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The real-life Jamie gives his verdict on Everybody’s Talking About Jamie film

Exclusive: The former drag performer was shown the film "a few times" ahead of this week's premiere.

By Jamie Tabberer

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Provided

The real-life Jamie who inspired Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has given two thumbs up to a movie adaptation of the stage musical.

The film, starring Max Harwood and Richard E. Grant, is out on Amazon Prime UK this Friday 17 September 2021.

Speaking at Monday night’s premiere in London, Jamie Campbell – who was originally the subject of 2011 documentary Jamie: Drag Queen At 16 – said he “loved” the film, adding: “I’ve seen it a few times.”

“It’s going to 220 countries around the world”

“It’s not a direct re-telling of my story, it’s more an interpretation,” Jamie told Attitude on the pink carpet. “There’s a lot of creative license put in there.

“It’s inspired by me but there’s a lot of Jonathan Butterell, the director, there’s a lot of Max in it. That’s why a lot of people connect to it – it’s quite a universal story that a lot of us as gay people go through.”

 
 
 
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Campbell added that he wasn’t worried he’d hate the film because “I knew how amazing the stage show was. With it being the same people who did that, I knew it would have the same magic.

“That’s why I’m glad it didn’t go to some big Hollywood studio that would have made it soo shiny and glossy.”

Saying he was happy the film had found a home with Amazon, the fashion designer continued: “It’s going to 220 countries around the world! I think about all those gay boys, or anyone who’s in a little town that’s not accepting, or a country where it’s illegal to be gay, watching this film with their earphones in, in their bedrooms, knowing there are people out there who can do it.”

The Attitude October issue is out now.

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