now it’s a lot more serious,
I’m running my own mini industry.
Matthew: So, do you perform for more
than one event in a day?
Jodie: Hell yeah, I multi-task.
INTERVIEW
All you need is a fast driver and loads
of Red Bull.
Matthew: Drag Queen, DJ, Club Promoter
and Producer. What’s your philosophy?
Jodie: Do it all now – you could get hit
by a bus tomorrow.
Matthew: What’s your worst fear?
Jodie: Death. Or being bored. Same
thing, really.
Matthew: If you could choose one
musical artist and one song that to you
epitomize the world now, who and what
would they be?
Jodie: Everyone’s going Gaga aren’t
they? It’s not what I’d listen to at home…
or play in clubs really, but she certainly
embodies the current zeitgeist and
owns the music charts. All the girls are
really going for it. Who runs the world?
Matthew: Who is your strongest musical
influence?
Jodie: Madonna. She’s the ultimate
pop icon, business woman, versatile
recording artist, brand.
Matthew: Is there anything about your
body you dislike?
Jodie: I’m really short without heels.
I’d be a few inches taller.
Matthew: Looking back are there
any hair shades you regret having
or have favoured more than others?
beige 29
Jodie: I don’t suit dark hair, I learnt that
early on.
Matthew: As a culture, are we moving in
the right direction?
Jodie: Of course not, you only have
to open the newspaper to know that.
Pop-culturally, everything is a reference
these days. I guess everything has been
done now, and the fun is in finding
new direction in references to create
something semi-new.
Matthew: What are your plans for the
future? Will you continue DJing or try
something else?
Jodie: I think I will always DJ and create
club brands. Will I always wear a wig?
Probably not. I’m sure I’ll come up with
something new.
Follow Jodie Harsh on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/jodieharsh