Drunk drawing with Ryan Casey
Ryan Casey, the artist behind the iconic Instagram account @DrunkDrawn, sits down to talk all things art, virality, Bravo, and pop-culture
When I logged onto Zoom to interview Ryan Casey, I was immediately greeted by a wall of celebrity chaos: Bravoleberties mid-confessional, pop stars mid-meltdown, and enough celebrity ephemera to rival a 2000s Teen People archive. His studio-slash-office-slash-Bravo shrine felt exactly like stepping into his Instagram feed — colorful, campy, and slightly unhinged in the best way.
Self portrait by Ryan Casey
We chatted for nearly an hour about finding your style, staying weird online, and how he ended up bartending the most historic night in Bravo history: when Joe Bradley from Southern Hospitality and Luann hooked up on Watch What Happens Live! (yes, he was there. yes, he almost went to the Dream Hotel. no, he didn’t know Luann was going.)
If you’re not already obsessed with Ryan’s work, let me catch you up. He’s a pop culture illustrator, designer, and self-acclaimed “creative menace” who’s worked with everyone from Rolling Stone to Vanity Fair to the Real Housewives themselves. His early Tumblr-era comic But You’re Like Really Pretty eventually landed him a book deal with HarperCollins (But You Like Really Dated?!), and his more recent project, @DrunkDrawn — a boozy homage to Bravo — has made him a fan favorite among reality TV devotees and actual Bravolebs alike (even Andy Cohen owns a few of his pieces).
But behind the memes and martinis is a career that’s been building for over a decade. From Photoshopping couches at a day job to illustrating full-blown Hollywood encyclopedias, Ryan’s path has been both classic millennial hustle and deeply weird internet magic. Below, we talk about what it means to take pop culture seriously, how his art has evolved, and why Luann De Lessepes is his ultimate muse.
Olivia Tauber: It’s so lovely to speak with you. I've been a fan of your work for so long, and I love speaking to creatives — balancing art and virality is really interesting to me.
Ryan Casey: Very cool. Yeah, I was looking at Substack. It's more for writers, and there's not a lot of artists on it? I was thinking I could do a comic strip on there or something — just like a continual story.
O: You definitely could! They have sections where you can upload stuff like that. I think it could be really smart.
R: Cool. I’ll look into it!
O: So, for those who don't know your work, how would you describe what you do?
R: I would say it's pop culture through a deranged, quirky point of view. I just like to be a menace a little bit and just laugh with people. I love the idea that we're all watching something together.
O: Do you remember when you first started realizing your art was gaining traction?
R: When I really felt it was with the Love Island illustration of Taylor, which I drew last summer. I was like, whoa, this is really traveling faster than anything else. I was getting followers — younger people — that I wasn't expecting. It widened my audience. So that was cool.
Love Island Illustration by Ryan Casey
O: What did you think about that season?
R: Well, I hadn’t really watched Love Island before. I think I went on some trips with friends and we would turn on the British version and watch a few episodes. And then last summer I figured I’d check it out. I mean, it is so much TV— there’s so many hours of it. It was a big commitment. But I couldn’t help but watch it consistently. I was just drawn to Taylor. I’m from Pennsylvania, so anyone who's from Pennsylvania I innately want to see what they're up to. And she was a trip, and the cast in general was so good. I can’t wait to watch the show again this summer.
O: Before Drunk Drawn, you created But You're Like Really Pretty. What inspired that project? And can you walk me through how it developed?
R: Yeah, so, I went to art school in Philadelphia, and all my friends were working in fashion and retail and had health insurance and stuff like that. I figured I also needed to get a job like that, so I tried to wiggle my way in. I was working at Urban Outfitters at the corporate office in Philly. I met my now-husband there, and we moved to San Francisco. He got a job at Pottery Barn, and I started designing for retail companies. I got a job Photoshopping leather couches and cords and lamps and things like that.
At the time, I was kind of burnt out from school, because when you go to art school, sometimes you push yourself really hard at the end. By the time I graduated, I had some jobs at magazines and freelance clients, like doing logo design. But I was just burnt out, and I didn't have an original idea.
When I started working at an office in a cubicle, just Photoshopping all day, I really felt that I need to do something a little fun, at least for just me. So I started But You're Like Really Pretty. At first I thought, I'll just do a weekly thing — draw celebrities. But it was so bad. I look back on it now and I'm like, what was I doing? I was just throwing stuff at the wall. I was literally just being young and dumb and trying to explore my artistic voice and whatever they say.
Illustration from But You’re Like Really Pretty by Ryan Casey
O: Did you find that project helped you hone your current voice? Like, was it your playground to experiment and find your craft?
R: Yeah, totally. The name came from Mean Girls — "But you're like, really pretty." I just love that backhanded compliment. It makes you think, “wait, was that nice? What did she mean by that?” It makes you think about it a little bit. That’s the place I come from in my art, I feel. Anyway, it didn’t always hit the mark, but when it did, it felt really good. I was inspired.
O: And then came your deal with Harper Collins. You ended up developing a book! How did it feel seeing your work in print? And can you walk me through that process of turning something mainly digital into a print project?
R: Yeah, that was an amazing experience. Harper Collins contacted me and asked if I wanted to write a book for them, to which I replied, “uh absolutely, let’s do it.” I came up with a few concepts and we landed on the Celebropedia of Hollywood Hookups. I wrote it, drew it, designed it. I put the whole thing together and just handed it to them. They were awesome—just so supportive and they loved it.
I was so proud, it was such an amazing learning experience — going from digital to focusing on the print and completing something solo. It really empowered me!
I also have a cocktail book as well, Drink Like A Housewife. Hopefully, I’ll get another opportunity to write again.
O: So now, this brings us to Drunk Drawn. I read the name was born from a glass of wine and a Real Housewives binge. Which Housewives franchise?
R: You guess.
O: New York?
R: Yep, totally. Do you remember New York when they were like absolute disasters? Come on. There is nothing better than a Luann manic episode. Like, there is truly nothing. It was just so wild. It was such a capsule in time, and they were just having the best time of their lives. Coming home and watching it, I was like, oh my God, they're having so much fun. Now I want to have fun!
Luann DeLesseps Illustration by Ryan Casey
O: So, you were watching, drinking and doodling? Set the scene.
R: I was on my couch, just watching these ladies be messes, and I just started to sketch them — their funny faces in confessionals, in the best moments of the episode. And then it turned into me taking photos of my TV and actively paying attention to positions I wanted to draw them in.
I would put the drawings in wood frames, similar to what they do at the Palm, and then post the photos on Instagram. Surprisingly to me, people started liking it! It was all very simple, just line drawings. But it worked.
I would do just create after work for fun. At the time, I was working at Us Weekly and Rolling Stone, which were great. I did such cool projects there. But I just wanted to do my own thing, you know? So I was doing that at night.
O: How did you start building your Instagram following? Was there one piece that really blew up, or was it just through consistency?
R: I think it was the consistency, and just being committed to it. I tried to push myself and grow and do different things. There were moments where it felt like something I had to do. And then there were moments of joy coming back to it after some time away.
For example, during COVID, I stopped. I just felt creatively stuck. So I went back into painting. I was taking painting classes and drawing classes, which was awesome because it brought me back down to where I started and really inspired me. But those illustrations kept calling me — like, come back, come back, come back. And I was like, you know what? I have 14,000 people that like this. I’ll just go for it.
So in 2022, I was like, I'm gonna draw whatever I want. That’s still my mentality today.
O: Do you feel like your artistic style evolved through those classes or through trial and error? How has your style grown with you?
R: There are so many things that help my artistic style evolve. First and foremost, it’s definitely trial and error. But it’s also just looking at a bunch of different types of art — music videos, films, other painters or designers — along with traveling, going to museums, etc. Stuff like that has influenced me so much and changed my style completely.
O: You've explored so many different artistic mediums — illustration, collage, motion design, video. Which is your favorite to do, and which do you feel you’re best at?
R: I want to think that I’m best at the drawing part of it. When I’m drawing, there’s just a freedom in it. I want to take people on a journey. I want to show more of my work and personal mark. That’s what’s pushing me forward now. That’s what I really enjoy.
O: Bravo speed round — ready?
R: Ready.
O: Favorite Bravo show in history?
R: Real Housewives of New York, the original. Like, Berserkshears — that whole era, we love. And Real Housewives of Salt Lake City really got me back into Bravo. It’s a tie.
Salt Lake City took me back to the good-ole’ New York days in a different way. I watched Salt Lake and then immediately was like, okay I need to rewatch New York. It was the first thing that reminded me of the utter psychosis that we need in a Housewife.
O: Favorite Housewife right now?
R: I love Jennifer Tilly. Like, I think she’s amazing. Her reunion showing up? I was like, oh, we're getting to something good here. Her looks are just so fun. She’s so out there. I didn’t realize how braggadocious she was. I love that kind of delusion.
O: Favorite non-Housewives Bravo show?
R: I always check in with Below Deck. I love The Valley. It’s a little out of my knowledge — it’s so straight, you know? I used to love Vanderpump. The show felt like the ultimate payoff. When I watched that show, it was a roller coaster. It was so fun to be all in it together for this cultural moment, and it paid off. I’m glad they’re ending it on a high — I felt like they needed to.
O: Which Housewife or Bravolebrity do you resonate with the most?
R: I think I’m Sonia Morgan-coded 100%. And Rinna. A mix. We would all be such good friends. We’d like to party.
O: What's your go-to drink of choice when you're doing Drunk Drawn?
R: I mean, we love a white wine, you know? I’m a white wine witch. I love a martini too, but that's a little too strong to do work with. That’s more like a let’s chill-out, we did the work, now we’re sipping and watching our ladies type drink.
O: You haven’t just drawn Bravo. Tell me about some TV shows you’re liking right now.
R: Well, I really loved The White Lotus. I just really enjoyed it. It was great that it was on Sunday nights. I felt like I was going on vacation. It was cold here, and I felt warm.
I also really liked Running Point. It was really fun to watch — the Kate Hudson show. I thought that was really cute. I have a list — it's early in the year though. I also love The Studio. That's great. Have you watched that?
White Lotus Illustration by Ryan Casey
O: I haven’t started it yet.
R: I loved Baylen Out Loud — the girl with Tourette's. Oh my gosh, I love her on TikTok. Her show was great. I was so into it. You have to watch the unedited version. It’s on HBO. I loved it. She’s so sweet, and it’s just a wild ride.
She has this one tick that if she sees someone who’s bald, she just screams, "You’re bald!" It’s like she has to say it. It’s so great because I really resonate with Baylen— these are the things that go through my head too. So I love that she just says it.
O: Has any celebrity or Bravoleberty ever reposted your work or reached out in a way that really floored you?
R: I'm always shocked when stars notice my work. Like, Rinna posts my stuff. Andy posts my stuff. It's just awesome when anyone, famous or not, shares my work.
I’ve spoken to Andy a few times and it’s always been a great experience. I met him a bunch back in 2009 when he bought an illustration of mine. So we’ve had a relationship since then, and he’s just great. He’s so nice to me, and he’s really supportive of my career and my art.
I've also been a bartender on Watch What Happens Live a couple of times.
O: How was that experience?
R: Oh, it was so fun. The last time I did it, I think it was January 2024. That was great because they had a bunch of my art up and told me to stick around and hang out after taping because Heather Gay was showing up. So I got to see her, and we were kiki-ing, having fun.
It was actually the episode with Luann and Joe— when they like hooked up. I was there! When we ended the episode, Joe—who was dating Danielle at the time— told us all, "let’s go out for a drink." And I was obviously so down, but no one could decide where to go so we split up. I went to dinner with some friends, and then Joe DM’d me and was like, "Come to the Dream Hotel." It was too late so I ended up going home, but of course didn’t realize that was where Luann went! If I knew Luann was going, I would have gone!
O: Wow, you’re part of Bravo history. Did you catch a vibe?
R: Totally. I mean, Luann can charm anyone. Luann’s a charmer, man. It’s true.
O: Have you met any Bravolebs who were really different from what you expected based on TV?
R: Sutton was really cute and nice. I saw her at Bravocon and she teased me, saying "You're so mean." And I was like, "Sutton babe, I'm not mean, I'm just having fun!" We were laughing. She can take a joke.
I think she’s a little upset with me right now though —I drew her legs really skinny after the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills finale and she was upset about that. But it was just a joke, you know? She had a bad season so she’s sensitive. I don’t think I’m the only one she's upset with.
Sutton Stracke Illustration by Ryan Casey
O: When you’re figuring out what you want to draw next, what’s that decision-making process like? Do you just watch everything and let inspiration strike, or do you keep a list?
R: I used to watch the shows and be like, well, I have to find my moment to draw. But now I just sit back, enjoy it, and let it simmer. It’s funny — I often wake up in the middle of the night now, get an idea and write it down. That’s been the common theme the past couple months.
But I always have a list going. I’m always writing in my phone. I just love to write and keep notes — funny shit in pop-culture.
O: How long does a piece usually take for you?
R: It depends. I just wrapped up doing pet portraits, which was a dream job for me. I allotted like 20 to 30 minutes for each of those. I’ve gotten that down to a science.
But for my pop culture portraits, I like to give them about an hour. Sometimes I'm in the groove, and sometimes I gonna step away and come back. At most it'll be like four hours, going back and forth with it.
O: Do you feel like pop culture art has started to be taken more seriously over time? How have you seen the reception of your work change?
R: I feel like Bravo and pop culture in general are just so ingrained in everything that we do, which isn’t how it used to be.
I remember in school, all I wanted to do was draw celebrities and pop culture things, and my teachers were like, "This is just fluff." They really pushed me to do other things — editorial illustration, stuff like that — which I’m so thankful for. They were just trying to teach me.
Since then though, my whole career, people have said to me, "That's so dumb. You have brain rot. You need to do something else." But I never listened to people. Pop-cultural moments are a shared experience. And I think that's what people are embracing now — when you love the things you love and you share that love, people just want to connect with you. So that's what I go with.
O: I totally agree.
R: Bravo especially is something so many people care about. It's such a good escape. And if you get it, you get it. In my opinion, reality television is just as important as any other piece of art out there. Everyone’s going through their own thing, their own life journey. But we’re all watching this one thing together, and it’s like, let's just put everything aside and laugh about this stupidness together. It’s sweet.
O: Is there something you haven’t made yet, or a type of art you haven't explored, that you'd really like to try?
R: I’m definitely very specific. I’d love to do title credits for a show. And I’d love to work with Jennifer Lawrence.
O: I love her. She definitely knows your work as a Bravo stan.
R: Oh my God, I would die. Die. She's such a Bravo fiend. So yeah, something like a title sequence for a hit show — that’s the dream.
O: What advice would you give to a young illustrator or creative who's trying to find their way in this field?
R: Oh my God. Everyone’s producing shit. I mean, not shit, but content. It’s hard to break through.
I would say: figure out what you love, and draw (or write or paint or whatever) about that. If you start in a niche, people will find your work and get into it. And you'll grow from there. Pick a subject — anything you truly love — and just focus on it. It'll take you to places you didn’t expect.
O: You’ve obviously been creating content for a long time. How have you seen the industry shift — what used to work versus what works now?
R: The change has been interesting. Sometimes my work gets a ton of traction and sometimes it doesn’t. It can have me thinking, is it the algorithm? Is it good? Is it bad? Do people like it? You start questioning yourself.
O: How have you seen the digital industry change overall?
R: There's just so much technology now. So much you can do. It's just crazy. I’m still trying to figure it all out.
O: My last question: what’s a piece you’ve made that means the most to you? One that has a special place in your heart?
R: I think it’s drawing Angie with one eye — the Cyclops drawing. I loved doing that one. I think it’s actually really beautiful.
Angie Katsanevas Illustration by Ryan Casey
She got such a kick out of it from the jump. I thought of it when I was watching because she’s so Greek and has so many of these eyes in her house. That was the inspiration. It was so funny too. I’m really proud of that one. I think it kind of encompasses what I’m trying to do as an artist in this field.
O: Speaking of chaotic pop culture experience by the way, I’m heading to Coachella in two hours.
R: Oh my God, you’re gonna have the best time!
O: I’m so excited to see Gaga.
R: I can't! I'm so jealous. Seething with jealousy. Do you have your outfits planned?
O: Of course.
R: Okay, so what's the trend?
O: I’m not really sure because I'm not much of a fashion girl. I went for comfortable and a little slutty. But I think this year it's very Western.
R: Yeah. Like yeehaw, Kyle Richards. Americana. I’m curious to see what the influencers do. I mean, it used to be so BoHo — like the Vanessa Hudgens look — flower crowns, all that. It'll be interesting to see what it’s like now.
O: Have you ever been?
R: No, but I’ve been to ACL a bunch. I love ACL. I’ve never been to Coachella though. I really want to go — but I’m getting old.
