So says Platinette, Italy's beloved drag queen. Frank Bruni explored his world in the New York Times: "Away from the spotlight, Platinette reverts to Mauro Coruzzi, 47, a self-deprecating, nearly bald, often unshaven, frumpily dressed homebody. He lives alone on the periphery of Parma, where he was reared, but dates a local doctor, whose affections he seems not to trust. "I cheat on him often," Mr. Coruzzi said. "I ask him, 'What can you find attractive about me?' I must be one of the few men in the world with cellulite."

Platinette has a book, albums, a weekly magazine column, a web site, and one of the country's highest- rated radio programs. Asked whether a run for national office was in the offing, he said that he had contemplated it but then found that male lawmakers had to wear jackets and ties into Parliament.
"I'm asocial, reserved, depressed, schizophrenic," said Platinette, or rather the man behind her, whose makeup, for the moment, was off. "I could never be in Parliament as Mauro."