Scheananigans with Scheana Shay - Daniel Franzese Can Sit with Us, We're Not Mean Girls

Episode Date: March 26, 2019

Actor and Comedian Daniel Franzese joins Scheana and Janet to talk about his career, comedy, and of course..."Mean Girls!" Plus, how his coming out helped so many kids around the world embrace and be confident with their inner Damien. Also! How will you do on our Mean Girls quiz!? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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You are going to love this comforter just like I do. And again, that is buffy.co. Enter code Sheena for $20 off your Buffy comforter. From Vanderpump Rules to Vegas and everywhere in between, it's time to party with Sheena Shea. This is Shenanigans. And now, here's your host, Sheena Shea. This is Shenanigans. And now here's your host, Sheena Shea. What's up, you guys? Welcome back to Shenanigans. It's Wednesday here in the studio. We are wearing pink. Janet's here. How are you? Hi, guys. So last night, Janet and I, this is

going to be a very special Mean Girls episode. But when our special guest gets here, I don't want to make the whole thing about Mean Girls because I'm sure the last 15 years of his life, that's a lot of what he's been interviewing about. His character's pretty epic. It is. So I'm not going to tell you who it is just yet. But last night, Janet and I went to the Rooftop Cinema Club in Hollywood on top of, I don't know how to say it.

I was always saying, I was saying Newhouse, but then they were saying like Newhouse. And I was like. Mark said Newhouse. So I'm going with Newhouse. That's what I thought. But then one of the guys on the screen, when they were like introducing like what it is,

it sounded like almost like they were Australian saying like Newhouse, whatever. I'm sticking with Newhouse. N-E-U-E House in Hollywood. They do movies on the roof. It's awesome. They have like popcorn, candy, full bar, tray pass appetizers. It was amazing and the appetizers that were getting passed

were so good. We were basically harassing the tray passers but it was worth it because they kept coming over to us. It was. So we saw Mean Girls just to freshen up our knowledge of the movie. I've seen it, God, I don't know, probably a hundred times. But, you know, if you haven't seen it for a while, there are those like little things

you forget. And I want it to be as up to date as possible. Also, saw Mean Girls on Broadway last week. Yeah. How was that? How was it different than the movie? It was so good. I want to talk to our guest about it when he gets here because there's a part.

So I got a backstage tour. Ooh. With your mom, right? You were with your mom? Yeah. I went with my mom. And my friend Colin, he has a friend who's in the show who sometimes actually also plays this character.

Oh, fun. Yeah. So he's like the fill-in when the main guy okay isn't there but um on the set backstage they have like bathroom stall doors and every celebrity who's been there signs the bathroom wall and he had signed it so I was like oh they're like yeah he was here he saw the show so I want to ask him what he thought about it. But what I liked that they changed was because this movie was 15 years ago. Can you believe that?

Actually, it's kind of crazy that more stuff hasn't changed. I feel like a lot of the attitude and stuff and the quotes and stuff are still totally applied to life now. Right. It definitely does not seem like 15 years have gone by since this movie came out. No, it's crazy. I was like, wait, I was in college when this came out. But there was no social media back then.

True. So that's – Oh, so they changed – you said that they changed that, right? Yeah, so that's one of the parts in the show where they have like Instagram comments and tweets and stuff like that. Interesting. Yeah, so you know like the part in the movie when they're like, you know, I saw Katie wearing army pants and flip flops. So I wore army pants and flip flops so i wore army pants and flip flops there's like on the screen there's like a bunch of like tweets and comments that are like popping up and like she's becoming like popular on social media

so that was kind of one of the changes and then like how regina finds out that katie's having a party was her mom saw it on social media through one of her many troll accounts that she only follows for like her protection. I love that. Yeah. So there were like cute things like that that were different, but it made sense for the show being on Broadway in 2019. Definitely.

I feel like social media in the Mean Girls environment is just gasoline on the fire. Yeah. It would just be so much more intense. Yeah. We're lucky we did not have it in high school. Oh my God. I can't even imagine. I mean, being on a reality show and getting that like from the world, like I can't imagine

like getting it from someone you sit in a homeroom with. No. And you're like a scrawny high school kid that already is so worried about everything else. But I mean, it was bad enough in eighth grade. I had a pager. Oh, yeah. This is like 1997, 98. I had a pager. Oh, God. Oh, yeah. This is like 1997, 98.

I had a pager. And I would wake up in the morning and I would have pagers that said 187403. Do you know what that means? 187? No. Die-ho. Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

I would get death threats on my beeper. Die-ho. Yeah. It was so crazy. I was sitting on my couch last night and I was like doing this prep and I always I have spectrum and whenever I turn my TV on it just automatically goes to channel one to the spectrum news and it was this girl and I'm like very loosely listening to it because I'm like on my phone like doing research and whatnot and she everything she was

saying I was like is this me in 1997? She was talking about pagers and being a chola and her eyebrows. Your chola eyebrows. I was going to say, there's a picture we need to post with this episode of you with the Christina Aguilera 90s, early 2000s, thin penciled eyebrows. I don't know if that's needing to be posted just yet. I'll post it on mine. I didn't send it to you. I definitely have a picture of that. You think I haven't taken that when I was at your mom's house?

Going to Sheena's mom's house is the greatest. Those aren't even nearly as bad as the one I have. I'll get Erica to send it to me. No, mom, don't do it. Okay, so while we are waiting for our guest is that oh no the door just opened i got excited um i think we should test our mean girls trivia and do a quiz and then i want to give him the buzzfeed one because that one that one was really hard i think i got like 7 out of 20 and it was like wrong wrong wrong i was like sorry yeah let's do's do this one. This one's from Vulture.

Okay. And I can post these too so you guys can take them. We can do like a swipe up. And we just did our homework last night watching this movie. So we might be better. But then again, we might actually be really bad at this. Right. Okay. How do you spell Lindsay Lohan's character name?

C-A-D-Y. Okay. That is correct. What is the name of the school the characters attend? Southside, Northside? North Shore. Oh. Yes, correct.

I would not have gotten that one. Yeah. What's the big highlight from Miss Norberry's summer? She got divorced. Correct. The other options. That was a highlight of both of our summers a couple years ago. Yeah.

What a fun summer that was. What ethnicity is Janice Ianan lebanese i remember this because my boyfriend's also lebanese she does not look lebanese though no because he goes are you puerto rican she goes i'm lebanese yeah okay how old was lindsey lohan when the movie came out oh um like 16 17 18 19 17 i feel like she was older, but let's go. Oh, 17. You're correct. Gretchen Wieners is rich because her dad invented what?

Toaster strudel. I love that. That is the best job ever. What is the name of the girl from the opposing team who goes into a sudden death match during the mathletes competition? Something like Kraft. There's like five Fs in her last name. Caroline Craft.

You are correct. K-R-A-F-F-F-T. Oh, three Fs. My bad. What does Karen dress up for Halloween? A mouse. Duh. Duh.

What song does Damien sing at the talent show? Christina Aguilera, Beautiful. Yes, because I love when he goes, don't look at me. I know. And then he gets a shoe thrown at him. Oh, that's the next question. What object hits Damien as he's singing? A shoe. A shoe.

Let's see. What scent is the foot cream that Regina puts on her face? Peppermint. He's like, your face smells like peppermint. And they're like, oh, fail. I think you've gotten every single one right. Which of these North Shore clicks does Janice Ian not point out? The white rappers, the JV jocks, unfriendly black hotties, or cool Asians?

The white rappers. Correct. I don't remember JV jocks either. But I feel like there's a part where you see the guys sitting in sitting in their like jackets like at the table when they're going through. You're right. Okay. Which of – I love Kevin G in this movie by the way. Which of these rappers does Kevin G compare himself to in his rap?

Biggie, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Shaggy. Shaggy. What? I don't remember that. It's a talent show. Oh, he says it was Kevin G. Yes. He said something right before that about Shaggy.

Yes, you're right. You're right. He says something about doing her on the bathroom floor. Yeah. Okay. It's coming talent show. Oh, he says it was. Kevin G. Yes. He said something right before that about Shaggy. Yes, you're right. You're right. He says something about doing her on the bathroom floor. Yeah. Okay. It's coming back to me. And then they're like, and thank you. Yes.

You're cut. Who does Katie try to sit with at lunch on her first day? The unfriendly black hotties because she's like, Jumbo. Yeah. And they're like, huh? Yes. What'd you say? What song is Regina's little sister dancing to when she first goes to her house?

My Milkshake brings all the boys to the yard. Love that. And she's doing Girls Gone Wild later. Yeah, and she like lifts up her shirt. She's like, woo! It's so good and so bad. And her name's Kylie. Oh, this one will apply.

The plastics wear pink on which day? Wednesday. Wednesday. Love that. Which of these is not a rule of the plastics? No scrunchies. Can't wear a tank top two days in a row. You can only wear your hair in a ponytail once a week.

So I guess you picked today. You could only wear jeans or track pants on Fridays. No scrunchies. Yes, that's correct. I didn't remember the tank top one either. Let's correct. I didn't remember the tank top one either. Let's see. What ailment did Mr. Duvall acquire over the summer? Carpal tunnel.

Yes. He has his thing in a cast. Which plastics rule does Regina break banishing her from eating lunch with the other girls? She wore sweatpants. It's the only pants that fit me right now. You can't sit with us. Who was not nominated for Spring Fling Queen? Janice, Regina, Karen, or Katie?

Karen. Because she's such a slut. Everyone forgets about her. What is Principal Duvall's nephew's name? Anne Fernie. Yes. That is such a good one. I've never met anyone named Anne Fernie. Yes. That is such a good one. I've never met anyone named Anne Fernie.

You're going to get this one. Miss Norbury mistakenly thinks her black student is from Africa. Where is she actually from? Michigan. Yes. According to the student gossip mill, which male celebrity once told Regina she was pretty on a plane? John Stamos. Yes.

Which, oh my God, that would just be great. Right on a plane John Stamos yes which oh my god that would just be great right John Stamos what how about aunt Becky oh man that is so crazy it's just like the nerdiest thing to spend money on I mean haven't they ever been in a casino with Wheel of Fortune at 4 in the morning wait what are you talking about what's your face I'm talking about the college scandal yeah oh yeah I feel like spying your kid into college is most boring way a fortunate four in the morning. Wait, what? Are you talking about what's-her-face-at-the-college thing? I'm talking about the college scandal. Yes. Oh, yeah. I feel like spying your kid into college

is the most boring way to spend money ever and we need to send... Her daughter didn't even want to go to college. I know. She's like, I'm just like, you know,

going to go for like the parties. I don't really care about school. Yeah, that made me really mad because I paid off a lot of student debt over my years. She's possibly going to prison or jail or is going to have a huge fine.

She should. And she should find cooler ways to blow money other than going and wasting it on your kids. I mean, it's like half a million dollars. Entrance fee to college. That's not even like their college tuition. Yeah. And just because she didn't go to college, she said she wanted her daughters to go to college. They didn't even want to go.

That's so dumb. Anywho. That's so dumb. Okay. Continue. She needs to learn how to spend money better. There are so many better ways to waste money. Yep.

What fashion trend does Janice Ian accidentally start? She cuts the holes in Regina's tank top. You're too good at this. I've seen this movie so many times. But also, I mean, I saw it last night and I saw it on Broadway last week. So it's like super fresh in my brain. Oh, okay. How about this one?

What does Katie mistakenly think is the name of a brand name of a brand oh sorry name of a band ashton kutcher oh okay you are too good at this she's like what do i talk to them about and he's like ashton kutcher and she's like is that a band yes let's see i'm gonna get i'm gonna get some of these wrong. There's no way I can get 100. What's Regina George's favorite movie? Varsity Blues. You're so good at this. It's annoying. What does Regina claim to be doing when she's hooking up with Shane? SAT prep.

I would not have gotten that one either. I'm going to scroll down and get some of these deep ones. Let's get some of the last ones. I'm doing so okay um how many actors and mean girls have been featured players on saturday night live two three four five oh let's see i'm sure lindsey lohan i'm sure rachel mcadams featured players though i don't know if that's the same as like maybe like a cast member um like like hosted it maybe i don't know what feature let's say three incorrect oh but it's not letting me see the correct it doesn't tell you the correct

answer not until i said that's annoying come on let me read i wonder because okay um tina fey I wonder. Because, okay, Tina Fey, obviously, was a cast member on SNL. Right. Cool mom girl. What's her name? Amy Poehler. Amy Poehler. And then a couple other have hosted, but I'm trying to think of the other. That's what I was thinking about.

I'm sure the three. Isn't the principal also a cast member at one point? Is he? We need to look it up. I don't know. Maybe. What were the choices? Two, three, four, or five.

Oh, maybe it was five then. Because I feel like Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Amanda Seyfried all probably hosted it at some point. They definitely have. And then there were at least, yeah, two of them. Ooh. What was the original title of the movie? Are there options?

Mean Girls, Queen Bees, The Click, or Homeschooled? I mean, I feel like it was always Mean mean girls but this is probably a trick question so the click nope it was always mean girls oh okay i thought it was queen bees because it's based off of a book well queen bees was a reality show that stassi used to be on really Really? Yeah. Interesting. Back in the day. That was, like, the first reality show. Just about, like, girls in L.A.? It was just, like, basically, like, a real world, but it was, like, a bunch of, like, bratty, like, teenager, early 20s girls who all, like, lived in a house together and were just, like, spoiled.

And, yeah, I never watched it, but I know she was on a show called Queen Bees. Interesting. Okay, how about this one? I know she was on a show called Queen Bees. Interesting. Okay, how about this one? According to IMDb and director Mark Waters, what other roles did Amanda Seyfried – how do you say her last name? Is it Seyfried or Seyfried?

I don't know. We know who we're talking about. What other roles did she originally try for? I think she auditioned for Regina and Katie. Correct. I remember seeing that somewhere before. And then Lindsay Lohan originally auditioned for Regina George. Correct. I remember seeing that somewhere before. And then Lindsay Lohan originally auditioned for Regina George. Correct.

That was another question. Which pair does not kiss at the end of the movie? Janice and Damien. They do because then they're like, ew. Katie and Aaron. They do. Regina and Shane. Yes.

Miss Norbury and Principal Dwell. No. They dance together at the end end but they don't kiss. But they're like looking at each other all like dreamy. What word did Karen once ask Damien how to spell? Orange. Who was king at

Spring Fling? Shane Omen. You are too good at this. You need to unwatch this movie. I know. This is like with Almost Fam almost famous to like when I play almost famous trivia I've just it's like one of my favorite movies I've seen it so many times that I know it's all happening yeah

it's like the majority of my cameo requests or can you sing good as gold last night I got one that wanted me to sing what I like and to add this guy's name in it and his name what it was like I-R-F-A-H-N, Earphon. And so I was like, I can't sing. Did you do it?

Because I want to get a copy of this. I did. So it's probably in my deleted, actually, because I delete whatever. But so I played my song in the background and I was like, what I like, Earphon. Because I'm like, I played my song in the background and I was like, what I like your fun because I'm like, I can't sing as we all know. I can sing over my track. I need to get a little tweet or fond video. Yeah. So, and I wanted to post that one public, but it didn't let me because sometimes people request them to be private. Interesting. Probably because they're

going to sell that guy would buy their fond video and then sometimes i can request that it doesn't go posted on my page okay you didn't want that one um no no i did want that one but it wouldn't let me i like putting the funny ones on my page but what's the weirdest thing someone's asked you to do on cameo twerk i think that was the weirdest one did you do it work no i was actually in the car when it was like about to expire and i was like shit i have to do this cameo before it expires and i saw that they wanted me to twerk and i was like well you know i'm in the car right now i was in the passenger seat but i was like i can't really twerk but um i think i may be like saying i'm good as gold or something instead i don't. I don't think I would work on it either.

No. Have you ever seen – do you ever get tagged in these or do you often get tagged in them on social media? Very rarely. Like sometimes people tweet them to me. Yeah. But I also – I don't check my DMs on Instagram regularly. Yeah. So I wouldn't know if they're in there.

People are tagging. I wonder – let's look through my DMs while we're just here chilling. I would love to. Let me look through them and pick which ones we should read. Let's see if there's anything interesting. Ooh, Spot Me, Graham just posted a new photo. That's hot. Womp womp.

Shut up. All right. In the DMs, who has slid in? Oh, can we also talk about what we did to Nima and what we want people to continue to do? Oh, my God. Okay, wait. You guys, we want to keep this going. So I'm going to keep – when I do Insta Lives, I'm going to remind you.

So Nima from Shaws of Sunset, like my by far bougiest male friend I have, we like to tease him about how like he always just has to have, you know, like high end top notch everything. He wants to go to like Nobu all the time and stuff. And we want to go to like P.F. Chang's. And he makes fun of us. Yeah. Well, Benihana. I'm like, dude, let's go to Olive Garden. Like unlimited breadsticks.

And he makes fun of us. So we've decided that we're going to have everybody. You have to help us with this. that we're going to have everybody, you have to help us with this, go to at Nima Vand on Instagram and comment on all of his latest photos saying like Olive Garden, Outbox Steakhouse, Benihana. Chili's. Yeah. Applebee's. Fridays. Any chain restaurant you can think of, like make comments. Your favorite one. About going there with him at the restaurant and like tag them so that they hear it. Or like comment, just be like, oh my God, I saw you at Olive Garden last night. Like who was that girl you were with?

I also want to spread the rumor that I saw him signing a celeb photo for the wall at Benihana. It's like a rumor I really want to get started. I posted on a couple of his Instagrams. Oh my God. Yes. I would go out there a little bit. I was like, I can't believe you signed a celeb photo of yourself at Benihana for the wall.

Can't wait to see it. The majority of my DMS right now are asking for my enchilada recipe. I think you should put it out there. Yeah. Um, Oh, and then here's, here's a,

no, I'm not putting my enchilada recipe out there. That's a family secret. Um, so then someone says to me, I don't mean to seem rude, but I'm wondering how you have zero empathy for Jordan Woods based on your history and what it brought your way.

Judge not. Again, this is something that we discussed last week on the bonus shenanigans episode that we put out on Friday. It's a different situation. Like Jordan is here in 2019, literally Kylie's best friend, basically Khloe's little sis. I mean, are they trying to compare this to Brandy? Is that what they're saying? Yeah, they're trying to say like you are the other woman.

It's like it is such a different situation. Also, did you have a modeling contract with Brandy when all that happened? You know, like Jordan Woods was working for Khloe, best friends with her family. There's a lot. And she knew that they were together. That's like the biggest the one thing that like i literally got chills when i saw it on chloe's story was when she said it was like she had posted like a bunch of quotes and stuff and it was like the thing that hurts the

most is um when the person who hurt you is the person you explained your pain to it was just like oh so yeah i think the jordan woods thing is not comparable. It's not comparable. What she did, I don't know anything that's comparable to that one. No, I'm just like, I'm sorry, I don't have respect for her. And if you don't have respect for me because of something I did 13 years ago, then so be it. Like, I'm not begging anyone for forgiveness anymore. And yet they slide into the DMs and they have to know.

Yeah, whatever. No, the Jordan Woods thing was definitely a scandal for a reason because it was shocking and kind of crazy. And she gained, I think, 2 million followers over the last- Is it 2 million now? Over the last month from it. Let me check. That is insane.

But something like that. And it's because it's like just so crazy, intertwined, and fascinating. Let's see. Yeah, she's at 9.5 or 9.6. She was just under eight before. So she's like being rewarded. Uh at 9.5 or 9.6 she was just under eight wow so she's like being rewarded uh-huh yep yeah it's crazy but yeah i don't think those are comparable so yeah lock delete yep uh let's see what else i got enchilada recipe egg retrieval enchilada recipe no dick pics today when you get the one that's like click to unblur content no thank you like heather was saying she's like i'm always afraid it's like

what if it's something but okay there was i remember back in the day um i think it was season two my birthday party no season three my birthday party because it was after two, my birthday party. No, season three, my birthday party. Because it was after there was a fight at my engagement party and just season two. Season three, the, like, opening episodes are my 29th birthday. And Sandoval and James and everyone got in, like, a huge fight that night. It was, like, this whole thing about, like, I'm— Wait, were you guys at—where were you guys?

We were at Mixology. That's right. I was like, were you guys where were you we were at mixology yes but before the fight happened sandoval and i sat down and i was like i can't cry because these eyelashes are mink and i got so much shit i had people like dming and tweeting me like pictures of skinned minks oh god and just like how could you do that and i'm like first of all the company i work with is 100 cruelty free they are only made from natural mink sheddings like it was just like that doesn't make me feel better no but it i don't wear them anymore i was i was expecting you to say they were 100 vegan no but it's just like from like natural like sheddings like you know when you pet salem and

like all his hair comes off obviously you're not gonna wear cat hair on your eyelashes are you talking about your Salem or my Salem your your cat's name is Salem my boyfriend's name is Salem I'm talking about my cat I still don't think I would want the cat's shedded hair no that's what I'm saying I'm trying I'm making it I'm comparing I'm saying you know how like if you pet a cat like that's not hurting them right if you no one wants cat hair for anything I'm just saying you know how if you pet a cat, that's not hurting them. No one wants cat hair for anything. I'm just saying. It was a thing. Now they're vegan, right?

Mink eyelashes were a thing. I don't wear them anymore. That's good. And now I just wear these synthetic individual whatevers. Hey, our special guest is here. What's up? Hi. Hi up danny that's me yeah all right so here he is how do you say your last name because i don't want to say it incorrectly okay franzessi that sounds fancy right Right? How about you? You try.

Franze? What? I didn't even, like, put the S in there. What am I, like, a cheap or... I'll have the box Franze. You said she did too much. Hers was too fancy. So I was trying to shorten it. The Fran part.

It's more like I don't have my own air conditioner. I have to use my Franze-see. Oh. Franze-see? Franze-see. Franze-see. Daniel, Franze-see. That's it. I love that. What's up,. Frenzacy. Frenzacy. Daniel Frenzacy. That's it.

I love that. What's up, Danny, on Instagram? That's what's up. How are you? I'm good. I'm sorry I'm late. No, don't worry about it. We just played a fun Mean Girls quiz while we were waiting for you.

Well, better late than never. Yeah. We just saw Mean Girls last night at the Rooftop Cinema. Oh, okay. It was our homework for this. Yes. We were like, we'll rewatch. We got to rewatch on a rooftop Rooftop Cinema. It was our homework for this. Yes. So we were like, we'll rewatch. We got to rewatch on a rooftop, which was super fun.

It was fun. And then last week, I was in New York, and I saw Mean Girls on Broadway. Oh, how fun. Yeah. Aren't they good? They were so good. I saw you had been there because you signed your name on the bathroom stall. How did you see that?

When you were backstage? I got a backstage tour. Oh, look at you. Yeah. One of the guys who subs for the Damien character is a friend of my friend Colin's. Oh, how lovely. So he gave us a backstage tour. Oh, that's so fun.

What did you think of the live performance? It was great. I mean, it was, you know, it's the kind of thing like the gay guy who played the gay guy in the gay movie. Like, go see the gay guy play the gay guy in the gay musical. Yeah. I thought it was going to explode into purple glitter, but no, it was good. It's its own thing, and that thing's fabulous. It's fun gay guy. I play the gay guy in the gay musical. Yeah. I thought it was going to explode into purple glitter. But no, it was good. It's its own thing.

And that thing's fabulous. It's fun and exciting. Yeah. We were talking earlier about how they added social media to it and how it's sort of – Right. How updated it is. I love how Damien's sexually active too. Yeah.

My Damien, I don't even think had his first kiss yet. That Damien is like – Was the first kiss at the Spring Fling dance for Damien? You mean with – Janice? Yeah, with Janice. Yeah, maybe. I cannot believe it's been 15 years since that movie came out.

I feel like – I mean we still quote it. We're both wearing pink today. Yeah. Aw, look at you. So cute. So do you watch Vanderpump Rules? No.

OK, good. So perfect. You have no idea anything about me. OK. So I'm on a reality show that's based out of a restaurant in West Hollywood. Right. Well, I know Lisa Vanderpump. Okay.

Yeah. I know her from like her support of the LGBTQ community. Yes. She's out. I adore her. Yeah. We do huge pride parties every year at Sur Pump. Now at Tom Tom, that's opening.

So at Sur, like the second or third Wednesday of every month, we do a girls night in. And it's on Wednesdays we wear pink is our theme. So we started that this year. Well, maybe I'll have to show up. Yeah. Is there a charcuterie plate? Because I turned out for that. We'll get you one.

We can make that happen. The goat cheese balls are the best. All right. I'm in. I'm in. Okay. So obviously we're going to talk some Mean Girls stuff, but what are you working on right now? What have you been up to since the movie?

I cannot believe it's been 15 years. Well, that's a big, tall order of a question. What have I done for the past 15 years? No, like, I mean, what are you working on right now? I know you're IMDb. You have like 50 credits. Well, I've been on TV for the past few years. I did Looking.

I did Recovery Road on Freeform. I did Conviction on ABC. Kind of looking for the right next TV project. So taking my time on that. But in the meantime, I've been on tour on my stand-up comedy tour, which is the Yas You're Amazing Tour. I was watching some of your story highlights on your Instagram. When's your next show?

Is it in LA? In LA, I have a show. Are we live? Does this air? No, this will come out Tuesday. Okay, Tuesday. So you'll miss both my shows. No, I have a show, a monthly show at the Comedy Store called West Hollywood Brunch.

And it's like one Friday a month, and it's at night, and it's like the awesome LGBTQ showcase there. Oh, awesome. Is that this coming Friday? Yeah. And then I have a show monthly at Flappers in Burbank called Danny Franzese and Amazing Friends, which is, you know, allies and LGBTQ people. Fun. They just kill. It's just so much fun.

When's that? That one's Sunday. Okay. That's like one Sunday every month. So they change around because of my schedule, but it's a Friday and a Sunday every month. Okay. I do two different shows here in Los Angeles. And then a myriad of other ones. I had two shows last night. So it's just like constantly just adding shows. And when I'm

here, I have to – I mean, I'm a workaholic. Yeah. That's awesome. Who are some of your favorite comedians that you've worked with recently? Oh, right now there's so many emerging awesome queer comics. I can name a whole bunch. There's A.B. Cassidy. She's incredible. There nikki paris who's hysterical uh pete sias uh tim murray um uh justin sayer cracks me up uh kyle yeah yeah he's so funny you have to just like look these people up they're so great whenever you see that i am on my instagram anyone that's listening that goes to my instagram which is what's up danny if you see that i'm posting a comedy show and you can't make it

or you're in another state, go and I always tag in my story all the different comedians. Go and follow them because they're hysterical on their social media. Oh, amazing. And you can enjoy them in lots of other ways. They've got great YouTube videos and different things out there. So try to find them because we're trying to give more exposure to gay comics. You know, we've never

had a gay or a transgender headlining comedian. We've had lesbian headlining comedians, but we've never had a gay or a transgender headlining comedian. We've had lesbian headlining comedians, but we've never had someone who like sold out Madison Square Garden. Wow, that surprises me actually. Actually, I guess Eddie Izzard's transgender, so we've never had a gay man do it. So he's probably the one that hasn't, you know, done it. So it's like, like, that's what we need, you know?

So who knows? It might not be me, but if it's not me, I'm going to open the door for the person who it is. Yeah. I love going to comedy shows. Me too. It's one of my favorite things to do. I was just going to say, I don't always remember everybody's names, especially if it's back to back to back.

But as soon as I see a comedian, like their photo or themselves in person again, all of their jokes come back to me. I'm like, I remember everything that you said. It's so much fun. The show, I mean, the comedy story, like our audience is even mostly straight. It's just so much fun. We just, I mean the comedy story, like our audience is even mostly straight. It's just so much fun. We just – like people are just howling. It's just so crazy to me because I guess it's because gay people aren't funny. It must be the reason.

I saw on Instagram that you follow Chester Lockhart. Yeah. Are you guys friends? Yes. I know Chester through Todrick Hall. OK. I've done a lot of things with Todrick in the past. Amazing.

We've made a lot of songs and had projects together. I love Chester. And they're just friends. And I love Chester too. He's the funniest person. They did a show together in Vegas. Him and I had the line set up. Oh yes! I remember that. Yeah. Okay. Yes. Yeah. So I did that with him. I wanted to go see that really bad. It looked really excellent. It was amazing. You guys were on billboards and stuff. Fabulous. Everywhere.

It was the coolest experience of my life. It must have been great. It's still up. It is. On one of the marquees. I was just in Vegas. There's nothing better than a dusty billboard that didn't come down yet. No, no. It's not on the billboard. It's on the Paris, like the Jumbotron.

They're still playing our video. It's such false advertising, but it's so cool. Let it be there. I know. Every time I go to Vegas, it's still there. I was just there last weekend, and I'm sitting at a restaurant at the Cosmo and I look over at, like, across the fountains and then I see the marquee

and I was like, oh my god, that's me. That's Chester. And I was like, they really are still playing her video. I didn't get to see that production, but I heard you guys were great. It was great. It was so much fun. I think I saw it four times and you and Chester have awesome chemistry. Yeah. I mean, you guys just, it was hilarious. Would you ever play a role like that? Like something have awesome chemistry. I mean, you guys just, it was hilarious.

Would you ever play a role like that? Yeah, sure. I could totally see you playing Dan Anderson. I'm so into theater and like, you know, going out and just doing whatever I can for live audiences. I love a live audience. You would be so good for that part. That would be so fun. Yes, you would.

Well, there you go. Yeah. Well, I know current Vegas contracts I think are up in May. But you be so fun. Yes, you would. Well, there you go. Yeah. Well, I know current Vegas contracts, I think, are up in May. But you're so busy. You have your one-man show twice a month, every month, Fridays, Sunday. I want to go this weekend. I would love to go. Let's go.

That'd be so fun. Yeah, please come. I'll take care of you. I would love to have you there. Okay. What time on Friday? 8 o'clock. Well, you should be there at 7.30 at the Comedy Store. 7.30 Comedy Store. Because it gets really crowded. We sell out, so I'll make sure we get you guys good seats. Fun.

Amazing. And then the other one is 9 o'clock on Sunday. Okay. We just saw a couple comedians, what was that, like two weeks ago for Mark's birthday? Oh, at the Improv? Yes. Yeah. Wait, no, not the Improv.

We were at the Laugh Factory. Laugh Factory. Yeah. I just saw a UCB show this weekend, too. I do love the UCB stuff. Yeah. Wait, no, not the improv. We were at the Laugh Factory. Laugh Factory. Yeah. I just saw a UCB show this weekend too. I do love the UCB stuff. Yeah. I love them. It's so much fun.

It's like, it's right by my house and it's like seven bucks and it's, they're awesome. They're like. Yeah. Some of them are free even. Yeah. Yeah. It's a lot of fun. I love that, that whole scene.

It's awesome. So do you keep in touch with any of your Mean Girls co-stars? Yeah. Yeah. We talk when we can. There's like, we have, I have love for all of them. So it almost feels like we share this big experience. It's a huge pillar of our careers and our lives.

Yeah, totally. So we have that that bonds us forever. That movie was iconic. I didn't realize actually until we were watching it yesterday that Lorne Michaels was – The producer. Yeah, and how involved was he? He was there every day. Yeah. I mean, he was scary.

Really? Yeah, like intimidating, I should say. He's a sweet man, and he was very nice. I mean, they were so good to us on that movie. Yeah. Giving us gifts and taking us out to concerts and dinners and comedians and just making us feel special.

I had such a great experience working for Lorne and for Paramount and Tina. Nice. Yeah. What do you think, because I know you're actor, writer, director, comedian, activist. Blah, blah, blah, blah.

You do, you wear so many hats. Is there one that you're most passionate about? Chronic masturbating. No. I just, you know, I'm an entertainer. Yeah. Or as RuPaul says, an entertainter. I'm like, I just love to, you know I'm an entertainer. Yeah. Or as RuPaul says, an entertainer. I'm like – I just love to be an entertainer.

So all of that is the same thing. It's like if I was a painter, I'd be doing watercolor, acrylic, oil. It's like different mediums to me. But as long as I'm entertaining, I'm enjoying my life. Would you ever do reality TV? If it was the right project, sure. We have a friend who says you won't do reality TV or porn. Those are the only two things he won't touch in the industry.

I can't imagine I'm lining up to do porn at this stage of my career. But, you know, one other turn. Speaking of reality TV, did you watch Low Hand Beach Club? I watched part of it. I was disappointed only because I wanted more low hand. I wanted her like there every,

you know, I felt like she was like a Trojan horse to get me to watch these like bartenders trying to like, you know, bag each other. I was like not having it. I think she was trying to play like Lisa Vanderpump. She definitely was trying to be Lisa. And everybody wants her to be like the beach club queen instead of like the boss. Well, yeah, because that's why she said she wanted to copy the formula of Vanderpump rules and take that, you know, to Greece and make it that. But I think, yeah, it probably would have been more interesting if she was more involved than just the boss. Yeah.

But I feel like people probably wanted to see more like Lindsay Lohan, the train wreck, like drunk and stuff, like not being the boss. I mean, I didn't expect that. You know, I expected her to definitely be opinionated. Yeah. But, you know, I watched the first couple episodes. I enjoyed it. I don't get to watch much tv i'm always on the road yeah it's like when i'm on a plane i want to sleep yeah when i'm in a hotel i want to like sleep it's like i just want to like yeah because i'm either driving or performing or flying yeah what are some of your

favorite cities other than la to visit or you know what's crazy is i've experienced such incredible things in different cities i i found this connection in omaha nebraska okay like i did it doesn't sound like it would be a place that would be progressive or fun but i had the best food like yeah interesting foodies um i met an awesome uh gay comic there named david burge and like uh he was omaha's best comic and so he does a show there called gay af and then flew me back out we did like this huge show there they have an awesome four-story gay club there called The Max. Oh, cool. And the weekend I happened to be there, Raven was there from Drag Race.

I know her. So we partied out. We kind of did stuff on the stage together. Really cool. And now I'm going to be – they host Heartland Pride, which is like the Midwestern Pride. And I'm going to be the grand marshal of Heartland Pride this year. Oh, my god. That's amazing.

That's amazing. So who knew I would have this like connection in Omaha? Right. Sounds like Nebraska is like bumping. Yeah. It's so much fun. I really loved it. And then, you know, I've also been like all over Wisconsin, Iowa,

like all these great cities in these places that I didn't even know. You know, there's an awesome place called Zombie Burger in Des Moines. Every time I'm in Des Moines, I got to hit it up. Yeah. I think Omaha was the first place that Bryce hit number one. Oh, okay. One of our friends, Bryce Fine. Have you heard that Drew Barrymore song?

He's very up and coming, but it was Omaha, Nebraska he started blowing up. Interesting. And I was like, I never thought about going to Omaha, Nebraska. It's a cool scene there, I guess. Who knew? And how accepting and amazing the audiences are in Milwaukee and all these places. Yeah.

So much fun. And I've just been having a blast. I actually, I'm like the king of accidental pride parades. I'll be like, book somewhere and not realize it's pride. Yeah, that just happened to us in Sydney, Australia. Oh, wow, that must have been fun. Yeah, it was pride and Mardi Gras. We had no idea. See, that's the best. It was crazy. Not as glamorous, but it happened to be in Ak Sydney, Australia. Oh, wow. That must have been fun. Yeah, it was Pride and Mardi Gras. We had no idea.

See, that's the best. It was crazy. Not as glamorous, but I happened to be in Akron, Ohio. Yeah, I'm from Ohio. That's where I guess. I had a great time. I had an awesome time. Ohio's great.

They were like, well, I don't know what you could do. We'll see what's going on. But it happened to be Pride. And Aquaria was performing and this whole thing. And I was just like, I don't know. I'm just here for the night. So fun. Ohio has a lot of good Pride festivals.

Columbus, Ohio, where I'm from, has a huge pride festival and parade fabulous I've been Nina West who's like yeah I love her oh my gosh she's like the there's a uh gay bar in Columbus called the union um that always does does a drag show every Thursday night I believe Thursday or Tuesday I was there for like their musical Monday okay Okay. Fun. And it's like – it's amazing. And Nina West is like the queen of that place. Yeah, she's currently on Drag Race. Okay. Oh, I didn't realize she was currently on Drag Race.

Do you know Trey Pearson? That name sounds really familiar. He's a Columbus native. He's a Christian singer who came out of the closet. Okay. And like his label dropped him and everything else. Wow. And now he has like this new album, Love is Love, that's out that's like awesome.

And so I'm friends with him. Okay. And he connected me to Nina. And we had a big gay old time in Columbus. Who knew, right? Yeah, Columbus knows. What an awesome city that place is. Yes.

It's a secret that people don't even know about. Your sister said the same thing. Yes. No, it's a great city. All the little restaurants, all the little shops. I'm just like, oh, this city's got it together. Yes. I lived within walking distance of the Union when I lived there.

Fun. What was that area called down there? Short North. Short North. Yeah. That was a party. Nice. I had a great time.

I love it. Yeah, your sister went to Columbus, Ohio with Erica. She was on tour. She was like, this is my favorite small city that we've done. I know. It's still on my American city bucket list. Yeah. Yeah, I have a few of those, too.

I haven't quite done Nashville. I just was there two weeks ago. We were just there. But it was like a drive-by. I didn't even get of those too. I haven't quite done Nashville. I just was there two weeks ago, but it was like a drive by. I didn't even like anything. I didn't get to experience it yet. And then, uh, I also want,

I've never been to a Seattle. I haven't either. That's on my list as well. I really want to go to Seattle. Ever since Seattle real world. I'm like, I want to go check it out. Right.

Oh my God. Totally. Back in the day. I was like, Oh, I know kind of know what it's like from that. Yeah. I'd want to do a grunge band tour in Seattle where you go to all the hot spots where all the grunge bands started out.

I just want to lick that gum wall. No, I'm just kidding. It's so gross. I saw somebody do that on the internet. I was like, disgusting. Is there anything anybody wants on the internet? Right. Also, you are a huge meme lover like I am.

Yeah, I'm a meme queen. You always are reposting the best of everything who are your favorite like meme stars oh that's fun because they have like a click in la like yeah uh i love a response to aristocrat uh tender chris and ryan lizzie uh fisher and who else uh uh dynasty at dusk uh i don't know if i know that one. Drinks for Gays. Oh, yes. There's a whole bunch of them. And I just love, they just crack me up. I love a good meme.

What do you think of all the stuff happening right now with Fuck Jerry, with him stealing memes and things from other comics and stuff like that? I think it's time that that stops. I mean, I don't, it's hard when you're posting things that know the origin. Right. Or you want to know the origin. Right. Or you want to ruin the jokes with a bunch of like, this came from this person, via this person. Like the Bible, it's like, begat Azariah, begat Elijah. Right.

But I feel like it's important that if you're making like primarily your income is coming from you being a meme poster. Yeah. And thinking that it's your wit and your gifts and your talent. That's a different story. I think of like the people I'm talking about are like stand-ups that just post funny stuff right they're making their money because of their stand-up they're not making their money off of somebody else do like you know and these people are deliberately like why erasing watermarks and things like that yeah so yeah i think fuck fuck jerry that's been a big thing lately yeah um okay

so we're going to the show this weekend that is gonna be yeah let's do it um what's you've done so much i was looking at your imdb last night you've done so many things what other than mean girls do you think has been your favorite role you've played i think uh i i'm just assuming mean girls is one of your favorites yeah no it's a great role obviously uh it's the one i'm most known for. But if you're asking me, what are my B-sides and my D-cuts? My first movie, Bully, was a big thing for me.

It was an indie hit that was really fun. And I was in Party Monster for a little bit. But how cool to be in that movie. I also, I've done a couple of horror movies that I really love.

I love that. Like I Spent Under Grave and Kill Theory. Those are really fun, cool movies. I want to do a horror movie. That people who are fans of mine know but maybe other people might know i was in yeah um and i love my role i'm looking on hbo yeah like i couldn't do that i could do that forever you know and above everything i think my favorite thing that i've ever done is on youtube when i do shit italian mom say when i play my mom i dress up like my mom stop it yeah how did i not find

this when we were researching it's like my favorite. Stop it. Wait, how did I not find this when we were researching? I mean, it's like my favorite thing because I could watch that and crack up like it's not me because I think it's like a prank I played on my mom. You know what I mean?

That's amazing. Tell me some of the things your mom says that are, that have made it. Oh, they're just so funny on there. Like, I just don't, like, one of my favorite lines that I say in that thing,

it's like so, so quick, but like, is she opens the fridge and she's like, I'm not the one drinking it. What do you want? Which to me, it's like, my mom's like, what do and she's like, I'm not the one drinking it. What do you want? Which to me, it's like my mom's like, what do you want to drink? I'm like, anything's fine. No, really?

What do you want? I have our juice. I have water, soda, anything. No, well, what do you want? Then it starts out like, what would you like? And then it ends up like she's yelling at me, right? I don't know how she gets to that. I love that.

Or one of the lines like is, you know, it's an Italian mom thing. So it's like, yeah, I still on Facebook. She just got back from Florida. She got real good color. All those different kinds of sayings. That's amazing. In my stand-up, I talk about how my mom has her own language, which I call mommy's. Love it.

She says things that you have to kind of decipher what she's talking about. Yeah. She'd be like, why did they name the head of Hogwarts after a hallway? Double doors? Like, I don't understand. You know? Or like, you guys know the movie Frozen? Yes.

Who's the snowman? Olaf. Olaf. Like, everybody knows Olaf, but my mother. Like, my niece is getting out of the pool. She's like, somebody hand me the Zoloft towel. The baby's shaking. She needs a Zoloft.

Like, everyone thinks my six-year-old niece is depressed. And so I mess with her. I always mess with her. I'll be like, Ma, name a Johnny Depp movie. She'll be like, Edwin Suzanne. Why? I'll be like, Ma, they're like – So close.

I'll be like, Bill Cosby, did you see that he only got three years? She's like, yeah, and I'm really upset with the jujitsu system. She'll be like, eat this love for bread. I'm like, Ma, I can't. It's all carbs. She's like you know what you're a snob when you were in college all you ate were those asian roman numerals that's amazing oh my god that's so good so close yet so yeah and everybody's name's wrong

she'll be like you know she'll be like brian thecrest keith o'sullivan very very close but so far, mom. Oh my God, we have to watch those. That's so funny. And I'm trying to make something animated on that right now because everyone's begging me for more. That would be amazing.

Italian mom has her own page on Facebook and out of all of my social media channels, it gets the most engagement. Really? Like if I post something, it gets like 2,000 shares, 8,000 shares. I'm like, what the hell? They love it.

That audience, it's small but mighty. Love that. And so I have to feed the monster. I'm like, what the hell? They love it. Yeah. That audience is small but mighty. Love that. And so I have to feed the monster. I have to find something else I can do. But to do the entire character, I have to shave my beard. And I like getting laid. Oh, yeah. I think everyone loves a good beard.

Does your mom live in LA? No, she lives in Florida now. So do you have to call her to get new material often? No, I haven't. I have a lifetime worth of material. My brother and sister call me, oh, my god, do you know to call her to get new material often? No, I haven't. I have a lifetime worth of material. My brother and sister call me, oh my god, do you know what she said today? Like, I don't know, tell me a new one. Writing this down.

A really good one. She called Wolfgang Puck, she was like, I forget what she called him. Oh man, this is not even funny because I don't even remember. But it's always something. She's always got some kind of name that you're like, what? And you kind of know what she's talking about. You're like, I know what you mean. For a fun record, she'd be like, we're going to Fun Lovers.

Or she'll change it to Italian. Like, we're going to get a burrito. She's like, we're going to Chipotle's. One of my British friends came to America and he's like, I've been really wanting to eat at Chipotle. And I'm like, Chipotle? I was like, oh, Chipotle. Not Chipotle.

Chipotle. Yeah. So Janet and I, when we were looking up stuff last night, came across the letter that you wrote to your character, Damien, which was – Five years ago. Yeah. Which was so – But so moving. It was the 10-year anniversary of the movie.

Right. And so what – I guess like what inspired you to want to write it to your character? Well, it's interesting because when your movie is like three years old, it's like kind of old. And then when it's like seven years old, it's like, well, that's kind of still good. But then when it's like 10, it's like a classic. Yeah. Absolutely. And I think that the energy of that happening was very prevalent.

Like January, February – it's the end of April. So January, February, like it was like everything we did was in the paper. You know, I ran into Lindsay in a restaurant and it was in like the Times of India. Like it's crazy how that stuff just like was catching fire, you know? So I had been meaning to come out for quite some time and Portland had asked me to be the Grand Marshal of PDX Pride. And I was like, oh, I was like, I can't do this and be in the closet. I was teetering with, what should I do? And then I got a letter from a fan that said, I don't know if you're gay or not, and it

doesn't matter. And the first thing I thought was, it matters so much. And then he was like, but when I was in eighth grade, I got beat up for being chubby, and I was tortured for being a sissy. And then your movie came out. And on the first day of ninth grade, the popular senior girls

were like, you're just like Damien. Come sit with us. Oh my God. He's like, you made me popular. I got chills. He's like,

you made me popular. Thank you for being like an example in media of something that I can like say that I'm like because there was nothing else like that.

And then I started thinking about when I was 16, like there wasn't anybody that was queer or big or queer that wasn't like thrown in a locker like, had his head dunked in. You know? Yeah.

Demi was just able to exist without fear for his life. And cool and confident. Yeah. And just, like, chill, you know? And himself. Right. And so I realized the impact that that had. And all of a sudden I started getting, like, an influx of more and more letters like that.

And I was like, I'm going to write my own letter yeah yeah and so it was really my fans that actually um got me to figure out how to respond to that you're right so i wrote a letter back and then uh man i can't even tell you like i felt very privileged to feel such complex human emotions i was like sobbing at some of the letters i got back people were like i came out to my family tonight and like people were like oh i should do this and i should do that. And at that time, Jonathan Bennett was still in the closet. Yeah. And I was urging him, I'm like, please, this is a great opportunity. But it's still a struggle

out there. It's very difficult for such a creative industry. People who run the money are very uncreative. So when you guys did the movie, did you and Jonathan know about each other? Yeah, we did. Okay. I didn't know if that was, like, super secret or – I assume you had already come out to your family way before the letter.

Yeah. My family, yeah. Like, I came out to myself around probably, like, 24. Okay. And then slowly was, like, still figuring it out. I came out to myself as bi, and I was, like, still trying to, like, figure out, like, what that meant. Not realizing what we realize now of, like, the fluidity of all of this stuff right it had to be like you don't have to throw a label on it yeah you know yeah and so uh i just realized i guess like you know around my mid-20s i just wanted to be with men and like that was like my you know

right yeah and i came to terms with that i told my my mom like came to terms with it i had a boyfriend for like three years before I told my dad. Oh, wow. I think that was helpful because I could be like, this is what you think. Whatever you think, that's not what it is. This is what it is. Right. You know what I mean?

And, you know, so he was pretty cool about it. Everybody was cool about it. There were some growing pains. There were some weird things. I mean, I went to conversion therapy. Oh, my gosh. So that was weird. And they told me to tell my mom that

my homosexual thoughts were her fault which i did so that so me and my mom had a falling out when i first came out wow talk for quite some time which is the only time we've ever had that in my life and now my mom's like on pride floats with me like in san francisco that's amazing yeah she's so advanced now and like you know knows everything i mean just this Christmas, we had a very POC trans experience. We watched all of Pose. We watched Paris is Burning. And now she's following Vogue Houses on Instagram. Aw.

Just learning about the history of our culture. I love that. My mom, I feel like, is always super supportive of all that stuff. And so much so that she'll call me and she'll be like, your cousin came out as something sexual. What is that like and it'll be like one of the ones i'm like i actually have to google that one i'm like yeah i think it was pansexual or something she's like what is pansexual and i was like it's something along these lines but i think that's where you're attracted to like qualities and characteristics of someone not necessarily

gender but you hear my mom be like, what does this mean? And she was like, what do I call her? I'm like the same. I'm like, I'll send you a brochure, mom. Being gay is a lot like randomly finding out you're adopted. Because it's like, you know, I grew up Italian. I grew up white. I grew up with all these different things.

And then all of a sudden I'm like, oh, now I'm also this. And this has a whole history and a culture and heroes and all these other things that now belong to my spirit. Yeah. Interesting. I would never think of it as like being adopted, but that's – It's kind of like that. You're just like, oh, you find out – or finding out like what your nationality is later in life. It's like kind of a weird thing.

Right. So I found all these new things to be proud of and these new things to research and these new things to realize. all these new things to be proud of and these new things to research and these new things to realize i just saw a meme the other day speaking of memes that was like uh isn't it funny when sometimes you think back to when you were a kid and you were like so gay before you even knew what gay was and i'm like it's so true like how was i so attracted to bett midler and you know like and all that gay shit like i just was like loving gay shit like i've been loving gay shit like i don't know you're like all the signs have don't know. Didn't even know it. You're like, all the signs have been here. Yeah, didn't even know it.

Like, drawn to, like, why was I so drawn to Bernadette Peters? She was on The Muppet Show, and I was like, I love that lady. And, like, you know, it's just like, how did I know? How did I know that she would be a gay high? Why was I watching Golden Girls when I was seven? Oh, I loved Golden Girls. What did you think of Ariana Grande's Thank U,? Oh, I loved Golden Girls. That's so funny. What did you think of Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next video?

I loved it. I love Ari. I stan Ari. Me too. She's amazing. She asked me to be in the video. She did, yeah. That was my next question.

I low-key feel like I was an inspiration, but I didn't want to go that far. But we've been friends for a long time. She's been following me since she was on Sam and Kat. Before she's become the Ariana Grande that I was. I did Victorious with her back in the day oh she's legit crossed over she's like it now oh i know yeah yeah yeah victoria justice was the shit on that show and i also know it was great yeah but i but ari has been like following me forever i've never met her like she's been so kind to me we talk in the dms you know what i mean like i know her mother her brother like her everyone yeah i've just never met her.

I've even been to her concert and never met her. I've been to her house and I've never met her because I know Frankie as well. But she has always been... Well, I mean, I met her on set, but, like, now, yeah. We make each other laugh and we say funny things and we send each other memes and do all that kind of stuff. Yeah. And so, like, earlier this year,

when she did the No Tears Left to Cry, she was sending all these influencers like the sweatshirt with a no tears left to cry upside down and i was like i love her so much i'm gonna buy the sweatshirt and wear it and just like take a picture and like to support her but they didn't make my size so i called i messaged her and i was just like hey i was like you know i wanted to do this but you didn't make my size she goes oh my god what's your size and i was like 3x and she was like i'll make you one and i was like you don't have to i was like but you didn't make my size. She goes, oh my god, what's your size? And I was like, 3X. And she was like, I'll make you one. And I was like, you don't have to. I was like, but if you do, I'll wear it. And she was like, okay, I will.

Well, this is like, this is last summer. I'm in the pool and I look at my friend's apartment building and someone's like, you're Ari's friend, right? And I'm like, who? And he's like, Ari Aragonda. And I'm like, yeah, yeah. And he's like, I'm the one making your sweatshirt. And he's like, I just want to let you know that when she

found out that they didn't make her size she's now making 3X in all her merch so all the Daniels can have it that's amazing and I was like how cute is she

and then I'm like oh my god I'm obsessed with her blah blah blah and then I get and then like I forget about it and then like

months later a gigantic box like I'm talking a gigantic box shows up at my house with every single piece of her merch in it in my size

and other people's sizes so I gave it to my family i love that she sent me like you're gonna make me cry like light up like cat ear earphones for like my niece like her perfume like she's just like the sweetest human wow see i love hearing that too because i feel like you hear so many negative things about her in the press so it's always i mean just with it was like like the things with like the donut and just like disrespectful i Yeah, but that's silly stuff. I know little things, but it's like I just – I always love hearing the nice stories like that. I mean, if we were being watched 24-7, yeah, I know. Of course.

But like she's lovely. And then she asked me – she was like, would you do this music video? I was like, yes. And then all her people started reaching out. But like I'm a tourist, so it's like really hard, you know? And they're like, it's going to be Sunday. And I'm like, I'm in. And they're like, no, no, no, no.

It's going to be Tuesday. And I'm like, I'm out. Like I had already made a commitment and I had already sold like hundreds of tickets to my fans. And I'm like, I'm in. And they're like, no, no, no, no. It's going to be Tuesday. And I'm like, I'm out. Like, I had already made a commitment. And I had already sold, like, hundreds of tickets to my fans. And I can't, like, you know what I mean? It's like, I can't do that. Right. And I know it would have been so cool.

And, like, you know. But I told her, when she came out with Seven Rings, I was like, you know I could twerk, bitch. I was like, just because I couldn't do one video doesn't mean I can't do the next video. She goes, you'll be in the next one. Bet. So I'm, like, waiting. I'm waiting. Amazing.

I just read that for her Seven Rings song, she has to pay 90% of what she makes for that song back to the estate for the Favorite Things royalties. Oh, that's interesting. She probably doesn't even care about it. I know. I was like, she's like killing it so much right now. She doesn't even care. She's like, oh yeah, drop in the bucket.

90% of that song. The whole story behind that Seven rings thing is just so epic. I love that. The fact that – how I imagine, I don't even know the whole tea. But if it had to do with the engagement ring, I feel like she probably gave her engagement ring back and then took her friends out and bought them seven engagement rings. Yes. It's kind of like, I don't need your freaking ring. Right.

And I love Pete. I love Pete Davidson. I stan him too, but like – Yeah, have you met him in the comedy world? Yeah, yeah. I know't need your freaking ring. Right? And I love Pete. I love Pete Davidson. I, you know, I stan him too, but like. Yeah, have you met him in the comedy world? Yeah, yeah. I know him from the comedy world. He's a really nice guy. I actually really loved them as a couple when they were together.

I thought it was really cute. But for Ariana to do that, I just think it's so empowering. Like, my niece is such a fan of hers. My niece is like turning seven. Aw. And that's somebody that I'm okay with her looking up to. Yeah, absolutely. There's like a strong

female like powerful voice like and you know what a classy way to handle like such a public breakup. Totally. Oh my god. She may have lost a guy

but she gained seven like girlfriends at the time. It's like you don't need a ring from him. You have him with all these girls. I just think the message is so great.

I mean she could have done the same song and just been like more snide about it. She's such an inspiration. Instead, it was, like, an attitude of gratitude kind of thing. Which I, like, totally vibe with. Totally.

My sister and I were talking about just, like, you know, like, heartbreak and stuff like that. And she was like, just think about, like, Ariana Grande. And it's like, if Ariana Grande can get through this, like, you know? I mean, she's been through so much. Yeah. And she's still, I mean, I'm sure, obviously, in private, like, she's got to, you know i mean she's been through so much and she's still i mean i'm sure obviously in private like she's got a you know struggle at times but it's just like her public persona

she's just such an inspiration to so many well that lyric too and she's like if it's through so much it should be a sad bitch yeah who don't determine the savage like it's like the epitome of that is something that i wish more people would yeah adopt like totally like stop you know everybody has a tough ass time. Yeah. And I've been told by people, you know, like I have one friend who's like, I won't work with people who

at work, they go, oh, so tired. He's like, bitch, we're all tired. Yeah. Like, you know what I mean? You don't think I'm tired? Right.

Anyone who's successful is tired, but if you say we're tired, we're all going to get tired. Right. Like I need you to be like, we got to get this done. Right.

Work through it. You know? Pump it up. And I love that kind of energy. I love like flipping anything and making it into a positive affirmation. Yeah, it. Pump it up. And I love that kind of energy. I love like flipping anything and making it into a positive affirmation. Yeah, definitely.

I totally agree. Love that. Well, thank you for being here. Thank you. Thank you so much. We're going to come to see your show. Yes. I can't wait.

I would love to come this weekend. That would be so much fun. Yes. I'm so into it. And please, everybody, follow me at What's Up Danny on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, BlackPeopleMeet.com, JGate, Farmers Only, and Venmo. Yes. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Bye. Thanks for listening to Shenanigans. Download new episodes every Tuesday and subscribe on the Podcast One app at PodcastOne.com or at Apple Podcasts. And don't forget to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. And I got my girls with me. With the boys at the table getting tipsy. Miss me, kiss me one more time. Get over here, boy. I'm going to make you mine. Do you want it?

Let me see you shake that. Do you need it? Let me see you shake that. Do you want it? Let me see you shake that. Come and get it. Let me see you shake that. Step in the club, little black guy.

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