Puddles needs to be loved, just like everybody else

Nearly 7 feet tall, the gloomy, grease-painted Pagliacci who stars in “Puddles Pity Party,” is known for two things. First, he does not speak, communicating with a shrug, a bend of an eyebrow and a sorrowful gaze. But there is also his singing voice, a volcanic baritone that seems to rise from the depths of his entire clown-shoed body as he offers unique mashups of music by David Bowie and Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd and the Pixies, Nat King Cole and Idina Menzel.

Puddles became an overnight water-cooler sensation during the most recent season of “America’s Got Talent” with a remarkable version of Sia’s “Chandelier,” a performance that led to a national tour.

Puddles agreed to answer a few questions. Via email, of course.

I understand you are from Atlanta. What’s your earliest childhood memory?

My MeeMaw and PawPaw had one of those old iceboxes with a gas motor on top. I remember standing in front of it and eating an entire package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese. That was expensive stuff for us back then. I don’t recall the ensuing ass whooping from MeeMaw, but PawPaw said it was epic stuff.

When was the last time you were happy?

This morning. I met a dog at a coffee shop, and he licked me all over my face. It’s incredible how dogs will show affection to whomever they want and they don’t care who’s watching. Dogs always make me happy.

Why don’t you speak?

Too much talking in this world, already. And I had a habit of putting my foot in my mouth, which, given the size of my shoes, presented quite a problem. So I choose instead to listen or sing. But talking ain’t for me.

Your performance of Sia’s “Chandelier” on “AGT” was remarkable. Standing ovation, from kids and adults. You know you can sing. Did you know you’d be received that way?

I don’t know where I’m going to be eating tonight, let alone how folks are going to react to what I do. I just like to put it out there and see what happens. But the warm reaction from the AGT audience and judges during “Chandelier” was definitely a surprise. I was overcome with emotion.

One of your collaborators, Scott Bradlee, of Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, said of you: “He seems like he just doesn’t really understand the world, and is lost.” What do you say to that?

I don’t feel lost. I always know where I am. I’m right here. But the world can be a challenging and complicated place for a simple guy like me. I count myself lucky if I have a place to sleep, something to eat. And if I’m really lucky, I make some new friends along the way.

Bradlee also said: “Even people who are afraid of clowns, and don’t like clowns, see humanity in him.” Is that important to you?

As my man Morrissey sings so beautifully “I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does.” Clowns are people, too, you know.

COURTESY Puddles rose to fame during the most recent season of “America’s Got Talent”