Red hair loving

Sydney Star ObserverHow was Candy Lips at Arq last Friday night?

Katie Underwood It was great; it was my first all-girl party and was lots of fun. We sang some beautiful golden oldies. I wore a traditional Playboy bunny outfit but in a wild 70s pattern with silver and gold rhinestones with matching collar and cuffs. No one tried to come on to me -“ I was a bit upset about that. They were very polite and supportive.

SSO Do you have essential items you must have in your dressing room?

KU A glass of champagne never goes astray. A bit of water, a mirror and enough time to have a cigarette before I go on. I probably shouldn’t be saying that.

SSO I hear that you’re a bisexual in a new musical coming out?

KU It’s called Dark Angel. It’s a comedy burlesque musical and I play the role of a bisexual burlesque star. She is trying to avoid being killed by the burlesque butcher and it’s very amusing. It’s set in a fetish burlesque club and we’re keeping the fashion element authentic and edgy. There will be a mix of songs from covers to originals that I’ve written for the show. There is one moment where my girlfriend gets killed so I have written a more bluesy number.

SSO You’re set to star in a lesbian feature film called Submerged?

KUIt’s been something in the pipeline for a few years now. It’s a story of a young girl going through the rite of passage and she is a lesbian. In the movie she enters into the fetish S&M scene [laughing]. I think there’s a pattern emerging here of me taking on lesbian roles and S&M. It hopefully will be going into full production very soon.

SSO Is it hard being being a straight girl playing a gay role?

KU Oh, darling, I’m not that straight.

SSO So you have had lesbian experiences?

KU Yes, I have had lesbian experiences. I thought people would have guessed this by now. I’ve been there, done that. It’s no great struggle taking on a gay character because I don’t consider myself being straight. I just don’t shout it out from the rooftop.

SSO You have a lot of support from the lesbian community. Why do you think they’re drawn to you?

KU I guess it started back in the Bardot days. I was the anti-Barbie and alternative. I just wasn’t the typical femme, blonde and brainless one. I don’t mean to offend blondes out there at large. I guess it’s because lesbians feel that I’m on the same wavelength.

SSO Do you see yourself as a lesbian icon?

KU I don’t like to call myself an icon. I love the gay scene and have been in it both socially and professionally for many years. I feel so at home there and am very much a part of the gay community.

SSO Back in your Bardot days you had short hair and very flamboyant clothing. Where did your inspiration come from?

KU I thought of myself as a cross between a cartoon character and a sci fi creature with an element of rave culture.

SSO Do you miss being in Bardot?

KU Not at all! I think it all happened how it was supposed to. I did love it but it had a shelf life for me. I had to leave and the decision I made back then was to create more experiences for me.

SSO When you did leave the group was there animosity between you?

KU There was animosity. I spend most of my time in Melbourne and the girls are moving on with their life now. Initially when I left, there were two girls who weren’t happy with the decision and the other two were supportive. It’s all water under the bridge now.

SSO Why did you decide to stick to dance music?

KU I’ve always been much of a dance music person. It was hard for me to get my head around the music we were doing in Bardot at first. Now my music is a true reflection of myself.

SSO You worked with T-funk last year producing Get Together. Any word on another single?

KU In theory that’s on the cards for later this year. We have also done song-writing for other artists as well.

SSO You’re married to a plastic surgeon. Is it hard to juggle it all in? Are there any perks?

KU We don’t get as much time as we should but he understands. My mother is enjoying the perk of me marrying a plastic surgeon.

SSO Lastly, what are the plans for the rest of the year for Mrs Underwood?

KU Hopefully to have a sell-out at Dark Angels, go on holiday and have as much fun as possible.