Many reasons bring Traci Lords to the Miami Airport Convention Center for the eighth annual Florida Supercon. Of course, she's promoting some new stuff, including a yet to be released horror movie, Devil May Call. But she says she also just "loves Miami" and "loves to meet her fans."
Lords has appeared in and directed films, written a book, recorded albums, and been on television. It's no wonder she has legions of fans coming out to con after con for a chance to meet her. Lords may be able to do it all -- and, we have to say, look great while doing it.
We spoke with about her role in John Water's cult classic, Crybaby, her DJing at the Lollapalooza afterparty, and the weirdest gifts she's ever received from a fan.
See also: Star Trek 's George Takei at Florida Supercon 2013
Cultist: Is there anything you've done that blew up completely unexpectedly, that you had no idea would go over so well?
Traci Lords: I think Not of This Earth, made in 1987, a film by Roger Corman. It was just a little, tiny movie. I find it interesting that two decades later, people still love that movie, a movie that was made for $250,000 and shot in three weeks. But the fans love what they love. Crybaby is not that big of a surprise, because it was Johnny Depp's first big role in a film and people love him, and such an eclectic cast, with Rikki Lake, and it's John Waters, so it's not that shocking. But what really surprises me is how popular it still is.
Why did you decide to start making appearances at cons?
It's such a great way to connect to your fans, and... I've had such a diverse career, that I get everything from John Waters' fans, who love Crybaby, they love, love, love that movie -- a lot of guys love that movie as well -- to Blade fans, to fans of my autobiography. It's fascinating.
How are these fans different from one another?
The spirit is the same. They just want to go out, meet their favorite star, meet people. Some dress up in costume, but that's the only difference. My [fans] are incredibly kind; I appreciate that. I have noticed that on Sundays, there aren't a lot of people without hangovers. They tend to like the Saturday-night parties a lot.
How was the Lollapalooza experience?
I worked on the afterhours of Lollapalooza, which was the Enit Festival; Perry Farell put that together. So after the rock 'n' rollers all went to bed, the ravers came out and we had Moby and Thrill Kill Kult, and that was like my first big show I did with music in 1995. That's when I had my album 1000 Fires out and when I was in Miami a lot, in the club scene a lot.
What kinds of gifts do your fans bring you?
Different things, interesting things, weird things. I get typical gifts like flowers, but I also get weird things, like 'Hey, I found this cast of your head online. Will you sign it?' It freaks me out when people bring me food; I don't know what's in it.
You've written a book, made music, acted, and directed. Is there anything you haven't done yet that you'd like to do?
Well, I haven't played Las Vegas, and I would really love to do that. A huge show that incorporates my music and acting -- that would be a lot of fun.
Tell us a little about your experience doing voiceover for videogames.
I love it. I did my first one like seven, eight years ago. I just did a really big one, called Hitman: Absolution. Lot of fun. It was motion picture capture, like Avatar, and I want to do a lot more of that. As an actor, it's just so fun. You get a lot of freedom to ad lib. And you don't have to worry about your makeup.
You said you love Miami. What are your plans while you're here?
Hit the beach. I packed my bikini.
Follow Ily on Twitter @realily.
Follow Cultist on Facebook and Twitter @CultistMiami.
