Born in New York and raised in Montreal, Rufus Wainwright now happily calls California home.
Since his debut album in 1998, Wainwright—son of legendary Canadian folk singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle and musician Loudon Wainwright III, and brother to singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright—has been known for masterfully blending many genres of music, including pop, classical, opera, rock, folk, and beyond.
His iconic 2007 live album Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall, as well as its limited tour that ended at the Hollywood Bowl, went on to win him raves as well as one of his three Grammy nominations.
An admiration for Judy Garland and Hollywood’s early movie-musical eras makes living in Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon all the more thrilling for the two-time Juno Award winner, who in May 2025 will debut his Dream Requiem at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The project is a fusion of poetry and music, with narration from Jane Fonda and vocals from the Los Angeles Children's Chorus.
When not performing, Wainwright and his family delight in indulging in all the dream-worthy escapes the Golden State offers.
Where do you live? I live with my husband and daughter Viva (we share custody with her mom) at the bottom of Laurel Canyon in a cute fairy-tale castle from the ‘20s, very Hollywood.
Why there? My husband and I were about to leave for the airport to go to Cuba from Toronto, at a time when we knew we were going to move to L.A. So we said, let’s look at some real estate. I clicked on the listing and we both fell in love with the house. We faxed our offer from Cuba—we stayed with the Norwegian ambassador at the time, so he had a fax machine. It was accepted and the rest is history.
I also loved the fact that it was close to the Chateau Marmont and part of that Laurel Canyon musical history, which is, of course, much less pronounced these days than in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but hey, I am there.
Who or what is your greatest California love? I am a huge fan of golden-era Hollywood movie musicals and that whole era of Hollywood. We bought a few items in the Debbie Reynolds/Carrie Fisher auction, which are all in our house. Carrie was a close friend.
There is so much else, though, about California that I love. First of all I love that California is such an amazingly beautiful and diverse state—the beaches, the forests, the mountains, skiing, swimming. It’s dry, wet, flat, steep, dramatic, and bucolic. It really has it all.
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? I think the biggest misconception about Californians and Angelenos in particular is that they are shallow and hedonistic.
There are some incredible people in California and particularly in L.A., which, of course, I know best. Really smart, interesting, deep thinkers. I mean, watch Jane Fonda’s speech when she accepted the Lifetime Achievement award at the Golden Globes. There is a Californian and Angeleno who knows how to make a profound and moving statement.
What is the stereotype that most holds true? That Californians love life and have a positive attitude. Maybe it is the weather. Life is beautiful in California. Of course it comes with perils too, but Californians come together and help each other and rebuild.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? Mr. Chow is one of them, and driving up the coast and jumping into the Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle. I know the general public doesn’t get to do it, but we go to the Hearst Castle foundation fundraising weekend and it is part of the activities.
Time for a road trip—where are you going? I feel this is the standard answer, but up Highway 1 towards Big Sur. But also going to Yosemite National Park is a favorite.
During COVID, we used to explore California a lot in our Airstream, which is really the way to go. We went to Sequoia, and I have to say that was just as amazing. There was a river with natural pools that we swam in and jumped from rocks. You feel like a teenager again.
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? I would have to say In-N-Out Burger and the Gamblers Duck at Mr. Chow.
What is your favorite way to play in California? I love the many outdoor venues that you can play in California. The Hollywood Bowl, of course, where I headlined with my Judy Garland tribute concert, Rufus Does Judy; the Greek Theatre, which I played several times with my band.
I do have to say also that Disney Hall has a very, very special place in my heart, and I performed my Folkocracy show there. And soon they are doing my requiem mass called Dream Requiem with the L.A. Master Chorale, with Jane Fonda as the narrator, and that will for sure be an awe-inducing highlight of my life. It sounds and looks so beautiful.
I incorporated an organ in the piece because my dream was that one day I would get to hear the organ at Walt Disney Concert Hall in one of my pieces.
Where would you go for the ultimate shopping spree in California? Beverly Hills of course! My husband and I both love Etro so we have spent a lot of money there. There is nothing in the world like Beverly Hills and Rodeo, Canon, and all these other drives.
Best California song? Hands down The Mamas & The Papas’ “Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon).” Actually my version of it with Susanna Hoffs, Sheryl Crow, and Chris Stills is almost crisper and more precise than the original.
How would your California dream day unfold? Waking up in our beautiful house, having a coffee and playing some piano in my bathrobe, feeding our koi and then having some scrambled eggs prepared by my husband.
Taking our dog Siegfried to Malibu and hiking Solstice Canyon, driving up to Neptune’s Net to have some fish, and visiting a friend who has a little castle in one of the canyons.