Joanna Lumley has the best story about meeting Donald Trump in the ’90s

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In honor of the release of Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, I sat down and did a marathon of the cult-classic TV series. While there are a few moments that fall flat, the series almost overwhelming holds up. It’s brilliant and funny and subversive and weird. And great. I’ve been enjoying the hell out of Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders’ promotional tour too, and they arrived in New York this week for the American leg of the tour. At some point, they sat down with Vanity Fair to chat about Brexit (they both voted to Bremain), female representation in television, and Donald Trump. The whole piece is absolutely (fabulous) worth a read – go here for the full piece. But I just wanted to bring you this amazing story from Joanna Lumley about Donald Trump. Early in the series, Lumley’s character, Patsy, talks about how she admires Ivana Trump and thinks Ivana is “tremendous.” And Donald Trump heard about it. What happened next is amazing.

Even Donald Trump, Joanna Lumley gleefully discloses, is aware of the show—or was 20-odd years ago, when he unexpectedly requested an audience with her.

“Patsy once admired Ivana Trump on one of the episodes, and he somehow got to hear about this,” Lumley continues. “So when he came over to London, my friend Lady Elizabeth Anson planned a party for him at Grosvenor House—and he said he would like the person who plays Patsy to come along so he could have a look. So Liz talked me into putting my hair up and coming along. He was with Marla Maples then, and first she came and was the sweetest little character: ‘Oh, I think you’re so gorgeous, you look so beautiful.’ And then the Donald came along, with that Brillo Pad hair stretched across his head, and gave me a very odd look, as if he was sizing up a horse or something. And after examining me, he muttered, ‘Yes, she’s quite good-looking, she’s a bit like Ivana.’ And I was just walked out again.”

Lumley shrieks with laughter as Saunders—evidently new to this anecdote—stares at her openmouthed. Given this revelation, would she consider writing a part in future episodes for America’s potential next president?

“Well, Patsy would probably have a go on him,” Saunders considers.

“Oh, certainly,” agrees Lumley. And with that, Britain’s political future just got even less certain.

[From Vanity Fair]

Patsy would have a go on Trump. Patsy probably already has and forgot about it. I hope Lumley did the whole Patsy-Ivana thing too, with the duck lips and posture. And it’s so funny to me that Trump wanted to meet Lumley after that episode! I hope she did the Patsy-as-bloke thing and hit his arm, declaring, “I’m going for a waz, cheers mate.”

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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8 Responses to “Joanna Lumley has the best story about meeting Donald Trump in the ’90s”

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  1. Honest says:

    horrid film.

  2. Aeryn32 says:

    I can’t wait to see the movie! I recently binged the series as well – it never gets old for me.

  3. iseepinkelefants says:

    I have a feeling the film will probably be lie sex and the city but I’ll watch it for nostalgia sake. I used to watch it when j was a child on Comedy Central. My first taste of British telly.

  4. emma says:

    I’ve heard good things, and even if I hadn’t….. am so excited to see this movie!!!! Love them/it/all sweetie dahling.

  5. Laura says:

    This is hilarious! I can just picture his tiny eyes staring at her with pursed lips. I cannot wait to see this movie!!! 😁😁😁