| Jonny Mcgovern | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Date: | 12 July 1976 |
| Origin: | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genre: | House, dance |
| Occupation: | Stand-up comedian, actor, musician, podcaster |
| Years Active: | 1998–present |
| Label: | Gay/Nerd Music |
| Website: | www.GayPimp.com |
| Associated Acts: | Team PIMP, La'Mady, Linda James |
Jonny McGovern (born July 12, 1976) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, musician, songwriter, and podcaster. He has written the lyrics for many of his own songs, and recorded three comedy/dance-pop albums (including some under his alter-ego, The Gay Pimp). On television, McGovern initially appeared as a cast member of Logo's late-night comedy sketch show, The Big Gay Sketch Show (2011), and has hosted the popular YouTube talk show Hey Qween! (2014–present) for nine seasons.[1] He has hosted GoGo for the Gold, a reality competition series based on go-go dance performers, since 2022.
Jonny McGovern was born to Mary McGovern and Rob Gutowski in Brooklyn, New York. His parents traveled often, and McGovern grew up primarily in Egypt and Thailand.[2] McGovern later returned to the United States to study acting at Boston University, where he earned a BFA. He is openly gay.[3]
McGovern stated that he was inspired to create his signature comedic character, The Gay Pimp, after listening to rap songs and interviews by Eminem. McGovern has said,
After the songs from the show began to get heavy rotation in New York City nightclubs, McGovern was approached about making a music video for one of his songs, "Soccer Practice".
The success of the single garnered attention for McGovern, and he contributed commentary on a variety of VH1 shows (such as Best Week Ever, Totally Gay, and 40 Dumbest Celebrity Quotes) as well as earned a slot on Comedy Central's all-gay comedy show Out on the Edge, hosted by Alan Cumming.[4]
McGovern hosts his own YouTube show on StreamTV titled Hey Qween!, where he interviews various iconic celebrities, including drag queens, musicians, actors, adult film stars, and prominent figures within the LGBT community. From the series' debut in 2014 through 2020, Hey Qween was co-hosted by McGovern's close friend, the late icon Ms. Lady Red Couture,[5] until her death in the middle of 2020. Lady Red often sang vocals for the series; for example, each episode closed out with her singing and improvising the words, "Hey queen, hey queen," through the credits. Lady Red and McGovern's close bond was evident on Hey Qween. The first half of each episode consisted of the two catching-up, chatting, joking and laughing together. During the guest interviews, Lady Red's quick-witted interjections and comedic banter was a highlight. As a tribute to her, McGovern released the 3-track EP Flowers (Songs to Lady Red) in November 2020, with Adam Joseph as producer.[6] [7]
McGovern hosts Gay Pimpin' with Jonny McGovern, a weekly free LGBT themed podcast based out of Los Angeles since August 2010. It was based in New York City from January 16, 2006, to January 11, 2010.
| Year | Tracks | |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Dirty Gay HitsUS Release Date: August 4, 2003 | |
| 2006 | Jonny McGovern Presents: This is NYC, Bitch | The East Village MixtapeUS Release Date: November 28, 2006 |
| 2007 | Gays Gone WildUS Release Date: May 9, 2007 | |
| 2008 | Keep It Faggity: The Gay Pimp Remix ProjectUS Release Date: June 11, 2008 | |
| 2008 | Dirty Gay Christmas SingleUS Release Date: Late November 15, 2008 | |
| 2009 | Best of Gay Pimpin' volumes 1 & 2US release date: January 30, 2009 | |
| 2009 | The East Village Mixtape Volume 2: The Legends BallUS Release Date: November 2009 | |
| 2011 | Songs about the Golden Girls
| |
| 2012 | The Gayest of All Time | |
| 2020 | Flowers (Songs to Lady Red) | |
| Unreleased Tracks | Unreleased
|
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