Chasing a dream and becoming a meme
By Christina Behnke
Two weeks ago, two Sun City, AZ llamas made national headlines when, during an animal therapy visit to an assisted living facility, they escaped and made a break for freedom. They were eventually captured, but not before establishing a reputation as the first big Internet meme of 2015. Vogue Knitting located the llamas at their Sun City ranch, where they agreed to speak with us via translator.
VK: First, we just need to clarify one thing: this is your first interview with the press, correct?
Black llama: You bet. Buzzfeed thought they got the scoop, but that was an alpaca.
White llama: Complete imposter. Obviously we’d only speak to the media as a team.
VK: Can you explain what happened from your own perspective?
White llama: There’s a rumor going around that we got spooked and made a run for it, which is so insulting.
Black llama: We’re not horses!
White llama: Don’t believe what you hear—we planned this ahead of time. We were headed for Hollywood before we got separated.
Black llama: It didn’t help that we weren’t sure which way Hollywood was.
White llama: Those [unintelligible] lassos always seem to come out of nowhere.
VK: How long had you been planning your escape?
White llama: Roughly a few weeks. We’d been discussing doing it on a Friday afternoon for peak viral factor, but ultimately we went for Thursday. Marketing experts might call it an unconventional choice, but it was totally worth the risk.
Black llama: Thursday was also when they took us out in the trailer.
White llama: Yes, that too.
VK: You had some great publicity going until #TheDress happened.
White llama: Don’t even get us started!
Black llama: What a lot of people don’t realize is that there’s serious debate going on about the color of our fleece.
VK: How so?
White llama: Well, my coat is really ecru, not white, and her fleece has chestnut highlights from the sun…
Black llama: I think you mean mahogany.
White llama: See what I mean?
VK: Regardless, you’ve certainly made a name for yourselves. What’s next?
Black llama: We wouldn’t say no to a reality show contract, but that would only be a stepping-stone to what we really want to do. Our true passion is fashion!
White llama: We’re not just about the llama drama.
VK: You sound like the real deal.
Black llama: Oh, yes. In fact, we’re hoping to start our own yarn line.
VK: Oh, really?
Black llama: From our own backs!
White llama: It’s limited-edition.
VK: I see. Well, black and white does seem to be a continuing a fashion trend.
Black llama: That’s what we’re counting on.
White llama: Don’t you mean ecru and chestnut?
Black llama: Mahogany.
This interview has been condensed and edited.