Published September, 2008


Vice: What is your history with clowning?

Bubbly da Clown: I started when I was 17. My brother was really into learning magic tricks at the time and I was intrigued by it. So I went to Zack’s Funhouse to check out some magic tricks and some magicians. King Henry, who at the time was working as a different clown, came up to me and asked if I wanted to give it a shot. They were running a clown school so I signed up, and everything just went from there. At first it was full-time and then I left to take a job in the corporate world for about eight years. Then I started full-time again in 2005 because I decided it was what I really loved to do.

Why did you leave clowning in the first place?

I had my daughter, Destiny, at 17. The money was good from clowning but after a few years I decided I needed health insurance. I started as a secretary, became an administrative assistant, and kept going up from there. I ended up being a computer information specialist. It was a very good job, but I was unhappy.

Have you ever had any nightmare gigs as a clown?

Yeah, I’ve had some bad parties. Kids can get mean, especially when they’re trying to make their friends laugh. One time I had two eight-year-olds gang up on me. I was talking to a little girl and they came up from behind and pulled my wig and nose off at the same time. I felt completely naked because they broke my character. So I tried to laugh it off and be like, “OK, I am going to take that back now.” But the parents didn’t care. It’s the worst when the parents don’t do anything and are just laughing at you too, like, “My children are abusing you! Ha ha ha!” It’s rare but it does happen.

Has anyone ever hit on you while you were dressed as a clown?

I try to be as unisex and androgynous as possible. It’s not about looking pretty. That’s why I wear big pants and a wig and makeup and a big red nose and big shoes. But still, some folks seem to be into that. Guys will ask, “Do you do private parties?” and I’ll just shrug it off by being playful and kicking them in the butt or something to that effect. Some of the older guys will say, “I can see it in your eyes. You are pretty under all that.” That’s a little odd. Another thing is when you make a heart balloon you have to squeeze the middle and kind of wedge the balloon in an up-and-down motion, and sometimes a guy will say, “Oh, you do that really well.”

How did you come up with your name?

It was easy. Everyone all my life has told me I was bubbly so it just made sense to use it for my clown name. The name has to fit your personality. My daughter, Destiny, just started to clown and it was a bit trickier. I’m not a girly clown, but Destiny plays up the prissy angle. When she was first starting out I had her make herself up and put on the costume so we could come up with a name while she was in character. I was like, “I don’t know, you look like a Floopsy da Clown maybe,” because the character is so girlish and cute. She thought it was a cute name but liked Oopsy better. I said, “Well, you can be Floopsy and say stuff like, ‘Oopsy, Floopsy did a poopsy.’” She went with Oopsy instead.

You and your daughter both use “da” in your names instead of “the.”

A lot of clowns use “da.” I use it because every time I come to a party I get all the boys’ and girls’ names and purposefully mix them up and goof around. Eventually I’ll say, “Let me tell you who I am. I am Bubbly daaaaaaaaaa Clown.” I extend the “da” for a really long time. I may say Bubbly is my first name, daaaaaaaaaa is my second name, and Clown is my last name. Kids love it when I extend the “da.”

Did you have to push your daughter to become a clown or is it something she’s wanted to do for a while?

I would never push her if she didn’t want to do it. She is an artist within. You’ve got to be an artist to do it. Not anyone can be a clown. It’s got to be in your personality. I knew she had it in her, she was just a little afraid of the personality of her character. She tends to be a little quiet at times—nothing like me in that respect. She’s a little more reserved, but when you throw her in a costume, forget it. It’s just so different when you dress up and people approach you and children come up without even knowing you. They give you a hug and say, “I love you.” She got a taste of it and she likes it.

Is there competition in the clown community?

No, because they know it’s my turf as soon as they come in… just kidding. Sometimes people will get irked with each other but we don’t let it go far. If I am doing a show with someone we will try to hook up beforehand and sort it out. You know, like, “What do you want? Balloons or face painting—which are you better at?” And we try to stand far apart from each other because one clown can easily steal the whole show. Sometimes it’s hard for entertainers to work together. You don’t know the other person’s personality or approach. Everyone is different.

What did your husband say when he first learned you were a clown?

He didn’t really know for a while. One time I was trying to be romantic and made him a balloon heart with lovebirds in it. He asked how I learned to do that and I explained everything. When he saw me in full costume he just said, “Wow.” I asked, “You’re not embarrassed or anything, right honey?” “It’s great” was all he said. We’ve been together for almost 14 years now. I sneak him a couple of kisses here and there, but we have to be careful because the kids can’t see someone smooching the clown.


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