Fin Argus Q&A | POPSUGAR Celebrity

In our Q&A collection Last Call, we get right down to the underside of each final thing with a few of our favourite celebs — from the final time they have been starstruck to the final music they listened to. This week, it is Fin Argus.

For Fin Argus, probably the greatest elements of filming the lately launched “Queer as Folk” reboot was spending time in New Orleans, the place the present takes place. “It’s the best queer scene I’ve ever been part of, and individuals are so expressive there,” they inform POPSUGAR. “It’s an setting the place weirdness is inspired. And that, for me, is admittedly thrilling as a result of I’ve at all times been a little bit of an off-kilter particular person, and so I felt, like, I instantly slot in there, which was a model new expertise for me.”

“While it was nonetheless the South and I used to be operating into homophobia and transphobia principally on daily basis, I additionally felt this sense of security in the truth that I knew I had queer folks or allies throughout,” they clarify. “New Orleans is a very progressive and exquisite place. It’s a beacon of queerness in the midst of Louisiana.”

In the brand new “Queer as Folk,” now streaming on Peacock, the present strikes from Pittsburgh (the place the unique American collection was set) to the Big Easy, and the town’s LGBTQ+ tradition shines by means of the display. Argus performs Mingus, a nonbinary teen who’s nonetheless figuring issues out. In the primary episode, Mingus has a debut efficiency in drag, however the second of glory is interrupted by a shooter who assaults the homosexual bar. The remainder of the collection focuses on the characters as they address the grief and trauma within the aftermath.

Argus says collection creator Stephen Dunn informed them about this plot level instantly: “It’s actually necessary to him bringing mild to that storyline and watching how folks unpack their respective PTSD and heal and construct neighborhood after a tragedy like that,” they are saying. “An enormous a part of why this present’s being reimagined is to carry mild to the tough actuality that queer folks face, and that actuality is oftentimes aggression and violence, particularly in additional conservative areas.”

“What this present does is it provides you an opportunity to look previous that inciting incident and see the humanity in all of those lovely and human characters,” Argus says. “We giggle our manner by means of ache plenty of the time and cry our manner and hug our manner.”

Argus really heard concerning the present straight from Dunn. They’d watched a film he directed, “Closet Monster,” and fell in love with it. “I made a decision to achieve out to him on Instagram, not even realizing that I knew him already and we have been really neighbors,” they are saying. “I used to be like, ‘This is the man who walks his lovely little chihuahua previous my home each morning.'”

They began to hang around, and Argus confirmed Dunn some music and movies that they had made. Dunn felt the vibe was excellent for Mingus and requested them to learn for the function.

Argus says drag wasn’t on their radar earlier than they booked the half. “I used to be like, ‘Wow, this character is so enjoyable. Will I be capable of pull off a drag efficiency?'” they clarify. “But I really like a problem, and I acquired to researching and instantly after I acquired to New Orleans, I used to be welcomed with open arms by the drag neighborhood there. Laveau Contraire, Virginia SlimJim, Visqueen, Hugo Gyrl — there are a bunch of queens that actually embraced us as a manufacturing, after which me particularly as this booger drag queen simply making an attempt to be taught the ropes.” On the present, Mingus develops as a performer, and Argus says they have been on a parallel course of. They really began performing in drag off-set as properly. “And I’m now in love with drag, and I’m nonetheless doing it,” they are saying.

The trauma of the capturing and the enjoyment of drag efficiency got here collectively for Argus — and Mingus — in a closing drag efficiency for the character. “It’s this actually climactic and cathartic second for Mingus,” Argus explains. “Basically, all of it culminates on this one second the place they offer this home down drag efficiency, and it ends with them sobbing on the ground.”

“That was actually tough to play and it was exhausting, however I’m actually pleased with it. And it was additionally simply a lot enjoyable, as a result of it ends on this second of uninterrupted pleasure,” they clarify. “The efficiency ends, and everybody begins dancing with one another and smiling.” Argus will get emotional simply excited about it, tearing up. “That’s the enjoyment that every one queer folks deserve.”

The present spends one episode following the solid throughout a Mardi Gras parade, and Argus acquired to expertise the enjoyment of New Orleans Mardi Gras in actual life, too. “I did not suppose I used to be going to love Mardi Gras as a result of I do not actually normally like partying that a lot,” they are saying. But they have been stunned it was much less of a go-hard, consuming environment and extra of a neighborhood second of celebration. “Everyone is wearing these enjoyable costumes, and everybody simply desires to present one another a hug. It was so good. I beloved Mardi Gras. What a magical day,” they are saying.

One of their favourite moments got here just a few days earlier than Mardi Gras. “There’s at some point that’s the House of Barkus, which is principally only a canine parade, and it was essentially the most heavenly expertise of my life,” they are saying. “I walked out to get my espresso within the morning, and there have been lovely canines in all places.”

Keep studying to see what else Argus has to say about their “Queer As Folk” costars, their studying record, and extra.

What was the final day on the “Queer as Folk” set like?

The final day we have been all filming collectively, it was this scene the place we’re all strolling into Babylon within the final episode. . . . We have been simply blubbering messes. We have been all sobbing, snot-nosed. We took a bunch of lovely photographs. It was very thrilling. And it was a protracted shoot, too, so it represented quite a bit. I really feel like each single certainly one of us modified a lot and realized a lot about ourselves by means of the method of filming. Not solely was it thrilling to wrap the present, however we have been additionally simply feeling all these private journeys getting tied up. It was a particular, special occasion.

Who was the final “Queer as Folk” costar you texted?

Probably Chris. Chris Renfro performs Daddius, and they’re my finest good friend. We turned tremendous shut throughout filming, and so they’re nonetheless my finest good friend.

When was the final time you have been starstruck?

I used to be lately on the GLAAD Awards a pair weeks in the past, and I’ve been binge-watching “Drag Race” like no one’s enterprise. I had simply completed watching the season the place Yvie Oddly received. I used to be strolling the crimson carpet, after which she walks previous me, and I actually was like, “You’re so cool.” And she stated, “Thanks.” She’s very good. Very good. But I used to be genuinely starstruck.

What is the final picture in your digicam roll?

The final picture on my digicam roll is of me and Ryan [O’Connell] doing press.

What was the final present you binge-watched?

“Drag Race.” Like I stated, obsessive. But I’ve additionally been watching “Summer Camp Island,” which is that this cartoon on HBO Max, and it’s so calming and healthful, and it is simply one of the best colour palette.

What was the final film you watched?

“The Cat within the Hat.” That film is superb, and I’m not even kidding. Not even in an ironic manner. It is simply straight up good.

What was the final guide you learn?

Right now I’m studying “Just by Looking at Him” by Ryan O’Connell. But I simply began that. The final guide that I learn from begin to end was “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong.

“Queer as Folk” is streaming now on Peacock.