At a June 2 kick-off party to San Francisco's Pride Month, dancer-choreographer Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza will be a solo performer at Mark Rhoades' already sold-out event to be held at the stylish Bently Reserve. So while you may miss his performance, we got a chance for an interview with the talented man.
Gutierez is of one of the most dynamic, charismatic, outspoken, intelligent, articulate and gifted artists in the history of LGBTQ culture. As the favorite dancer in Madonna's legendary Blonde Ambition Tour, and the dance soloist in her outrageously sensual video, "Justify My Love," the dancer, singer and choreographer, known to the world as Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza, and legendary member of The House of Xtravaganza, has not rested upon his laurels.
As one of the subjects of the new documentary film "Strike a Pose," about the lives of Madonna's now-iconic dance ensemble, the evolution of his career continues with Katy Perry, for whom he choreographed her May, 2017 Saturday Night Live performances.
Cornelius Washington: Is this your first solo performance in San Francisco?
Jose Xtravaganza: Yes, last year, I came to the premiere of Strike A Pose, and I had a great time. This will be my first performance, and I'm very excited. San Francisco is the city for the LGBT community, and I'm very glad to come and perform for the city and show my appreciation.
Well, honey, we're honored to have you, and I'm honored to interview you. Let's start from the beginning. When did you first discover The House of Xtravaganza?
Ooh, I was 15, 16 years old? I encountered them on Manhattan's West Side, where all of the gays hang out. They were so alien and so beautiful. They carried themselves like superstars. I just had to be a part of that. They represented everything that I wanted to be. What happened is, I walked for them in a ball, and I snatched a trophy in the "Vogue Performance" category. That's when Angie Xtravaganza and David "The Father" Xtravaganza took me into The House of Xtravaganza. I was the baby of the house. People should see the film "How Do I Look?," because in it, I go into much more detail about that period of my life and career.
Thank you! I don't feel that enough people know about that film, and they should see it. Did you like the film and how you were portrayed in it?
We're both Aquarians. You tell me. Did you like the film?
I thought that the film was packaged and promoted poorly, but the film itself was amazing! I was so glad to see your evolution. You're achieving legendary status. I loved seeing the evolution of Octavia St. Laurent, and the re-emergence of the transgendered fashion icon, Tracey Africa. I was very moved by her, and by your work with the late Willi Ninja on the university lecture circuit.
Thank you very much. I knew that you'd give me your honest opinion. I loved and admired Willi. We inspired and provoked each other. Ours was a very sweet competition, and we would always hire each other for jobs. We traveled all over the world together, and this was before the film Paris Is Burning. I miss him so much.
We are observing the one-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub massacre. Do you have anything that you want to say?
I'm very saddened, not only about what happened to those beautiful people, who simply wanted to gather together and have a good time with each other. I'm also extremely sad about what happened recently, at Ariana Grande's Manchester concert. They are all in my prayers, and we cannot let hate overcome us. Love must win.
You were eighteen years old when you and your fellow dancers performed on Madonna's Blonde Ambition Tour. You've all changed pop culture, and LGBTQ culture. You brought a physicality, a sensuality and an unabashed gay vibe to dance, music, photography and haute couture. Did you have any idea, at the time, what you all had done?
No, we just did it and, no, we were not prepared for it. It was a world of unimaginable excess, and there was just no way, at eighteen years old, that I could possibly be prepared for that. We just did it.
In the world of haute couture, you and your dancers were the conduit between the atelier and the street. Tell me about your work with Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Oh, my God, he was such a fun person to work with! His costumes for the tour were amazing! To actually wear haute couture! The Xtravaganzas taught me about fashion, but to actually work with someone on that level and, yes, I walked and danced in his runway shows, too. He's an incredible artist.
Let's talk about your work with Francesco Scavullo.
Oh, my God; thank you so much for mentioning him! At the time, I didn't know who he was, and everyone was so crazy about me being shot by him. He was so grand and flamboyant, and fabulous! I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. Later on, after I learned more about him, I just felt very blessed. He makes everyone look so colorful and sexy.
Darling, the video for "Justify My Love." Discuss.
It was complete and total provocation, on every level. Jean-Baptiste Mondino and Madonna just took it to a level that hadn't been done or seen before. Tony Ward was great and, yes, he really did look like that. I remember coming back to New York City from Paris, going to a huge club, and everyone there was dressed as I was in the video: the catsuit, the Marcelled hair, the fingernailed gloves, down to the Doc Martin boots. Hundreds of Joses voguing. It was freakish and amazing. I loved it!
Photographer Herb Ritts stated in an interview that you, as a group, totally inspired him, because of your power and authenticity.
I'm so humbled that he said that. Wow! Herb is an icon in the world of photography. I also worked with Peter Lindbergh and Steven Meisel. Herb was a very special person. He was following the tour, shooting it, as a favor to Madonna. I just hope and pray that one day his foundation will publish those images. It was a very special time in LGBTQ culture.
Let's discuss the present. What's your opinion of the current crop of dance talent shows?
The very young contestants are cool; that's sweet, raw talent, a true manifestation of the divine. However, the adult contestants obviously lack technique. They're not going to dance classes. They have "YouTube tutorial technique." My advice, people, is to take actual dance classes. Develop your talent and technique, then express your soul and show the world who you really are, as an artist.
I can see you as a judge.
I'd make an excellent judge! Serious, passionate and unbiased. The producers of those shows need to call me, right now.
You live in New York City, one of the world's fashion capitals. Living or dead, for whom would you like to walk and with whom would you like to work?
I'd always wanted to work with Alexander McQueen. I saw his recent retrospective, and it was a blessing, just to be in the same room with those clothes. I'd have killed to work with Larry LeGaspi. He's the genius behind all of the amazing costumes for LaBelle and Kiss. I think that the world of active wear needs a serious boost. There's that guy who is the creative director for 2Xist, Jason Scarlatti. We should get together and create a line of active wear, club wear and yoga wear that would be the truth! Jason, call me!
Mr. Xtravaganza, what do you want your LGBTQ cultural legacy to be?
Wow, that's a serious question. What people constantly tell me is that, for many of them, I'm one of the first gay people whom they've ever seen, who made them feel good about it. I just want the record to show that I helped set people free with my art, my passion and my realness.
I see an autobiography in your future.
The timing is right, especially after the release of the film "Strike A Pose." I think that the world is ready...actually, the world is not ready, but, I'm going to do it anyway.
Follow Jose Xtravaganza at www.facebook.com/JOSEGUTIEREZXTRAVAGANZA