We had the good fortune of connecting with Aluna Del Rey (Nick) Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Aluna Del Rey (Nick), why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always wanted to be a performer. I never was really good at singing or acting. Then drag performing was showed to me in person for the first time when I saw my first drag queen (Rae’Chill Silverfoxx) slaying the stage for a Pride event when I was growing up in New Mexico. Ever since that moment, I knew I wanted to become a drag queen and It was very possible for me. Cut to now and I’ve been doing it for 5 years now and performed/ danced in notable places in Colorado like Aspen and Telluride. I won a title as Miss Dragrango 2018 in Durango, CO. I’ve worked with many major companies modeling for Instagram and Facebook modeling in drag. Now I have my own local drag group where we go local productions for upcoming talent.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s been super hard to get where I’ve been professionally now. I had alot struggles along the way and also before my career that shape me to the person I am today. Let’s start with me being in remission from cancer for 16 years. I know how short and precious life is since I almost lost mine back when I was younger. So now I dont want waste another day of my life. I wanna try to live all my dreams to the fullest. Now I get to do that my art with drag performing. My stage name is Aluna Del Rey. I picked that name cause I just adore the Moon and Lana Del Rey. I’ve been doing drag for 5 years and now get to live my childhood dreams as a performer. I get to do alot with my performing, like performing in Washington state soon. I’m very grateful for that. There is alot of struggles with some people not accepting me and the LGBTQ+ community. I get harrassed and called nasty things alot for just being myself but I do notice the love and support way more than the hate. There is alot of overwhelming support from my community and the LGBTQ+ community for what I do and bring to the world. I wanna spread nothing be love and acceptance to the world, one sequin at time.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would show them hiking in Telluride, during this time there is some beautiful spots to look at gorgeous waterfalls. After that long hike go to local restaurants and get some hardy meals, like chicken fried steak, The Oak in Telluride has such good breading on it. Then after that go the local bars and show them all the good drinks. Then we dance the night alway giving the bar patrons a dance show not caring how silly we look. Then the next day after all that fun and dancing, we would go have authentic Japanese tea at The Tea Room and relax before the next day. Then at the end of the trip have a big drag show at one of the local bars in honor of my friend that is visiting.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shoutout my local drag group that helps me through alot. We are called Panic Spectrum (@panicspectrum). The other members are Electra Fie (@Electrafie13) and DaVaiVai (@da_vaivai). Without them I couldn’t do what I do now. Together we wanna bring a positive space for everyone to be themselves.
Instagram: @nikku506
Twitter: @nikku506
Facebook: Facebook.com/alunadelrey
Youtube: Youtube.com/alunadelrey
Other: Vinyl Instagram @alunavinyl
Image Credits
Gillian DeSpain (5 of the photos) Taylor Woodard (3 of the photos)