The real LeRoy

Thanks to his involvement with Elephant, 22-year-old cult author J.T. LeRoy is finding it harder to hide from fame

By Dave White
From The Advocate, September 30, 2003

You may have heard of 22-year-old author J.T. LeRoy. He’s the gender-bending ex–truck stop hustler whose autobiographical novel, Sarah, made him a cult celebrity while he was still in his teens. But you probably haven’t seen LeRoy’s face—-and he disguises himself behind Warholian wigs, hats, and sunglasses to keep it that way.

LeRoy’s invisible days are numbered thanks to his involvement with Elephant, Gus Van Sant’s Palme d’Or–winning film based on the Columbine massacre. LeRoy collaborated with Van Sant on numerous script drafts on the way to the film’s final improvisatory style, and LeRoy is credited as an associate producer on the final cut.

"Associate producer means I did a lot of everything," laughs LeRoy. "And when it won at Cannes, Gus called me and said, ‘This couldn’t have happened without you.’ It was nice of him to do that. He’s very inclusive, very interested in the communal project and giving people their due." LeRoy also praises the Elephant cast, particularly noting young actor John Robinson: "He has that River Phoenix quality. I’m really happy with him in the movie."

Although he’s obviously learning his way around young Hollywood, LeRoy says he’s not overimpressed with the famous names who want to be close to him. "I care less about the celebrities than the free food that’s always nearby when they’re around," he says.

It seems there’ll be more free food coming up. Film adaptations are under way of both Sarah and LeRoy’s second book, the short story collection The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things. Steven Shainberg, director of Secretary, will handle Sarah; XXX star Asia Argento will work on Heart. Of course, more films made means more time promoting them. How will LeRoy handle the media publicity machine without sacrificing his anonymity? "I don’t even know yet," says the disguise-loving writer. "I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it."