1 tell us your name, profession, and which neighborhood you live in.
Hi my name is Adam Perry. I’m an dancer/ actor/model living in Astoria Queens New York, New York
2 when you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was such a creative kid. Constantly dressing up in costumes, making up dance routines, building LEGO houses, drawing, painting, decorating things... I never thought that I could actually be a creative when I grew up. ( I’m from a small town called Speedwell, TN. ) But I did go through a phase in middle school that I really wanted to be a roller coaster designer haha.
3 when did you move to new york city, and why?
I moved to NYC in June 2004. I’m approaching my
(Crystal) 15th anniversary with this crazy town. I moved here because I had auditioned for the national tour of Cats and got it. So I moved here to begin rehearsals that summer. Which also was my first NYC pride :)
4 describe the moment you decided you were a true new yorker?
Wow, there’s been a few moments. One would be my 10 year anniversary. Which they say means you’re technically a New Yorker at that point.
The other was when I accidentally locked myself out of my apartment in the middle of the night completely naked. Haha. It’s a long story. But ONLY IN NEW YORK would that happen.
And lastly, I know I’m a true New Yorker when I’m having the worst day (trains ain’t moving, pouring the rain, bombed audition, etc etc) and I still wanna live in this crazy place. Haha
5 what is your dream career, aside from the one you are currently in?
Hmmm, there’s so many things I wanna do honestly.
I’d love to be an actor in tv/film which I’ve done once or twice. But it would be a dream to do it full time. I just love to perform in any medium.
But a completely different dream career would be a professional florist or fashion designer.
6 favorite piece of art?
A Sunday afternoon on the island of la grande jatte has always had an effect on me but I guess it’s bc Sunday In The Park with George is one of my fav musicals.
It’s just a classic.
7 who inspires you?
My Dad
Billy Porter
Oprah
Michelle Obama
8 best advice you have ever received?
Exceptional hard work produces exceptional results
9 favorite piece of clothing?
I have a breezy pink kaftan that was gifted to me after my bohemian summer living on fire island. It’s my favorite. Hands down.
10 what is the best meal you have ever eaten?
Hmmm, definitely my Mom’s southern breakfast. :)
11 new york for life?
It’s starting to look that way! Haha. But I think I’ll eventually flee to a place with better weather
12 first broadway show you ever saw?
Rent on Broadway in 1999
13 what is your favorite show you have performed in?
Anything Goes with Sutton Foster was my favorite experience I’ve had on Broadway.
But my favorite of all time was the national tour of Sweet Charity.
14 why do you do what you do for a living?
I didn’t choose it. It chose me.
I’ve always had a deep passion for performing and a calling to share my experience.
15 2019 is “world pride”, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the stonewall riots. how has the concept of pride evolved for you since you first came out?
The process of becoming prideful is hard if you were taught that homosexuality is shameful.
Coming from a conservative southern baptist Bible Belt town, my journey to truly understanding pride came with hardships. Depressions, wrecklessness, selfhatred, shame spirals, etc.
I’m still working on eliminating those engrained insecurities.
But pride is born in the ideal of being completely authentic and genuine in your being. I didn’t truly understand the concept of pride until I started loving myself for exactly who I am. :-)
16 where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I have literally no idea. And I wanna keep it that way. ;)
17 guilty pleasure?
Cinnabon and Cookie dough :-/
18 name one way that you practice erasing hate from your daily life?
I try to live by example. By being real and kind as best I can.