By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos: Randall Whitehead
For more than three decades, Coco Peru has performed one-person shows all over the world, she has appeared in cult classic films like Trick, Girls Will be Girls, and To Wong Foo, and she’s done TV shows like Will & Grace, How I Met Your Mother, and Arrested Development. Through her YouTube videos, she gained a whole new following, known as “Coco Puffs,” and once again cemented herself as a performer, drag artist, and overall cultural phenomenon. Now, Coco Peru is back with another one-person show, which comes to Atlanta’s Out Front Theatre on September 26. We got the chance to talk to Coco Peru about her new show, memorable career highlights, and her special way with words that have been known to in fact fucq sh!t up and get her in trouble.
You have always had a way with words, and you have never shied away from getting political. Is it the current political climate that has ripped you out of semi-retirement?
YES! I think in the near future I will be semi-retired, but perhaps I just needed this one last show to get the heaviness off my chest.
On September 26, you are coming to Atlanta to Out Front Theatre to fucq sh*t up with your new show, Fucq This Sh!t. Tell us about the concept and how you came up with the idea.
I was talking with my drag sister, Varla Jean Merman, and she told me that, given what our community is experiencing right now, I needed to write a new show. I resisted at first but did feel a burning need to connect with my audience and be out there with them. I started writing it last February and worked my ass off creating the show, and so far, I’m thrilled that the audience is appreciating what I have to say. And sing! I jokingly called it “FUCQ THIS SH!T” although I actually had another title for it, but then I thought, “F*ck this sh*t” is what so many of us are feeling, and now is the time to be direct about what we’re thinking. It’s unhealthy to not address our feelings and then to constantly feel gaslit when we do.
You have always been able to masterfully blend activism with your performance. Is that still one of your motivations for Coco Peru?
This is really the only reason I do Coco. I created Coco because I wanted to make the world a better place for my community. That has always been my mission. Sadly, in some ways, I feel like politically we’re going backwards, and it’s been painful for me, because over these 35 years, I’ve seen such great changes and saw progress. I think that’s why I needed to do this new show, and I address some of the shit that’s been on my mind.
Throughout your career you have always been known to fucq sh!t up in the best of ways. What are some memorable career highlights?
Honestly, I’ve had so many magical moments; however, I didn’t understand when I made my YouTube videos the impact that I would have on young people who were inspired by me just being out there in the world in drag and owning my space in the world. Nothing is better than a person coming up to me or sending me a letter and saying that I made a difference in their life. I’ve had so many wonderful people share with me how I touched their lives, and I love it. I don’t take any of those moments for granted. Feeling appreciated by my fans, who have kept me employed for 35 years is the most memorable highlight of my career.
What is your secret to staying relevant and celebrated as a drag icon and artist?
I have absolutely no idea. All I know is that the younger kids that follow like my Bronx style, and that I’m honest with them. I think with all the hypocrisy out there, people crave this old, blunt queen from the Bronx. I’m called aunt, mom, and grandma, and I love it all! Although, “great grandma” could possibly push me over the edge.
Speaking of political climate, you started drag in a very different one. Can you talk about the trajectory of queer art and community over the years?
I started Coco during the AIDS crisis, and back then we needed to be political in order to survive, and we needed to stand together for our voice to be heard. Great change was created by being out, loud, and proud. I think the younger generation is beginning to see that change doesn’t just happen, we need to stay vigilant and pull together. And this does mean all the letters in LGBTQ and all colors as well. I’ve had it with the bigots, haters, and willfully ignorant. The arts have always been at the forefront of progress, and that’s why it’s important again now to support artists.
Turning back to the show. What can people expect? Will we get fucqed up?
Although no lube is necessary, my hope is you’ll get fucqed in the best possible way. It’s ultimately meant to be a cathartic experience for those that feel enraged and fearful of what’s happening, and that together we address our rage, fears, and push forward past it, easing the stress… at least for 90 minutes. Being in community together is necessary. Doing it in a queer space like Out Front Theatre makes it even more special to me because so many of our spaces are disappearing.
Besides touring with this show, do you have any other exciting projects coming up?
I’ll be returning to San Francisco in December to play Dorothy in Golden Girls at the beautiful 1600-seat Curran Theatre. It’s a great time, and I have many fans traveling from all over the country now to see it as part of their holiday tradition.
Tell us where we can find you and follow you?
CocoPeru.com, all the socials, TJMaxx, Trader Joe’s, and Home Goods.
Anything you’d like to add?
I just turned 60, and as a gift to me, I expect a sold-out audience! Gifts are cute too.
Key Event Details
What: Miss Coco Peru: FUCQ THIS SH!T
Where: Out Front Thetare
When: Friday, September 26, 2025, at 8PM
How: Tickets at outfronttheatre.com
