Billy Eichner Gets Super Candid on the Future of His Career & What He Hopes to Bring to Queer Comedy

Like most of us, Eichner spent a lot of time on the couch this past year. “I watched a lot of YouTube clips, a lot of late-night Youtube spirals. I was watching old interviews with people and all kinds of random clips,” he said.

But akin to many of his fellow creatives (we're looking at you, Taylor Swift), Eichner also used the time at home to his advantage. The comedian has spent the last few months working on the screenplay for his upcoming romantic comedy, Bros, which is slated for release in 2022.

“I used the extra time to go back and watch and rewatch rom-coms, some that I had never seen, some that I’ve seen many times,” Eichner explained. “I just revisit them and you know, just to help remind myself what’s important in terms of the script and the story we’re trying to tell and the type of rom-com I want to do.”

With Bros, Eichner is the first openly gay man to write and star in a film produced by a major Hollywood studio. When I asked him what he hoped audiences would take away from such a landmark film, he said, “The biggest hope is that people just think it’s funny, that they relate to it, or they’re moved by it.” He also noted, “The cast is gonna blow people away.”

However, Eichner doesn't want his film to only appeal to LGBTQ+ audiences. "I just want people—straight, gay and otherwise—to just have fun and laugh at themselves, laugh at each other... to still be able to relate to the awkwardness and the complications of dating and love.”

Still, that wide appeal doesn't mean the story will lose its authenticity, which is something Eichner wants to ensure. “I feel like we’re getting this new wave of queer storytelling, which is incredible and a step in the right direction,” he said. “However, sometimes it feels like [LGBTQ+ stories] are meant to appease or not alienate straight people, by getting too specific about our lives, and I understand the reason for that but I think we’re at the point now where we can really be honest.”

As Eichner has often been a very outspoken queer activist, I was dying to know what LGBTQ+ show or movie had resonated the most with him recently. “Oh god, well I've been put on the spot,” he laughed. “There’s a limited series that aired on HBO Max this year called It’s a Sin, which I thought was really really well done.”

Of course with Eichner, the conversation turned to other forms of entertainment. The comedian revealed that while he spends much of his time on screen, his favorite thing to do is go to the theatre. “I grew up in New York City and I've been going to see shows, big and small, my whole life,” he confessed. “It’s really been crushing—the impact that COVID’s had on the theater community in New York and theater communities all over the country.”

However, Eichner has noticed a positive shift in the city as well. “It’s the best energy I’ve felt in New York in a long time,” he beamed. “I’m not saying there aren’t challenges, obviously, but it’s incredible right now.”

As Eichner prepares for his return to New York, he's also trying to pace himself when it comes to easing back to "normal." “I’m as socially awkward as anyone, even under normal circumstances,” he joked. “There are gonna be a lot of things you feel compelled to do this summer, there’s pressure, there’s FOMO happening already, I can feel it. And you know, you wanna dip your toes in, or even jump in occasionally, but...you don’t wanna burn out either.”

When it comes to his partnership with Neon Zebra, he said, “That’s why I like being part of this campaign, because you know, Neon Zebra is part of that [transition back into social life]. If you’re someone who likes to drink, then a cocktail does help in moderation and it’s something I’ll probably be doing this summer.”

We will definitely be kicking back with some drinks this summer too (while playing Eichner's iconic videos on repeat).

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