The Comment Section with Drew Afualo - IT'S OKAY TO BLEACH YOUR EYEBROWS Ft. Miss Benny | Drew Afualo | THE COMMENT SECTION EP 76

Episode Date: July 26, 2023

[video available on Spotify] Miss Benny joins Drew on The Comment Section this week for an episode that dives into what it really means to live as your authentic self. They talk about how Miss Benny pranked the iconic Kim Cattrall, why Furby toys have a haunting vibe, leaving fake eyelashes in random places at house parties, and so much more! Drew: ⁠https://linktr.ee/drewafualo Miss Benny: IG / TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey y'all, it's Drew. Before we get into this week's episode with the wonderful Miss Benny, I do want to let you all know that this was pre-recorded two weeks before SAGAFRA joined the Writers Guild on strike. So in this week's episode, we do discuss TV and movies. However, again, this was recorded prior to the strike. Now, I want you to know that both Ms. Benny and I stand with the writers and the actors in holding out for fair compensation and wages. So make sure you all support where you can, and we love you all so much. Okay, enjoy the episode. Because that's what it's all about.

Gender expression is purely for attention. I'm biohacking my body. I'm zapping hair out of my face. Entirely so that you'll look at me and say... Just for attention. Yeah. Paradee presents. Ojos with Alergy and Ficcasson.

Contrales. And the winner is Paradei extra-fuerte. To alleviate the piccasson of the eyes Actua more rapidly and supera Claretymy Flownays, even at 24 hours. Parade! Adelante! Hey, everyone, and welcome back to another episode

of the comment section show starring me, your favorite, everybody knows me, and nobody ever cares about me anymore ever since we went to Spotify. Anyways, on to the amazing, wonderful guests. Today we have the iconic, the legendary Miss Benny.

I am so happy to be here. I feel like I'm on, like, at a public school if they had like a little news report that they put on the little screens. What I feel like I'm doing right now. Drag me, bitch. No, I love it. It's very colorful.

It's very sweet. I feel very bright. I mean, I don't feel very bright, but the set is very bright. It's right. The set makes up for it. Yeah. And we matched in our somber colors today. I know.

What are we going through right now? Girl. Are you okay? How much time do you have? Right, right, right. We can talk later. We can talk about this some of the time. I'm so happy to have you.

Oh my God. You living icon, living legend. Living? I don't know. I'm here. Existing. Yeah, yeah. Surviving.

booked right now present Yes I'm excited to be here I feel like everything I've done recently has been over Zoom And so like truly so excited to be in studio right now So excited to physically see you And not worry about my Wi-Fi going out

It's very exciting I'm so happy to have you We're big fans of you here And I know you've been real busy With your amazing Netflix show And I know you're on Fuller House And you've been in the game recently And how has life been

for you. How's life been treating you since your new show came out and everything? It's been great. I mean, I sort of stacked my month of June to be like just putting so much shit out. And so I put my first EP out at the beginning of June. How exciting. It's so great. And then I ended June by putting out the Netflix show. And so I felt like just like the craziest pride of my life. And then now I'm just sort of in like the aftermath, which makes it sound like something bad happened. But I mean like the after show. It's like the point where you get to finally talk about everything you've been working on. Absolutely. Yeah. And it's weird because it feels like I just filmed this show.

But, I mean, we wrapped over seven, eight months ago now or something. Really? A long time ago. Yeah. So it's just weird. It feels like this has been a long time coming. It took five years to make this show. So I'm just like, have at it, read it, make fun of it. It was very much made to be like hate watch and have people make silly memes about it. And so far that's been the response. So I'm really happy. I've been saying lots of really positive responses. My agent actually told me she really likes to your show. Does your agent want to hang out sometime?

She was like, it's so good. I was like, she was excited that you were coming on. That's so sweet. Yeah. What was it like filming the show? It was really fun. And working with like Kim Cottrell. Working with Kim was crazy because I just have always been obsessed with her specifically

in Sex and the City, of course. And when they were casting the role of Madeline, I just kept bugging the producers. You'd be like, it should be Kim Cottrell. And they were like, we'll see it. I was like, Kim Cottrell. They were like, we'll see. And then finally one day they just were like, it's Kim Kachal.

And I like fell out of my chair because I was like, I cannot believe this is happening. Did you request a casting credit? Yes, I absolutely did. And I am responsible for her career now. For all of her success. You're welcome. You're welcome, Kim.

No, it was so crazy. And it was just weird because like knowing her as Samantha Jones, you like, you kind of want to, you don't know how she's going to be in real life, if she's going to want to banter, if she's going to want to not banter. And so anytime I was on seven, with her I just was trying to have those moments.

I remember the first time we actually met, I was wearing just like a big office t-shirt with like basically no pants. And I walked up to her and I was like, hi, I'm big fan so excited to work with you. And she goes, well, look at you. And I was like, look at me. And she was like, who needs pants?

And I was like, I can't believe it. That seems so on brand for her. Yeah, it was pretty perfect. And then like the rest of our like weird banter was always about like the fact that we were in high heels all day. day, which I was like, oh my God, I'm like shit talking high heels with Kim Kachal. This is so crazy. Like, do you think she did this on set of Sex and the City?

It's like, I'm like basically Sarah Jessica Parker. Like, this is so fun. Girl, that's just what other people have said. Yeah. About me. I'm just here to acknowledge what's my truth. That is it mean Kim Kutral. I hate wearing heels.

Yeah, that's fun. And then she, there was a day where she was supposed to be holding a little puppy dog and the puppy's name was tequila. And so there was a day where Kim would, she called me over. And anytime she did that, by the way, I was like pooping my pants. I was like, oh my God, am I in trouble. I don't know why I would be, but if I am, I'm so sorry. And she called me over and she was like, Miss Benny, have you ever met tequila?

And I said, honey, have I? And she laughed. And you said, got him. I said, got him. Check. It was really sweet. So, yeah, it was crazy. That's amazing.

That's so incredible. How long have you been acting for? Oh, God. I've been acting since I was like 11 or 12 when I used to do commercials in Texas. Ooh. I did like Nerf guns, Super Soakers. I did a Furby commercial that was like the most hellish experience I've ever filmed. Why?

I want you to imagine, okay, so it was Texas. It was in this like warehouse studio. And it was when they had started to make the Furbies like alive. They had like the digital face. And they were like kind of AI where it was like they supposedly reacted to how you treated them. Got it. And they were like the pre-Megged, but like Furby form. And then so I walked into the like filming location and they had built like a super colorful like party set for like kids.

But then the walls were lined with the Furbies. The Furbies were like a chandelier. They were like everything was made of Furbies and they were all on. So it was just like loud chirping. And then they had the audacity at the end of the like 12 hour shoot to say like, we also will give you you can have one. You're like, I rebuke. Thank you very much. I said, I do not claim her.

And I immediately, I think I gifted it to one of my friend's kids. And I was just like, oh my God, I thought of you. And by that, I mean, I need to get rid of this demon. I'm passing this art. Yeah. I don't know where that kid is now, but I can't imagine they're doing very well ever since I cursed them. Herpes are oaky spooky. I do not like them.

And they never needed to come alive. No, they didn't. They absolutely did not. None of us did, really. I don't think any of us often. the end of the day. What's that Spy Kids quote where it's like, do you think that God stays in heaven because he too fears what he's created by Steve Buscemi? Do you know that line? That is crazy. Yeah, I do. Even as a kid, I was like, whoa. And it's so real. So real

for that. And he's talking about little dinosaurs on a mountain. And he's talking about Furbys. And he's talking about Furbies. And us. Just the two of us. Just the two of us. Do you personally identify with a Furby? Because I do. They freak me out. I remember my brother got one time. I think in like a white elephant game. And he was kind of spooked by it too because he was young at the time. Yeah. And he was like,

I don't like this thing. Because it was almost like it was listening to us. It was like the Alexis. Yeah. You know, they're like listening. Sometimes I talk and I'd just be talking. Sometimes I'd just be talking to myself.

And sometimes my Google responds to me. And I'm like, girl, I wasn't talking to you. With like opinions. Yeah, she's like, well, that's because I'm like, shut up. Like I say things like that. And then my Google will go. That's not very nice.

The attitude, but also, like, keeping you in mind. That's really funny. I've only seen, like, the videos of people's, I think it's Alexa that, like, periodically just laughs. And I can't think of anything worse than walking around my house. That would scare me. Interviewing myself, like, I'm doing, like, 60 minutes or something. And, like, being, like, fully in character crying about, like, an Oscar that I'm

probably winning in this fantasy. Yeah. And then all of a sudden, I hear, like, an Alexa just be like, Mm. Not her being shady. It's awful. But again, keeping me in line. So maybe there's something to do there. Yeah, sometimes when I was, when I was working, I would do those, you know those Vogue videos they do where they get ready with, like they do their skincare with them? Of course, Kellyuchi's doing a thousand steps of moisturizers.

Or they do their makeup or something. Yeah, sometimes you just pretend when you're doing yours. You're like, next I'm going to be going in with. Oh, if I'm late for anything, it's because I was in my mirror being like, and I'm going to take this. This is Chanel. It's bougie. I know. But I got it recently. It's really changing. my life. Don't skip your eye creams, ladies. And it's really important. I like to put on the under-eye mask while I do my eye shadow so it keeps it hydrating. It just fall out.

Meanwhile, not doing the step. Just saying I'm doing it, if it's not putting anything on my face. No products around me. There's a really fun performative aspect to doing, I don't know if you've ever done, like, any sort of press up where you, like, have to do your makeup and they, like, set it up.

But. No, actually, no. I had to do it, I had to do one, like, yesterday for some beauty brand, and they wanted me to film it, like real. So they were like film it at home. We want it just like propped up like as if it was whatever. And like I think muscle memory. I just was like okay yeah I'll like do my makeup how I always do. But then I forgot that I'm like I'm basically a drag queen because I'm doing like

trans makeup which is like beard block like 10 stages of powder. And so like while I'm filming it, I was like this is going to be promoted to like our like cis moms and like their friends. Like they're not going to understand why I'm painting my face like a pumpkin. And maybe they find it entertaining. Color theory. Yeah. It's important. Allyship.

Yeah. Are you an ally or aren't you? Are you an ally? Do you support this pumpkin or not? Prove it. Literally prove it. God. I'm with you.

I think too with the, I feel like when I do my makeup, I don't talk at all. So I feel boring when I do it. So I haven't had to do anything like that yet. But I also have a professional hair and makeup artist. Like I did one like TV thing like with a brand. And they told me to come, they're filming with like high-deaf cameras. And they were like, oh, the focus is skincare, because they do skincare and makeup. And then they're like, we want you to come bare face.

And I'm like, how bare? Because I'm two weeks, I'm like two weeks away from my major hormonal stages, which means my skin's not skinning. And then I was like, when you say bear, do you mean like bear or do you mean like no makeup makeup? Right. And they were like, well, it's really up to you. And I was like, okay, so no makeup. Makeup, makeup's good. Sounds good.

Right. I did not get that memo when I first started doing makeup videos like for whatever featured content. And there's like a, there's a video. I've tried to get it pulled before, but it just like they won't. They're kind of like, you made this bad lying in it, Diva. But there's this video I did where I was supposed to be doing my makeup on an airplane. So I'm like on an airplane set.

And the idea was they were like, they like really stressed the come. bare-face thing. And I didn't know at the time that no one, like, that's just like no one does that, yeah. You usually show up with like foundation and then you're like, I'm just doing eye makeup, right? So I showed up completely bare bare minerals down.

And I was like, okay. And then I had a horrible mistake, which is I didn't bring anybody. Which I've learned now for like personality videos. I'm like bring a friend. Because these people on the crew a lot of the time, sometimes are like, at least for me, sometimes they're like straight and sometimes they're like dudes. Oh, yeah.

I know you don't really like to talk about straight men in any of your work. Oh, I love to talk about them. I like to talk shit on them. Right, right, right, right, right. I actually, funny enough, saw the, like, Jonah Hill stuff when that first came out, and I was like, I just know you're having a field day. I was like, I just know your stock just went up. I was so excited for you. But, yeah, anyway, anytime I have those videos, I've learned two things.

Don't come bare face even if they ask for it. And bring a friend who will laugh at all your jokes in case the straight people on set, You're telling me. Sometimes I'm firing off jokes and I'm like, man, is this thing on? Are you guys just the most boring crew on planet Earth? Everyone must have like headphones and their focus on a call or something. It can't possibly be because they're all laughing. It's absolutely not me.

I can tell you that much. I'm hilarious. Yeah, I feel that way too. I get what you're saying though. It's nice to have like someone with you. It's nice to have a friend. At the end of the day, it's nice to have friends. It's nice to have somebody that you like around you.

I always bring my. mom and my sister to like anything I film anything and everything I film like and it's like a running bit now with people that I are used to seeing me in filming and any kind of filming capacity because they're like anything we see Drew she has like a plus nine which is true I always bring it's always just my family like yeah my entire family I'm like I'm gonna need a plus eight if that's cool I love that so much and then they're like um you get one I'm like okay four final offer right four final offer you gotta you gotta start with 12 so they work you back to eight they're There you go. That's the trick. You overshoot. And then they're like, I'll give you two. I brought my parents to something for the first time, which was when we did like the, it wasn't like a traditional premiere, but it was what we were doing as a premiere for glamorous.

Yes. And I decided to invite my parents because I was like, oh my God, they'll get to see me all glammed up for the first time. They'll get to see some of the show. Like, it'll just be so great for them to celebrate. And so they came. And then I forgot that it was like a Q&A that I was doing. And so there I am like up on the stage answering questions.

And the moderator was like, So what was your upbringing like as a queer person? And how do you feel now? My parents and I have been on a journey with that. They're super supportive now. But I realized that I started to earnestly answer. I was like, well, growing up in Texas sucked. I was like, it was really hard for me and my environment was not great.

And then I realized they were like right there. And so that I was like, but now it's great. I love visiting. And this Texas so much the food is just so lovely. Like I pivoted so fast because I was like, oh, for the first time I've had my parents directly in front of me. Yeah. They thought it was funny. You're just so honest, girl.

What's your sign? I'm a Pisces. Love. Yeah. I wish I knew more about all of that because every time I tell people that they're like, that makes so much sense. And I can't tell if they're reading me or if they're like, oh, I love that. Yeah.

It's always like, mm. I, yeah, they're like, oh. Yeah. I think you're just fighting your emotions every day. Yeah. Find those demons, girl. There's a lot of them. I honestly, this is their vessel.

I'm just a guest. You're a guest in that house, but... Yeah, I'm an uncomfortable guest. The one that, like, you offer water, and they're like, no, I couldn't possibly. Like, that's how I am in my own body. When you're talking about, like, premieres and stuff, I'm sure you do lots of, like, work things. Like, have you ever had anything embarrassing happen when you go to, like, premieres?

Oh, gosh. Or, like, events or brands or... I mean, sometimes, I mean, I did this. There was a... It was the LGBT Center's gala that they were doing recently. It was like the first carpet that I had done in a, like, I think since I had started transitioning even. So I was like, I really want to like show up and just like gag people, really give them something. And for whatever reason to me, that meant bringing like a Momo stuffed animal from Avatar the Last Airbender being like, this is my new thing.

I was like, I have red hair now. I'm debuting it. And then I went on the carpet for it. And they like took the photos. And I was like, oh, I feel so fierce. And then the photos came out. And there's like fully a hair from my bangs, just like plastered across. my face.

And I was like, first of all, homophobic didn't know said anything. Second of all, transphobic that the photographers took in post of the photos. And then now when press runs about me and they like pull those Getty images sometimes they pull that one and I'm like, there's like clearly, it looks like I'm trying to do that like editorial thing where it's like wet hair plastered to the face.

But it looks like I didn't finish. It just looks like I did one and then I had to go there coffee. Love. Yeah. I actually have a Getty like that too. At a party. Yeah, I was like, oh, yeah. I was at a Rolling Stone party because I was in their creator issue.

They featured me in there. And so it's like a big, it's like a big party at like the mansion they film Scarface at, whenever the fuck people were telling him. One anecdote. Yeah, I'm like, period. I've never seen Scarface. I've never seen Scarface. All the film brothers are like, what?

They're the ones who love watching. They're like, we love when you take us down. What are you talking about? Yeah, I was on that carpet. but it was like the world's tiniest, like, it was like this short, this shallow, like, the photographer. Yeah, like, if I reached out, I could grab the camera. Like, that's how close they were to me.

That's really crazy. And so, like, okay, yeah, no, for sure. Great angle. Love that. Super uptight. Love. And it's like a DMV photo. And so they're taking, and I'm like, okay, so I'm like, okay, I'm going to look up Gettys later.

When I saw them, girl, there's, like, a big, like, I had, like, a big blowout. So my hair is, like, curled out, but there's one hair that's, like, like this. And it's so distracting. I didn't know what's saying. And I don't use FaceTune. So I was like, maybe I could face tune the hair.

And I don't know how to do that. Like, I don't have the tools. You just have like a blurry brown line across your forehead. Because you're like, that'll do it. Yeah. Yeah.

So then when I posted it, I literally just cut my head off. Because if you, like when I, uh, in the grid, I literally just, I was like I cut this whole house so you couldn't see the hair.

So you look like a Facebook mom. Like, didn't know how to crop the square. Yeah. Like I didn't know. how to work the dimension. I love that. I love it's like there's an issue with something. I'm just going to crop it out. Delusion. You're just going to move in it's like lips down. It's very like seductive. It's like sweet. But it's just because there's like a wonky lash.

Oh yeah. It's delusion at its finest for me. Yeah. At this same event that the hair a fiasco happened, I, I wore this pair of shoes that were like, you know like the clear like PVC vinyl or whatever. I, they were like, that's how the toe part was. Oh, yeah. Those hurt. I don't know about you, but I am one of those people who worship. Gibson believes in the house of Presson Acrylic toenails. Specifically French tips because I'm just too lazy to get like my toes dead. I feel you. So I'm like, oh, I'll just press them on.

What I didn't account for is that your feet get really sweaty in those PVC things. And so this didn't show up in the photos, thank God. But at some point in the hour and a half I was at this event, all of the toenails came off within the shoe. They're just floating in there. So literally I like, I got in the car after him. I was like, that was fun. I went to take off my shoe. And literally I was like, where are my toenails?

And I was like, there's like some under my foot. There was some like in the tip of the shoe. And then there were some just completely gone. So like there's just toenails all over the LGBT sitter. Which I'm sure there's been a lost and found of toenails over the years. Just leaving your breadcrumbs all over there like Hansel and Gretel. So then I was so embarrassed. They had like a roaming photographer.

And I was like any photos they took of me, it could be at any state of toenail. Like I have no idea. Honestly, who's to know at that point? I'm also just a mess with press dogs. I mean, I'm such. a press song girl and I did KTLA which was the only time I've ever done anything live. Yeah. I was so terrified and I had these press songs on and I kept joking that one of them was going

to fly off on air and I was going to be like so embarrassed. And then while filming it literally I went to put my hand down and my hand like scraped the table and the one just flew off. And I didn't know I was like you only get like a minute and a half on KTLA and if you're live they are like ready to cut you off. And so I was like, do I make a joke or do I just like let it fly? So I just let it fly and there's just a nail. I was like, great.

This is my impact. I also on that interview, I was trying to make a metaphor about queer people, just wanting to live, like, normal lives like everyone else. And so the metaphor I usually use is, like, I like to get up in the morning, have my coffee, go to the grocery store, come home, go see my friends, like everyone else. But I got, like, nervous and I was so, like, I felt rushed with time that I literally was just like, queer people are just like you. Like, I like going to the grocery store.

I literally just like left it there So then my legacy has now become that I like going to the goshi store And they're like Okay yeah literally great I think the interview thanks miss Benny for your contribution I know like I'm really at the front lines I'm not quite throwing the first brick at Stonewall But I'm definitely picking up a brick at some point You're over there you're in there Trader Joe's

Yeah girl Exema is unpredictable But you can flare less with ebbglis A once-monthly treatment for moderate to severe eczema. After an initial four-month-month- or longer dosing phase, about four in 10 people taking ebbglis, achieved itch relief and clear or almost clear skin at 16 weeks. And most of those people maintain skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing.

Hebglis, Librikizumab, LBKZ. A 250 milligram per 2-millimeter injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults in children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema, also called atopic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals or who cannot use topical therapies. Ebglis can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you're allergic to Epglis.

Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Epglis. Before starting Epglus, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. Ask your doctor about Evglis and visit abglis.com or call 1800 LilyRX or 1-800 545-979. There's like one of the first live things I ever did was I hosted a carpet for Black Adam like the movie in New York and it's in Times Square and they told me like maybe an hour before that it was going to be live and I was like oh period love that nightmare though yeah love that and so it's live streaming on TikTok and then they're also streaming it to the big screen in Times Square so like where the big bleachers are that everyone can like look at that screen like you're watching me and Chris Olson. like we host it together so we were like oh sleigh love that for us so they're like it's live

so you got to be careful what you say like don't cuss don't say this don't say that we have in ears so we're like listening to producers at the same time and then there's an echo so you can like hear me like 10 seconds later and so chris it's the worst like over simulating environment Chris was like this is too much for me and I was like I know it's a lot it's like it's okay we got it I'm like holding us down even though I'm nervous too. I'm like, we got it. I love you taking the position of like, babe, we got this.

So easy. Panicking. And I, before I went there, because I walked first and then I went back to my spot. And I told them, when I go back to my spot, are you guys okay if I change shoes? Because I'm not going to be able to stand in heels for like four hours. Right. So I like, yeah, yeah, totally. So I, my manager, bless him, was holding them in a bag for me.

Love it. And so I changed my shoes. And I'm like, you're not going to see my feet at all, right? And they're like, no, no. Not at all. I'm like, okay. Okay, I'll take the word of the producers. I'm going to trust you.

And so then we're live. And we're like, they're like, oh, banter. Like just like kind of talk about what you're wearing and talk about Times Square, whatever. We're like, oh, are you excited to be here? Like we're like talking to each other. And I was like, yeah, girl. And then we're talking about each other's outfits. And I'm like, well, I had to change my shoes because I can't stand in heels.

But, you know, it's all right. And then the cameraman goes down like this. Girl, my feet on camera. My feet in Times Square. Your flats. My flat and my bare feet. Like, I'm like, my dogs are out and you're putting them in the Times Square billboard. Everybody passing by is like, hell yeah.

We have some toes up there today. Oh, now we're talking. That's crazy. And Chris was like on the mic. He's like, yeah. And he goes, oh, and they're on camera. Oh. Because they're like.

So not only are they on there. He's calling out that they're there. He's drawing attention to the fact that they're in here. And then we're looking at them. And I was like speech. Did you give a wiggle? I was like, well, I had no choice but to like move my. I'm like, okay, well, we can pan that back up.

We don't have to look at those. At that point, you just have to, like, pleia. Or, like, do something so weird so that people are distracted. You just, like, spread them really hard. Yeah, like, push your toes over as far as you can. Grip the front of my sandal. It's, like, white knuckle like your toes. My, like, one of my funny Kim Katral stories is we were in heels all the time on the show.

But obviously, again, if they're not on camera, like, we would wear comfort shoes. And for me, mine were, like, my platform purple crocks with. I love platform crocs. They're the best. They're kind of hard to walk in sometimes because they're rubber. So you're just like wobbling. But love them so much. They're also like the height I am in heels.

So it like works for like height camera stuff. I don't know. Technical things people have relayed to me. But I, uh, Kim's were like a chic like, I don't even know what's like quirk. It's very like Lizzie McGuire shoe. Like it was very chic. I should have taken that note.

But I had this recurring bit with all the castmates where like right before I take would start. I would look at them and be like, oh, you have something. Oh, I'll tell you. after. And then like they panicked. It was like a horrible prank I would play. But I got, Carmen got its gift for me because then I had, I was about to do a scene with Kim, who I'm like so intimidated by, no matter how many times we work together. And we're about to walk into this scene. They're like calling all the things. And then they're about to say action. And she just looks down at my shoes, looks at me and just goes, and I was like, she got me. She gagged you.

She literally twisted my own game on me. And you know what? She was right. My feet did look funny. She kind of ate me up a little bit. You know with Crocs, there's little holes and you can see your toes. She can see like the space in between my toes where I didn't have gibbits. It was so embarrassing. But then when I went to like tell all the other cast about it, it was like, I can't believe Kim said that.

They were like, you act like you don't literally do that. Girl, that's different. Yeah. I'm like, no, that's different. I'm like being silly. That's comedy. Girl, that's comedy. Look it up.

Yeah. She got a good laugh. And she got me. I do get what you mean about. about the height disparity thing. Are you tall? Are you tall? I'm like five nine.

I'm not really tall. Oh, okay. I'm pretty tall without heels, but like, uh, I filmed some sort of like commercial thing and I, the guy I was filming with is like, I'm six feet tall.

So the guy I was filming with is like, probably like five, 10, 5.11. Okay. So when we did wardrobe, like when we had meetings about it, I was getting styled for it and I told them like,

oh, just so you guys know I'm tall. Right. Like, I'm tall, bitch. So, optics-wise, if it matters, like, I maybe don't give me a heel because I'll be, like, way taller than him. And then I'll be looking down and I don't know if he goes. Yeah. I don't know if you like that. So, and they're like, yeah, yeah, yeah, no worries.

They style me. They put me in pretty high heels. So I'm like, okay, well, maybe he's tall. I don't know. Right. And so we get to the shoe and we're, like, fully ready. And we stand next to each other. and like I'm like four inches taller than him.

And when I saw them all, they were like, oh, you meant tall, like tall, tall, tall. And I think they meant like five. You're like, I'm a petite tall, like a small tall. Like little girl tall. That's crazy. Did they put them on like an apple box or something? No, they changed my shoe. They cut off my leg from the knee down, actually.

I'm stubborn from this. They made me sit. Yeah. No, they literally put me in a, like, I was calling him like eighth grade promotion heels. You know what I mean? Like the little tiny like square block heel. At that point you should be barefoot. That's what I'm saying.

I'm like, at one point because I was just standing for hours. Like we, that shoot day was probably like 10 or 12 hours. I literally told them I'm like, do you guys mind if I just stand in my socks? Is that cool? It's like more inconvenient to have. Like if it's less than a kitten heel. Yeah, it is. It was far less than a kitten heel.

It painful. It's harder to walk in. Because then you're walking on like a mighty bean. Yeah. It's like not... On a jelly bean girl. Yeah, it's like not even... It's not supporting anything.

Yeah, and it's like they pinch so hard because the shoe is just so... The way their bill is just so awful. So I was like, do you guys care if I just like stand in my socks? Right. And they were like, oh, no, no, yeah, you could take them off. And I took them off and it didn't matter. Because then we were more eye level at that point anyways because he had like a healed, like, loafer on.

They should put him in a pump. That's what I'm saying? I'm like, why don't you give him a heel and let me stand in my flat shoe? One of my favorite things is when I, anytime that I, when I was like presenting as a boy and I would do these acting jobs where I had to have a stunt double for whatever reason, the stunt double, they like,

they just cast who's like adequately able to do the stunt. They don't think about like the optics of what I'm doing in the scene. And so the amount of times a stunt double has come in who's usually like a straight guy and then he has to put on whatever shoe I was wearing to do the stunt. And he's like never walked in heels. So then there's like a shot where all of a sudden I'm just like, like running in these heels. They're lucky that I like camp

because I think that's so funny. There's something really amazing about it being me being like, oh, let me just jump over this really quick. And then it cuts like the Hulk, like jumping over in a pump. Like that works for me, but I imagine it wouldn't work for everybody. I'm just a different kind of girl.

That's crazy. A stunt double is crazy. The concept to me is crazy. I knew someone that did a, they had a stunt where they were in high heels and they were on a motorcycle. They were like driving a motorcycle. And then they like get off the motorcycle really fast and like, I don't know, do some cool thing. Yeah.

And so they had like a motorcyclist stunt double, but he was like genuinely so butch and had never even touched a pump in his life. I don't think he even understood what a pump was. So then they put him in it and he like does a motorcycle thing and then he gets off and just like hobbly lobbly like walks over. And my friend was just like, how do I like teach this guy to like strut in the like, 30 minutes we have before coming. Right. It's like, do I have to play the cheetah girls? Like, I have to start young.

You can't just jump right away. I know. It's a process. Yeah, there's baby steps to being a diva. Either you got it or you don't. And that's what we've always said. Yeah, and that's what I've always said. And I've always said that literally.

Yeah, when it comes to divahood. Okay, so on to our topic for today. Today, our topic, we're going to be talking about living authentically as yourself. So you're someone who, I read your timepiece, by the way, which is so incredible. And I find you so inspiring in many different ways. Obviously, you're hilarious and so talented. But I also find you very inspiring for how you're choosing to live so authentically

and still actively working and having an online presence. So what has that journey been like for you? Oh, my. I mean, it's been a long, interesting journey because I started out being a public person on YouTube and doing music when I was like 15. And at that point, I hadn't, like, fully formed my identity. But at the same time, I was being given, like, notes on my identity. So you have this weird thing when I'm sure you feel this all the time, too.

But it's like you're being rewarded for something you're exhibiting publicly at the same time. You're deciding if you even like it. Yeah. So then you're in this weird thing. We're like, I don't even know what I like. It's like a predatory. Yeah. And so I landed in that for so long, which complicated so much of my self-discovery.

And then I like unintentionally kind of stepped away from social media and everything when I was like 20, 21 at the beginning of the pandemic. And then that sort of allowed me to like take inventory of everything that I had sort of done. And it's funny because a lot of the work that I had done was exactly what I want to do. But I just was so go, go, go. I hadn't processed it. So it's funny. Like my intro to like music and my intro to being a YouTuber was always about. gender related topics and self-expression.

And then now looking back, I'm like, how did I not know I was trans? And I was literally 14 being like, I'm just such an ally. I think if you like to express yourself differently, that's great. Like, the signs were all there. I just wasn't reading them. And now I'm just super grateful that I get to sort of opt into that position rather than before I felt like, oh, I'm here now. I might as well, like, be this.

Yeah. I love being authentically me. and I love doing it the way that I do it. Perfect. Okay, so, and we're also going to kind of talk about how the internet can be like a way to be representative for so many people, whether it's intentional or not. So I feel like once you get the platform, it's like what you said. It's now you're choosing to opt in as opposed to like almost being like, well, I might as well do it since I'm already here. Yeah.

Which I totally get. So first video we're going to look at. for those of you who aren't familiar, what we do here on the comment section is we bring videos that I was tagged in, who are applicable to our topic today, and then we either make fun of them, kiki about them, or I guess that's

pretty much it. Nothing really else to it. Only two options. You don't make fun of someone or you kiki with that's how I navigate through life. Exactly. Okay, so this first video has pictures of a couple with the caption. I started dating my boyfriend when I was very feminine and went by she-her. Then, after

to four years, I came out as non-binary. In the end is a video of them super happy and crying with the caption. And today, he referred to me as his partner instead of his girlfriend for the first time. Which is so sweet. We don't get sweet videos very often on here. I was like waiting for this to turn. She was like, and then I whipped his ass. And I was like, right, right.

Well, you know, obviously, it was called the comment section. So the comments are always the worst part. But very often, not very often. Do we have videos that are sweet? And meant to be sweet. Like in their very nature and intention. So this first comment, obviously, I can confirm that all these comments, you can't see the names, but they're all ugly men. But this first one says, I'll never understand why this generation is so starved for attention.

Because that's what it's all about. Gender expression is purely for attention. I'm biohacking my body. I'm zapping hair out of my face entirely so that you'll look at me and say, just for attention. Just for attention. Yeah, no. Yeah, I mean, growing up queer, I literally, the number one thing I was like, don't draw attention, like, keep people away, you know.

I can't help it that I'm just so magnetic that people just want to look at me. I'm just so popular. I mean, I can't help it that I'm so sexy and so funny and so smart. And so humble. What always blows my mind about those kind of comments, though, is because I get these on my, like I just started TikTok recently and I've started getting those comments now, It always blows my mind because I'm like, isn't TikTok algorithmic? Yeah, girl.

I'm like, how is this show up on your feed? Call's coming from inside. You love giving the girls attention. You want to worship the dolls. That's why I always think, like, is that the case? Maybe. Or do you just want to give them all your attention? I don't know.

Or are they just drawing your attention? Like, do they want attention or is that just something that piques your interest? It's also like sometimes I found like when my time article came out a lot of the like transphobic backlash Like was kind of complimentary in a weird way where like there was one guy in particular who responded and was like oh This guy's had a lot of good work done and I was like I haven't even had FFS. I was like you think I looked that good? He was kind of calling me hot. You're like I'm surfing come. No he literally was like wow you literally have you look great If you take out the like man part I was like I actually like this comment a lot

You're old misgendering aside You're attracted to me Yeah I was like you could maybe Misterner to be a little if it means you're going to say I look amazing There was I've gotten comments before that were like It's like they're glam photos so obviously like I'm in like two hours of hair and makeup So obviously I'm serving your body is like three inches below whatever you have on Exactly like I'm super like operating from

the highest level of like beauty at that point. And I'll get comments like, yeah, she, this looks good, but like without those hundred pounds of makeup, I'm like, pause. I made that pee-p-wiggle a little. A little bit. And you're like, guess what? I have the makeup. I'm like six more weeks of winter, huh? I heard it.

I love that. I also love that, like, I find that comments like that are people who are like, uh, you. You tried to trick me and you almost got me. But you didn't get me this high. If it wasn't for those meddling kids. Yeah, and I've always like, do you think that I'm just like a, I'm stiff in here for like two seconds?

I'm like, if I have a full face of makeup, I'm going everywhere with that makeup. It's not coming off until seconds before I go to bed. Exactly. And sometimes not even then. Yeah. I don't advocate for that,

but I will say it's happened a couple times. Sam. I've woken up with an eyelash on my forehead before. I've been like, that's my new eye. I've woken up and it's missing off my face and I don't know where it went. Yeah.

Yeah. You don't even know if it's at your house. Happens to the best of us. I used to it, but I'm good. Someone has it. I'd get drunk at house parties. I would just be like, watch this. And I'd take my lashes off and, like, put them on like a potted plant or something.

And I always to this day wonder at what point somebody who, like, whoever's house it was was, like cleaning and was like, is that those fucking eyelashes on my base? That's your calling card, like Zorro. Yeah, that's how you know I was there. Seen of all my crimes. Oh, my God. One time. I think one of the few times I, like, didn't remember everything from, like, me and my friends, we had, like, a raging Super Bowl party when I was in college.

And I remember the next morning, I'm like, why has my throat taste like ash? Like, did I, like, eat a pile of ash? And someone's like, oh, you were smoking cigars all night. Cigars? Who has cigars? Hello, father. I'm like, we're all teenage girls. Like, who has cigars?

I love the idea of some girl at a Super Bowl party. being like, all right, guys, I'm pulling out like a three-inch day. And then my friends show me pictures of me holding it. And I said, where did I get that? You just let me smoke a random cigar? I hope the first photo was like the full-length cigar. And then the next photo was an hour later. And it was like a tiny little nub.

I was just going in. I wouldn't be surprised if I ate it like a carrot stick. That's what my throat tastes like. There's like a shark bite. Literally I was like a popsicle. You think it's one of this jerky stick? Stick up the whole car. That was me going, watch this, and I just eat a cigar hole.

Yeah. And everyone was like, you just did that. And you were like, and that's called being a performer, honey. You could never. It's called comedy. Look it up. Yeah. My teeth are just ash black.

Like, they're just coated in ash. It's like that chocolate trick where you like get a chocolate, like frosting. You put on one too. But it's a cigar and it's like horrible. They're like, she's honestly, she's my friend. Okay. Be nice to her. That's them defending me.

So sweet. Oh, my God. Well, thank you so much to the wonderful Miss Benny for joining us today. You are an icon and a legend. I adore you. Thank you. I think you're so fun. Before we leave, do you want to give any advice to anyone who may be struggling with

or grappling with wanting to live authentically as themselves, whether it's in real life or online? Yeah. I mean, these are things that I'm actively learning about my transition right now and myself right now. The two rules I'm trying to follow are to be patient. I think sometimes when you're wanting to be yourself, you want to go from like zero to RuPaul. Like you want to be like there and you just have to be patient with yourself and realize you're in like a new stage of puberty a lot of the time and like re-learning things that no one ever taught you when they should have. And the other thing I say is to protect yourself, whether that means to advocate for yourself and to speak up for yourself or if it means to take time to heal to give your brain some space, to get your brain some space, to get you.

get your nervous system together. Those are like the two principles that I found have been so helpful for me as when I was living as a gay man and now as a trans woman, just allowing myself the space to enjoy the transition and enjoy the time. I mean, being your authentic self is not a destination. It is a day-to-day thing. You know, some days you just, it's not happening. And some days it is.

And you've got to honor that when it happens. Yeah, absolutely. And also, if you're thinking of bleaching your brows, I get it. I did it. You should try it. But just make sure you have the other color you're going to put in to fix it later there. So you have it. Just in case.

Yeah. You need that. I recommend that. Sound advice. Yeah. If I'm here to say one thing, it's bleach the brows, but understand there's a time limit. Have a safety net. Yeah.

Have a plan B. It starts growing in and you're like, I don't want to do this again. Well, thank you so much to the amazing Miss Benny for joining us this week. Where can everybody find you? Everyone can find me at Miss Benny on everything. Except for TikTok, I hate Miss Benny. It's not indicative of how I feel about myself at all, I'm sure. But we can talk about that later.

Otherwise, you can listen to my debut EP Swelter, or you can watch Glamours on Netflix. Very fun show, very silly. Please hate watch it. Please make fun of me. It is such a good time. Thank you so much for joining me. I adore you. You're hilarious.

And thank you so much for joining us on this episode of The Comment Section show. remember new episodes drop every Wednesday exclusively on Spotify and we'll see you next week bye