Canadian native and West Palm DJ Guy DeGiacinto talks about unsnapping bras at The Palace and what he’d do for a day if he was Oprah
Where did you grow up? In Cornwall, Ontario, which is the same city that Ryan Gosling is from. How long have you lived in South Florida? For three years. Why did you move here? To escape the brutal Canadian winters. What part of South Florida do you live in? We live in a community called Andros Isles, in West Palm Beach. What do you like most about living here? Until early January 2018, I would have said the warm weather (laughs)! What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? The Copa. Where do you hang out in South Florida? Mostly in our yard by the pool, which is like a mini-jungle. It’s filled with many different types of orchids. What’s claim-to-fame? A DJ at many different venues, including Gay Days and Le Stud. How would you like to be remembered? As kind, compassionate and empathetic. Will you ever retire? Not as long as I remain relevant and my passion doesn’t become my “job.”
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Who would you like to be for a day? Oprah, and the day when she yelled to the audience, “You get a car! You get a car! You get a car…! Everybody gets a car!!” Do you believe in the afterlife? Yes. Who or what is the greatest love of your life? My husband, Charlie DeGiacinto. What talent would you most like to have? To be a good singer. What talent do you admire in other DJs? Their ingenious creativity, and the ability to remain approachable and well-grounded (for those that do). What kind of music do you like that might surprise people? French-Canadian folklore music. What’s your dream gig? Headlining at World Pride. What’s the weirdest question that a fan has asked? “Could you unstrap my bra so that I can let these babies out to bounce to your phat beats?” That was said to me at The Palace. What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Madonna. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? Beatport.com, to buy some new music.
What the best place that you’ve visited, and why? Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. It’s a Pacific Coast city that’s very gay friendly, and I loved being part of nature, with the many species of wildlife. What did you learn from your parents? To always treat everyone with respect. What performer do you admire, and why? Charles Aznavour. He is 93-years-old and still performing. He could have retired a wealthy man many years ago, but his life is his music, and he will perform until the very end. What’s your best characteristic? That I’m an eternal optimist. How do you enjoy spending your time? Producing music in the studio, hanging out by the pool in our yard, scuba diving, travelling, and learning something new. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Well, until recently, it was Kevin Spacey. But I’ve always had a crush on Tom Selleck as well. Who do you admire, and why? I admire Tony Moran. He’s a legendary singer, music producer and DJ, but somehow he’s remained grounded, approachable and such a nice person.
If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be, and why? My mom. She passed when I was 15, and I never got to come out to her. And—although I know she accepted me unconditionally—I would have loved to spend more time as an adult with her, which is when we develop a special friendship with our parents. Where would you go in a time machine, and why? Actually, I wouldn’t be going that far back. I’d like to return to the Olympia Theater in Paris in 1960 to see my all-time favorite singer Edith Piaf live in concert. What would your last meal be? Definitely a large pepperoni pizza with double everything! What do you worry about? Getting old, and remaining relevant in a youthful industry. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? An accordion. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A wolf. Who depends on you, and for what? Our white miniature schnauzer, Cody! I take care of him as my child, as he really is the child I never had.
Who are you closest with? Our friends Jim and Jerry, my BFF Karen Torrie-Racine (who’s someone I don’t see often), and my husband Charlie. What would your autobiography be called? Aucuns Regrets. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? French music—like Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour and Michel Sardou. What’s on your bucket list? To visit and DJ in Australia. What’s your greatest regret in life? I was asked by my ex-partner in the 90s to choose between my music or a relationship. At the time, I chose the relationship, but somehow I lost both, because I wasn’t happy without my music. What’s something that you never told anyone else? I once dated a high school teacher, who, after I fell in love with him, told me that he was really a priest. I was crushed. Where can we see you? At Gay Days in Orlando, from May 30th to June 4th. The details about my set will be posted online very soon!
