Lio Botello: Bringing the Cakes

Article written by Alexander Rodriguez, host of On the Rocks with Alexander

Master baker Lio Botello, aka the Krafty Kween, brings the heat and the big cakes…literally, and his cake decorating skills landed him a star spot on Netflix’s Sugar Rush, ultimately making it the final round. His signature creation, Fruity Pebble tacos, have become a viral must-make dessert loved by his fans and celebrities alike. Kelly Clarkson was so taken with his sugary goodness that she had to have him on her show.

Lio Botello hails from Texas where everything is bigger and though he may be short in stature, every inch of him is filled with spunk and passion. Life has taken him through a colorful journey. His career in insurance was far from the kitchen, but his relationship with his ex (also a baker) brought him into the world of cake and dessert decorating, first learning his beginner skills as an unofficial assistant and later going out on his own to create his solo brand. Fans across the nation love him for his creative dessert creations and his gay fans love him for his almost NSFW Instagram. He’s as eager to show you his latest cake as he is to show off that signature booty. Sorry, boys – he’s taken. As if he wasn’t perfect enough, he is in a beautiful relationship with America’s Got Talent’s country signer hottie Kameron Ross. The two travel the nation using their platform to promote inclusion and equality and look damn good doing it.

Lio stopped by in his short shorts for this Andrew Christian exclusive to chat coming out, cake decoration, hookups at LA Fitness, and his celebrity hall pass.

What does Texas do better than anywhere else?

Texas does “crazy” better than anywhere else. It was 72 degrees yesterday and today I had to go into an empty grocery store because everyone is preparing to be ice/snowed in a couple of days. Also, the gays are crazy here too. Ha!

What is your coming-out story?

I came out at a relatively young age. I was 15 years old. I told my mom and she was very emotional. She was sad and scared. Not sad that I was gay but sad that she knew how hard the world could be to a gay person. She made sure I knew one thing and that was that she loved me no matter what. It was a little harder with father. I don’t think he meant for it to be, but his words have stayed with me since he said it. But he essentially told me that he was fine if that was what I wanted to do but he didn’t want me mixing “that part” of my life with my family life.

What was it like working with your ex on cakes?

It was a learning experience that’s for sure. It had its highs and lows. We built a brand together and in a very short period of time with his talent in the kitchen and my business mind, we were able to get our brand into the homes of people all over the world. I was working my full-time job as an insurance agency manager to pay our bills so I wasn’t able to be home and be as involved as I would have liked. And as things picked up after the show the business did start to suffer. In his defense, now that I do it all on my own, it was a lot of work for one person. He’s taken some jabs at me recently so I won’t do that, I like to believe that he was doing his best then and is doing his best now. I wish him well.

What was filming Sugar Rush really like, beyond what we saw filmed?

Filming Sugar Rush was an insane experience. Funny, I actually filmed 3 years ago yesterday. Without saying anything that would go against contracts, I can say there is a lot you don’t get to see. Our commentary, competition, and prep is about 3 days total.

Did you gay out when you met Kelly Clarkson?

Ummm, duh! She is just as crazy in person as you see on her show and all the other things she does. When I came out on stage, that was actually the first time I got to see her. We worked with producers and other staff up until that point. She ignored what we were supposed to be doing and let me know that she read that I was from Fort Worth, TX. She was from near there and we were born at the hospital there in Fort Worth. None of this aired on TV and we discussed all of this while the audience and production team just waited. It was a super sweet moment.

What kind of reality TV show would you do next?

I would love to do another competition but, realistically? Hopefully, something that follows my everyday life. My partner Kameron and I are on the go nonstop so often. We have some really crazy friends and some super fun moments that always make me think “damn, I wish there were cameras here for this.”

What are the basic fundamentals of good cake decorating?

I don’t think the “basics” change from person to person. It depends on what your style is and what aesthetic you are going for. But I would say to find a good buttercream recipe and perfect it. I have never found one that I like perfectly exactly the way it is, you have to make it your own. But once you have that perfected, make note of it. It’ll be your signature on top of every cake.

Do you always wear short shorts? Would wear them to a funeral?

Hahaha! I call shade. I love my shorts. I don’t call them “short shorts” since they are just the length that I think ALL shorts should be… but to answer the question, I would if they were black. Even those who have passed would want me to feel cute and show some leg and cake.

Craziest place you've had “relations.”

I am a lady… So have never. But hypothetically, the handicap bathroom at LA Fitness. Lol.

Worst date?

I was in my 20s and a guy asked me to dinner and a movie. He was really obnoxious the entire time we were at dinner and was really rude to the staff. He drove us there so I still did the movie portion of the date. At the movie I went to the bathroom to pee, I turned around and he was standing behind and said he got my “signal” for him to follow. He got really aggressive, I ended up leaving walking to the restaurant we had dinner at. The waitress bought me a drink and sat with me until my best friend got there to pick me up.

Is it hard dating someone else in the public eye?

I don’t think it is. I think me in my 20s would have struggled with it but I am a lot more easy-going (believe it, or not) than I used to be. I can handle people criticizing our relationship, I can handle boys coming on to Kameron. I know that it all comes with the territory. I am also in the most honest and open relationship I have ever been in. It’s crazy how much easier life is with a partner that you can communicate with about anything.

What are the fundamentals of maintaining a successful, high-profile relationship?

Take what people say about your relationship with a grain of salt. People that are just not as open like to shame people for enjoying sharing their life with others, do you. If you like sharing gross, lovey-dovey things about your partner, do it. Make sure to take as much time as you need for just the two of you.

Do you believe in monogamy?

I do actually. I think two people can be monogamous but I believe that a wide majority, (not all, so don’t @ me) are only monogamous because that is what we are raised to believe is “right.” I think it’s natural to find more than one person attractive. I also think it’s natural to have feelings for more than one person. Every relationship is unique. We are living breathing creatures that are changing from day to day. I don’t think the goal should be to find one person to “honor and obey” forever. But a partner to share our love with.

Who is your celebrity hall pass?

Antoni from Queer Eye has been keeping me hot and bothered here recently, ha ha. He is such a cutie!

If you were to design a pair of Andrew Christians, what would they look like?

Little cakes all over them. And “Have a slice!” on the booty. ;)

You can follow Lio on IG: @LioBee