Pride of Yamhill

[January 12th, 2005] Robbie Laughlin is not a big star--yet.

His fortune might change after tonight's premiere of Queer Eye for the Straight Girl. The first spinoff from Bravo-TV's mega-successful Queer Eye for the Straight Guy franchise (it's spawned 98 knockoffs across the globe), this queer-hosted makeover focuses on the fashion foibles of hapless females. Laughlin, part of a team of three fab fellows joined by a lesbian named (no joke) Honey Labrador, is in charge of "The Look."

All of this is a far cry from Laughlin's days growing up as Robert Decrevel in the green hills of Yamhill, Ore. (population: 794), the son of a phys-ed teacher and a diesel mechanic.

Unlike Carson Kressley, his Queer Eye counterpart, this 34-year-old hunk is more likely to show off his cut abs than his cutting wit. And although he's lived in La-La Land for over a decade, Laughlin apparently has yet to go Hollywood. During a phone interview, our conversation was interrupted by a publicist who was listening in and thought Laughlin's comments were a bit too honest. The style guru's sweetness led me to wonder: If you take the queer out of Yamhill, can you take the Yamhill out of the queer?

QW: What's the biggest difference between this show and the original?

Robbie Laughlin: Well, girls have vaginas and men have penises.

When you were home at the holidays, did you get recognized?

I was in Powell's Books, and there were two fellows who recognized me because they'd just seen me on the cover of Out.

What does your family think of all of this?

I have a very down-to-earth family. My sister is a teacher in Yamhill, and I queer-eyed her closet [during] Christmas break. My mom makes me do it every time she sees me. I've completely transformed her over the last couple of years. People are like, "Oh my god, Carolyn, you look so great."

Where did you get your sense of style?

My earliest memories are being fascinated with old movies and loving the clothes. My favorite thing about school was putting together my outfit for each day. I was voted "best-dressed" my senior year. I really worked hard at it. Some people have a knack for football. I had a knack for putting clothes together.

What was your favorite outfit in high school?

There was this black cashmere crewneck sweater I wore with a charcoal-gray striped blazer and slacks and black loafers. It was classic. You could wear it now.

When did you come out?

I was 20.

So did you date girls in school?

I did. I did date girls because I didn't know what else to do, you know.

Did you have sex with them?

Oh, well. Jesus. Um...I did. Yeah.

What's so significant about friendships between gay men and straight women?

There's nothing competitive. There's so much trust they don't have with their straight girlfriends, because girls can be very competitive.

Does this show let Robbie be Robbie?

It absolutely does, which is what's so great about it. For years, you're always told, "You're too this or you're too that or blah, blah, blah," and finally I'm being rewarded for being me. You can't ask for any more than that.