Interview with Margaret Cho Part 1 (2000 - a J!-ENT Classic Interview)

The following classic interview took place back in 2000 and was done during the time  J!-ENT was in collaboration with AsianConnections.com.  The interview features comedian and actress Margaret Cho and was conducted by Dennis A. Amith and Suzanne Kai.

I’ve always been a big fan of Margaret Cho owning several of her comedy DVD’s and album.  One of the coolest women to interview and definitely would like to interview her again for an update.

Margaret Cho can be seen on the VH1 show “The Cho Show” and for more information, check out her website.

* Note: Because Word Press for some reason, doesn’t allow us to publish long posts (yes, the dreaded 403 Forbidden Error), we’ll split the following interview in a few parts!

DISCLAIMER: Instead of using the older photo of Margaret in 2000, we’ll link to a more recent photo directly from her website at www.margaretcho.com.

The year 2000.  The year of the Dragon, the year for new beginnings and for fans of Margaret Cho, they know that this her year.  For many years, Margaret Cho’s life has been portrayed in the media as a woman with drug and alcohol problems, a person who has been suffering from depression since her show “ALL AMERICAN GIRL” was cancelled and many other situations that would have knocked many stars down to oblivion.  But as for Margaret Cho, she is standing strong.

If anything, she has proven to the non-believers that she is a survivor.  She performed in a sold-out national tour, she has a movie titled “I’M THE ONE THAT I WANT” which made it to the top 3 out of the 250 films shown at the Seattle International Film Festival.  The only American film that made it to the top 5.  Her film has received rave reviews including the impressive “Thumbs Up” from movie critic Roger Ebert.  She also has a book and a new upcoming show.

Aside from entertainment, she has also proven to be a big hero among the gay community.  She fights for gay rights, raises funds for AIDS research and more.  In recognition for her involvement in the community, Margaret received the first ever Golden-Gate award for entertainment pioneer who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

One of the qualities that people admire about Margaret is her honesty and how open she is about the details of her life.  For this interview we wanted to know more about Margaret Cho, the person, not only the entertainer.

Recently, Suzanne Kai and Dennis A. Amith of AsianConnections.com had the opportunity to interview the entertainer.

J! (Dennis): Let’s start with a few basics before we go on to the serious questions.  Where were you born and raised?  Also, did you grow up with a strict Korean American upbringing?

MARGARET: I grew up in San Francisco and I guess it was strict but it was very much a Korean side of strict.  My parents didn’t really teach us to speak Korean and they talked about us behind our backs even though they were right in front of us.  They spoke Korean to each other but we had no idea what they were saying.  So, I kind of learned to understand some Korean words but I really don’t understand that much. They were fairly strict AC (Dennis): Let’s talk about the article that you recently did with “Pride Magazine”.   How did the “Face of Freedom” article in PRIDE come about?

MARGARET: They just asked me to do it.  I was very honored.  I loved the other people in the magazine and it was a perfect thing for me.  I’m going to be the Grand Marshal of the Gay Pride Parade in San Diego.

J! (Dennis): In the article you discuss your first job at Stormy Leather (a lesbian fetish store).  What was it like working there?

MARGARET: Stormy Leather is a store owned and operated by lesbians.  It’s a leather S&M store for alternative sexuality.  Growing up in San Francisco, I really had a pretty good handle on alternative sexuality but it really opened me up to different experiences and people.  I think it’s really great.  I think that sexual freedom is so interesting and so political and that we are allowed to do what we want.  It’s really amazing.  There are a lot of things you can do.  I learned so many crazy things that people do and I don’t necessarily agree with everything but I think it was a great way to grow up.  Some people, when they are teenagers have a paper route. I made leather dildos.  It was a wonderful gateway to that world.

J! (DENNIS): How did you explain to your parents that your first real job was making leather dildos?

MARGARET: I didn’t tell them.  They didn’t know.  They still don’t know.  They don’t know what it is.  When I talk about things in my life that are like that and there are many things like that, that’s when they really use their selective understanding of English.

AC (SUZANNE): If you are to become a mother, what would tell your children?  Would you allow them to go out and experience this?

MARGARET: I think I would be very honest about my life and what I do.  I know about it and I experienced things in that community and I think that children are naturally able to handle it.  You tell them in a very loving way.

J! (DENNIS): Hmm…Did you ever get hit on by a lot of the customers?

MARGARET: You know it’s funny.  I did not really get hit on.  People in Stormy Leather were mostly in committed relationships.  Most people who are involved in alternative sexuality are really committed.  It’s really fascinating!

(DENNIS): You take a stand on several issues such as gay rights.  Do you see yourself getting involved in politics in the future?

MARGARET: I would like to.  I feel that entertainment and politics are directly related.  When I see the politics and entertainment there’s a real opportunity for me.  So I would like to do that.  I do a lot of political work within the gay and lesbian community in different areas.  I do a lot of fundraising for AIDS research and helping people with AIDS in AIDS clinics around the country.  I do a lot of work for an organization for gay teens.  There are different political organizations that I am involved in.  I was recently given award from GLAAD.  There are things that I believe that are very political but yet I don’t want to lose sight of my job, which is being an entertainer.  That’s my work.  I think because I’m an entertainer with a voice that I have this opportunity, this platform that I can use it and use it for good.

J! (DENNIS): What other issues in the world are you passionate about?

MARGARET: I’m really passionate about animal rights, women’s rights and people of color.  I’m passionate about gender and size - people who are larger and that whole thing.  I think that I would like to ideally unite the struggles of people of color, women, gays, lesbians or people of size.  People who don’t really feel like they fit in or feel like they are minorities.  I want to unite them because I feel as if I embody all of them.  When we unite, and see that even though our struggles are not exactly the same and similar, we all want equality and that when we are together and see that we are no longer the minority, that is when we become the majority. That to me is my most important point I want to see the most.  To really unify each different area and show us that we all have so much in common.  That’s my political statement.

J! (DENNIS): Do you see yourself running for office or a city council position?

MARGARET: I don’t think so.  I don’t think I can go as far as that but don’t know. I’m not sure.

J! (DENNIS): Before I continue with the questions, I just want to let you know that I love your CD, “Drunk with Power” but if there is one thing that surprises me, it’s the fact that there were no chapter tracks on the CD.  What happened?

MARGARET: I don’t know. You know that particular company that I did the CD with is not very well produced.  That’s sort of why it happened.

J! (DENNIS): Do you have another CD coming out?

MARGARET: Well there is one that has been released. It was a benefit CD that was taped a few years ago.  There will probably be one accompanying the DVD video release for the film, which will be released later.

J! (DENNIS): In your CD, “Drunk with Power” you said that you don’t get along with your brother because he took a shit in your goldfish bowl?  Did he really do that?  Is that really true?

MARGARET: Oh yes.  That was true.

J! (DENNIS): Eww…that’s gross!  Well, let’s change the subject.  I’m guessing that you get a lot of weird fan mail.  What is the weirdest fan mail that you have ever received?

MARGARET: I don’t know?  I get a lot of fan mail that people say “you helped me” type of fan mail.  The beautiful fan letters that I really appreciate.  I don’t really get weird stuff but I get really profound stuff.  One guy wrote about his boyfriend who died of AIDS and his boyfriend listened to my CD when he went to the hospital everyday and that made him feel better.  That was so beautiful.  That is so great to be able to help people and not even realize that you’re helping them in that way.  That is my favorite fan letter.  They’re mostly like that.  They’re people who have been helped by my work and feel free from the things that I have said and that’s important to me.

Continued in Part 2 of Interview