RORSCHACH TEST
Alan Cumming wears Coat, Jacket, Shirt, Skirt, Tie, Bag, Socks, and Shoes Thom Browne. Watch Hermès.
The Tony-winning, tartan-rocking actor, activist, and club owner is notorious for his theatrical style and mischievous wit. As the host of The Traitors, he’s brought a dash of that energy to the free-for-all that is reality TV, and the results—and ratings—have been gangbusters. Lucky for us, the proud Scot spared some of his precious time to spread some love and talk some trash.
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PSYCHOTHERAPY
“Everyone should do it. For me, it’s like going to the gym for my mind.”
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RED MEAT
“It’s killing the planet. It’s killing you. It’s killing all of us. Walk away.”
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“Just got a text from her yesterday. I love her to bits.”
Jacket, Sweater, Pants, and Shoes Zegna.
EVANGELISM
“Terrifying. They’ve taken over the world and they’re going to kill it.”
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CULTS OF PERSONALITY
“It sounds ominous, but I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing if the personality of the person is healthy. I think most cults start off quite nice and then they all start shagging each other and becoming power crazy, but the idea of making everyone believe in you and think the same way as you do and have fun, that’s a pretty positive thing.”
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ATTENTION
“A lot of my life is being the recipient of a lot of attention when it’s neither wanted nor exhorted. I have enough attention in my life to last me a lifetime.”
Coat, Pants, and Shoes Ami Paris. Shirt Loro Piana.
“I don’t like the concept of not being allowed to go somewhere just because you’re not part of the gang. In London, it seems like everywhere is a club. I hate the fact you’ve got to be a member of one to get a late-night drink in the center. It’s horrible. And I mean, I’m a member of one there, but I never go to it. There’s something about them that is kind of culty, actually—the idea that we are the in-crowd.”
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MIDDLE AGE
“Apparently I’m in it, but it’s a very loose definition. If you don’t know when you’re going to die, it’s hard to know when the middle is. It’s an attitude more than a factual thing. A suburban attitude, slightly incurious. I used to think it was wearing cardigans and inviting people around for a barbecue on a Sunday afternoon, but I don’t do that. I do invite people for barbecues actually, but I wear swimming trunks.”
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QUEER EYE
“I really like the idea of acknowledging how much good queer people can do in your day-to- day life, but I’ve never watched it.”
Jacket, Shirt, Pants, and Shoes Fendi. Watch Omega.
“Bonkers and hilarious. I’m endlessly fascinated by her. One of the great things about The Traitors is meeting all these people I would never have met otherwise. During the course of shooting, I don’t really talk to them, but in doing press, you get to know them a bit more. What happens is they’ll come to Club Cumming one night and have drinks and a laugh. But Phaedra is at the top of the pyramid of hilarity, in terms of getting to know random people that I never would’ve encountered before. That’s one of the great things about The Traitors.”
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CUMMING
“All the time. Essential, underrated, very good for your mental health in all aspects of the word—myself, the act, arriving, just turning up. Also shooting a load.”
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OZEMPIC
“Anything new that’s got chemicals involved and radically alters your body, I’m not a fan. We should just love ourselves in whatever shape we are. Also, what about the poor people with diabetes who can’t get it now because all these fucking actors are shooting up?”
Coat and Shirt McQueen By Sean McGirr.
HOTEL LOBBIES
“I hate the fucking small talk. “How are you today? How was your trip?” I don’t want to tell you how my day’s been. I want you to give me that fucking key and I want to walk to the elevator and go into my room and lie down. My favorite hotel is the Chateau Marmont because it doesn’t have a lobby in that way. You can get into the elevator and go straight to your room. And even when you go to get your key, not everyone can see you. I don’t like the way you’re on show when you arrive somewhere.”
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LUBRICANT
“Even when you think you don’t need it, you probably do.”
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HAGGIS
“Much maligned. Nobody’s cooked it inside a sheep’s stomach since the 18th century, so it’s delicious. There’s even a vegan one that’s tasty.”
Jacket, Sweater, Pants, and Shoes Loro Piana. Watch Omega.
TARTAN
“The most versatile fabric and series of lines and colors that you will ever find. Able to be rebellious and traditional and kitsch, all at the same time. How many fabric patterns do you know that have been banned?”
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“Home. The best mix of people and experiences. It changes, but at its core, it’s really diverse—racially, age-wise, economically. To me, that’s what New York is all about: that true melting pot.”
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EYELINER
“Essential. And also incredibly versatile. Use it along the jawline. One eye pencil is a whole face of makeup for me.”
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Grooming: Michael Moreno at The Only Agency.
Prop Stylist: Mike Feswick.
Model: Ryan Petersen.
Photography Assistant: Eli Freireich.
Fashion Assistant: Reinaldo Rivera Nunez.
Production Assistant: Jordan Santisteban.
Post-production: Camerin Stoldt.
Location: WSA.