Originally posted Wednesday, January 22, 2020 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia became friends during their time on "Queer Eye" on Bravo from 2003 to 2007 and continue to work together whenever they can, including their own Bravo show in 2018.
The fashion and design gurus will be co-headlining the Cathedral Antique Show 2020 and will appear on Thursday, January 23. (Tickets available here.)
I spoke to both and here are few highlights from each discussion:
CARSON KRESSLEY
Carson on Thom: "We love working together. We love traveling together, especially to design events. I think I'm more of an antiques aficionado than Thom so I'm thrilled I get to drag him to an antiques show. It's a great show."
Design in Carson's blood: "I have always been a sassy opinionated kid. When we were painting our house in the 1970s, I'd say, 'No. Not that color! This color!' Or I'd give my older sister or mom fashion advice in the third grade. They didn't appreciate it but look at me now!"
Carson on TV: "I get to do a lot of fun projects. I really embrace the Andy Warhol quote: 'Never miss an opportunity to be on TV.' There was something else to that quote but I'm a lady so I won't go there. [Gore Vidal actually said a version of this: "Never miss a chance to have sex or appear on television."] I just did an appearance on 'The Bachelor.' Been a fan of that show. They're dying to make out with him [Peter Weber]. The minute the camera is rolling, they start making out!"
He had gotten on the phone after getting off the set of “The Rachael Ray Show,” where he does makeovers. “I love TV,” she said. “I love the medium. I love exploring design that way. It doesn’t matter if it’s ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ or Rachael Ray.”
Why he loves antique shows: "I'm a professional shopper. I'm in stores all day. I call it being a retail enthusiast. I rarely buy anything. But it gives me great ideas."
His home aesthetic: "My apartment in New York is Kentucky meets Hollywood. There are mirrored surfaces, a lot of sparkly things but also equestrian elements and leather nail heads. I have a farm in Pennsylvania. I wanted it to be simple and austere. But I can't help myself. I like beautiful objects so it just basically looks like my apartment in New York. Maybe slightly more rustic. Liberace goes to the farm!"
His schedule: "One third New York, one third the farm, one third traveling and working in Los Angeles."
How he relaxes: "I'm very high strung. I like to travel. That's very relaxing. I like to shop. The sights and smells are smoothing. If I get stressed out, I walk into a Neiman Marcus for 20 minutes and I'm totally fine!"
And horseback riding... "It's almost meditative. You have to be present and think about what's going on or you could die. I find that very fun!"
On Atlanta: "Two words: Swinging Richards! I've actually never been there but I heard it's fascinating. It's on my to-do list. Thom will probably take me. He's been there! There are some fantastic restaurants I enjoy. I love antiquing in Atlanta. There's a place called Antiques and Beyond on Cheshire Bridge Road. I have friends down there. I love just driving around Buckhead and looking at pretty houses. I love Blake's for drag shows."
On RuPaul's increasing success in recent years: "He is now the king of all media. I couldn't be more thrilled. He has worked a long time for all this. I've never seen him happier. He really is enjoying the fruits of his labor. He works very hard. I'm happy to be a small part of 'RuPaul's Drag Race.'"
THOM FILICIA
If you go to their show at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Thursday: "We're going to do all sorts of fun interaction group participation activities, almost like a talk-show environment on stage."
Why Carson and Thom click: "We have a great friendship. Carson is very interested in design as a concept. He's a great entertainer. He's hilarious. I come from an interior design world and have expertise in product design. It's not just one person up there lecturing. It's more a conversation. It feels organic. We can talk about design in relation to cars and boats and sweaters and hotels, houses, accessories. He is very well versed."
What happened to their Bravo show: "Bravo had this idea of going into the design space but then pulled out. They approached us about doing a show together. We were really proud of the product."
On the new version of "Queer Eye" on Netflix: "We're friends. We see them from time to time. I had dinner and drinks with Bobby [Berk] two, three months ago. They're great. I'm really happy for them. The brand is still moving forward and still relevant. It was such an important part of our own lives. We support them fully."
IF YOU GO
Cathedral Antiques Show
Wednesday, January 12 through Sunday, January 16
$15 to $250
The Cathedral of Saint Philip (Episcopal)
2744 Peachtree Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
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