On the Leitch

Crossing continents (and genders) with Donovan Leitch

No one quite knows what Donovan Leitch does— singer? actor? model? producer?—but he's made showing up into an art form, GEORGE WAYNE got him cornered recently and gave the boy waif the third degree.

George Wayne:Donovan, the 60s pop star, is your father do you ever listen to any of his old records '.'

Donovan Leitch: I'm his biggest fan. I was just in Ireland with him, and he's writing a musical called The Lives of the Wives about rock wives.

G.W.You are the quintessential dilettante for the 90s—part-time singer, part-time model, part-time actor-producer, and full-time man-about-town.

D.L. Yeah, I love traveling, and my music is completely inspired by the fashion world. All my songs are written about the girls and about the experiences I've had. I just got bored of the Hollywood actor scene. When I was 18, I thought I was gonna be like the next C. Thomas Howell.

G.W.Of late, you seem to be turning into a male supermodel. I love you in the Pepe Jeans campaign. Have you stripped naked for Bruce Weber's camera?

D.L. Yeah, he stuck me in the bathtub with one of his muscle boys and we shaved each other. I didn't mind stripping for Bruce, but now I'm getting really insecure. I never used to think about how I looked.

G.W.You love carrying on down the runway. What was that robotic move you were doing at the Anna Sui show a while back?

D.L. I used to be like a break-dancer, but then I thought, Oh no, now I've really overdone it—Anna is never going to use me again.

G.W.What sign are you?

D.L. Leo.

G.W.What does that mean, Leo?

D.L. Insecurity . . .

G.W.You're insecure?!

D.L. Yeah, even though I'm in the middle of it, I still feel like an outcast. Maybe I'm just a drama queen.

G.W.How did you come up with the name Nancy Boy for your band?

D.L. "Nancy Boy" is an old English term which could mean gay; it's being like a sissy or mama's boy. It plays perfectly to who I am, and how I was raised, being with my mother and my sister and my sort of, like, gay "uncles." When I was 14 I used to wear Adam Ant makeup all the time.

G.W.So what's this I hear about you bragging to friends that you bonked Kate Moss?

D.L.What? Who did you hear that from?

G.W.Just answer my question. Did you bonk or not?

D.L.[Long pause.] You're really trying to get me, aren't you?

G.W.I just want to hear the honest answer to my question.

D.L. Actually, I'm madly in love with her, but as far as I know she's bonking Johnny Depp, and I'm not one to come between that.

G.W.You have girls flocking to you left and right. Why is that?

D.L. I think because I'm so lonely. I'm always traveling by myself. I haven't been in a relationship in such a long time, so I see someone like Kate, and I say, Oh! That would be the perfect person for me. But we've become really good friends, just sort of all enjoying . . .

G.W. . . . Each other. Just like the swinging 60s.

D.L. Yeah, but I want to know where you heard that.

G.W.You can't deny it, can you? D.L.[He starts whistling.]

G.W.Would it be fair to say you are decidedly bisexual?

D.L. Actually, I haven't had a relationship with a man.

G.W.You've never done anything with a guy?!

D.L. No. I have a huge crush on Jaye Davidson, but we're just friends.

G.W.I'm sure Jaye loves that, but I'm a little disappointed.

D.L. Do I seem bisexual?

G.W.Well, you have a certain swish about you which I find appealing.

D.L. True, I'm completely camp. I've never been macho. I feel like it's my alter ego, it's like a release. So many of my friends are gay, and I do feel like I really fit into that whole lifestyle in a way. But then, I'm so turned on and enraptured by women as well. Maybe I'm a lesbian.