Mikey Koffman Interview Part 2

Lesbian Life: We all hear that reality TV is not real. Aside from what you just talked about, what would you say to that?

Mikey Koffman:You know, the filming is real, but you never know how it’s going to be edited. And when it gets edited, it becomes unreal. Like when you don’t see a person’s face when they’re talking, chances are, that’s a conversation that’s getting chopped up. They kind of make my assistant say the New York event is a disaster. Which is funny because you don’t see her face when she’s saying that and it’s something completely different. A different conversation. It’s definitely a roll of the dice. It’s hard for me because I like to have control of my life and control over what’s being put out there and having a PR company it’s my job to be in control of the images of myself and of my clients. So that part was a little tough, to let go of control and trust what the producers were telling you. Nine times out of ten you find out you probably shouldn’t have trusted them. It’s gets rough. I’m glad it’s over. I’m glad we had a good run. People will take away from it what they will. None of us are f**king perfect.

And what about your clients. What have their reactions been?

They’ve been pretty happy. We’ve had some troubles in the middle of the filming with some clients.

Because they didn’t want to be filmed?

We had a client who did not want to be on the show. And that’s fine too. We got a few Christian companies that I work with. You know, I didn’t build my business on the gay community. I don’t have any gay clients. But 99% of them came to the table and were like, we totally want to support you. But there is that one percent that you have to tip-toe around. Just like I don’t want people’s opinions forced on me, I don’t want to force my beliefs and opinions forced on others. I have to respect them.

So, it was a bit of homophobia that kept them from being involved?

I definitely think it was the content and what the show was about. It’s a toss-up because I have to keep business and personal separate. Sure it kind of hurt my feelings but it’s business at the end of the day. They want to keep control of how their company is portrayed and I totally respect that. It’s my job to do what they want.

And they’re still working with you?

Yeah.

You said you did the show for your business. What kind of impact has it had?

Not really any yet. The only thing I see different is a lot of cuckoo people calling Showroom now. Sometimes I'll come into work and people will have left the craziest messages.

Have you been recognized on the street?

Yeah, you know I’ve done some television stuff before and with my clients constantly on camera, we’re doing a news show, ya know, so I already had a little of that. I think it’s pretty cool because it gives you an opportunity to connect with people and make new friends. I’m pretty down to earth like that.

Back to your proposal and tying into current events with the California decision on Prop 8. Are you going to wait for it to be legal, or are you mainly interested in the ceremony?

Here's the deal, the ceremony is Raquel’s deal. I could go through the rest of my life and not get married. But it’s important to her and I want to give that to her. I get that we are fighting for equality and I want to be a part of that, but at the same time I don’t need a f**king piece of paper for me to prove to somebody that I love them. I get the reasons why we’re moving together as a unit. It sucks in 2010 that we’re even having this conversation. What is even more ridiculous is that it’s state by state by state. How many times do we have to have the same fight and argument? I think it’s super sad that we even have to go through this sh*t.

In some ways, I think we’re so advanced when it comes to war and technology and ways to kill people, but when it comes to ways to actually cultivate humanity, we’re f**king so far behind. That’s what makes me sad.

Is there going to be another season? If there is are you going to be a part of it?

(Stalls) Um… If I were to do it again, the set-up would have to be very different. I’d have to have complete control over the content and actually know that what’s being shown is the truth. You know, I’ve gotten mad and I’ve lost my temper before at work, I’ve said mean things before and I have no problems admitting all those things, it’s the sh*t that isn’t true that really gets under my skin. I’m a big proponent of the truth.

My last question, so you’ve been traveling around. I’ve seen you at different lesbian events, what’s the one lesbian fashion you wish would just go away.

You know it’s kind of funny people make a lot of fun of my hair, I’ve seen all the write ups on it. But I’ve got to say, I’ve seen a lot of interesting haircuts out there. It’d be nice to do some makeovers on some girls. Maybe bring them into the 20th century.

Any hairstyles in particular?

I don’t know, I’m kind of a fan of the mullet. (laughs) I’d like to take care of some of the girls in a fashion sense. I’d like to bring a little more fashion forward for the lesbian girls.

Great! Where can we sign up?

Well, that’s part of the idea for the consumer driven shows (that she wants to bring to different cities.) Hit the top cities we want to be in and maybe raise some money. I’m super excited to be working with HRC this year for fashion week. We’re going to try and raise some money for them. We’re also working with the Green Youth Movement again. I love working with them and raising money for their nonprofit. We’re working to try and raise some money for some great charities.