Perfume Genius on Body Hair & Jimmy Fallon Censorship

Perfume Genius on Censorship, Octopuses, and the Allure of Body Hair

A recent appearance on The Tonight Show sparked a conversation about censorship and body image for musician Perfume Genius, whose performance led to a blurring of their pubic hair. The artist, known for challenging norms and embracing vulnerability, responded with a resounding endorsement of natural bodies. “More!” they declared, expressing a belief that the censorship itself drew attention to the very thing it sought to conceal. “I’m sure if I didn’t have a bush, they wouldn’t have censored it.”

The “Bush” and Broadcast Standards

The artist recounted being “really excited” about the potential for a stark visual – “Oh, maybe it’ll be a huge black bar” – but ultimately appreciated the “tastefully softened” edit. This incident, however, underscored a larger point about societal discomfort with natural bodies. The musician affirmed a “very pro-bush” stance, suggesting that the body hair itself was deemed “too scandalous” for mainstream television.

From Earhart to “Demonic” Twinks: Navigating Public Perception

The conversation took a turn toward unexpected comparisons, with some observers drawing parallels to Amelia Earhart. The artist mused they would likely embrace a similar fate, even if it meant risking their life. However, they also expressed frustration with less flattering assessments, particularly those originating on social media. Describing some Twitter users as “so demonic,” they recounted being likened to “a corpse, like a mummy with a ring on,” a “gay-seeming mummy.”

Accidental Arson and Unconventional Nemeses

The interview delved into the artist’s past, revealing a youthful indiscretion involving a house fire. While living with their mother, a carelessly discarded cigarette ignited a blaze, requiring intervention from neighbors and law enforcement. “I fucked up the whole house,” they admitted, characterizing the incident as occurring “pre-Perfume Genius, pre-rehab.”

The artist also identified a surprising pair of nemeses: “The Octopus Teacher guy” and Frank Sinatra. Their critique of the acclaimed documentary centered on the filmmaker’s perceived interference with nature, despite the film’s narrative of non-intervention. “There are long scenes of him rubbing his body all up and down this octopus, which feels like interference to me,” they stated.

Roommates, Not Pets: A Gibbon-Centric Ideal

When asked about their ideal pet, the artist expressed reservations about the ethics of animal ownership, ultimately settling on a gibbon – not as a pet, but as a “roommate.” They envisioned a co-living arrangement based on mutual respect and autonomy, with the gibbon free to make its own choices and exempt from rent.

Love, Witchcraft, and a Recent Wedding

The conversation shifted to more personal territory, touching on the artist’s recent marriage. They described falling in love as a process akin to “black magic,” characterized by intense focus and deliberate intention-setting. “With [my husband] Alan, it was like I was setting intentions. I was burning little pieces of paper. I was doing witchcraft. It worked,” they shared. They described being “completely consumed” by their feelings for Alan, a state they characterized as a “24-hour job.”

Reality TV and Victorian Frailty

Despite acknowledging a lack of aptitude for the genre, the artist considered which reality TV show they would participate in. While deeming themselves “terrible” at shows like Love Is Blind and The Bachelor, they suggested their husband, Alan, would excel. They ultimately settled on Big Brother as the most plausible option, though expressed concerns about their physical limitations, jokingly referring to themselves as a “sickly little Victorian child” prone to “consumption.”

From Scam Telemarketing to Secret Photo Collections

The artist recounted a series of unconventional jobs, including a stint as a telemarketer for a suspected mortgage scam and a position at a pre-iPhone personal ads company. It was the latter role that proved particularly intriguing, as they admitted to secretly collecting and reviewing the photographs and messages submitted by clients. “I definitely had favourite people I would check up on,” they confessed.

Brokeback Mountain and the Power of Representation

The artist revealed a deep connection to the film Brokeback Mountain, describing it as a profoundly moving experience that brought them to tears for months. “Everybody knows that I’m a big Brokeback head,” they said. “Up until then, I hadn’t seen such a big-budget, beautifully produced gay movie.” They even admitted to listening to a dance remix of the film’s guitar riff for an entire week. When prompted for other favorite “gay guys,” the artist paused, attributing their difficulty to a recent dose of Tylenol, jokingly suggesting it induced a temporary state of “autism.”

A Simple Sandwich for a “Regular Gremlin”

Concluding the interview on a lighter note, the artist described their ideal sandwich: a straightforward combination of lettuce, tomato, onion, cold cuts, mayo, Italian seasoning, and oil and vinegar. They acknowledged the simplicity of the request, contrasting it with expectations of a more elaborate creation. “People don’t think my name should be Mike. It should be like something Tilda Swinton-y,” they said. “But I’m just a regular gremlin kind of person.”

Perfume Genius is currently touring Australia, with performances scheduled at the Sydney Opera House on December 9th, as well as stops in Melbourne, Ballarat, and Brisbane. See here for dates.