Keeping Up With Ke$ha

You may not know Ke$ha's face or how to pronounce her name (Keh-sha), but her monster hit "Tik Tok" has proved to be an unavoidable presence on the radio and dance floor. Before hitting the road with Sarah McLachlan and Cat Power in the revival of Lilith Fair, the vivacious 22-year-old will be making her way to Palm Springs, Calif., for both Dinah Shore Weekend and the White Party to showcase her distinctive style of pop. Open to making out with men, women, or androgynous types like Adam Lambert, Ke$ha talks with The Advocate about her sexuality, the inspiration she receives from transgender people, and her fantasy of getting Sarah Palin to join her and Shakira for an all-girl sleepover.

The Advocate: I heard a rumor you read The Advocate.
Ke$ha: I do.

What draws you to the gay community?
I just think that gay men have much better taste than any straight man I have met. I have never gotten any grief about having a good time, being unapologetic, and irreverent from a gay man. And let's be honest, sometimes I wish I was a gay man.

Trust me, it only looks greener on the other side. Beyond just gay men, you have a particular interest in the transgender community. Your not-yet-released music video for "Backstabber" was cast almost entirely with transgender people.
I am a huge fan of the transgender community. I am so not a proper, good female. I can't dance in high heels and I'm just so not girly, but then I see these men with these banging bodies, dancing in heels, singing, and having so much fun with so much makeup on. That makes me honestly want to be a better woman. It is so fascinating that someone can commit their whole entire lifestyle to being such a fantastic woman when I'm such a bum about it.

How would you describe your sexuality?
I just want to have fun. I think across the board, with my music, my style, my makeup, and my sexuality in life, I don't think it should be taken so seriously. The reason my record is called Animal is because I am an animal, we all are, and we have crazy instincts that maybe aren't quote-unquote right or socially acceptable, but fuck that. I think people should give in to what they feel like doing at the time and be a raw animal.

Well, talking about giving into urges, you have discussed being attracted to women and making out with them on occasion. What do you say to critics who claim that talking up your love for ladies is all part of a publicity stunt to sell records?
I mean, was I using that to sell records when I made out with chicks before I had a record out? I don't really care what people think. I just have to be myself. Like I just said, if I feel like kissing a woman, I will. I don't really think I should have to explain that to any critic because I'm not asking them who they are going home and fucking.

You have a line in your new single, "Blah Blah Blah," that says, "Come put a little love in my glove box." Who are you singing to?
Well, there are lots of people. Recently, I have started a postcard relationship with David Spade. I have such a boner for David Spade, but only when he has a mullet.

So David Spade in Joe Dirt?
Yes! And I also want to touch that fat guy from The Hangover [Zach Galifianakis]. I want to touch that guy where he pees.

Those are some unusual choices. Who would you invite to an all-girl sleepover?
Oh, my God, my fantasy would be Rihanna! We recently started being friends, and I think she is really cool. I would want Shakira to come because she is so hot. I would also invite Sarah Palin, and I would put her hand in hot water to piss herself.

You've been quite vocal about the inspiration behind your song "Party at a Rich Dude's House" being about a time you threw up in Paris Hilton's closet. Is there anyone else's closet you would like to get into?
I definitely want to raid and hang out in Keith Richards's closet. I want to see what's in there and think it would be fascinating, like going into a museum. Also there is this tranny in Los Angeles named Detox Icunt. She was in my "Backstabber" video, and I have always wanted to raid her closet. I think that would be a lot of fun with lots of glitter and neon colors.

Well, maybe she will at the Palm Springs White Party. You will be playing there in April, correct?
I am. Are you coming?

Are you inviting me? You are also performing at the Dinah on April 2. Are you hoping to make out with any girl while in the desert?
We will see what happens. If there is some hot girl and I'm in the mood.

Maybe some Jack Daniel's will set the mood.
I am a fan.

I figured as much. You mentioned Jack Daniel's a few times on Animal -- are you hoping to get an endorsement deal?
I just wrote those because I am a fan, but I will take all the free Jack Daniel's I can get.

Lastly, we have to talk about you allegedly vandalizing the Hollywood sign to read Ke$hawood.
That was my idea for a long time. I didn't have the money to get it together, and I didn't have the camera. I wanted to make sure that if I did do it that it was documented. Actually, I'm talking to my attorney right now, and he said legally I'm not allowed to talk about it. Let's just say I finally got the resources together, I think that's all I can say.

Did you think it was going to be such a big deal?
No, I had no idea. I just thought it would be funny. It's not like we destroyed anything.

So it's not a hoax?
Legally, I'm not allowed to say.

Fine, we will have to leave it at that. What do you have planned for the rest of 2010?
Well, my next single, "Blah Blah Blah," is out. I'm really excited to come to the desert and play some shows. I am a huge advocate for any and every lifestyle, so I am really excited to support those two events. I am also going on Lilith Fair in the summer, and I am really trying to cover every country with as much glitter as possible.