COMEDIAN/ACTRESS BILLIE LEE
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Wow, so here we are.
New year, new season of Cat on the Loose Sex Dating and Relationships.
And I am so, so, so excited to be back after a super, super brief date for the holidays that I actually got crazy sick, if you guys can believe that.
And I was just chilling and taking a little time off from everything.
But what a year we had last year.
Oh, my goodness, our worldwide cat kingdom keeps growing.
We went global.
When I looked at the stats, I couldn't believe it.
We had listeners in 47 different countries, hundreds of thousands of downloads per episode.
I mean, I have no words to thank you guys for listening and for sharing.
This podcast is really for each and every one of you.
It's definitely a labor of love.
It's an independent project.
It's still a pet project.
So much work goes into it, but definitely so much love and so much passion.
So, I really hope you guys continue to enjoy our 100% organic, 100% never-edited, no-bullshit conversations.
And I am trying to bring guests that inspire me.
I am trying to bring conversations that open fun, interesting, but also important conversations, conversations, such as the one we're going to have today with this person that I really adore and admire, Billie Lee.
She is an actor.
She is a fabulous comedian.
She was on the show of under pump rules.
If you guys enjoy that, she did great there.
And she's an advocate for transgenders, which obviously is a group that doesn't have a lot of representation out there.
Billie Lee is kicking ass.
She's so busy.
She has a rising career, so many projects going on.
I was really, really trying to get her to Catandalooza.
And I have to say, I'm so happy and honored that she's opening up our season.
So I hope you guys enjoyed with all my heart.
And let's go.
I have a million guests lined up, a million fun things coming up.
Let's set this year on Fuego.
And for those of you who are new to Cat Kingdom, welcome.
This is a little bit different from other podcasts out there.
And when I say organic, I mean it's really, really, really 100%
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So sometimes you're going to have an episode that is absolutely perfect in studio, great sound, everything amazing.
And sometimes we do episodes in real life, like at the homes of my guests, in events, bars, restaurants, where we actually interact and live our lives.
I like to show a lot about our LA lifestyle, the entertainment industry, the acting, the artists, our world.
So it's not always perfect, but I promise you one thing, it's always very, very real.
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contact at catondaluz.com for email and of course on instagram realcat on the loose or catzamuto and i hope you guys enjoy this fantastic episode with the gorgeous fabulous adorable billie lee to kick off the season I'm so excited
and just before you guys listen to the interview with Billy, one thing that I get asked a lot is: where do I record Cat on the Luz?
How do I do it?
Is it easy?
Is it complicated?
Is it costly?
And the answer is: I've been using Spotify for podcasters from the very beginning, ever since I started Cat on the Luz three and a half years ago.
Spotify for podcasters allows me to record Cat on the Luz, edit, do everything that I need, including distribute in all platforms where we all enjoy our podcasts for free.
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There is no need for complicated recording equipment.
Anyone can get their podcast started from home.
Just pick a theme, something you're interested in talking about, and give it a try.
All you have to do is download the app spotify.com/slash slash spotify for podcasters or go to www.spotify.com slash spotify for podcasters and get going today it's super super simple and it's completely completely free it's a platform that spotify created specially for podcasters to be able to create their own podcast and distribute everywhere and yes when i say everywhere it means that you don't have to distribute only on Spotify, you can record your podcast and distribute on all platforms.
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If you ever wonder how it is to do your own podcast, get going, download the app, and give it a try.
It's thanks to Spotify for podcasters that three years into it, Canada loses on the top 0.5 percent on global ranking by Lisa and Scar.
So, give it a try, have a lot of fun, and good luck.
Okay,
Cat Kingdom,
New season, super, super, super special guest.
And I have to say, I've been trying to get her here for a minute.
I know, I've been after you,
Billy Lee.
Thank you, my love.
Thank you with all my heart because I know how busy you are.
And we were saying off-camera before I got started, I am so excited that you're the first one of the season because I've been wanting to have this conversation forever.
I think it's an exciting but such an important conversation.
So, first of all, welcome to Cat on the Loose, and it's such an honor to have you.
Thank you.
You know that I'm a huge fan of your work.
I love and adore you, and I am so happy that you're here today, kicking off the new season of Cat on the Loose.
Yeah, congrats.
Yeah, sorry it took me so long.
It's been hectic, but I'm so happy to be here.
Thank you.
And I went to see your comedy show a few months ago at the
oh my god,
ice house in Pasadena.
And you were incredible.
And you were on stage with some.
I actually didn't know because when you invited me, like, come to Sadina.
I'm like, yes, I'm going to go.
I have to see this chick on stage.
So I didn't even read the lineup.
Like, I didn't care who else was there.
So when I get there, the other comedians were like heavyweights, like really famous names, people that have been doing comedy comedy for a long time.
And I mean, I'm not trying to kiss your ass, I'm just being very fair and very honest.
You
really,
really hold your weight, like
with these guys that have been doing that for decades, like including, for example,
Tom Arnold.
And so, when you came on stage and you do
your comedy, I'm like, wow, like the confidence, how do you do it?
Let's start talking about that.
How did you become a stage comedian?
Um, okay, well, the confidence is key, that's for sure.
Because I can you please teach us a little bit of that, please.
Sometimes I'm like, how am I sharing the stage with these legends?
Exactly.
Um, and I do get nervous, especially when there's such crazy, amazing, powerful people on the stage.
But, um,
it's crazy.
I like accidentally became a vegan or vegan, a comedian.
We're going to talk about that too.
A vegan comedian or a comedian vegan.
I do talk about being vegan in my setup.
Yes.
But I sold a pilot to ABC Disney, a half hour comedy.
And my team was like, well, if you're going to be writing and possibly starring in a comedy, you should probably take some comedy classes.
And I was like, oh yeah, that's true.
And I just started talking to friends and I was getting this like butterfly.
People were like, oh my God, Billy, you're funny.
You should be a comedian.
And so I took this course called Pretty Funny Women.
My teacher, Lisa, was amazing.
And she saw something in me.
And she was like, you have a very natural talent.
Your timing is really good.
Your point of view is really important.
She like offered me a scholarship for her next course.
And I just kept on.
doing it.
And then I kept on getting booked and booked.
And like, I feel like I jumped on this comedy train that's moving really fast and I can't get off and it's not stopping.
Yeah, and by the way, for people that don't know a lot about the LA scene, you are booking major venues.
Yeah.
Like you're at the bourbon room.
You are, like you said, the ice house in Pasadena is iconic.
It's been around forever.
So it's not like you're doing like, you know, this shady hole in the walls.
Like, let's be fair.
You are booking major, major, like you're saying, not only are you sharing the stage with super heavyweights of comedy, you are booking the most important venues in comedy.
And that's insane.
Yeah, I know.
I'm super blessed.
And, you know, it does help because of having a name and being on Vanderpump, it did get me into the door, opened some windows for me.
Yeah.
However, I've worked with two coaches.
I still work with them.
I really put in the work to be funny and to make sure that my craft is good.
Right.
So that way I can be asked back.
And it's like, it's one thing for someone to invite me on stage, but when they ask me back, that's really important because it shows my work.
Yeah.
Yeah.
No, I agree.
I think TV is fantastic.
Of course.
It opens up so many doors and so many windows.
However, like you said, you know, it only goes so far because if they invite you to do a comedy show, especially in these places,
and you suck, they're going to say, Thank you, Billy.
Okay, bye.
But they keep inviting you back and your audience keeps growing.
And I'm a witness.
Like I was there.
You're really adorable and you're really sweet.
And
I don't think I could ever do it.
But I think it's very tough.
I'm an artist.
I've been acting on and off my entire life.
I think comedy is the toughest form of art.
It's so scary.
Because the way I feel is like...
If you fall flat, like if people don't laugh and you're standing there, like it's not like you're filming,
I mean, you're a little fucked, right?
You feel like shit, yeah.
And so, you gotta like entertain an audience that many times is a tough audience, and like you said, you have to be organic.
Yeah,
how do you think it's something you learn, or it's just something that comes natural to you?
It's something you learn too, for sure.
Like, I think my timing was always very more natural, obviously, my point of view.
But
being on stage and like learning how to navigate the crowd and the vibration and like the mood in the room.
Also, the venue.
Some venues, like the bourbon room, I love it.
It's one of my favorite places to hang out, but it was built for comedy.
It's not built for laughs.
So I don't get that immediate validation of that laugh back.
But like the comedy store, it's built for laughs.
So the way the room is built, I hear that laugh right back at me.
So it's that media validation, which gives me a little bit more confidence, a little bit more fun, like vibe.
And I have overall just a good performance.
However, it does take practice.
Like, I didn't really start enjoying comedy until like a year in.
Like, I, it's only been a year, and so I'm just now starting to enjoy it.
But why weren't you enjoying it?
Because I was learning so much, I was nervous.
I was mad.
So, you were nervous at the beginning.
Oh, my God.
Yes.
And people will be like, you look like you, you own this stage.
You're so comfortable and confident.
And sometimes I feel like I'm about to shit my pants.
Oh, my God.
But I think it's just, I come off pretty still and composed, but I am way more comfortable now.
Now it's starting to feel like kind of like a job.
I don't get as nervous anymore.
It's just like another day at the office.
However, you know, when I am playing next to Legends, I do get a little bit more nervous because they get so many amazing laughs and they're like, you know.
But you do too, because I was there and I saw it.
Yeah.
And I have such great fans and people, even my comedy fans are starting to grow.
And like, you know, I went to New York and did a show And afterwards, people were lined up to take a photo with me.
Like, it was such an amazing, like,
just like, even almost like a standing ovation.
Like, people were hollering and standing and screaming for me.
They're cheering for you because you're a sweetheart.
So, let's rewind your story.
For my audience, maybe a lot of people don't know about you, don't know who you are, and I want them to find out about you because you're incredible.
You mentioned Vanderpom Prouse.
How did you end up there?
Because that was before the comedy shows.
Right.
So I was casted through a production company, Evolution Media.
We just had a couple meetings, and I think we were just trying to place me on a TV show.
It really started, I owned a restaurant in Sherman Oaks, California.
It was a cafe,
and a lot of producers would come in, and I was living stealth at the time, which means I was...
not letting people know that I was trans.
Oh, really?
I was pretending that I was cis.
So why?
Because I got
discriminated so much.
It was as if society put me in a corner and just beat the hell out of me.
That's awful.
Because when you don't fit into a box, you know, especially when I first started my transition and my hormones, people didn't know if they could place me into the boy box, the girl box.
And when society can't put you in a box or label you, they don't know what to do with you.
So, a lot of times,
by the way, oh my god, yeah.
So, I experienced,
you know, just a lot of rejection.
And through that, I just like,
once I did have all my surgeries and I did fully transition,
it was as if society rolled out the red carpet.
They all of a sudden put me in the female box.
They loved and accepted me.
Men were lined up to date me.
And I was like, oh my God, I'm finally the cool kid.
I'm finally like being loved and accepted.
I don't want to tell anyone that I'm trans.
I don't want that to go away.
It's like almost like the Cinderella story at midnight.
I did not want that night to end and I didn't want all this love and attention to end.
So I kind of disowned my trans experience when I lived stealth.
And
I dated men, didn't tell them.
And it bit me in the ass because I completely fell in love with this guy.
And then I go to tell him and he was horrified, very upset, rejected me.
Oh my god.
And the way that I told him is because one day we were in my cafe I'll never forget this a trans woman of color comes into my cafe
she's noticeably masculine and people know that she's trans
and when she leaves all my regulars including my boyfriend at the time was like did you see that freak that's disgusting
And my heart dropped.
That is so mean.
I got such anxiety.
And I was like, oh my God, I'm living a lie.
Like, I'm my part of my own community is suffering.
And I'm standing behind this counter hiding in my, you know,
cis assuming,
you know, personality and everything.
And I was like, well, I need to do something.
I need to, like,
tell him, first of all.
So when I told him,
he was so upset about it.
He even mentioned how like he once
like almost hit a trans woman on the bus because he was so disgusted by her.
So I was like, how on earth am I attracting someone who I love, who I thought was a spiritual, amazing man,
but also so transphobic?
And it was because I was holding on to so much fear about my own trans experience.
So I decided to sell my restaurant.
The owner of the building bought me out.
I took a year to reflect.
I did ayahuasca ceremonies, did a lot of healing, and I started blogging about it.
And that was when blogs were really popular.
And I just started talking about my trans experience from the heartache, from
all of the rejection.
And it kind of caught on.
And then people were like, we want to put you somewhere.
We want to put you on TV.
And that's how Vanderpump happened.
It was through multiple meetings.
And I was casted.
Even though they say, like, oh, Billie Lee came and filled out an application and she got a hosting job.
It's like, who goes from owning a restaurant to a host?
Okay, so
it's not like you were, you know, it's all baloney for the show.
You weren't like working there.
I mean, you do go through a training.
You do the technically we all started with.
You did it for the show.
Yes.
Okay, so they put you there as a host.
Yes.
And I later found out that I was really tokenized because there is no trans person casted on the network, complete network of Bravo before or after me.
And I just,
you know, it was like they got what they want.
They got the attention and they got my story out there.
And then it was just like, yeah, it just, it ended up being a disappointing situation because I found out, like, even,
you know, I went around town talking about how my fairy godmother, Lisa Vanderpump, and then you find out your fairy godmother is actually like the wicked witch
of the West Hollywood.
Why is that?
I mean.
She just comes from such a place of privilege and there's just a lot of gaslighting.
and like even like you know there's a whole movement happening to unionize reality tv right um
bethany frankel is leading it i love her she's a legend and i remember seeing i don't know if it was tmz or someone did an interview or like caught up with lisa vanderpump and they're like talking about unionizing
reality TV
and she was like, oh,
I don't think it's needed.
I'm like,
of course, you sitting in your throne and all your privilege in the hills of Beverly Hills, you're going to think that these small people who are working 18 hours a day and who are suffering, who don't have any resources for mental health, they don't need it.
The reason why there's a union is to make sure that these employees, make sure that the small people, the producers, the stars of these shows are protected.
She doesn't relate.
Doesn't relate.
How many seasons were you on the show?
Two.
Two seasons.
So you didn't know anybody there before?
No, I didn't know anyone.
I didn't watch the show.
And why did you leave?
It was kind of
a mixed situation.
So
you have your meeting with the company, the production company, and the producers before each season.
They're like, what are you doing?
What are you into?
Kind of like, what would we do?
What would we follow you?
What would your storyline be?
And when I was leaving season seven
there was rumors that i was having an affair with tom sanderval right which i remember that i saw that you got a lot of heat for that yes and he because you guys actually and became really good friends right yes he's one of my best friends like he just
you know as a trans woman to have some have a cis hedro ally like someone like him to go around town and and to talk on my behalf and say positive things i'll always have that guy's guy's back because that's what he did for me and a lot of those cast members a lot of cis hedromen did the opposite they were uncomfortable with my trans experience they didn't want to film with me really they literally asked the producers not to film with me are you serious oh my god but then i have tom over here who's like asking to film with me making sure that i'm taken care of even like to a point of like obviously I didn't have any resources.
The thing is with Vanderpump is they gave me this platform as a trans woman, but no resources.
I barely got paid.
I was struggling to pay my bills.
And here comes Tom to help me pay my bills.
Like, he literally was there, still is to this day, one of my brothers.
So, of course, I'm going to be there for him.
And when we're going into the next season, they're like, oh, we heard that you and Tom hang out a lot.
Like, what's the story with you and Tom?
So,
if I was to do another season, it seemed to me that their interest was for me to
have an affair with Tom.
Like, that was the vibe that I was getting.
The questions kept on going back to what's going on with you and Tom.
And I'm over here, like, oh, I'm doing this and activism, and
I have all these amazing things happening.
They didn't give a shit about that, yeah, because that doesn't make for good reality.
They want the scandals,
of course.
Yeah, they want to at least insinuate that there is something going on, yeah.
Yeah,
so you decided to leave.
Well, Well,
I told him this is what I want to do, and I said, no, we don't want to do that.
So, and I wasn't going to go any other route.
I wasn't going to be a home-wrecking whore.
I mean, we all see what happened to Raquel or Rachel.
Right.
Like, these things really affect your life.
Like, because it is your real life at the end of the day.
Like, I mean, we're talking about you're really good friends with Tom.
Obviously, he made a horrible mistake.
Yes.
Yes.
We all make mistakes.
I don't like judging people at all.
Yeah, he made a horrible mistake.
He was very nasty.
But the backlash was also out of control.
Out of control.
It was as if a man murdered somebody.
Exactly.
Both on him and on Rach or whatever.
Yeah.
And that's one thing that I agree that Lisa said.
She did say that.
She's like, wait a minute.
They didn't kill anybody.
Everybody needs to hold their horses because they were getting death threats, right?
Yeah.
No, I appreciate it.
Out of control.
I appreciated when Lisa said that.
That was really amazing of her to do that.
Yeah, I mean, his mental health.
Like, Raquel had to go to a mental facility because of her mental health.
And here's the thing: these production companies, these networks, they don't offer mental health support like that.
They don't, like, here, we'll pay for this.
We'll help you with this.
You're really left on your own, which is why unionizing reality TV is so important.
Like, I was there to help pick Tom up off the floor, take him to comedy shows, take him to his favorite karaoke bars, like anything and everything I could to like uplift this person who was literally hated.
We were constantly followed by paparazzi, like fans would come up to the door.
It was just so overwhelming.
And I felt it was such a dark place.
And I just, all I could do
was just try to help him in any way possible.
And I think, obviously, you are a very loyal, great friend.
I would do that for a friend as well because I saw you in the media a million times
and you were like standing by him because he's your friend.
It doesn't matter what he did.
I'm not justifying what he did, but I'm saying, what are you supposed to do?
Say, fuck you.
And they were trashing you as well.
Like you said, they're like, oh, are they having an affair?
Why is she getting out of his house?
What's wrong with them?
Look at her face.
What are they gossiping about?
And I remember looking, because of course, tabloids, they want to sell crap.
But I remember thinking about you, like, what is a friend supposed to do?
You turn your back on another friend.
Like, I'm sure Rachel has her friends and, you know, whatever.
You know, you need to stand by the person, whether they made a mistake or not.
Yeah, of course.
That's what French friends are for.
And it's spilled on you in many ways.
Here's the thing is, people don't realize this is, I didn't talk to Tom for six weeks.
When it first happened, I was devastated.
The night, two or two nights after,
we were all at Ariana and Tom's house.
Ariana was living there at the moment.
I was crying.
It was like there was a death in the family.
I refused to talk to Tom for six weeks because I was so upset.
But then I get a phone call from our mutual friend who I introduced him to, Kimmy and Jason.
And Jason is his manager for the music and the band and stuff and the podcast.
And they're like, he's in a really bad place.
We're scared.
We're going to lose him.
And I'm like, you know what?
Like, I I need to put my ego aside and like put my own feelings.
It's not about me and just show up for this person.
And that's that's what I did.
I literally ended up staying a whole weekend with him just to make sure he was good.
And that's when the paparazzi was like, oh, she's staying there and there's an affair.
And it's like, I'm just making sure my friend stays alive.
Yeah.
That is priority for me.
I don't give a fuck what anyone else thinks.
Yeah.
As you, as I don't think you should, yeah.
But in a way, yeah, I agree with you.
There are a lot of bad things that
come with the territory of doing reality TV.
But it did give you a platform to
showcase your work and
to
be
I'm not I don't know if I should use the word role model, but maybe to be a spokesperson to to give voice
to other transgenders because it's a community that doesn't have a lot of public voices.
We don't have yeah, exactly.
That's one reason why, you know, when I did all my ayahuasca ceremonies and my therapy and just really trying to fall in love with my trans experience, I never imagined myself being in reality TV.
I never watched Vanderpump or any reality television before.
I still don't.
But I knew that I could be a voice.
I knew that I could show trans women are worthy of jobs because our unemployment rate was so, like literally three times higher than the general population at the time.
And it was like, I'm going to go into this as a mission.
I had no idea that I would truly like fall in love with these people or have such close relationships with these people
and also have such heartache and, you know, trauma surrounding these people.
So I still to this day, when I am in therapy, when I'm working on my gratitude journal, I'm so thankful for the Vanderpump experience, even though it was very painful at times and I was really disappointed at times.
I'm still really thankful because no matter what, it's got me here.
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If I wasn't born trans, I think I would still be in Indiana, like not really doing much.
And because I was born trans, because I was so different and I was bullied, I left to be free.
And it's just like all these things really lead up to where I'm at today.
So if there is somebody out there listening to you, because I know, because I get messages, this is one of the reasons why I really wanted to have you here.
I do get messages from transgender
teenagers
from all over the world, not just the United States,
that say, like, you know, my family would never support me.
I don't know what to do.
I can't get a job.
I get bullied in school.
Nobody accepts me.
What should I do?
What is the message of hope?
That because obviously, like, you have a kick-ass career, you're very brave, you're doing amazing, you're beautiful.
You had the courage to take all the steps.
And a lot of people don't have this courage.
Yeah.
I'll tell you a little story.
This is how I feel like I got the courage.
When I was little,
the bullying was really, really bad, like in grade school.
I ended up missing three years, I think total, two or three years of grade school, because it was so bad.
But I would go into the bathroom of the boys' bathroom and all over the walls, it would be Billy sucks dick, Billy,
you know, like just horrible things
and I used to have such anxiety and I would be so scared and so sad to even just go into the boys restroom
and one day I like just went in there and I was like
I just need to like transform this fear somehow some way into like a and love or just a different way so I wasn't constantly scared and I started thinking like wow like the I must be something if these people literally take the time out of of their day to carve into a piece of wood about me.
No matter what's said, because obviously it's not true.
I didn't even know how to suck dick then.
I was a kid, but like, whatever can be so.
Yes.
Oh, my God.
But I took that and I was like, wow, I have to be special for them to take the time.
And it's not just one person.
Like, there was so many things on that wall about me.
And
that moment right there,
that whole transformation or from like my thoughts from fear to love was a miracle because it really taught me throughout my life to take these really hard moments and try to find a miracle in those moments, try to find the love in those moments.
And a lot of that is just like self-love.
being there for myself.
What are my dreams?
What are my hopes?
Constantly believing.
I spent a lot of time in the imaginary circumstance or the imaginary world.
And as an actor, you know, imaginary circumstance is really important.
But I would constantly daydream and imagine myself in another world, in another state, like how to get out.
And I did.
I literally followed every single thing that I ever wanted to do.
But it is hard.
And I guess I'll tell every kid out there: like, if you're not getting the love and acceptance from the outside, you got to get it from within.
Yeah.
Because that's, you have yourself.
That's the tough part.
It is.
Yeah.
It's super tough.
But we're constantly wanting the validation from outside, you know?
And
going back to the bathroom thing i took that self-love and i internalized it and i made that moment for me a better situation so i wasn't so scared of going into that restroom or seeing the writing on the walls um
i sure hope that they can see you
and and they can say you know what i can be the next billy i can be like billy you know i can find this happiness and this fulfillment and follow my dreams and dreams do come true it dreams come true 100
I, I'm living and breathing it.
And just, yeah, it's like, love yourself and believe in yourself.
And also, I was scared to death to tell my parents.
And my mom said to me one time, she was like,
if when I told her, you know, when I first moved out to LA, she's like, just don't start wearing dresses.
And I internalized that.
And I was like, my God, my mom's never going to accept me for being trans.
My mom is obsessed with me for being her daughter.
Like, she's literally like, my daughter.
And now you have supportive parents.
I have amazing supportive parents.
They're my biggest fans.
But it took some time, you know, like, and my mom was messing up on my pronouns back in the day a lot.
And I finally was like, mom, if you don't really think about this and take this into consideration, I'm going to stop talking to you for a while.
And that scared her.
And then she really started using the right pronouns.
And like, my mom truly does see me as her daughter.
And it's like such a beautiful thing.
And I'm so grateful for that.
But, you know, it took some hard conversations, and it takes a minute, yeah.
But that's amazing that you have a sporty family.
Let's talk for a second about David Chappelle.
Mm-hmm.
I know that's a tough one.
I know.
You know what's crazy about this is like people keep on asking me about it because also I'm a comedian.
So,
you know, as a trans woman.
And I'm probably going to get a lot of shit for saying this, but I think he's really talented and I think he's like brilliant.
As a comedian,
he just kind of blows my mind.
Like,
I don't, okay.
As a comedian, I'm super impressed by him.
I think that he is like next level, like so funny.
He is.
He's very talented.
Very talented.
However, like as a trans woman, I don't, like, I try to keep what I discuss and what I make fun of in my own lane.
Like, you know, I make fun of myself.
And by, yeah, and I think that's very brave.
Yes, because you are there on stage
making fun of intimate, and I'm not going to tell your jokes here.
You guys are going to have to go there because she's really good.
But you make like some really cool jokes, X-rated jokes, intimate jokes about your life.
Yeah,
and everything.
And I think, well, that takes guts.
And they're brave jokes.
They're amazing jokes.
But like you said, they're about your own experience.
They're about my own experience.
Yes.
Like, I'm not, you know, I have, I have, I do have some experiences with men of color, especially black men in the black culture.
They are not as open with trans women.
They're not open with any male person or trans woman, anyone being feminine.
They're not open with the LGBT community as much.
That's a very known thing.
And so I've had personal experiences with black men, especially dating.
I choose not to go on stage and discuss that because I don't ever want to offend or upset a black person, especially a man who is trying to
just live his life and like he's under his own pressure of being masculine.
And, you know, in that culture,
masculinity is everything for these guys.
So when they feel that it's being affected, or
for somehow, some way that they are,
you know,
it's just,
it's hard for me to wrap my head around
me making fun of someone who has their own experience.
Like, I would just prefer to make fun of my own experience.
It just keeps me.
You don't want to hurt anybody.
Yes, I don't want to hurt anyone's.
And he is making jokes about transgender.
Yes.
And now,
people in general.
People in general, people with disability, Yeah.
And, you know, I'm vegan.
I make fun of jokes about me being vegan, obviously.
But
so I just try to stay in my own lane.
And I wish he would do that as well.
But for some reason, he's really fixated on the trans experience.
And here's what I think.
You know, like how people are, they say a lot of homophobia comes from men who are actually having thoughts of being gay.
Like they're suppressing it.
So it comes out in homophobic ways.
Maybe one day he might want to transition.
Like
when I was watching his special, I was like, more data transgender.
Yes.
Data transgender.
The man had more concealer on than I've seen on drag queens.
Did you see his recent special?
The concealer was insane.
His coat thing was like almost like a dress.
I'm like, Dave Chappelle is wearing enough concealer and almost a dress, but he's up here talking about trans women.
I mean,
I don't know.
I'm not going to talk about somebody that I don't know, but I do agree with you that many, many times people that talk trash or make fun of something
they desire
or they want to experience or that because otherwise, why would you?
Like, why would it bother you?
You know what I mean?
So, I don't know.
Yeah.
And I have a lot of black men.
I have a lot of black men who are all about it, but they don't want to tell anyone.
They want to keep it a secret.
Oh, yeah.
I'm not.
I have a lot of friends.
I have married friends, by the way.
Like, you know, so I've seen it all.
And they have like this underground life and everything because they don't want to talk about it.
But yeah, so you never know.
And I will say this.
Well, like, this is my last thing with Dave Chappelle.
He did talk about how like trans pussy is like impossible meat.
So I'm vegan.
I
have date men and I always introduce them to impossible burgers like because that's what I eat.
And whenever, and so.
you're so cute.
And these men will be like, wow, babe, this impossible burger is like the real thing.
It's like juicy.
It's pink inside.
Yeah, it tastes really good.
Well, those same guys that I date say the exact same thing about my pussy.
They literally like say, wow, this is like the real deal.
It's so juicy and it's pink inside.
Like, so I have to say, Dave is so right about that.
Are you, are you in Dora?
The impossible burger needs to hire you.
Yeah.
I did have a partnership with him back in the day.
You need to get it back.
But
he knows what the trans pussy is like, so I definitely think he's had it.
Yeah, so yeah, that's a good question.
Like, how do you know?
How you must have seen it.
Hello?
Oh, no, he's seen it.
He's felt it.
So, what is the kind of guy that you want to date?
Or what is the kind of guy that hits on you that wants to date you?
Oh, God, they all, I feel like, hit on me and want to date me.
But
I don't, I'm,
I'm in a process of wanting to have a baby.
Really?
Oh, wow.
Like alone, or you want to like get married?
Like, I mean, yeah, it would be nice to, to have it with a partner, but I'm not waiting.
So it's weird when I'm on dates a first or second date and be like, yeah, I'm going to have a baby soon.
You know, these guys are.
Oh, you want to do like independent projects?
So
I think I am going to either co-parent or do it independently.
And then that way I just, the baby's mine.
And if I get into a relationship or a a situation, like that baby's mine, and then who knows, maybe the baby will be in school someday and I'll meet a guy, another, like a dad or something through that.
But my main like mission right now is my career and having a baby.
Um, and if a guy comes in and it happens, it happens, but I'm not really looking for it.
And I have trouble even responding to guys that I go on dates with.
Like, I just.
It's not on top of your list right now.
It's not.
You don't, you you don't want to be in a relationship right now I don't yeah I don't think so I've I'm having so much fun with my career and my life
that I'm good like
yeah
really so no dating for Miss Billy I mean I date come on I date I do date and I do like make out with boys and have a good time and where do you meet them do you do dating apps
not really I don't really really do dating apps.
I get,
like, honestly, through the comedy world, like a lot of, like, if it's a photographer or a comedian, like, most comedians will,
you know, want to hang out or hit it.
But I just.
So, usually, like, in your work world?
It's usually work, yeah.
Or, like, at the grocery store, I've been, like, asked out or, like, a mutual friend.
Um,
but a lot lately has been just, like, comedians asking me out.
So, other than than the crappy boyfriend that you had when you had your restaurant, he was an asshole.
I'm so proud of you for speaking up and getting rid of him because nobody needs that kind of energy in their lives.
Did you ever have that experience again or from a man or never again?
What do you mean, like a like, yeah, yeah, like a boyfriend saying anything to you, like, oh my god, I don't want to date a trans girl?
Yeah, yeah.
I've had multiple boyfriends who've had shame surrounded by trans experiences.
Oh, my God.
If it came to like with their parents, or, you know, there's just,
um,
especially like I go out there and talk about these really intimate things, especially as a comedian.
Same.
Yeah.
Yeah.
My entire life, my entire sex life
is on the podcast.
Like it intimidates 99.9.
The first question guys asked me, like, are you going to talk about me on the podcast?
Yeah.
i know so i do love that comedians get it you know like that's why i feel like i might end up with a comedian yeah because i think if you relate if they relate to what you do they might be less intimidated right that's that's usually easier yeah
well i hope you find your prince thank you you certainly deserve it because you're a princess you are so talented tell me if you have comedy shows lined up in the near future so people listening can go because i'm I'm telling you guys if you're listening if you're in the United States of America even if you're not in the LA area get a plane and come see her because your comedy show is so much fun.
It's so real.
It's so adorable.
And I'm going to tell you something.
God's honest truth.
In general, I don't like going to comedy shows because of what I told you.
If the guy's not funny, I feel bad.
Yeah.
Because I'm not a person like I cannot really fake shit.
I'm very organic.
Like I'm very real.
Whatever I feel, you see on my face.
I'm not a great liar.
So, if the guy's not funny, I'm like,
really?
So, I avoid comedy shows.
And, you know, I think you did a show with my friend Jaji.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, I love Jaji.
Yes.
And I interviewed her.
I think she's awesome because she's so organic.
And so when I went to see yours, I honestly, from the bottom of my heart, loved you because I thought you have what it takes to do a comedy skit because it comes like so natural to you.
So if you guys are listening, check it out.
Look at her schedule.
And it's totally worth the laughs.
It's really, really fun.
Yeah, my team and I are organizing a tour.
So we'll be doing,
I'll be doing a spring tour.
I'll be doing a pride tour in June.
And then my book comes out, Why Are You So Sensitive?
This summer,
which is published by Andrew McMeal.
And
yeah,
I hopefully I'll make it to like a lot of these cities.
The tour is more than California gonna go.
It's gonna be all over the United States.
Wow, Billy, congratulations.
Thank you.
That is so exciting.
I'm super excited.
And then,
yeah, I'm launching my own podcast, but it's a comedy podcast called Billy and the Kid.
I love it.
With a really cool comedy company called Jam in the Van.
So I'm just, so many amazing things are happening right now.
Crazy busy.
And you know what?
You deserve all the success in the world because you are so brave.
Thank you.
And I know that this is a very tough way, like a long, long road to get here.
And I think you're a beautiful, beautiful voice for transgender people all over the world listening.
And hopefully you're inspiring them.
Yeah, thank you.
I think that's what I'm here for is to be of service and to use my story in that way.
You're incredible.
I'm so honored that you did this.
Thank you.
Thanks for having me.
You're incredible.
Congratulations on all your success.
Thank you.
I hope you guys enjoyed this conversation.
And on Instagram,
it's me, Billie Lee.
Check out her work because she's adorable, incredible, phenomenal.
Hopefully, we'll see you on TV again too, right?
One of these days.
Thank you, Billie.
Love you.
And I'll see you guys very soon.
And before I let you guys go, since it's the beginning of the year, a lot of us are thinking about New Year's resolutions, right?
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