Renowned filmmaker John Waters is set to appear in five episodes of the upcoming season of “American Horror Story: 13,” which debuts on September 24. Additionally, he is set to launch a talking John Waters doll and will embark on a nationwide spoken-word tour, visiting 19 cities between Thanksgiving and Christmas. His latest show is titled “John Waters: Let’s Take Over the World.”
These highlights emerged during Camp John Waters, an annual assembly that attracts several hundred devoted fans of Waters every September at Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut. Many of the attendees look forward to this event each year.
However, the most significant news from this year’s gathering is that it marks the end of an era: the Camp, which began in 2017, has concluded its run, making this month’s event the final occasion for those who proudly identified as “filthy Campers.”
In a September 2025 announcement, Waters shared that this year’s gathering would be the last for the cherished four-day festival, which has affectionately been dubbed ‘An All-Inclusive Dreamland Sleepaway Weekend’ and a ‘Campy Getaway with the Pope of Trash.’
“Yes, we will be gone, gone, gone,” he informed the attendees of last year’s Camp. “But let’s remember the nights we dismembered our filthy times together. We promise you, outside world, we will never let you rest in peace.”
On Friday, as Camp festivities commenced, Waters elaborated on the Camp’s conclusion during a candid half-hour radio interview with Mona Dehghan from wfmu.org. Their discussion took place at the Moose Lodge located on the campgrounds.
Dehghan initiated the conversation by asking Waters about the reasoning behind the Camp’s closure.
“I can’t pinpoint the exact reason,” Waters replied. “But I believe it takes a substantial amount of effort to run the Camp, and the organizers were incredibly supportive throughout… Our last session sold out in seconds once it was announced as the final one. We wanted to leave while everything was great, instead of letting it fade away, although it truly hadn’t. I wasn’t entirely part of the decision-making process, but I accepted it. It’s been a fantastic experience that I’ll cherish for a lifetime. I didn’t attend college. This was my reunion.”
A Unique Community
Waters credits the inception of the Camp to his two promoters, Toffer Christensen and Ian Brennan.
“I think the idea originally came from Toffer, and it was brilliant. I was on board immediately,” Waters stated. “From the beginning, it was evident this was something special. It became a well-known gathering that I’ve humorously referred to as ‘Jonestown with a happy ending.’ People come together from around the globe, forging friendships. Wherever I perform throughout the year, there’s usually someone from Camp in the audience. Many Campers have even found love and built lasting relationships here.”
Initially conceived as a reunion for dedicated John Waters enthusiasts, the Camp evolved substantially over the years.
“We developed many intriguing activities as we went along,” Waters explained. “We invited various renowned figures from my films to serve as counselors, and to our delight, they all agreed. Notable counselors included Tracy Lords, Ricki Lake, Kathleen Turner, and Johnny Knoxville, and they all embraced the idea. This year, we welcomed Matthew Lillard, who starred in ‘Serial Mom’ and has since enjoyed an incredible career.”
The Camp John Waters website characterizes the event as “four days of debauchery, creativity, chaos and all things gloriously trashy,” and calls it “the ultimate playground for misfits, dreamers, and lovers of all things camp.”
Among the Camp’s activities were costume contests, themed dance parties, talent showcases, Bloody Mary Bingo, meet-and-greets with Waters and the counselors, and screenings of “Hairspray” and Waters’ spoken-word performances. This year’s surprise guest was Sam Waterston, famed for his role as Eugene Sutphin in “Serial Mom.”
A Gathering of Kindred Spirits
Waters has observed that his fans often feel like outsiders within their own communities.
“I cherish individuals who feel out of place in their own groups, and I think our Camp embodies that spirit,” he observed during the interview.
Campers often share a bond forged through shared experiences of ups and downs in life, allowing them to find solace and connection with like-minded individuals.
Dehghan noted that the reunions serve as a space for Campers to reflect on both losses and joys in their lives.
“Both my parents have passed on, and these gatherings remind me of everything we’ve experienced together, as Campers. We’ve lost friends and partners along the way,” she shared.
“I can relate as well,” Waters replied. “Everyone goes through hardships; that’s just a part of life. For many Campers, they carry stories of difficult pasts. Perhaps that’s why they bond so well – because we’ve all learned to take our struggles and turn them into something beautiful, coming together with dignity. Many take pride in their wounds because they’ve learned to cope.”
Memorable Moments
When Dehghan asked Waters for some of his favorite Camp memories, he recalled a particularly humorous instance.
“There was a guy who came dressed as ‘Straight Divine’ from ‘Pink Flamingos,’ and he was hilarious. Walking around in a red dress with a wig, he asked everyone, ‘How ya doing?’” Waters laughed. “That was a standout moment.”
He reminisced about a dance contest judged by Ricki Lake, where the final contestants ended up completely naked, dancing the Twist. “I think that might be my all-time favorite memory,” he chuckled.
Another year, he said, Campers created ‘hate bracelets.’ During the inaugural Camp gathering, one attendee humorously left notes quoting lines from “Serial Mom” addressed to everyone.
“I heard a rumor that once, someone in a tent was having an orgy and accidentally dialed the emergency phone, leading the cops to burst in and see everyone naked. They just laughed,” Waters recounted.
“They basically called the cops on themselves,” Dehghan confirmed.
Waters expressed that he has no regrets regarding the Camp format. “Each year, the Camp has been extremely well-organized and has exceeded all expectations.”
He shared two more memories: one involving a Camp attendee who proposed marriage to him and, humorously, he temporarily played the role of officiant amidst the crowd; and another incident where an attendee asked to eat a dog turd, a challenge Waters humorously entertained.
Looking Ahead
Waters stated that his forthcoming spoken-word performances will include a wealth of gay terminology.
“Want to give us a sneak peek?” Dehghan inquired.
“Not a chance,” Waters replied playfully. “I never share my material in advance. I’m not one to give away my work for free. If people want to hear it, they’ll have to come see it live. I appreciate the online attention, but I prefer to maintain a sense of mystery.”
He also teased a project focused on reissuing his movie soundtracks but withheld further details. “There’s something really exciting on the horizon, but I can’t disclose anything just yet,” he explained.
While he revealed his role in five episodes of “American Horror Story: 13,” he also mentioned being involved in two other shows, though he can’t make any disclosures about those projects at this time. “I have numerous projects lined up that I can’t elaborate on yet,” he stated.
Waters expressed his skepticism about a film adaptation of his novel “Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance,” saying, “That’s never going to see the light of day due to high costs.” However, he suggested that a film version of “Fruitcake” could be more viable, possibly as an animated feature, though nothing is imminent.
He hopes to secure a Grammy Award for Best Spoken-Word Performance for recording his six screenplay books released in 2025.
“I’ve produced an audiobook where I voice every part, so this would be a deserving win,” he noted. “With nominations previously for Best Spoken Word for ‘Role Models’ and ‘Carsick,’ I’m aiming for the Grammy this time.”
As for cosmetic surgery, he asserted, “I’ll never get a facelift.”
“I land roles because I look my age,” Waters affirmed. “That’s how I earned my spot in the Yves Saint Laurent campaign! Unlike other actors, I prefer to embrace my age.”
A Farewell to Camp
Dehghan reminded Waters that he often tests new material during Camp, leaving him to ponder what comes next.
“How will you manage without us for testing?” she asked.
“I suppose I’ll have to test things elsewhere,” he replied.
He dismissed the possibility of relocating Camp John Waters. “I believe the Camp is irreplaceable,” he insisted. “I wouldn’t want to create a poor imitation somewhere else; I’m doubtful whether another one will occur.”
The Evolution of Humor
Towards the end of their conversation, Dehghan inquired about the accomplishments Waters is most proud of in his career.
“I take pride in maintaining a career spanning 60 years, with films cherished by new generations who weren’t even alive when I released my last one,” he reflected. “It’s rewarding to see how each generation connects with my work, as it’s a challenge to achieve.”
Waters noted that the humor in his films may have evolved, stating, “In fact, many of my film’s dialogues are considered worse today than they were then.”
“It’s strange how unexpected milestones have occurred, such as Criterion releasing ‘Desperate Living’ or receiving a twelve-room exhibition at the Academy Awards Museum. Reflecting on how far we’ve come, the humor in my works has probably evolved alongside societal values. We’ve reached a point where we can truly laugh at ourselves, and my humor has always stemmed from self-reflection rather than hostility. I believe one must first laugh at their own flaws before critiquing others.”
