Podcast Summary: What We Spend – Episode: Full Time CryBaby

Introduction

In the "Full Time CryBaby" episode of What We Spend, host Courtney Harrell delves into the financial and personal journey of Juhas, a 35-year-old makeup artist and aspiring full-time drag performer based in New York City. This episode offers an intimate look into the costs, challenges, and emotional investments associated with transitioning into a creative career in the vibrant world of drag.

Meet CryBaby (Juhas)

Courtney introduces the guest:

• Courtney Harrell [02:12]: "This is Cry Baby, a spooky or horror-themed drag queen."

• CryBaby [02:17]: "When I'm in drag, I go by Crybaby. Out of drag, I go by Juhas."

Juhas shares their age and residence:

• Courtney Harrell [02:21]: "Juhas is 35 years old and they live in New York City."

Artistic Beginnings and Move to New York

Juhas reflects on their early romanticization of the artist's struggle and the reality they faced upon moving to NYC:

• CryBaby [02:43]: "You know, it's not as romantic as I thought it was going to be."

Their professional background includes working as a makeup artist for high-profile acts like the Blue Man Group:

• Courtney Harrell [02:58]: "Their last job was with the Blue Man Group. I mean, talk about makeup forward."

• CryBaby [02:58]: "Yeah, well, you know what, I'm not going to lie. I'll just say it's kind of like icing a cake..."

Transitioning to Full-Time Drag

After being laid off from the Blue Man Group, Juhas decides to pursue drag full-time, a move fraught with financial risks:

• Courtney Harrell [03:06]: "Crybaby is ... at the apex of everything that's scary, sexy and stupid."

• Courtney Harrell [03:57]: "How did you get into it originally?"

• CryBaby [03:57]: "So that's. It's really interesting because when I was a child..."

Juhas recounts their first drag performance and the inspiration behind the CryBaby persona:

• CryBaby [05:20]: "Like the doors on my closet were blown open. And, like, within a year, I was buying makeup..."

• CryBaby [05:48]: "Do you remember the first time you went out in Drag?"

• CryBaby [06:17]: "My concept was I was a slutty houseplant..."

Financial Breakdown

Juhas provides a detailed account of their income sources and expenses, highlighting the precarious nature of freelance artistic work:

• CryBaby [08:08]: "I have two. Two things about that. I think one of them is to realize you're not going to make money right away..."

• CryBaby [09:48]: "To make it full time, Juhas would love to be doing three to five shows a week..."

Breakdown of monthly expenses:

• Rent: $16.50
• Utilities (Gas & Wi-Fi): $150-$200
• Phone Bill: $25
• Transportation (Subway): $290 monthly
• Groceries: $200-$300
• Debt Payments: $400/month towards $20,000 credit card debt

Personal Struggles and Motivations

Discussing the emotional aspects of shifting careers, Juhas opens up about past hardships and the drive to pursue their passion:

• CryBaby [13:09]: "Why did you decide in this moment of losing this last job to pursue your artistic interests full time?"

• CryBaby [13:17]: "I have been hungry for the space to be able to explore more with drag and makeup..."

Juhas reflects on their upbringing and internalized beliefs about financial stability:

• CryBaby [26:13]: "I grew up quite poor, you know, I grew up in a trailer park..."

• CryBaby [28:35]: "This episode is brought to you by Amazon Prime."

Audio Diary: A Week in Juhas's Life

The episode features a day-by-day audio diary from Juhas, detailing their daily expenditures and activities as they prepare for their first full-time drag performance.

• Day One [16:12]: Spends $24.27 on cold brew, a croissant, and equipment for their show.

• Day Two [21:02]: Sacrifices $19.50 for ice cream and chips; invests $40 in a two-week yoga pass to maintain physical well-being essential for drag performances.

• Day Three [29:02]: Attempts to fix styling tools to avoid unnecessary purchases; spends $43.18 on wig supplies and groceries.

• Day Four [32:11]: Details the extensive and costly nature of maintaining a drag wardrobe, estimating total drag-related expenses between $5,000 and $10,000 due to donated and altered materials.

• Day Five [35:30]: Despite feeling unwell, Juhas spends $87.48 on Wi-Fi and continues to create wigs using recycled materials.

• Day Six [36:37]: Invests $92.42 on makeup and a hot pink bodysuit, emphasizing DIY approaches to save costs.

• Day Seven [39:49]: Allocates $64.75 for contact lenses, hair extensions, and hairspray; performs their show, spending a total of $50-$70 on the performance. Receives $20 in tips but views the investment as valuable for personal and artistic growth.

Reflections and Conclusions

Post-performance, Juhas assesses the financial and personal outcomes:

• CryBaby [41:23]: "I made about 20 bucks."

• CryBaby [42:34]: "If I can be honest with you, right now, making money from the shows isn't the most important thing."

Juhas emphasizes that the true value lies in artistic fulfillment and personal achievement rather than immediate financial returns:

• Crybaby [42:47]: "I just want to have fun with it. I want to do what I want to do. I want to explore what I want to explore..."

Despite the high costs and low immediate earnings, Juhas remains committed to their artistic path, viewing expenditures as investments in their future career and self-expression.

Final Numbers

• Total Weekly Spending: $418.56
• Performance Costs: $50-$70
• Earnings from Tips and Ticket Sales: Approximately $70-$90

Closing Thoughts

Juhas's journey as CryBaby underscores the financial risks and personal rewards of pursuing a passion in the arts. While immediate financial gains are modest, the investment in creative expression and personal growth holds significant value for Juhas. This episode of What We Spend highlights the delicate balance between financial stability and artistic ambition, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on the costs associated with following one's passion.

Notable Quotes

• CryBaby [02:17]: "Crybaby is a bombastic, in-your-face, flirty, horrifying clown."

• CryBaby [05:20]: "Like the doors on my closet were blown open."

• CryBaby [08:08]: "Drag is expensive, and you are probably, as a starting queen, not going to get a return on investment right away..."

• CryBaby [13:17]: "I was tired of spending so much time and energy making money for other people..."

• CryBaby [42:47]: "I just want to have fun with it. I want to do what I want to do..."

About the Podcast

What We Spend is an Odyssey original podcast by Audacy, where individuals from diverse financial backgrounds share detailed accounts of their weekly spending habits. Hosted by Courtney Harrell and featuring producers Margot Gray and Kristin Torres, the podcast aims to provide listeners with authentic insights into personal finance through real-life stories.

For those interested in sharing their financial journeys, Audacy invites submissions at whatwespendpodcast@gmail.com.