Jesse Matheson, CEO of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, answers some candid, everyday questions.
The state of my hair is …
Thankfully, quite thick (compared to some of my mates… sorry!) with little flicks of wisdom-filled grey. But I suspect there is more grey to come! Call me for the DNA Silver Daddy issue in a few years.
The state of my heart is …
Beating quite fast due to all of the recent excitement!
The state of my underwear drawer is …
An assortment of pride collection briefs and odd socks. Thankfully, Christmas has just delivered a reset.
The best accessory I ever bought is …
The engagement/wedding ring that sits on my husband’s finger.
The most famous person I’ve met is …
Cher, for just a fleeting moment at the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, but I’ll claim it!
Jesse Matheson
Being CEO of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is ….
An incredible honour, a massive responsibility, and a dream come true. See you there!
The best thing about the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is …
When you take a moment to look around the crowd and see thousands of smiling queer faces. It’s the joy we bring that makes all the work worth it.
The worst thing about the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is …
The comedown! All that excitement over two weeks, and then knowing the next season is a year away. But the work begins again straight after Mardi Gras. Perhaps a new calendar should be created specifically for us!
Back in high school, I was …
A bit of a rebellious ratbag who loved to learn but hated structure and rules. The attitude served me well!
I feel sad when …
I read the news. The world can be so messy and dark, and we have to work to find, or make, a spark of positivity.
The last time I laughed hysterically was …
On a holiday with my best friend in Bali. We always make each other laugh and giggle. You need to find friends who can make you laugh so hard you cry.
I’m shit scared of …
Spiders! I can’t even look at them. Yuck!
People don’t know that I once …
Offended celebrity chef Nigella Lawson. She wasn’t a fan of Aussie humour. Sorry Nigella! I thought it was funny!
If you want to make my blood boil, start talking about …
US politics…… Ugh!
If I travelled a different path, I’d now be …
A lawyer. I almost started the studies earlier this year, but then the Interim CEO role at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras came up. I made the right choice!
My secret food indulgence is …
A meat pie smothered in tomato sauce (ketchup).
My autobiography would be called …
‘Apparently, this is my life’, because I often have to pinch myself. It’s been quite the journey!
If I could have one superpower, it would be …
The power to be in two places at once. My calendar certainly would appreciate it.
My favourite all-time television character is …
Homer Simpson. I’m not sure what that says about me – “D’oh!” While he may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, he’s always fascinated by the world around him, approaches it with good humour, and loves his friends and family.
The song that makes me smile and want to dance is …
Anything Lady Gaga. She’s my absolute number one.
The song I can never get out of my head is …
Donna Summer’s ‘MacArthur Park’. It’s so whimsical and simple, yet also overdramatic and a pop sensation. It also makes me want cake! Though preferably not out in the rain.
My straight mates are …
Always surprised when I tell them what I got up to on the weekend. But they know me well enough to expect nothing less! (And they always wish they had been invited).
For more visit: mardigras.org.au
Follow Jesse on Instagram @jesse_matheson
