Today we’d like to introduce you to Rubella Spreads.
Rubella, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started Drag around seven years ago on a whim. I was in a relationship with someone who wanted to try it but said he was scared to try alone. I threw a party and told everyone to dress in drag so he wouldn’t feel alone. Little did I know I’d enjoy it. Started off in a living room and then just got the bug to perform. I met Ms. Luna and Saint Peter D’vil along the way. They really helped me get my start by letting me perform in their shows when I had basically no experience. After about a year in drag, I met Anthony Mazzeratti who is a promoter in the greater LA area. After a successful launch of Neon, a party we had at an art gallery, Anthony brought Neon over to MICKY’S in West Hollywood. Then Mateo Segade and I moved it over to Faultline where it remained for about two years. After I cut ties with Faultline, I focused more on other projects and began DJing. Now I DJ full time all over Los Angeles including softBUTCH hosted by Pinche Queen at Redline, Steve McDonald’s Madames Apple in Silverlake and even in San Francisco once a month for Tito Soto’s Princess. I’m glad I found DJing through Drag. Both things have very much changed my life for the better.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As a chubby Latina drag queen, I faced a lot of adversity in West Hollywood. I’d say most of the time, I was made to feel like a joke or a token. Most performers wouldn’t talk to me backstage. I was even told by a show producer once that they only needed one “big girl” at a time. Luckily, things East of there started opening up for LGBTQ+ audiences. I started my own events in Silverlake and DTLA to accommodate a more diverse group of performers and an even more diverse audience. If it wasn’t for people like Allusia, Kiki Xtravaganza and Lucas John Junkin who always made me feel welcome in West Hollywood, I probably would have quit.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m known for being behind the scenes in a lot of DTLA’s parties. I don’t perform as much anymore because I’ve focused my attention on DJing. I am very proud of the community that I’ve helped build around me. I of course did not spearhead it, but the people I’ve surrounded myself with over the last few years and I, we’ve built something special. We like to make sure everyone feels included and seen. That’s something I think we all had in common coming into this. Now we have some of the most successful nightlife events in LA. I think that says a lot about what it is the world needs and what everyone else should be striving for.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve dropped some pretty important names all over. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without David Banjela. He’s been a DJ in the scene for 10+ years and really took me under his wing. He gave me hosting opportunities from the get go. And when I said I wanted to DJ, he let me practice DURING events. I really owe a great deal of what I do to him.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @rubellaspreads
- Facebook: facebook.com/rubella-spreads
- Twitter: @rubellaspreads
Image Credit:
Sloan Kanter (purple sweater pictures) and Salvador Ceja Garcia (All Others)
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