Sibling Rivalry Podcast: "The One About Acting"

Hosts: Monét X Change & Bob The Drag Queen
Date: August 25, 2025
Main Theme:
A candid and comedic deep-dive into the art of acting, auditioning, and their experiences in performance—plus a peek into their friendship dynamics as professional artists.

Episode Overview

In this laughter-filled episode, Monét and Bob reminisce about their early friendship forged on the New York drag scene, explore their diverging experiences with acting and auditions, debate over iconic Batmen and celebrity crushes, and hash out unresolved friendship snubs. Throughout, they sprinkle in personal anecdotes, friendly roasts, and sharp commentary on the realities of being Black queer performers in both the drag and theater worlds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reminiscing: The Roots of Their Friendship

• Old Drag Photos: Monét scours Facebook for old photos, prompting Bob to recall when their friendship truly "blossomed" through the old show "Thinking Drag."
  • “Thinking Drag is low key responsible for me and Monet’s blossoming friendship.” (Bob, 03:01)
• Fashion Tales: The duo laughs about Monét’s early obsession with body glitter and oversized accessories.
  • “Monet was very interested in making her body look bigger than it was ... The most. Rhinestones. The most.” (Bob, 03:49)

2. Queer Pop Culture, Iconic Roles & Wishful Thinking

• Hottest Batman Debate: Spirited debate about which Hollywood heartthrob made the best Batman (Val Kilmer, George Clooney), and a side discussion about whether Val Kilmer and Patrick Swayze look alike.
  • “Like Val Kilmer was low key giving cunt. Right?” (Bob, 06:13)
• Which Celebs Do You Wish Were Queer? Fantasizing about LGBTQ+ icons (“I wish Oprah was a big lesbian.” – Monet, 06:38)
• Bees, Humanity & Disney Moments: Monét shares a dramatic rescue of a drowning bee, reflecting on her “God moment” and prompting Bob to tease her about seeking validation.
  • “I was God for this bee. I saved it.”—Monét (16:29)
  • “But this is not a Disney movie anymore. You’re a villain.”—Bob (20:10)

3. Pest Debates, Biology Lessons & Childhood Cruelties

• The Bug Ethics Spectrum: Bob and Monét challenge each other on which animals they’d kill without guilt, swapping childhood stories of slug-melting and bug-catching for school projects.
• Arachnid vs Insect: Spirited Google fact-checking about whether daddy long legs are spiders or insects (they're arachnids, not insects).
  • “All insects have six legs. Unless there’s been an injury or an anomaly.”—Bob (24:04)

4. Acting, Auditions & Artistic Insecurities

• Monét’s Aladdin Audition:
  • Monét recalls auditioning pre-Drag Race and not getting help from Bob, who pokes fun at being overlooked for advice.
    • “It’s weird that you went to Ben and not me.” – Bob (30:19)
  • Monét discusses the confusion between opera and musical theater auditions and the challenges of presenting for Broadway.
    • “I walked in there looking crazy.” – Monét (32:30)
• On Not Being Asked for Help:
  • A recurring friendly grievance—Bob wishes Monét would trust him for more acting or creative advice.
    • “It’s like you don’t trust me.” – Bob (31:33)
    • “Okay, if that’s what you got from that, I can’t help you, babe.” – Monét (32:01)
• Broadway Dream Roles:
  • Bob’s dream role: King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar.
    • “I genuinely think I’d be fantastic in that role.” – Bob (41:56)
  • Monét’s dream: To play the Wiz in drag.
    • “I think I would have done a really good job with the genie.” – Monét (33:24)
    • “The Wiz in drag would be a sick thing.” – Monét (41:41)
• Iconic Audition Advice:
  • Don’t sing from the actual show in auditions, but choose a song in the same vein or style.
    • “Typically speaking, it is poor form to sing a song from the show, but it’s good form to sing a song in the vein.”—Bob (56:41)
  • Dress to stand out, not in costume but noticeable (“Black and yellow suspenders”—Bob, 59:39)
  • Lessons about painful experience of being 'typed out' early in choreography-heavy, visual auditions.
    • “It’s just how you look. They don’t get to know what you’ve done. Nothing.”—Bob (57:52)

5. Friendship Dynamics & Vulnerability

• Missed Milestones:
  • Bob brings up Monét missing his "Angels in America" performance, needing validation for his hurt feelings, and Monét eventually acknowledges the emotional impact.
    • “Your excuse isn’t good.” – Bob (48:17)
    • “I see you and I understand how that can hurt your feelings.” – Monét (53:12)
    • “That felt so nice. I never have to bring it up again now.” – Bob (53:29)
• Communication Differences:
  • The two reflect on their respective needs for space or immediate conversation in conflict, and how that affects their real-life and working relationship.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Okay, you're gaining some humanity back, which I appreciate, which I like very, very much." — Bob (20:31), after Monét admits she would forgive a potentially defensive bee sting.
• "If that's what you got from that, I can't help you, babe." — Monét (32:01), amidst a mock-serious spat about not asking Bob for show advice.
• "It's like you don't trust me." — Bob (31:33), expressing vulnerability about friendship support.
• "So, either fame has changed you, or Naomi just better at keeping her life together than you." — Bob (50:18), needling Monét about career-stage maturity.
• "Being with good actors will make you a better actor in the scene. And I think being with bad actors will make you a worse actor." — Bob (55:34)
• "All insects have six legs." — Bob (24:04), sparking a trivia tangent that’s classic for the duo.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:57: Reflection on early drag days and how their friendship began
• 04:49: The "hottest Batman" debate
• 06:29: Celebrity "wish-they-were-gay" musings
• 15:47: Monét's rescue of a drowning bee
• 19:51: Debate over whether Monét's act was selfless or egotistical
• 29:38: Bob airs grievances about not helping Monét prep for acting gigs
• 30:05: Story of Monét’s pre-Drag Race audition for Aladdin
• 41:56: Bob’s "dream role" confession
• 48:00: Discussion of missed friendship milestones (Angels in America)
• 55:32: The impact of ensemble acting on performance quality
• 56:41: Bob’s expert advice for Broadway auditions

Tone & Style

The episode flows with affectionate shade, unfiltered honesty, and the familiar banter signature to Bob and Monét. They oscillate between playful bickering, heartfelt confessions, and practical career wisdom, often flipping from gags to genuine revelations in the span of a few minutes.

Final Thoughts

"The One About Acting" is equal parts masterclass in stage hustle, a testament to queer besties navigating the entertainment industry, and a snapshot of hard-earned wisdom layered beneath sparkling wit. Whether demystifying the pain of 'typing out,' owning up to hurt feelings, or plotting their dream stage roles, Bob and Monét deliver a must-listen for queer creatives and theater lovers alike.

For exclusive show recordings, behind-the-scenes auditions, and more Sibling Rivalry, check out their Patreon!