JOEL CREASEY

The Sydney actor and comedian, 27, tells WHO’S Cynthia Wang about co-hosting the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for SBS.

This is the 40th anniversary of Mardi Gras festivities. Is it cool to be a part of it? It’s so bloody cool. I hadn’t actually been to the parade until last year, and I was one of those people who were like, “Why do we still need this?” Then I went there and had to eat my own words. It’s a celebration of how far we’ve come and how far we’ve got to go, and Sydney just comes alive and is full of love.

Do you have anything new planned as host?

I’m going to be even sassier this year, and I’m joined by Magda Szubanski. She’s an Australian icon, and within the gay community she’s a hero.

Do you prepare material or wing it?

It will be a bit of a combination. I started doing my research on the floats in advance, but luckily I’m next to Magda and she’s great to turn to for her in-depth knowledge.

Will you genuflect in front of Cher?

One hundred per cent. Magda and I saw each other the other day and had a conversation about it. “What are we going to do? What do we say to Cher? Does she talk in anything but emojis?” I’m gonna die.

Going to her show after the parade?

I will be there, front and centre, crying my eyes out to “Believe”. I’ve actually put more thought and preparation into what I’m going to wear to Cher than I have to actually hosting the broadcast!

What is your Cher apparel like?

So many options, but probably something incredibly slutty and age-inappropriate. Where do you see more glitter, Mardi Gras or Eurovision? Ooh. More wind machine and a few more key changes at Eurovision, and more glitter at Mardi Gras.