Who is Milo Hartill?
A world famous puppeteer and globally renowned juggler!!! Ummmm I don’t know really, a Black Fat and Faggy dickhead who loves to sing, and her wife, and Japanese curry! An actor, singer, occasionally a dancer, host and mc, gay clubbing scene icon, underwear model, Instagram influencer, a very sexy but also very depressed gal from WA, who wanted to move to the big city and make entertaining her job. I am a daughter of British and Botswanan heritage. I am an avid fan of Halle Berry’s Catwoman, and the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man Trilogy. I am a fierce defender of whoever I am able to be. I am a loyal friend. I do not stand for injustice. I LOVE to laugh. I am a diva.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Nothing! Ok maybe tell some enemies to shove it a little earlier on. Spoken back to more teachers who were racist, fatphobic and homophobic. Read more about being a member of black fat gay folks earlier on. Tried to get on antidepressants earlier. Tell myself NOT to sleep with that one boy. Ummmmm maybe studied less in high school (I am not a good role model re: I think institutionalised education is inherently anti black fat and gay BUTTTTTTTT anyway).
Who inspires you and why?
Lots of people inspire me! My friends and how bloody hard I watch all my fellow creatives and contemporaries work to cultivate new and exciting work in hundreds of fields in Australia! I am inspired by the work of queer artists globally constantly. I think the why would be that I am so impressed at the perseverance of all these people, my friends, the queers who are large scale successful. Also birds. So cool they can fly man.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Write a cabaret and tell people to bring their slightly problematic family, and hopefully shift at least one person’s perspective of POC, gay people and or fat people.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
OH! I don’t tend to holiday too often but I am trying to work on that haha, workhorse mentality (derogatory)! So far in my life my favourite holiday destination has been India! It was such a culture shock in an awesome way!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Revs, as I feel like it’s a right of passage to take people there, but also so they can have a place to visualise when I tell them my stories that have taken place there!
What are you currently reading?
Michelle Brasier’s memoir My Brother’s Ashes are in a Sandwich Bag.
What are you currently listening to?
Rent (the film soundtrack), also listening to a lot of Hole (the band) AND the playlist of songs from my show so I don’t forget them haha!
Happiness is?
Having pasta, that my partner cooked (not mine, mine is shit) with my partner at home, and watching Desperate Housewives, drinking a Tommy’s margarita, that I made, and cuddling on the couch.
What does the future hold for you?
Who KNOWS! How exciting!!! Hopefully lots of laughs and wine! Hopefully lots of time on set and in the theatre!! Hopefully climate change gets some attention and I feel like I can have a baby! And lots of love and time with friends!!!! THE BEACH! Getting married to my wife (confusing pet name I know)! And lots of other unknowns (likely climate change related and scary) (but hopefully lots of fun stuff too)!
Milo stars in Black, Fat and F**gy – which is currently playing at the Guild Theatre – The University of Melbourne, as part of the 2025 Midsumma Festival, until 6 February. For more information, visit: www.umac.melbourne for details.
Image: Milo Hartill – photo by Lazy Fair