Lana Parrilla is well aware of the fact that the Evil Queen has become a gay icon. And she loves it. We talked about that fact, as well as what’s ahead for Regina (she’s all alone, y’all), explored her love of horror and what she’s watching on TV when she’s not bewitching viewers on “Once Upon a Time.”
My boyfriend is incredibly jealous that I’m speaking with you right now. I feel like your character has very quickly become a gay icon — why do you think that is?
I think for a couple of reasons. I gave a speech at the HRC not long ago — a gala in Cleveland — and we were talking about how my character — For a lot of LGBTs coming out, they always feel like they are different or misunderstood and my character definitely feels those things. She feels misunderstood, she is different, she doesn’t quite fit in, she’s an outcast. That’s something the community feels. I can’t say everyone does, but it’s definitely an experience that members of the community go through. There is that and then there is just the most apparent: she’s the Evil Queen. She wears these fantastic, glamorous costumes. These ornate costumes with this glam hair and makeup. She’s fierce and she looks kind of drag. I mean, that’s what I love about her because I’m one to love drag queens. I think that’s part of it, for sure. I have become a huge gay icon and I love it. I became one on “Swingtown” as well. This one has kind of put me in a different place than I was on “Swingtown.” I’m on a different plateau with this character, I think.
She ended the interview by telling me to say “Hi” to Darren.
