First, a little background: In 2002 I’ll admit – I’d never heard of the Scissor Sisters. Well, because I’m not sure they really existed outside of downtown New York. There were these two cute guys at the gym, who I would later learn were Jake Shears and Del Marquis. Anyway, they always looked at me and Kevin, my straight workout partner, kinda funny.
After about six months, Jake came up to me and said “I had no idea you were gay! I assumed ‘cause you worked out with Kevin you were Straight!” I loved him immediately.
It turns out he had seen my ad on an online community looking to meet other gay men who shared my interest in gardening. Yes gardening. My mother is reading.
Anyway to make a long story short I caught a couple early shows in little clubs downtown and would run into my Furry Friends who would all say they were there to see their friend Babydaddy. I’d say I was friends with Jake.
I don’t even know when I really met Babydaddy, but over the summer he came up to Provincetown to stay with Mark T. and we were all excited ‘cause we were gonna party like rock stars. Corey was there along with ADD Daddy and this guy from DC, but that’s another story. Anyway, we learned that partying like Rock Stars involved staying home and eating Oreo’s. I loved being a Rock Star.
It was also over the summer that I realized they were famous. I’d seen them play in increasingly larger venues in New York, and they’d been in Europe where rumor was they were well received, but it wasn’t til I was driving up to Provincetown and I heard them on the radio six times in six hours I realized something might be up.
Anyway – I love seeing local boys make good.
So, Babydaddy is a TOTAL babe. He’s great fun to text message with. It seems he has a lot of time on the road and he likes to make fun of my redneck taste in music. He also told me to buy a Martin acoustic not a Taylor, but I bought a Taylor anyway.
You can imagine my thrill when Babydaddy asked if he could be Bear of the Week. I insisted on exclusive photographs ( I am using one stock photo), so he took the photo above with his camera phone in the hotel bathroom. No expense was spared on the shoot. I did ask him not to open the mini-bar on my dime though.
I'm also including a photo of BD representing in a bear claw fedora. Who keeps it more real?
In a departure from tradition, we decided to make Bear of the Week this week an interview. We hope you like it.
Oh, I should mention, for the record, that once in negotiations for this piece, Babydaddy did threaten to kill me.
Does being a Celebrity Bear make it faster to get drinks at Beer Blast on Sunday nights at the Eagle? How about Snaxx?
My shoulders aren't big enough to edge out the competition, so no, I still fight for my drinks at the Eagle and Snaxx like everyone else. At least there are still place in the world where girth completely wins out over celebrity.
How does it feel being a role model to Teen Bears everywhere? Is the pressure to much at times?
Well, since bear role-models are few and far between, all us bears have to take pride in what we may have been ridiculed for in high school. I show MY bear pride through paw-print fashion and a lack of proper hygiene.
And yes, the pressure has driven me to heavy medication.
What will embarrass you most when VH1 does the Scissor Sisters "Behind the Music"? That you had chest hair transplants? That your belly is sometimes stuffed to appear larger? That once you threatened to have ADD Daddy break Jake's neck when he suggested you order a salad?
I’m an all-natural bear so, I have nothing to worry about. You deleted those photos, right?
Um no – I intend to bribe you later. Unless you introduce me to Gwyneth, I’m selling them to the Star.
How do you keep you bearish figure on the road? It it hard with all the
coke-addled groupies?
Keeping my bearish figure on the road (mid-sized belly balanced out by modest biceps) has been a constant problem. The band has mostly lived on tour buses in the past year, so I’ve had to forget any kind of gym/snacking routine. This has grinded my body-maintenance to a screeching halt. One fan even commented on our website that my weight "fluctuates."
Note that the Brits just don't snack like us Americans. I mean, prawn-flavored chips anyone?
And I don't know where you've been, but groupies do meth and poppers now, not coke. I actually feel obligated to say that was a joke.
Is there media backlash to being a Celebrity Bear? Do stylists try to trim you?
Media backlash? Bears are in, like just-plain homos were in last year. I suspect a bear backlash in a matter of months.
And yes, it is in most stylists' nature to pluck away that which god and Jewish parents gave me. Dodging tweezers and cover-up brushes is a part of my everyday existence.
Just three years ago, I never would have thought that "just a little powder please" would actually be a part of my active vocabulary. or "leave the scar how it is."
As a celebrity bear do you find that most beds are too hard, too soft, or just right? How about with porridge?
Beds and porridge are luxuries that some bears never have, so I try to appreciate the hard, soft AND just right. Never forget that the best our ancestors could muster was sleeping on patches of dirt and swiping at fish in rivers!
Thank you Ollie! I’d like to thank my PR company, and of course my parents for telling me I wasn't fat, just "husky."
Woofalicious. Thanks Babydaddy for being our Thought Not Celebrity Bear of the Week.
Such a FarStucker....
Posted by: Ken | February 17, 2005 at 03:30 PM
This is twisted. You're sliding into a level of absurdity I thought only I was capable of (well, and Corey). I of course love you for it.
Posted by: Tony R | February 17, 2005 at 03:50 PM
I have to admit that I thought the endless hype and build-up, while par for the course for surprise celebrity interviews, was setting you up for a fall. But you came through very nicely on this one, Oliver. Five out of five paws, and a special extra credit paw for the bed-n-porridge line of questioning.
Posted by: Kevin F. | February 17, 2005 at 04:08 PM
So is he single? Now that I'm done with journalist celebrity bear I'm ready for rock star celebrity bear...much more fun!
Posted by: Andy C | February 17, 2005 at 04:43 PM
I thought Babydaddy was hot before, but reading "He’s great fun to text message with" made me weak in the knees!
Posted by: Ben | February 17, 2005 at 04:51 PM
OK, now I feel stupid. Never having seen "Babydaddy" without his hat on, I never realized that he is the guy that I used to chat with at The Dugout and Eagle. And now I'm remembering that we used to chat about MUSIC.
Double duh on me.
Posted by: Joe.My.God. | February 17, 2005 at 05:08 PM
God he is hot.
Posted by: geno | February 17, 2005 at 05:23 PM
Yup, he's foxy as hell.
Posted by: jcnelson | February 17, 2005 at 06:10 PM
Don't it make an Otter's mouth water?
Posted by: StepDiddy | February 17, 2005 at 06:55 PM
yeah, hawt...
Posted by: FosterDaddy | February 17, 2005 at 06:59 PM
oh my god, he is fucking adorable.
definition: hottie
man i wanna hibernate with that!
Posted by: sam | February 17, 2005 at 08:39 PM
Ok, I'm not generally into bears, but I'm definitely into this guy. First time I've seen him without the hat and man is he studly.
Posted by: dnash | February 18, 2005 at 12:18 AM
Great article man. Nice to see a bit of insite into one of the band members. All I knew about them up until now is that their stuff is fun, people are flocking to their concerts in droves, and there's no chance in hell they're ever coming to Winnipeg.
Posted by: Trachalio | February 18, 2005 at 09:55 AM
Shucks, and I was all ready to read about Adam Weinberg.
Posted by: Tyler Green | February 18, 2005 at 10:23 AM
Scott is mad cool (much love!), but getting a straight workout partner is even better. I'm gonna work on that. Keep em' guessing!
Posted by: Brett | February 18, 2005 at 12:21 PM
He just couldn't be hotter. Please move to Vermont, Babbydaddy.
Frickin' A.
Posted by: Alan In Vermont | February 18, 2005 at 02:13 PM
Scott get's his hats custom made up in Harlem - he's just too cool! Wonder if he still has the draedl I give him two channukahs ago! Love ya Scott!
Posted by: Diggernyc | February 18, 2005 at 02:24 PM
where are the fuckin pics!!!
Posted by: ididi | February 20, 2005 at 08:58 PM
MMMMMMM
I need to know more about him!
:0P
Posted by: Fabio | February 21, 2005 at 11:47 PM
Scissor siters are great and their videos are shown here in Brazil. Althought the cds are on a different version that not includes songs such as "electrobix".
I confess: Babby daddy was the first person I paid attention when I saw SS picture with the whole group.
"You gotta pump your body!"
Posted by: Odilon | February 22, 2005 at 12:04 AM
keep your hands off him guys, babydaddy is MINE :) im his biggest fan.
Posted by: L | February 24, 2005 at 03:24 PM
i had the pleasure of standin directly at babydaddys feet when he played here in melbourne. with the spot lighting him from behind all i can say is wow!
next time i want to be at his feet in private!
Posted by: ANTONY | March 04, 2005 at 02:45 AM
Just found the band this weekend.... BabyDaddy needs to shed some clothes...
WOOFY Man.
Posted by: Bill | March 07, 2005 at 11:23 AM
Have you seen the Sister's DVD? There is a scene where Babydaddy is in bed and shirtless. That scene is so hot!!! Babydaddy is so sexy. His chest is absolutely fabulous.
Posted by: Dewey | March 10, 2005 at 08:20 PM
BabyDaddy,
We'd make a sexy couple! Email me. [email protected]
Posted by: Bob | March 17, 2005 at 12:22 PM