NOT SINCE FREDDIE MERCURY AND DAVID BOWIE HAS ANYONE HAD SUCH FLAIR AND VISION…..THIS IS POPPYCOCK

Empire Extreme got the chance to talk with John Quale AKA Prince Poppycock the Operatic Pop Sensation from America’s Got Talent.

EE: How did you come up with the character Prince Poppycock?

John: It was a little bit of an evolution. I was studying opera privately, I was also working for a costume designer. My friend started a club called Wig Out, it was like a drag show but non traditional, it had to be something that involved a wig. I just learned Largo al Factotum and wanted to perform it. The first time that I did it, I performed it under my own name, it got such a big response I got booked to do it again. I’m a guy of philosophy. Poppycock means kind of absurdity and the prince stuck to it. People always think that Poppycock is a British word but it’s Dutch and it’s means powerdly gull poop. It’s a very weird word.

EE: How was it doing AGT back in 2010 and then again for The Champions this year?

John: It’s always very stressful, AGT is very different from how you perform in a normal world, I feel that they try to throw roadblocks in your way, and see how you can handle it like a stress test. It’s a massive machine and wild how big it is.

EE: Yeah a lot of the winners it seems that who’s more marketable for them.

John: For sure, the backstory is always the most important part of the show. The season I was on Micheal Grimm won, and my season also had Jackie Evancho and Lindsey Stirling on it, so who the fuck is Michael Grimm? (Laughs) those two are huge stars and recording artists. No offense to Grimm, he’s a really cool guy and We got to tour together.

EE: What was your favorite song to perform when on the show?

John: Bohemian Rhapsody and the Americana was fun. I won’t sing anything if I don’t love it.

EE: Is there a cover you want to do that you haven’t done yet?

John: Don’t Stop Believing. It’s funny they always categorize me as a opera singer but they can’t put me in the same class as Paul Potts, I can sing what he does but they don’t want me to stand there because I’m to beautiful. It always surprises me that people get shocked that if you’re fat or ugly that you can sing, or that children can sing. Children have been prized for singing for ages. People like Susan Boyle can sing, and it has nothing to do with what you look like.

EE: How long does it take to transform into Prince Poppycock?

John: It takes about 3 ½ hours with the shower.

EE: Do you get any makeup tips from established Drag Queens to help you out?

John: I’m old friends with Matthew Anderson, he was RuPaul hair and makeup guy. I’ve got tips from him. I know Anthony Gwen who I believe is the best makeup artists from glamour. My sorta drag mom is more like my drag sister, she portrays male rock stars is Diamondback Danny. I grew up in the theater, I was a Club kid. I’m old friends with Alaska, Detox, Raja, Jinx. I gave Alaska her first drag job in LA before she moved back to Pittsburgh.

EE: I seen that you did a Anti Bullying Campaign, How was that like working with that?

John: It was good, back in season 5 of AGT I was like the Me2 movement but never had a central leader or grassroot movement. There’s no real leaders in the world. The cause is real dear to me, and still relevant not with the Gillette ad for Masculine Toxicity.

EE: If you could bring back one dead musician who would it be?

John: Bowie. He elected to leave when he wanted to, he saw the world going to shit and was like peace out y’all. Same with Prince and everyone we was losing in that short period of time, I believe they didn’t want to be around this world anymore with the way it is .

EE: Anything coming up for you?

John: I’m working with a new manager, he’s going to get me seen for King George In Hamilton, which is a dream gig for me. That would be huge for me. I’m doing an event in April in NY. It’s a gender fluidity awareness. Then in oct I’m doing something in NY for Suicide Prevention it’s called Saved. Unfortunately there wasn’t a huge response to my performance on AGT this year.

EE: Anything you want to say to the fans?

John: Life is a mass hallucination, that we all agree to participate in, and the past, present and future have already happened. We are constantly co-creating every moment at every moment.

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Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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