Dani Campbell achieved fame on MTV’s ‘A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila.’ She headlines several women's parties during Atlanta Pride. (Photo by Melissa Rodwell)
She's so 'futch' Lesbian reality TV star says Atlanta women ‘better produce’
Dani Campbell got to take “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila” on the MTV reality show’s premiere season last year, but she was eliminated in the final round when the bisexual Myspace star picked the guy, Bobby Banhart, over the girl.
But women who love women can’t get enough of Campbell, who identifies as “futch” — a combination of femme and butch. She recently signed a contract with Logo for her own travel series (yet to be named and filmed) and is continuing to develop a clothing line for women who like to wear men’s clothes, but can never seem to get the right fit. She also happens to be a firefighter in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a former bartender, and loves softball, kickball and paintball.
Campbell, who says she was able to get over Tequila’s rejection fairly easily after the show ended, is now in an exclusive relationship. She’s currently traveling the Pride circuit to give the girls something to shout about, but stresses her life is not always about a party. Campbell says many young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people consider her a role model, a responsibility she takes seriously.
Southern Voice caught up with Campbell while she was waiting on a flight to San Francisco Pride, before heading to New York and finally, to Atlanta this weekend. Here, she headlines the popular Curve Magazine and Pandora Events parties, scheduled throughout Pride weekend at Front Page News, Center Stage/The Loft and Bellisima.
SoVo: What do you think about Tila Tequila’s recent statement that she and her show contributed to gay marriage being legalized in California?
Campbell: Wow! She’s not very humble is she? Well, you know, the show was a first of its kind, so I’m not going to take that away from her. But we’ve been fighting for equality for a long time. For her to think she can make a TV show and make everything OK is a little obscene. It’s going to take more than a TV show, sweetheart.
We hear you’re getting your own TV show. What’s it about?
Yes, I signed a contract with Logo … and now we’re just waiting as far as when we’re going to start shooting. It’s a traveling show.
That’s pretty much it. Travel around and visit cool places and let people know where to go visit. I love to travel and find hidden treasures everywhere, what to do, what’s fun. That’s what I hope to do. And with the economy and way it is, I’d like to make it a budgeted travel show, make it affordable. It won’t be only an extravagant thing that only millionaires can afford. It will be for the average traveler.
Does this mean your firefighting career is on hold?
No, no, no. It takes about a month for filming. I just take the time off I need and then go back to work.
Many of your fellow firefighters really got into watching ‘A Shot of Love at Tila Tequila’ and even got wrapped in all the drama. What do they think about this new show you’re planning?
They’re excited. They’ll probably be upset because I won’t be making an ass out of myself this time. [Laughs]
Do you keep in touch with Tila Tequila? Are you dating anyone now or dating around?
We never talked after the show. It was a TV show. You keep that in your mind when you’re making it. So you can only let your guard down as far as that will let you. It’s not like I fell in love with the girl. I just liked her. No, I’m not acting like a celebrity slut. I am dating someone exclusively. I am happy. Anyone that truly cares will be happy for me as well.
Some young gay people are now looking up to you. What message do you hope they will take away from seeing you and reading about you?
I hope to instill qualities into these young folks that they need — a good foundation, how to be proud of yourself, be honest. If you treat everything like that you will succeed. Just to make a difference in someone’s life is rewarding. I help people in my firehouse; if I can do it in my second job, it’s great.
Tell us more about the clothing line, “Futch,” and the word itself.
I have a designer, but — I think someone else is calling me from across the airport — we just need a graphics designer. My business partner and I are working with my cousin — he gets the images out of our heads. Right now we just have t-shirts, but we want to create button downs, pants, ties, an entire clothing line. It’s taking a lot of time, it’s very expensive, and the economy the way it is, we’ve had investors back out. It’s coming along slowly but surely.
When I auditioned for the show, they asked me if I was more femme or butch, and I said I was a bit of both, a “futch.” I’m not saying I created the word, but everyone picked up on it and it’s become popular.
What’s your favorite reality show?
You know, that’s funny. I don’t watch TV ever. I don’t watch “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette.” I don’t even watch the “Real World.” I’ve seen clips here and there. On the show, they kept saying it was going to be like this show or that show, and I was the only one who was clueless.
Are you excited about coming to Atlanta?
I’m really excited. I know the parties are going to be great. You know, some parties are definitely better than others. I just know Atlanta will be a lot of fun because I’ve been there and the girls like to show their pride. I don’t think there will be any holding back. I expect it to be one of the better cities. And it better produce!
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