Leupp's first one-person show was "Miss Coco Peru in My Goddamn Cabaret" in 1992. Several more Coco Peru shows followed, as well as a 1994 guest role on "New York Undercover" and appearances in both "" and "To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" in 1995. Peru next had a role in the 1997 romantic comedy "Nick and Jane". Her follow-up was the 1999 independent film "Trick". According to Peru, "Trick" director Jim Fall was a friend and fan, and five years before the film was shot she helped him audition actors by reading the role which ultimately went to Tori Spelling. Peru's role in the film was added specifically for her: "They wrote me a part, which I rewrote using my own experiences. I wrote that line 'It burns.' Most of the part was written by me, which is why I played it so well."