JT Leroy

Continuing my Asia Argento story, I met her at the 2004 (not 2003) Toronto Film Fest for her premiere of THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS which is based on a JT Leroy/Laura Albert novel. This is before the minor art world scandal. I saw JT Leroy at the pre-screening Q&A, and he played the part well of...a freak.

As everyone would later find out JT Leroy was a wannabe fashion designer by the name of Samantha Knopp or Knopf (who cares) with nothing better to do than wear a white trash wig and act 'cool'. The novels were actually written by Laura Albert she was also there and sported a fake British accent. At the Q&A a young Asian man tried to give 'JT' a gift and put out his hand to shake, JT refused the shake but took the envelope. I guess this was part of his 'freak show' not touching someone? By the way the whole time we are thinking 'JT' looks like an ugly 30-something woman with big hips.

At one point in the Q&A someone asked 'JT' if he was happy with the film. This was quite memorable as 'JT' did not respond but literally stood there (next to Asia) and went into a minor spasm while making baby noises! After the film we went to The Bovine Cow and I met Asia and talked a bit with 'JT' asking him/her about writing etc... he told me to contact other writers, he said he had contacted writers, well-known writers and they always were willing to help with his writing, critique it. He was a DJ (in addition to Asia). Something that stood out was that he played Chakakan, I kept thinking, it seems an unusual taste to be playing, something so commercial, don't you have a better understanding of music than that one Top 40 song?