By Colby Itkowitz
The famed “Queer Eye” fashion guru preyed on one University male and kissed another during his very candid stand-up routine Sunday that consisted primarily of responses to questions from students.
Recently acclaimed TV star, Carson Kressley, asked one male student who approached the stage if he wanted a kiss. Senior Video/TV major Rudy Harootian puckered up and for a moment their lips met as audience members, some shocked, others jealous, responded with shrieks and laughter.
“I did not expect that to happen. It was totally unexpected,” Harootian said. “Now I’m like a real fan, he just won me over.” After the show, Kressley signed an autograph with, “Rudy, You’re the best kisser.”
Carson Kressley, of Bravo’s hit series “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” pranced across Adams Playhouse stage sharing the spotlight with a number of eager fans. Proving himself witty and every much as vivacious as his reality television “character,” Kressley spoke honestly about his politics, the show and his expertise-fashion.
In a white T-shirt adorning his motto, “Lookin’ Cute, Feelin’ Cute,” in green sparkling studs and army fatigue pants, Kressley chose one male in the front row named “Joe” to crush on for the duration of his performance.
“Call me,” he said. “Wait are you 18? I don’t want to do a whole R. Kelly thing.”
Numerous times Kressley paused to ask Joe to run away with him, come on stage to console him and to be his “Nick Lachey”-Kressley loved name-dropping celebrities.
“I got to meet Cher,” he said. “For a gay guy that’s like meeting Jesus Christ. It might be better, except he did pioneer that whole sandals thing.”
Kressley willingly provided fashion tips to a student who inquired about the shade of her hair and to a woman debating whether to buy her husband a white linen suit. He dubbed his role on “Queer Eye” as “god’s work.”
“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” is a make-over show that invites one straight male to learn fashion, home decorating, culture and etiquette from five gay men known as the Fabulous Five. The show has been heralded as a pioneer for homosexual acceptance.
“Here was a palatable way for people to invite five gay men into their living rooms,” Kressley said before his performance. Gay men are usually “freaks, cameos, tortured or miserable” on television.
Kressley, who grew up in a small conservative town in Pennsylvania, did not come out to his family until last July before the show aired.
“When you’re part of a minority generally your family is too,” he said. At least when kids are mocked for their religion or race they could find a safe haven at home, Kressley said. He had no one to talk to.
Kressley said mothers have approached him for advice about their gay son and have applauded him for making the idea of homosexuality normal. He attributes the show’s political success to the guys never intending it to be political.
In an interview before the show, Kressley spoke seriously about his own politics. He is a Democrat and yet he is hesitant to endorse a presidential candidate. As for gay marriage, Kressley sees it as less a gay issue and more about civil rights.
“If I could find a boyfriend,” he added. “Then I’d be all for gay marriage.”
More than 200 fans were in attendance at the Hofstra Concerts and Entertainment Unlimited event.
“It was very successful and very entertaining,” Craig Lombard, president of Concerts said. “It is beneficial to bring in a diverse speaker to talk about issues like being gay.”