Sean Black’s Life in Photography, Art, AIDS Activism, and Storytelling

Join host Paris Chong for an inspiring conversation with Emmy-nominated producer, educator, and acclaimed portrait photographer Sean Black.

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Paris Chong sits down with acclaimed portrait photographer, photojournalist, and educator Sean Black to discuss his remarkable creative journey and his recent Emmy nomination as a producer for the Hulu streaming film Living Proof. Ranging from his roots in photography and his dad's Leica cameras to his enduring impact as an AIDS activist, Black shares candid reflections on community, resilience, and the power of visual storytelling.

The conversation explores Black's striking street photography—including his celebrated Miami Pride portraits and work shown alongside Anthony Friedkin’s Gay Essays at Leica—as well as his pivotal experiences interviewing and documenting cultural icons. Reflecting on the profound losses and triumphs of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Black and Chong celebrate the medical advancements and community bonds that allow individuals to live full, healthy lives today.

Finally, Black shares behind-the-scenes stories from touring on the road with his favorite band, Erasure, capturing legendary artists like Debbie Harry, and balancing his creative endeavors with teaching at Antelope Valley. It is an inspiring, heartfelt, and humorous discussion about art, music, friendship, and staying true to one's creative vision through life's many hustles.

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Episode Timestamps

00:00 Theme Song Banter
01:28 Meet Sean Black
03:43 Pride Photo Story
05:07 LA Miami Life
08:32 AIDS Activism Talk
15:32 Drag Memories
20:58 Tour Bus Family
22:16 B-52s Walk of Fame
23:45 Debbie Harry Surprise
26:00 Back on Tour Plans
28:18 Emmys Outfit Talk
29:55 Where to Find the Work

Links to Sean Black

Sean's Website
Sean's Instagram
Visual AIDs - Profile
Leica Gallery LA - Profile

🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher

📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios

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Intro Song: It's the Paris Chong Show. It's the Paris Chong Show, Show, Show. It's the Paris

Paris Chong: Chong Show

Don't we have a producer here? The

Sean Black: Paris Chong Magazine.

Paris Chong: The Paris Chong Magazine, zine, zine.

Sean Black: Zine, to go with your podcast.

Paris Chong: Okay, I met a guy yesterday named Nick who came in the gallery, and he was very cute, and he said, "I love your theme song." And I go, "What?" He goes, "Your theme song." I'm like, "From the podcast?"

He said, "Yeah." I'm like, "Oh my God." And he said, "It's very catchy."

Sean Black: I love it. I think I, I like your ca- your song too. Did you, you-

Paris Chong: I wrote it- You wrote it. It's you ... and sang it 'cause I didn't wanna ask permission for anything, so... And I do get teased a lot about the show, show, show thing. I mean, one of my friends answers the phones, "It's the P.

Show Show Show Show." I like to every time. Which one?

Sean Black: No.

Paris Chong: Every time

Don Don: That's when you know you got a hit.

Paris Chong: It's a one-hit wonder. One-hit- It's stuck in your head ... one-hit wonder jingle. I'm gonna enter- is there a jingle competition I can enter that in?

Don Don: Probably.

Paris Chong: I think there is.

Don Don: There's gotta be.

Paris Chong: I'm gonna win that thing.

A subcategory of podcasts. I'm gonna win the jingle thing.

Sean Black: You will.

Paris Chong: I think I would. I

Sean Black: feel that for you.

Paris Chong: Do you?

Sean Black: Yes.

Paris Chong: Then I could be a professional jingler.

Sean Black: Yes.

Paris Chong: You're

Sean Black: a jangler. Jingle jangle.

Paris Chong: Okay. Do we don't... We clicked? Yep. I'm not paying attention. Yes.

Sean Black: We did. That

Paris Chong: was a big moment. Hello, everybody. It's a special, special day on The Paris Chang Show because I have a really dear friend of mine that I love so much, and he just so happened to be in town because he's actually, uh, up for w- a Emmy Award.

And I just love this man. He's one of my favorite portraiture photographers. He's an educator, a photojournalist, and he's worked as a senior editor at A+U Magazine. He's an AIDS activist and just an all-around badass guy and one of my favorite portrait takers, Sean Black.

Sean Black: Aw. Thank you, Paris. Yeah, sure. I'm really grateful.

Paris Chong: Thank you. Yeah. We talked- You always- We talked about you maybe being Violet, but you're Sean today.

Sean Black: I'm Sean today, yes. But Violet does send her best regards. Yes, tell her I said hello. Her warmest regards.

Paris Chong: Say- tell her I said hello. And so you're in town 'cause you're getting an Emmy.

Sean Black: W- um-

Paris Chong: Award ...

Sean Black: I'm hoping Nomination.

I'm nominated, um, uh, because of... I have to say there's a lot of people that helped me along the way, but Shirley Ralph and her DEVA Foundation, um, and Zebariah Newman, um, along with s- some of his collaborators, um, produced a, uh, a film that's on streaming on Hulu right now- That is cool ... called Living Proof.

Paris Chong: Wow.

Sean Black: Yeah. And so they've included me as a producer for casting and some other things which I never saw, but I'm grateful to them for including me 'cause it's a opportunity I'd never imagined.

Paris Chong: It's pretty incredible 'cause you were supposed to do an event at, with us for Halloween, but you were like, "We understand.

You're up for an Emmy. Otherwise, we would've probably given you all kinds of hell."

Sean Black: Yeah. But- No, I appreci- yeah, you guys are always very supportive of me. I mean- We

Paris Chong: love you ...

Sean Black: you particularly and James, the store manager, yeah.

Paris Chong: Yeah.

Sean Black: And your team there. You've always supported me and that's been amazing when you feel like you're an underdog in a, you know, a field where my dad photographed and he used Leica cameras.

Paris Chong: That's how we kinda met. You were showing me pictures of your father's and you actually gave me f- quite a few of those photos. I love those photos. I need to get those framed now that I have, um, space for my, uh, art a little bit more. And also, I do now have space for this beautiful photo that you gave me, but I, I'm, I like it here at The Paris Chang Show and we, we rotate it in and out here and there.

And this was a photo you did, um, it was in the show that you did at Leica. You showed alongside Anthony Friedkin's Gay Essays.

Sean Black: Yes.

Paris Chong: And then this was a show all about pride. And, uh, why don't you tell us a little bit about this photo 'cause I love this photo.

Sean Black: Aw, thank you so much. Um, this photo, I have gone to Pride events for years and years and years, and it's one of those events where people are just, I think, their best selves.

Um, it's about community, and it's about love, and it's about beauty, and it's about free expression, um, and love, and it's all those things. And, um, you know, and I love the costume aspects of it, and particularly angel wings, I think, you know, in, in, in, in, you know, a spiritual kind of sense, too. But, um, yeah, this was a Miami Pride, probably about 20- 19?

Or no, that was, that would have been during the, the-

Paris Chong: It was before COVID?

Sean Black: It was probably before COVID. No, it might have been after actually. It was, it was at, it was the Pride after COVID, that's what it was in Miami Beach.

Paris Chong: I would have rather seen this guy in the Victoria's Secret, um, fashion show.

Sean Black: I know.

I- He

Paris Chong: would have been the s- he would have stole the show ...

Sean Black: uh, with, especially with that diamond-encrusted- Oh, gosh ... bra and all the-

Paris Chong: I was r- ... the hub-hubbub about that ... I hate, I hate to say this. I was really hoping that would go away. I ju- but I like how they incorporated the, you know, different body types and, um, yeah, it was, it was interesting, and that it- it's nice to see how all those beautiful supermodels are aging so well and look so gorgeous still.

Yes. And, um, okay, so we, so Pride, so, um, now you're back in California, 'cause I know you go, you split your time between California and Miami, where you taught at Miami University.

Sean Black: Yep, and, um, currently I'm teaching at Antelope Valley, and yeah, and I love LA, and I love, um, the community here, uh, and certainly I love the opportunities with, you know, adjacent to the studios.

Um, you know, although I know it's a difficult time, but, um, yeah, the city of Los Angeles really inspires me. But then I've got people like you that champion, you know, the work that I do, and it's... And, you know, I love the people in Los Angeles. Yeah, I'm

Paris Chong: your biggest fan.

Sean Black: Aw.

Paris Chong: And, um, and so you keep teasing us about, t- me, that you're moving back to LA.

Do you think you'll move back to LA even permanently? Or are you always gonna go kind of 'cause of your mother?

Sean Black: Well, you know what? Um, yeah. No, I think LA is definitely feels like home to me. Mm-hmm. I think that's where I'd love to settle down. You know, it's a hustle right now with- Yeah ... you know, teaching.

Life is a

Paris Chong: hustle right now.

Sean Black: Life is a hustle for all of us.

Paris Chong: Yeah. It really is, and no one's just doing one thing anymore. Everybody's got their hand in a little bit of everything just to make extra money and figure it out, right?

Sean Black: Yeah. No, exactly. I mean, with the students that I have the privilege of teaching, you know, they're so, um, kind and resilient, uh, especially during this time, and, you know, trying to help them and, you know, avoid some of the things or follow different paths the way I kind of navigated, you know, a, a career that I'm really fulfilled in.

Um, it's got its challenges. I, you know, I'm certainly not, you know, um, wealthy, um, in terms of money, but I am in terms of getting to, you know, help people and meet people and tell stories and just kind of commune-

Paris Chong: Mm-hmm ...

Sean Black: with, um, other people, so. You're

Paris Chong: wealthy in so many ways. You, you- Aw ... are just amazing.

You're tal- you're so talented. Like, there's a lot of people that wish they had your talent. Mm. Your, your portraiture is just so beautiful. Y- and I love your street. I love all your work. Um, are you ever going to entertain making a book?

Sean Black: Um, I actually, there was a book that I, through a grant with Emory University- Mm-hmm

Rollins School of Public Health, and which is how I came to the, this opportunity, being nominated as a producer in, in Living Proof, because I had met the women that are the subjects of the film. Oh, I didn't know

Paris Chong: that you made a book out of it.

Sean Black: Well, um, that was part of the grant that I was working on, too, to, to make a book about the partners that were really, uh, tackling the, um, AIDS crisis and, uh, the HIV rate, the high rates of disproportionate, um, impact and, um, of the virus in the South Um, and so they, we, uh, I photographed the leaders and we included their bios and information about them.

So it's a really beautiful way, I think, for them to market, you know, their, um, their efforts in this really difficult time and, you know, and also, you know, get to also see them as their best selves. Uh, you know, they're all... It's, you know, the, the love and the kindness that they give out is so, so much, but then to take time for themselves so that they can, you know, be, um, be seen- Mm-hmm

um, you know, was a great honor. So there is a book that, uh, that just came out on that. I don't know, I don't know how wide of a distribution it will have, but yeah, I'd like to do a book. Um- Yeah ... um, you know, I played around with zines or- Mm-hmm ... self-published, um, you know, books, but I always feel like I need more.

I'm always-

Paris Chong: I love that you're always doing things for the, um, the AIDS, um, you know, uh, charities because I, uh, I, I am very proud that I was on the board for the foundation for the AIDS Monument and we helped, which you also helped donate for that and thank you so much. But with some of, with the art and, uh, the art we donated, pho- the photography we donated, we were able to build this beautiful, um, gorgeous sculpture across the street from the Pacific Design Center.

Every time I see it I cry. I'm just like, "I can't believe that I was even a part of making something this beautiful and so important," because I came... You know, I was having the time of my life when the AIDS crisis started, pandem- pandemic started and I did lose so many friends to, to the, uh, disease and I think people forget about it, you know?

Okay. And then it's like now it's COVID and it's a... But it didn't always, it didn't really go away, it just got talked about less. I mean, I think they have it under control, but it's still, there's still people that are, you know, dealing with that.

Sean Black: Yeah, no, and that's, you know, I love the fact that it's, you know, we've kind of have been able to now with the treatment and with advancements in, um, in medical intervention- Mm-hmm

with the antiretrovirals- Right ... and, you know, you now we can live normal, full healthy lives. Mm-hmm. Um, we can also take care of ourselves that we're not able, you know, we're, we're not able to transmit the virus if we have an undetectable viral load and, you know, and that gives a lot of peace. Um, you know, for me personally, you know, I just, that was one of my fears is always- Mm-hmm

you know, as someone living with HIV, you know, just keeping myself healthy and, um, and on treatment s- and keeping up with my labs and, and you know, making sure that I had an undetectable viral load- That's amazing ... which, you know, thank goodness. 'Cause yeah, I did like you- Yeah ... we lost, we were at the age, um, where we lost- It was

Paris Chong: terrifying

Sean Black: a lot of friends and yeah, and I, you know, but it, what, what... We scrambled. We didn't have- Mm-hmm ... the services or the medical. Like I remember, uh, my best friend when I came out, it was the very first time I went to visit him I, I had to be gowned up And they quick, they got rid of that protocol in the hospitals 'cause they were finding out that, you know, it wasn't casually-

Paris Chong: Mm-hmm

Sean Black: you know, uh, transmitted through, you know, airborne.

Paris Chong: What do you mean when you came out?

Sean Black: Well, when I came out as gay, um, in, you know, in high school- Yeah, so- ... and that was actually, my friends encouraged me. They were all like- Yeah ... uh, when I said, "

Paris Chong: I'm-" But do you al- I, I always... But, okay, so I'm, so many of my friends are gay, but most of them will, most of my friends will say, "We always knew we were gay," you know, from, like, three years old or whatever.

So it's so, seems so, um, torturous for a human being to have to hold that in for so long. Like, that's why I'm gonna cut C- uh, Caitlyn Jenner some slack. I don't like that he did that. I just don't. And only because he's an Olympian and there was a lot of little kids that looked up to him. But, you know, he, he ha- must've been really struggling with that, and it just must be such a horrible way to live when you're just, like, having...

I, uh, uh, 'cause I always thought you... I, I can't even imagine you coming out, 'cause I always, 'cause you're so, um, easy with every, who you are. So I don't, I can't imagine that you, there was a period of you coming out. I thought I could just see you being one of those kids that were always like, "Hey, Mom, I'm gay," you know, and the mom's, like, cool about it, and there was no such thing as coming out, you know?

Sean Black: Oh, no. It was, it was traumatic. But I remember telling my best girlfriends, I was like, "I have something," you know, very serious. I had to just sit them down and prepare them and, you know, they thought I was gonna, you know, say something awful. But then I was like, "I'm gay." And they're like, "Duh." Yeah. "We all knew.

We were just kind of waiting for you to-

Paris Chong: I know. That's- ... to say." I'm glad that the, I'm glad the world's changed in that way, where it's okay to, to do that now, uh, to, to just be gay and not have to come out and hold, like, s- suppress it for so long. 'Cause I can only imagine that causes a lot of health problems if you're holding things in, you know?

So I like it when people just let their freak flag fly.

Sean Black: Exactly. Yeah. No, I think we're... And we are getting into- I'm a

Paris Chong: freak.

Sean Black: I am definitely a freak. We're freaks.

Paris Chong: Yeah.

Sean Black: But yeah, no, I, I think it is. It's good that we're in a time, but also it's also kind of scary this time because it's almost like people were like, "Okay, we've had enough of, you know, this, you know, this ideology around-" Right

you know, being so open about our sexuality and our gender identity and the other, all the aspects of our own- I think- ... classifications.

Paris Chong: Well, I think it's good. But you, uh, you know, I was watching something on Instagram, but I really wanna stop watching so much stuff on Instagram. But there was this kid who was on one of those, you know, Am- Kids Got Talent, whatever.

You know that guy Trevi? Trevi? And he's, like, he's full-on trans now, but he was this little cute kid, and he was singing "I'm Too Sexy For My..." I don't- I think I remember. He was amazing. He was amazing. And he's, like, 11 or something. And then I, and then it showed him now, and he's just, he looks like this beautiful, gorgeous woman.

And I, I just thought it was so cool. And now we're f- we're Instagram friends, so I, I wanna get h- him on, her, bad me, her on the show. She's great. But I thought you'd probably know who this person was, 'cause you know so many of the trans community. You take f- so many photos with these beautiful people.

Sean Black: No, yeah, I'm lucky, you know- Yeah

through, well, with A&U, America's AIDS Magazine, a lot of the LGBTQ+ community You know, always would show up for- Yeah ... these causes and give of their time. And, you know, and that was, and that's something because, you know, these actors and philanthropists or, you know, people, they are, they're machines in business and in intellect.

And, you know, people don't understand how much, you know, of a commitment that, you know, these celebrities, you know, and how brilliant they are. Um, but and also how they're truly committed to these causes, and some more than others. And, you know, and so we always had a really great opportunity in interviewing and including amazing people.

And so yeah, I really, you know- That

Paris Chong: was a good gig for you.

Sean Black: That was a good gig for me.

Paris Chong: You got to meet a lot of people. I, uh, w- I thought that was a, a perfect fit for you.

Sean Black: Yeah, no, I loved it. And, um, you know, I mean, I wish I did things differently in terms of looking back and how I grew. I kind of, you know, I didn't have a background, and I was given a lot of opportunity.

Um, and I wish I was more gracious about some of that opportunity. But it was also at the time when print journalism and magazines were all moving to digital platforms And there were other things around that. Yeah You know, commitments around archiving the work. And you know, I've seen other people doing work now.

Tim Walker, the photographer, who I am in love with his work, um, and he's making some very, very powerful, um, images around the darkroom actually, which are very sexy and provocative. But he's also, he's got a series I believe now I see that it's at the National Portrait Gallery in London. And it's- Oh, wow ... a lot of the AIDS activists and the scientists, the researchers, and the nurses, you know?

And that was a lot of the people that I got to work with. You know, hearing those accounts of those times that a lot of the younger people don't remember how dire and desperate it was.

Don Don: Mm-hmm.

Sean Black: Like I remember selling roses, um, at the corner on the streets after I'd get off of work to try to raise money or...

And you know, my drag persona, um, which is a little probably more authentic, a feminine part of me.

Paris Chong: Yeah.

Sean Black: You know, I don't think we use the right language. Um, um, but you know, that I would start doing drag with- Yeah ... my friends to do fundraisers. That was- You look

Paris Chong: really good in drag.

Sean Black: Oh my gosh, I wish you saw the pictures- I

Paris Chong: love Violet

Sean Black: back then.

Paris Chong: But, uh, um, Sean, I asked Sean to photograph one of my birthday parties at the gallery- ... when we had the Henri Cartier-Bresson show. So we'd ha- It was, like, French themed and we're all dressed up. Uh-huh. And you showed up and you were You looked so great, but it was really hot and you had, like, the wig and the dress.

And you're like, "I'm dying." And my makeup was melting off my face. "I'm dying." And so, like, and so, and then Philip came in and was like- ... "Who's that woman that's photographing the, your party?" And I'm like, "What? What woman?" He's like, "The woman over there." I'm like, "That is Sean Black." And he was like, "

Sean Black: What?" Philip has great taste.

Paris Chong: No, yeah. I mean- He was like, he did not know, and you looked so great.

Sean Black: It was, it was a lot. Yeah, it was very hot.

Paris Chong: Which felt bad '

Sean Black: cause

Paris Chong: you were hot. You were like, "Ah, I'm hot. This dress is so hot."

Sean Black: Oh, I was- It's like a tap of a- I was melting ... tap of the ballgown I don't know how, how you ladies do it or the, the trans ladies do it.

It's awful. Because it's, like, all that hair and all that makeup and- You know, but you looked so

Paris Chong: great

Sean Black: Oh, it was fun. It was so great. That was such a great time with you. Yeah. We

Paris Chong: have

Sean Black: so

Paris Chong: much fun. I know. And, um, and that's Vi- that was Violet, and now, now who, who, who's, who's the new lady that we're, we're, we're gonna bring- Oh

Beverly Rose, right?

Sean Black: Beverly Robertson.

Paris Chong: Beverly Robertson.

Sean Black: Yeah.

Paris Chong: We were gonna for Halloween- That's my photographer. For, we were for Halloween he was gonna dress like a woman and I was gonna dress like a man, and I was gonna be Mel- Melrose.

Sean Black: Melrose.

Paris Chong: Melrose.

Sean Black: Melrose and Beverly Robertson.

Paris Chong: Beverly Robertson. We still have to do that.

Sean Black: We still have to do that. It's fun. I

Paris Chong: like- And it's Ha- it's on Saturday. Halloween's on Saturday. What are you doing for Halloween?

Sean Black: Um, well I was gonna do the workshop, but then because the Emmy, um, awards are Friday, um, I think, I don't know what I'm gonna do. I'm either gonna be very excited and in, excited in disbelief or I will be a little bit bummed but still very honored to have been included in-

Paris Chong: Yeah

Sean Black: you know, especially I know how much people have to work in that industry to get to where I got very quickly in happenstance. Well, no,

Paris Chong: you deserve it. It's not about that. It's about how g- you know, it's about the energy you put into your work. That's what it is.

Sean Black: Well,

Paris Chong: that's- And, um, and, and you, and I think you're gonna win So by the time this comes out, we'll know

Sean Black: We'll know.

We'll know

Paris Chong: And if you're not answering the phone and acting weird, I'll know s- that w- I don't know

Sean Black: Ex- if I

Paris Chong: disappear I can't imagine you doing that Yeah Yeah, I hate when you disappear

Sean Black: No Um- I think I honestly, I, I am very happy either way because- You're

Paris Chong: not an easy person to disappear though. It- No Between me and Christy, we'll hu- hunt you down

Sean Black: Oh, and

Paris Chong: my mother- We're like, "Where is he?"

Sean Black: And my sis-

Paris Chong: yeah Call the detective Call the detectives. Okay, now let's talk about your really super cool gig that you got with, uh, Erasure front man Andy Bell

Sean Black: Oh. Yeah. Another like i- when you start talking about all these things, I'm like, "God, was that, is that me?" That was you. That was you Do I

Paris Chong: d-

Sean Black: is that me with all these opportunities thinking, you know

I don't know. But, um, yeah, I got a chance to photograph Andy, um, probably 15 years ago, um, when I was, you know, pitching, um, sitters for my chara- uh, characters in LGBT Portraits and Activists, and that's probably the book that's gonna have to- Oh, you should do that That I'd like to make because I've, I, there's so many important people that took the time- That is what you should do

Paris Chong: to sit

Sean Black: for

Paris Chong: me The b- that should be the book

Sean Black: Yeah, and like, you know, Leslie Jordan, I got to photograph him- At Leica ... and do, yeah, at Leica. He

Paris Chong: was so cute

Sean Black: He, oh, and he was upside down in the chairs- I know the shot. ... and telling us about his sister in The Villages- Oh ... and where I'm from, that area And it wasn't that

Paris Chong: long after we lost him.

Sean Black: was so sad. And we lost him- It was like we, uh- Yeah, about six or seven or, months after that, and he was such an amazing talent and such a beautiful spirit. And like, it's just really s- interesting too how small Hollywood is with how many lives and how many people he, like, helped through COVID with his humor and his, and his sweet disposition and, you know, and then of course him and Megan Mullally, the pairing- Mm-hmm

of those two on Will & Grace was hysterical. They were just such, such humor-

Paris Chong: D Nice got me through COVID. Thank you, D Nice. He's a, he's a Leica shooter too. He's gonna be coming in one of these days. Ooh. But so a- so how, so you went on the road with-

Sean Black: Oh, well, yes, with Erasure, with Andy Bell, and, and Vince would show up at certain, um, um, you know, venues.

And, uh, Savannah Pope was our opening, um, act, who was amazing. But just to be with Andy, I mean, and that was to go back to that time- Yeah ... when we were, we both have very similar timelines. Mm-hmm And, and, um, that era of losing people to AIDS, um, and/or, you know, the complications from AIDS and, you know, and just wanting to escape that just for an evening.

And, um, you know, I think the m- healthiest way that I escaped was dancing and, and the music. Yeah And it was certainly Erasure was my favorite band. I, you know, their lyrics Always tie to joy and abundance and, um, and healing. Like, and Andy is very much that person. He is the kindest. He's larger than life.

He's very, he's really tall- Yeah ... and he's really muscular and fit. Oh, is he? Yeah. I

Paris Chong: would, he doesn't look tall

Sean Black: in real life. And so, like, you just want Andy to, to take, to, to hug- Marry you ... hug you and marry you. But then Steven would then have a problem with that. And Steven's equally as- Oh, okay, he's married

is wonderful. Sorry.

Paris Chong: No, you don't wanna marry, uh, you

Sean Black: know. Yeah, no, Steven is, Steven is his husband, and Steven is, um, equally as wonderful and, and-

Paris Chong: Yeah, but men, m- I find that gay men are very open with, um, sharing

Sean Black: Um, I, yes. I, I, you know, I, I am very- 'Cause you

Paris Chong: know

Sean Black: straight women

Paris Chong: are like, "Hell no," you know, but

Sean Black: I'm just so grateful for the opportunity just to have fun and to, you know, it's, it, it is surreal.

I go up and I got to be on the tour bus with them- Yeah ... with 12 other band members. Um, and we just had so much fun. It really was like a family.

Paris Chong: It is

Sean Black: like traveling on the road. And I guess it's either you have to get along or then you don't get along. Yeah. And we, thank goodness, we all got along. We, you know, we would pick up after each other.

We would make each other coffees in the morning or we would, you know, take turns, you know, when we'd have to go with Andy and kind of be detail that would, you know, make sure he was safe and ke- have eyes-

Paris Chong: Yeah ...

Sean Black: you know, to make sure, you know, we weren't in bad situations or, you know, with, um, you know. So it was, it was, it was surreal, but yeah, that's probably one of the highlights of my life, getting to spend time.

And of course, going with your favorite band is terrifying because you're like- That is amazing ... "Oh my gosh- I know ... what happens if he's a jerk?"

Paris Chong: I think that's- And

Sean Black: he wasn't ...

Paris Chong: so great. You know,

Sean Black: but- It was the opposite ...

Paris Chong: I love that 'cause that's like you, you kind of manifested your dreams to come true because, and it's like m- with m- Jeff W- um, Jeff Whitman who did the Pearl Jam book, that was his favorite band and his dream.

I love it when people manifest. And my favorite band is getting a star on the Walk of Fame tomorrow at 11:30, uh, in front of Amoeba Records, B-52's. You know I'll be there. Wow. She's gonna be there. And then they're gonna be like, "There's that girl again that was in the audience when she was 16." Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun.

Not the girl, I was a woman. Wow, she's, looks different now. But, um, yeah, I'll be there. I'm very excited. Dolce is gorgeous. I know I have to, I told, I, I already let work know, "Just so you know, the B-52's is, uh, they're getting a walk of, a star on the Walk of Fame. I won't be here at 11:30." So that's where I'll be, and I'm very excited, and I wish you could go with me.

Sean Black: Oh, I know. Well, like I said, I'm pretty sure Greg Gorman will probably be there.

Paris Chong: Oh, I, I texted him. He is... Gosh, Greg Gorman comes up a lot on my show. This is what, four now, Greg? He's g- loving the publicity. Um- He's such a great mentor. I love him. He's an amazing man. I love Greg. He is- Oh, he's great.

Sean Black: Yeah.

I've gotten the chance to assist him- We, we- ... and he is, he is- He's- ...

Paris Chong: the

Sean Black: real deal ...

Paris Chong: he really is. And he, I texted him after you told me that they were really good friends. I said, "I heard you were really good friends with the B-52's. They're getting a w- a star on the Walk of Fame." He said, "Oh, I'm really, really, really close with, um, Kate.

We've been- Yeah, that's- ... close for many, many years." ...

Sean Black: she's

Paris Chong: called when we've been together. Uh, but, uh, he's out of town, so he's not gonna be

Sean Black: able to

Paris Chong: come.

Sean Black: Aw. Aw, well, that's good you connected over that then because, yeah, they're, they're amazing artists and- Yeah ... and philanthropists, as you know. And they're

Paris Chong: getting a star.

Sean Black: Oh, I'm gonna name drop one more person just 'cause we- I love name dropping on this show ... and I'm totally name dropping it

Paris Chong: Not at home,

Sean Black: just at the show Because, and it's kind of a shout-out I think too, 'cause when this is actually to credit Andy. So we were on, we were in New Jersey, and Andy's got, um, a duet with Debbie Harry, and Debbie Harry is Andy's idol.

Oh. That's his favorite. I mean, he's got, you know, great artwork of Debbie that he's acquired over the years in his homes. And, and so, and they did, um, uh, Heart's a Liar. Um, and I was on the video shoot. W- Debbie wasn't there, but, um, in LA, and anyways, Debbie showed up in New Jersey to support Andy. And, you know, I looked at, at the door.

I was, you know, we're doing merchandise- Mm-hmm ... so I was out front and kind of the eyes in the front and, um, immediately recognized. When she saw me recognizing her, it was like- Yeah ... she's like, "Oh, damn. I've been, I've been spotted."

Paris Chong: She's so sweet though.

Sean Black: And I was trying to be all like... But yeah, she was really sweet.

She bought two shirts and gave me a huge tip and I, I think, um-

Paris Chong: Debbie's a big tipper ... Debbie's

Sean Black: amazing. Yeah. What an icon too. I love

Paris Chong: her. Yeah. I had a- A true icon, right? I had a great experience, um, also with her because Chris Stein wanted to use one of the new, uh, Leica systems, so he was supposed to come by the store and pick it up, but then he couldn't make it.

So he said, his manager, uh, Tommy, called and said, "Oh God, we can't make it. Could someone run the camera up to the Hollywood Bowl and we'll give you tickets?" I'm like, "Oh yeah, hell yeah, we can do that." Hell yeah. "That's fine. That's fine. Yeah, no problem." And it ironically... Anyway, so I, we, we took the camera to him and I went backstage and, and Garbage was opening, of who I love her.

Oh, Shirley Manson. Yes. And I saw Debbie having a glass of wine, like, "Don't try to talk to me. Uh, whoever the hell's coming near me, get away from me." And I just couldn't resist and I said, "I met you a long time ago backstage at a Culture Club concert and you were with Andy Warhol." And she stopped and looked and she goes, "Wow, that was a really long time ago."

'Cause, you know, she has a very New Yorker accent, so it was pretty cool. But I love Debbie Harry. I think I have three photos of her in my living room. She's, she's amazing. She's amazing. And one was from Chris Stein. And Chris Stein, um, gave me a beautiful photo o- of her and Chrissie Hynde. You've seen it. I love that

Sean Black: picture.

Oh my gosh. I love that picture too.

Paris Chong: Yeah.

Sean Black: Yeah.

Paris Chong: So you got, we both, we are, love Debbie Harry. We are, we are a- See how much we, we wear the same size shoes and dress- ... and we both love Debbie Harry, and Erasure, and the B-52s.

Sean Black: Yes.

Paris Chong: Okay. So what's next-

Sean Black: Mm ...

Paris Chong: after you win your Emmy?

Sean Black: Um, let's see. I, I- Aren't you

Paris Chong: going back on the road with them?

Sean Black: Well, yes, actually. Mm-hmm. Erasure just, um, released their 21st album together- Wow ... in f- after 40 years of collaborating. Um, and so they're going on tour. Well, I've, uh, it's been announced, I think, that Vince isn't gonna be touring. He's tired, and after losing, um, you know, his wife, he, and moving. You know, he moved, um, and you know, he...

I, you know, it's been a long ride for- Yeah ... the road. And you know, and I, I think Andy really loves the road life, and Vince, I think, is really taking time. He's, you know... Um, and so, but I'm been asked to join them on the North American and South American tours. Um, you know, but I think I'm gonna pop over- That's exciting

try to get over to Europe and the UK, um, for a couple of those shows. You know, but they're able to find me by doing merchandise. That's good, then. And then I get to, you know, take pictures and- No,

Paris Chong: it's perfect ...

Sean Black: and we just have

Paris Chong: fun. I, I, I can't wait to see some of those photos. Did they, did they get the photos already?

Sean Black: We were... Well, that was another book we were supposed to make. I think I just keep creating work, but, um, but yeah, it's just, um, we... I did the campaign for Andy's, um- That's exciting, the album cover ... third solo. And the album cover. The, the album

Paris Chong: cover is beautiful.

Sean Black: And it was called Ten Crowns. And their new, um, album, which they just dropped the video, Wings of Love, is incredible.

Like, I mean, it's just as good as- Yeah ... you know, Circus or, or Wonderland or Innocence or, you know, Pop or any of the-

Paris Chong: Wow, a true fan. It was-

Sean Black: Yeah. Oh my gosh, all of their... Yeah, but I mean, their, their ar- their, um, what, list of music that they've produced and made over the years is just, like, 30 top 10 hits.

Paris Chong: Yeah.

Sean Black: Something crazy like that, yeah.

Paris Chong: Oh.

Sean Black: Millions of albums sold. They're amazing.

Paris Chong: How, what, I was supposed to go to that show. What happened? I don't remember what happened. Something weird happened.

Sean Black: Oh, I think I... Oh, Mike, yeah, Michael came. I had tickets for you.

Paris Chong: Wait, what happened?

Sean Black: Um- Michael

Paris Chong: who?

Sean Black: Michael Baker.

Paris Chong: Michael Baker came instead. Came-

Sean Black: Why couldn't I- ... to the LA show ...

Paris Chong: why couldn't I go?

Sean Black: With Andy. I don't know, but you can come to the one with me on the, um, when we, they come here-

Paris Chong: That was so weird ... next year That I didn't go. Something must have w- it must have been work. I don't usually flake on stuff like that.

Sean Black: There was something. I'm trying to think.

Paris Chong: I can't remember. My memory's so bad, though. Now, what are you wearing to the Emmys?

Sean Black: You know what?

Paris Chong: I- That's the most important question, and I can't believe- You

Sean Black: know, I know ... I

Paris Chong: waited this long to ask.

Sean Black: Um, you know, I kind of worried about other people, what they were wearing-

Paris Chong: Why?

Sean Black: to the Emmys. I used to really care, and, but I, I love what other people wear. I just, I think I'm feeling, um... Like I just wanna be kind of like very low-key. Like, I haven't- So

Paris Chong: no

Sean Black: sequins. So no, I've got an old, I've got a, a go-to suit.

Paris Chong: You do.

Sean Black: And a red tie. And you know, speaking about kind of like- Red

Paris Chong: heels?

Sean Black: Oh, um, flats. Heh. You know?

Paris Chong: Tennis shoes? Red, red Converse?

Sean Black: You know, actually, no, I've actually got a pair of dress shoes. My last pair, like they just busted. I was- I figured they would be like- They were fla- I was flapping on the last thing 'cause my sole came off of my shoe. Oh. But no. So no, I've got another pair that I'm gonna bring out, but a red tie.

And you know what I thought? I need to find an AIDS ribbon, the AIDS ribbon pin. 'Cause it's still, you know, we haven't, we- I can find you

Paris Chong: one ... we should. Where is it?

Sean Black: No, I think I've got a couple, but I was gonna give them out as, as gifts maybe too if I could find them, but I have to look for that today anyways.

But yeah, so just a black suit and a red tie for, you know, the cause.

Paris Chong: That's

Sean Black: good. A little bit of representation there and memory. Well, I'm sure- Thinking about those- ...

Paris Chong: you're gonna look so handsome ...

Sean Black: friends. Aw. Thank you.

Paris Chong: I hope I get to see you more this weekend.

Sean Black: Well, thank you for being such a great champion of my work, seriously.

Oh, you know

Paris Chong: how much I love you. I love you.

Sean Black: Yeah. And- I wouldn't have these opportunities if it wasn't for the p- the people in my life that, you know,

Paris Chong: really- You know, we wouldn't have these opportunities- ... get my back ... if you were a terrible photographer. No. Just, it's you.

Sean Black: Thank you, Dad. It's

Paris Chong: all you. That's Dad.

It's you.

Sean Black: No, I got those.

Paris Chong: So, so where can people see your work?

Sean Black: Well, um, I have, uh, a nonprofit. It's Our, uh, Stories Inc. .com is where I'm kinda hosting the work, but I'm in the process of, you know, reworking it just as, like, you know, it's a hustle.

Intro Song: Mm-hmm.

Sean Black: You know, I have a, a YouTube channel I kinda started. I thought, "Okay, let me start putting some educational-" Wait, what?

I don't know that ... Well, no, it's just, like, it's kind of, like, very just

Paris Chong: starting.

Sean Black: Okay. You kinda keep going- Like,

Paris Chong: I got

Sean Black: the name ...

Paris Chong: on and off, though, on and off Instagram.

Sean Black: I know. I know. You know what? I just, I'm not mentally very healthy. I don't think, um- I'll

Paris Chong: try to find him and I'm like, "Wait, I just sent him something yesterday."

No "Now it's gone. Wait, is-" I

Sean Black: struggle

Paris Chong: with- "Did you get rid of your Instagram account?" "Oh, yeah, I got rid of it." I'm like, "You're a photographer, you need to keep it. What

Sean Black: are you doing?" I know. That's what Christy says. You and Christy are my champions, too. But, you know, I, I get overwhelmed with a lot of that, and I'm very sensitive.

Paris Chong: It gets me in a lot of trouble. I get overwhelmed, too, but I just keep plowing through. I think I just- I know ... you know, I think life's overwhelming.

Sean Black: Yeah, yeah, and other people do it so much better than me. But it- You do it really well.

Paris Chong: I, I, but sometime- I have my moments, you know? It's a lot. Well, no- I, I'm doing a lot

you're

Sean Black: always helping people.

Paris Chong: I do like helping people. I think that I, I, I do help people, but I don't expect anything in return, it just makes me feel happy to help people, you know? No,

Sean Black: and people know that. Like, we know. You, like, you're an artist to the core. You also have a great eye. You really see, um, things well, which is why people, you know, tap you to be a juror and, you know, now you're on the West Hollywood Design District board- Oh

and all these other, you know, people want to have you, um, you know, be- for your expertise, and you're so easy and beautiful to work with. You're such a lovely soul.

Paris Chong: I didn't tell him to say this, so thank you.

Sean Black: You know I'd like to.

Paris Chong: I will... Checks in the mail. We'll talk about that later. No, that is so sweet. No, I love it.

Okay. We're both big fans of each other. How's the vodka?

Sean Black: You wanna know what? I was, I, you know, I was hoping for tequila, but either one-

Paris Chong: How's your vodka?

Sean Black: Um-

Paris Chong: Oh, d- weren't we gonna cheers- With Jamie? ... with our Paris shots? Yeah. Oh, yeah, we

Sean Black: were gonna

Paris Chong: do one. I'm sorry. I'm gonna get you one of these. I ha- I have...

And my lipstick ... I tried to ask them to make me more- I've got lipstick here ... but they're, they just don't wanna make them for me. But yes, if you come on the show you're supposed to get a lovely Paris Chong mug. Um, so I'm gonna have to get these, um, made up. And then Don Don, can we put these on, uh, the website for sale?

Okay. Don Don. The

Sean Black: voice

Paris Chong: from the back. Hey, you know what? I just,

Sean Black: I'm gonna have to- The, this guy, the manager, the, the technician- Love it ... the, the owner. Yeah.

Paris Chong: He does e- there's

Sean Black: j- He,

Paris Chong: he- People think there's, like, this big operation. No, there's a couple cameras and there's this one guy running around like a crazy man back there.

I don't know what I'd do without him. Brandon, he's, he's amazing. Left The Bachelorette to come here and do this, so. And he's really great. He makes everyone look better than they really look, except for that last one when I had bags under my eyes, and he is just an incredible editor. So if you id- ever need to do a podcast, they have this amazing podcast, um, setup here down in, uh, o- over here in West LA, so it's also available to you.

So you can also have your own podcast in the building. Do you love that plug, Don Don?

Sean Black: That was great. Actually, I, I,

Paris Chong: I need an editor How many fi... What is it called again? Visual Au- Well, I'm s- I should know this. Don't hate me. Visible Audio Studios, visibleaudiostudios.com. And, uh, is that how we find you, Don Don?

No, I love this. You, I, I want you to turn up all those answers in the background. I would like to say thank you to everyone, uh, for listening to The Paris Chang Show. It really is an amazing adventure for me. It was nothing that I really planned to do. It happened organically, and now I'm really going to love it as my own, my third child behind Leo Disco and my podcast.

I have three children now. And I... It really means a lot to me for you to listen and share so that the show can grow, so that we can come back here and talk nonsense with you, and also about art and photography. And it's really an amazing thing for me to meet people that come up to me, whether it's in Arlett doing portfolio reviews or in New York, which has happened a few times, or at the gallery, that, "I love your show.

I'm listening to your show." It's, s- I, I, I just, I'm always so happy to hear that. So thank you for listening. I'm Paris Chang. You're listening to The Paris Chang Show. Pretty soon you can buy a mug, and they're only $50. And they come with vodka.

Sean Black: And lipstick stains.

Paris Chong: And lipstick stains. They come with- ... a bottle of vodka and lipstick stains.

And I actually think that's a great idea. Um, so thank you, and I, uh, look forward to seeing you for the next show. Mwah.

Intro Song: Show, Show, Show. It's the Paris Young Show. It's the Paris Young Show, Show, Show

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