Things are about to get a whole lot classier here in Ohio as the Countess is coming to town.
Real Housewives of New York OG Luann de Lesseps is bringing her wildly popular cabaret tour to Cleveland’s Agora Theater on December 21st and the Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati on December 22nd (tickets here).
It’s going to be an all new holiday-themed show entitled, “A Very Countess Christmas” and audiences are in for a real treat.
The Buckeye Flame caught up with Countess Luann to talk about being a gay icon, her thoughts on resilience and why life really is like a cabaret.
To listen, click play directly below or read our (edited) conversation beneath the audio link.
Let’s dive right in. You are a gay icon. That is not up for debate. Why do you think that is?
Countess Luann: You know, I just feel like my music supports that, right? “Money Can’t Buy You Class.” “Chic, C’est La Vie.” It doesn’t matter where you’re from, it’s about what you’ve learned. And it’s attainable for everybody.
I think people identify really with my songs and my lyrics, and of course, through my years of being on The Real Housewives. I’ve been on that show for a long time, and I think people know me from that, but they don’t know really who I am until they come to see my cabaret show.
People often ask me, what is cabaret? Well, it’s a personal story. I pick the music that I love, and then I [ask], “What story am I going to tell to get into that song?” And then pick the perfect Jovani dress for the occasion. So it’s really cabaret meets pop culture meets comedy meets a fashion show.
I work really hard on my show and people don’t [always] know what to expect. As I say, they drive in a Toyota and they drive out in their Rolls Royce. The audiences are engaged, they’re singing along, they come in their sequins and their statement necklaces, and they show up for me, which is a huge.
You’re going all over the country. Do you feel a different vibe when you’re in different parts of the country with the show?
Sure. You know, I just left Chicago and I had to have a Chanel bag on the stage, just to say that I did go shopping while I was in Chicago and they actually let me into Chanel. [laughs] I tried to call [fellow Real Housewives star] Bethenny [Frankel] on FaceTime, but she didn’t pick up.
I make stuff up depending on where I am. So what should I do for Ohio, darling? What do you suggest I do for Ohio?
Listen, you’re bringing my buddy Brian Nash with you, so you can do no wrong, I think.
Oh, Brian Nash, my musical director. He’s amazing. Amazing.
Well, we normally ask our guests for one piece of advice, but I have two areas that I just want to hit you with really quick. First, if you could up our class factor, Countess Luann, how can we all start on the road to being a little bit classier?
Well for me, class really starts with respect for other people. I hate to see somebody being treated badly because of their social standing, you know what I mean? With “Money Can’t Buy You Class,” I wrote that song for a reason. It’s all about respect for others and the way you treat other people. That’s where class really begins. You know, my father had more class in his pinky than most people I know.
My last question. You have weathered a lot, and you’ve weathered a lot publicly. What advice do you have for LGBTQ+ Ohioans about one area in which I think you’re amazing: resilience. Talk to us about resilience.
Well, listen, when the shit hit the fan for me—because it did—there was only one way to go, which was up. My first director and I spoke when I was going through that rough time, and he said, “Do you really want to do the show?”
And I said, yes, becauseI love cabaret. I love the creative part of the show. I love writing it. You have to stop thinking about what other people think of you. What matters is what you think about yourself.
Even though I was in the depths of darkness at that point, slowly, slowly, slowly, you got to bring yourself back. A lot of people are afraid to take chances. And I always say this—and I say this in my show—when those train doors open, jump on the train. Don’t be the guy left standing on the platform, you know. Don’t be scared. Go for what you want. Get what you want in life, because life is a cabaret, my friend, right? 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- “A Very Countess Christmas” will be at Cleveland’s Agora Theater on December 21st and the Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati on December 22nd. For tickets, go here.
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