You know when someone’s charisma is so undeniable that they’re just bound to become a breakout star? That’s the case with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Pit Crew legend Bruno Alcantara, who was only supposed to play the “sit there and look pretty” role for a couple of episodes when he was hired back in 2019. But, again, he had that star power. He was infectious, the audience fell in love with him, and he’s been a staple of the competition ever since.
Bruno has also turned the gig into a myriad of other opportunities that also attest to all that he has to offer. Last year, he hosted “In Bed with Bruno,” a cheeky interview series sponsored by Trojan in which people like “Big Brother” winner Taylor Hale and Margaret Cho chatted with him in a silky bed. The Brazilian star is following that series up this summer with his new WOW Presents Plus interview series, “Happy Endings with Bruno,” where he’ll utilize his time as a massage therapist to interview a star-studded array of guests while he, you guessed it, gives them a massage.
So.Gay chatted with Bruno all about his sexy new series, his unlikely career trajectory, where he wants things to go from here and, of course, the key to a good massage.
Photography and Creative Direction by Zac Olewnicki
Wardrobe Styling by Indigo Boy David
Executive Production by Alex Hughes
Skincare by Grimoire New York
So.Gay: Congrats on the new show, “Happy Endings with Bruno!” Talk me through the premise of the show, which is going to be on WOW Presents Plus this summer.
Bruno: I’m so excited about the show. The idea is to bring this discussion about finding joy and finding balance in this crazy world we are living in. When we are going through something challenging, of course we reflect this in our body and, through a massage, we get to talk about how and where in your body you feel more stress, what do you do to find balance, what do you do to find joy, and it was very interesting how vulnerable people are willing to go and how relatable these stories are.
So.Gay: Do you think that the massage environment makes people more willing to open up and be vulnerable like that?
Bruno: Yeah. Well, I’m a massage therapist, and I think a lot of people don’t know that. I worked with massage for years, and you definitely set the mood for people to feel comfortable. The touch helps, they get to open up and think through what’s been challenging them, wearing their bodies down, and they feel things deeply. I feel like all of my guests left our sessions a little lighter.
So.GAY: Who are the guests on “Happy Endings”?
Bruno: We had Kameron Michaels, we had a drag queen from Thailand named Siam Phusri. Kyle Krieger, Brandon Kyle Goodman…
So.GAY: Was it hard to get people to agree to a show where they’re going to be getting a massage on camera? Or are they like, “Oh! A free massage!”?
Bruno: It can go two ways. I think people like, “Okay, what is happening?” Luckily, I haven’t heard many people say, “I don’t want to [get a] massage from Bruno.” So, that’s exciting, but I think what most people did not expect is how deep we wanted to go, and I think that’s the best part for me. You know what I mean? I think the plus is getting to touch points and talking about things that can be very relatable and very human, and I think a lot of us could get very inspired by it.
So.GAY: Between “Happy Endings” and your previous show “In Bed with Bruno,” there’s also a cheeky factor. There’s a fun, flirty vibe, too.
Bruno: [Laughs] Right? We started in bed, now we are going for a massage. I was asking myself, “Okay, what am I going to do now?” But I’m enjoying myself and having fun. I’m loving to getting the chance to do something new and different.
So.GAY: What did you learn from “In Bed with Bruno” about interviewing and having conversations that informed your new series?
Bruno: I was very nervous, to be honest, but at the same time, very excited. It’s very important when you’re interviewing somebody to be present. You’ve gotta listen to them, and you never really know what’s coming. You can plan things, and you can have all the topics you want to talk about, and you also need to learn about the person ahead of time. But, at the same time, there are a lot of things that can just come up in a story or conversation that they may or may not feel comfortable talking about, and I think those are the magic moments in the show. So, you really just have to listen and let it flow.
So.GAY: What’s the key to a good massage?
Bruno: Consistency. I feel like a lot of times the therapist drops the ball. They start very strong and good, and then they get tired. So, I think consistency from beginning to end makes for the best massages. I also like a firm massage. I like to say that I like to feel a little bit of pain and a little bit of love during a massage.
So.GAY: So you joined “Drag Race” as a member of the Pit Crew in 2019. It’s a primarily non-speaking role, but you’ve been able to break through that to become a breakout star. How do you think you’ve been able to do that?
Bruno: I believe that when you show up with the best energy possible and are giving your best to whatever you’re doing, that energy is always going somewhere. I think it’s never wasted. God is watching whatever it is. So, I just try to do my best, and I’m happy that through me showing up and doing what I can do, I’ve created a great relationship with the show, with the producers and with the audience. Even though they see me in just a short amount of time, I get so many messages saying, “Oh, my God! Your smile, your energy, the energy you bring, the joy you bring is infectious.” And I just feel happy. I think that has to do with it. Of course, this show is a huge platform, and I have to say how proud I am to be on the show. I love what the show stands for, the message that is so important to society, and how entertaining it is for everyone. It has opened so many doors for so many people.
So.GAY: How did you first get onto the show?
Bruno: I was connected through a friend that is very close to Michelle Visage, and then Michelle connected me to the show, and they called me. My first offer was a music video for Elton John for this song, “The Bitch is Back,” and that’s when I actually got to meet some of the producers. And I got to meet Jason and Bryce, who were the two Pit Crew back then. We took pictures together, and then after that, they made me an offer and said, “We may use you for one or two episodes.” And I’m like, “Okay, cool.” I was just there for the ride, and here I am.
So.GAY: What’s a fun memory you have involving RuPaul from your time on the show?
Bruno: RuPaul is very present and fun to be around. That’s my experience—playing charades on set while we are on a break. Not only RuPaul, but the mood is the best on set with everyone. Everybody’s there to help. It can can be stressful at times, as I think any set could be, but in general, I like the mood. I like the people there, and it’s a happy place.
So.GAY: You rarely have a shirt on in that show, and you’re constantly flaunting the bod. What’s your workout routine? What’s the fitness secret? What do you do to stay in shape while you film the show?
Bruno: Don’t eat. [Laughs] No, not that. You need to have discipline, right? I have to say I have good genes thanks to my mom and dad. So, I get to eat pretty much everything with moderation. When I’m on the show, I just cut a few more carbs and eat more protein. Sometimes I do some fasting to help or whatever other tools I read about, just like anybody else. I’m like, “Okay, let me test this.” Things will work differently for each one of us, and I think we have to test things out. So, yeah, I do some fasting, I cut some carbs, sometimes I do some extra cardio. I don’t love cardio, but sometimes I have to do it. I love the sauna. So whatever’s available, I try new things and push a little extra in my workouts. I work out, like, six times a week. You just have to be consistent.
So.GAY: You’ve done some other cool projects recently, particularly on social media with brands like Pure for Men and Grimoire New York. How do you balance all of the different things you have going on?
Bruno: Social media has been amazing in my life. Honestly, it’s been giving me new opportunities and allowing me to connect with people all over the world, so I feel very lucky to work with brands on social media and get to create things for them, with them, and then reach people everywhere. It’s been amazing to enjoy that part and get to travel to cities and do events at gay bars and receive the love in person. I’m enjoying all of it.
So.GAY: Is there anything else that you have your eye on doing when it comes to your career?
Bruno: I want to do more TV. When I was growing up, I really wanted to do acting but, as I said, I’m enjoying the ride and doing what I can. Sometimes we think we want something, and then you have the opportunity to do something else and you have to see what it leads to. But, yeah I would love to do more TV or more film.
I’m also very connected to Brazil—my home country—and I still have this desire to do some work in Brazil. I was in the last episode of the first season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in Brazil, and it was so much fun. I was so happy, because I’m part of the “Drag Race” family, and then going back to Brazil to work on that show that I’ve been part of here for so long was very special.
So.GAY: Last question for you, Bruno: What is “so gay” about you?
Bruno: It’s interesting, because sometimes when people don’t know me, they’ll be like, “Hey, are you gay?” And I’m like, “Oh, I’m the gayest!” I’m very, very gay. What is so gay about me? Hmm, I think to be gay, you need to have a level of confidence and be bold and daring. I think that’s the essence of because, at least in my experience, I realized at some point that I would go against everything I’ve learned in order to fully accept myself. It’s also about being kind to everybody else around you. You need to be bold. You need to be daring. You need to have some confidence. That was deep and serious, but I also have my playful side, too.
You’ve also gotta stand up for yourself. You’ve gotta be you, and in my case, I try to do that with the best image possible, by bringing a smile and trying to be empathetic to people. To be gay, you’ve gotta be strong, and you’ve gotta be resilient.
