Chat

Laura Bennett: On Runway, Gay Men and Foo-Foo Dogs

September 25, 2006

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11

20060925_benett_260x220.jpg

Taking nothing away from Tim Gunn, Robert Best, or any of our other illustrious "Runway" all-stars -- if you ever get the chance to spend 45 minutes on the phone with Laura Bennett, we’re pretty sure it can cure cancer. Laura caught us up on how things are going, her totally gay chidren, and some of her likes and dislikes.

OZ: Hi Laura. So, you’re largely beloved by the gays. Before we go any further, I have to tell you that we’re recording, so if you want to go off the record, you let me know.
I’m pretty outspoken, I don’t really see myself as an “off the record” kinda girl.

OZ: Excellent. So, a lot of our gay friends have said that you’re like the mother we wish we had.
Yeah, I don’t know though. The mother we wish we had? You know, I guess I’m an OK mother. My kids seem to like me OK. I’m not sure, though, what does that mean? When gay guys respect a figure, they see her as a mother figure?

OZ: No. I think it just means we want to go drinking with you.
I know. See, now that, to me, is a more normal response than the whole mother thing, because I didn’t think I was especially mothering on the show.

OZ: Really?
You think I was?

OZ: You definitely had charge of the room.
Well that’s just 'cause everyone else were wimps.

READ MORE > >

Comments

tonedef wrote:

THAT'S why we wish you were our mother!

Todd wrote:

Thank you so much for this fabulous interview. What a remarkable, intelligent, open-minded and sophisticated woman. Those kids are lucky to have a mother like her.

Mikey wrote:

Laura,

You're a sheer FAB!

Love you!

katiecoo wrote:

Oh Laura, you are so much more sophisticated and, well, everything than I am but we both love the same men: Robert BEST and the Project RunGay boys. I hope this means there is hope for me yet. ;) GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING!

fleurchonette wrote:

As a native New Orleanian, of course I treat any celebrity I encounter with an air of utter indifference (feigned or not), but if I ran into Laura on the street, I'd probably break down and gushingly ask for her autograph.

Miss Nell wrote:

Well, if God knows what She's doing, She'll send a nice gay baby to Laura. Gotta get the supportive wombs working out there. (Sorry, boys, I'm done, myself.)

scott Prendergast wrote:

my god, i love her so much that it's really kind of bonkers. I could read interview after interview. Thank you thank you for this. More more more!

amy wrote:

How can anyone not love this woman?

LauraRulz wrote:

The world needs more Laura Bennetts!

Tart but never bitter -- witty but never mean -- outrageous but never vulgar. What is not to love?

christopher wrote:

what a woman! honest, outspoken and true to herself. i simply enjoyed her refreshing outlook on what's what concerning life in general. one thing laura.....it's bombay toonies, up, with three olives.

Doxys wrote:

I love her she is unique. If Jeffrey or her win I'm so happy person.

Shrimani wrote:

i think laura must be the sister i never had. we have way too much in common. and of course, i adore her.

James Derek Dwyer wrote:

Yup, confirmed, she's a goddess.

par3182 wrote:

I love Robert Best and I hate foo-foo dogs and low slung jeans. I'm changing my drag name to Laura Bennett.

social worker from seattle wrote:

And THAT is why I stuck with the 3rd season of PR. Laura, you cheer my day! Thanks.

mykull wrote:

I used to not like Laura very much but now I LOVE her. What a great interview! She sounds like a hoot and a half.

Mike wrote:

Laura, you're the best! And you're right about celebrating your fabulousness. I'm not even the drag queen type, but I wanted to wear every dress you designed! Keep up the good work!

Tbone wrote:

Dennis - thanks for a fabulous interview with a fabulous woman!

Sheila wrote:

Great interview. Laura has been my favorite from the beginning and I hope she wins. I loved her comment about the slide to sweats and minivans and her refusal to go there. I think we have to much of that today. I love her approach to individual style. Find the style that fits and works for you and forget about trends.

Laura a true individualist.

Ryan Brock wrote:

It's official, Laura Bennett if my first ever reality star crush. Effing fantastic. I'm moving to New York!

Laura K wrote:

Laura Bennett is the undisputed star of Season Three!

Meander wrote:

Just an incredible interview -- here I thought that I adored her for her red hair and basic black wardrobe. Now it turns out that she's fabulous to the bone? Yay!

JanetLand wrote:

Best Project Runway contestant interview ever.

Punkin wrote:

Laura, I have loved every single garment you have made. I know you know the winner of Project Runway 3. I hope it was you, but it doesn't really matter if you won or not, you are a fashion designer already; you will have a successful career in fashion. I just know it. Thanks for the blog.

marlys wrote:

Love her. She's is the most fabulous one; no one can touvh her.

Lea wrote:

Leave it to Laura to speak freely about an ominous phone call from the dean. Tim Gunn is always so understated. His most emotive comment this season was "Oh Jesus" to Kayne. Now this? Has he ever called anyone into his office? When did Laura's interview with Outzone take place?

Beatricejet wrote:

gongradulations on being pregnet how are you doing please respond or i will cry

gracehatter wrote:

Well, words cannot describe your fabulosity!!!!

bobcesq wrote:

I told my mom I was gay while she was cutting my hair. Bad move. Maybe when one of your sons tells you, you won't make him bleed like my mom did me. Gay or not, they are lucky to have a "fabulously glamorous" mom like you. Really.

iknowbetter wrote:

I think Laura is great I love her work! Shes the only one who puts 100% into her work. Although I do have to question her ability on being a "good mother"!! Who drinks while there pregnant?! A women of her age and maturity should know better!! Someone send her a AA phamplet and a good doctor!!

federated wrote:

oh my god, the bitch is just obscenely fabulous. As a straight woman, I don't think we have a finer specimen. She is my idol.

Scratch that: Laura, let's move to the netherlands and get married. I'd strap one on for you.

I<3ProjectRunway wrote:

Laura. You. Are. So. Cool! I wish I knew how it felt to be on project runway...

daveroz wrote:

Laura, you had us at "It's a slippery slowp to Sweatpants" comment from earlier in the season.

kajunteddy wrote:

Laura Bennett will be a role model for young women for generations to come. Her style, her graciousness and her exquisite taste are the three things that I admire most. But, what I LOVE is her wit.

Blake Kirby wrote:

What I loved about Laura (besides her obvious talent and impeccable work ethic) is that she vocalized what the audience was thinking, each and every episode. You were our Voice at Project Runway, Laura, and that's why I think you are a sure bet to win audience fave next week !!!

mrs. H wrote:

love you, love you, love you!!!! I would wear every outfit you ever made! I hope you win, you are fabulous in every way!

bernard wrote:

I THINK LAURA IS THE QUEEN OF PROJECT RUNWAY. I LOVED HER OUTFIT ON THE MOST RECENT SHOW. SHE HAS CLASS AND SASS. SHE MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM TRULY HAPPY TO BE A GAY MAN AND ENJOY WATCHING A DIVA LIKE HER SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY AND BE A WOMAN WHO TELLS IT LIKE IT IS. LAURA YOU ARE THE BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucia wrote:

You were a JOY to watch. I wish you had a Butch Sister for me!
Brains, beauty, and Balls!
Love ya Laura....

Momma Lucia

Bill wrote:

Good God, will someone please give that woman an award! Interview her again! Something.

Teri Starks wrote:

Girl u did yo thang. Love yo comments and I did't think u were being mean 2 Kayne I thought your critique was on point. I didn't feel it came from a mean place and that he was simply being hormonal. It was a stressful situation and he couldn't stand 2 hear what he knew 2 b true!!

CarolynMarie wrote:

Laura, I want to be just like you when I grow up!

lauraw wrote:

Laura : pls design a line of clothing for real life moms!! Moms of boys need to stick together - wishing you the best of luck - laura w.

Scott wrote:

I've always loved Laura, and the show I related to most was when she spoke emotionally about a desire for a career change. As a 40-something myself, I can certainly relate to that desire. Thank you for a wonderful interview with my favorite season 3 contestant. And good luck in the future to Laura, whatever direction her life takes her!

Barbara wrote:

Laura,

You are a classy broad!

Grace Meister wrote:

You kick butt! i loved the Cocktail Party Dress you made!! It was really glam and hot!
Love ya laura!
Don't let Jeffrey pick on you too much and stick with Uli, shes a cool person! I would hang w/ her
Love,
Grace Meister

Rey wrote:

God, I fell in love with Laura on the first show and still am!!! Not THAT way, of course. All class, all personality. LAURA RULES!!

Carol wrote:

Love Laura! I knew from the beginning she was a keeper! The clothes are great & you had a terrific model in the last few challenges. Also, I Love Gay Men! As a straight woman, I am loving my friendships with them. I keep wishing a couple would move in next door!

preschool mom wrote:

Laura's child(ren?) went to preschool with my son. Although I didn't know her, she was amazing and stylish looking and really stood out in a crowd. Once, she wore an evening gown to a morning assembly thing that the parents were invited to. I commented to her how fantastic she looked in it, and with the amazing amount of style she had, not ridiculous at all (so few could pull that off, but she did). She told me she wore it to the school assembly because her son asked her to. She looked great!

Best of luck to her! And how great for her to be doing this!?! Go for it!

aylaanne wrote:

I want to BE Laura Eugenia Bennett.

Jackie wrote:

Congrats Laura in making through the finals! I enjoyed the personalities in this season the best. So much that I actually cried with joy when all Four of you were allowed to show your work. Best to you and your family. I don't know if we will ever find out or if you've announced if your are having another boy or a girl? I can only imagine all the great fashions she would inspire.

JR wrote:

Well, I'm on a different track. I think it is irresponsible to have a 6th child with a man who is 60 years old....and go off to live your dreams too! I don't think your children would be cheerleaders about you being the "dream mom" when you've miss the many things that are important to them.

grphcgurl wrote:

i just love laura so much. all the blogs that i read are talking about how incredibly brutal she is but i think that's what makes are completely fabulous! who has time for nice in this day in age anyway? laura for president!

Laura Fan wrote:

First of all, Laura was my favorite from the very start. I loved everything she made, her attitude, and her poise and grace under pressure -- not to mention her incredible wit! But, let me respond to JR's post above. I think Laura is a terrific person to be having a sixth child--regardless of her husband's age. She seems to me to be a person who will teach her children to be productive, contributing, involved members of society. Why shouldn't she set a positive example for them and live her dreams? I think that's the best thing she could ever do for them. Laura strikes me as a person who is creative and flexible enough to "make it work". And, for those of you concerned about the baby and alcohol; a couple of drinks every once in a while will not harm the baby. An informed doctor will confirm that for you. For God's sake, people, it's not like she's getting sloppy drunk every night! Give it a rest, will you?

lynrob wrote:

Am such a fan of your work and your classic style...now a fan of your humor!!! My gosh woman...I wish they had shown more of that on TV...this whole interview made me laugh until I cried! thanks for making my day woman...from another classy but even older than you..woman: Lynn in San Diego

Katy Brown wrote:

Dear Laura, I think you are fantastic. I love your designs. Your sense what's happening is dead on. You cut-to-the-chase without cutting other people to shreds. Your sense of humor is like sunshine after a rainstorm. I send my best wishes to you and your family. You are a winner and a class act.

VictorianArtist wrote:

Laura...you are an extremely talented designer. I am looking forward to seeing your collection...and I really hope there are no plunging necklines in it. I have seen enough of those to last me a lifetime. It seems to be your fave.

Just keep on going... you have it all inside to do great things. You are a very interesting woman. It is refreshing to see "elegance and class" brought to Project Runway. Oh... I don't wear jeans either... I don't look good in them and they are not for everyone. *applause*

shopbob wrote:

Laura, it both gladdens and saddens me to know you are happily married, because I would propose to you--oh what the hell--Laura, will you marry me? Seriously! Quit laughing! I love your crooked little smile (wait, that was a reference to Holly Hunter's character in The Firm), your gourgeous red hair, bright red lipstick, and especially your fabulous pointed heels.

FOOGOL wrote:

No, no, i'm not going to kiss L's $ss,
not sure if i can use certain words not that i can't spell them, hehe.
L, i love those blue hanging chairs?.
when i was watching tim in L's loft loved the pic's on wall, when? anyhow it was L's hubby,
haha, k its funny to me.
love your clothe L as i said before keep the pea out.
best of luck.

Lennox wrote:

Ms. Laura - If YOU ever want to be the gay one in your family -please- let me know. I will gladly be your Katie Hepburn role-playin' gal !! Good luck - and PLEASE have your (destined to be) line available to those of us not in the money, but desperate for tasteful, classic threads...

sabryna wrote:

Laura , where did you go to high school in New Orleans. I also grew up there and am only 2 yrs older then you. I hope that your relatives did ok in Katrina. Like you I no longer live in New Orleans but I can see by this interview that you still have our city in your heart.

cynthia wrote:

Laura has been a standout from the very first. She caught my attention immediately. Besides her beauty, her talent is remarkable. I was disappointed that the judges seemed not to be paying attention to her at first. I think they were awed by her quality of work and personal charisma, and felt they needed to pander to the children. I'm glad she's being recognized finally, and I know she'll win.

cynthia wrote:

And, oh yeah, I saw the repeat of the "Average Woman" show last night, and Laura's mom is hot, too.

Alex Berg wrote:

Laura, I think you're ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!!

marjorierose wrote:

Ok Laura after reading this interview I realize we could be friends after all !! We watch all the same TV shows !!!! ;o) I do love your designs > your focus on women should look fab and glamorous > and I love your hair !!! Thanks for making Project Runway so very real !! Oh > I am really sorry I called you bitch > YOU ARE really a GREAT LADY, with a lot of class !!!!!

debra wrote:

Laura is amazing - I was rooting for her every single episode and I can't wait to see what fabulous direction her career takes. She should have WON Project Runway. Michael Kors and Nina will soon regret not giving Laura the nod - she has so much more commercial potential than jeffrey ever could hope to achieve....she's so hip, contemporary and classic, all rolled into one. A 47-yr-old mom is proud of that gal..she rocks.

Brian David Jones wrote:

I just turned 40 and Laura has definitely confirmed that this is gonna be one kick-a** decade. The amazing thing about her on PR was that you could look at this "classy tigress" and still catch the "young petulant girl" right there, just under the surface....

Sue wrote:

Just want to add that if Laura is trying to look old for her old husband, then he should try to look young for her. Why can't he meet her halfway? Why can't he dye his white hair any other color?

Sue wrote:

There is substantial evidence that the editor of this blog removes the negative thangs about Laura.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Keep it clean, don't use ALL CAPS, and we'll publish it. All points of view are welcome.)

ofri wrote:

Sue,
You need to check yourself. Personally, I think Laura and her husband make a charming, fabulous looking couple. That, however, is neither here nor there. How do you know that Laura doesn't adore her husband's hair/age/look/whatever. Either way I think you are and JR are both ridiculous. Take a page out of Laura's book. Open your mind and keep your judgments to yourself.

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)






Send to a Friend

E-mail this entry to:


Your email address:


Message (optional):




OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.
OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.
OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.

Recent Comments

December 3, 2008 at 02:57 PM

The L Word Gets Lawless

Angela: "Yes, I will have to agree. I sat through that terrible Vampire Bats/Locusts CBS tv movies because Lucy was in..."

December 1, 2008 at 06:46 PM

Britney And I Are Sad

Mike: "I find your posts incredibly entertaining. I'm such a fan and am finally letting it be known ;) Ear sodomy,..."

November 28, 2008 at 12:25 AM

Happy Thanksgiving!

jake: "I don't know - in this economy it kind of sickens me to watch these white Republican women in OC..."

November 24, 2008 at 10:09 AM

Good Question

Linda Cardillo: "The concept is viable but not at this time. This type of political action would be wasted/lost due to the..."

November 24, 2008 at 07:18 AM

Good Question

Greyson Van Pelt: "I'm an EMT and I work an ambulance every day. My issue is, will my calling in gay be beneficial..."

November 20, 2008 at 11:11 AM

Dan Savage Scares Us

DBlock: "Yeah, he scares most of us in Seattle too. Do you want him? You can have him."

November 14, 2008 at 04:26 PM

Episode 8: The Naked Finale

woodcomp: "Anyone who wants to see this show again please check out TIMM TV (www.timm.de). Watch every Friday evening (OF with..."

November 13, 2008 at 11:14 AM

Election Day and Beyond

doug: "Sorry to hear this may be your last post here. I hope DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION lives on in some way,..."

OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.
OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.
OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.
OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.
OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.
OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.
OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.
OutzoneTV.com

If you are not redirected in 10 seconds, click the image above.