Today we’d like to introduce you to Stells Di Rossi Hurst
Stells, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was fortunate to grow up in an international family deeply immersed in the arts and entertainment. With roots both abroad and stateside, I was exposed to a diverse array of cultures and creative expressions from a young age. My family is filled with writers, painters, musicians, and performers, so it felt natural to follow in their footsteps.
However, while the arts were a family legacy, I chose to carve out my own path in alternative rock—a genre that wasn’t typical in my family. Despite the social biases and stereotypes, I was determined to break new ground and make a name for myself in this uncharted territory.
Being surrounded by creativity made it easy to develop my artistic inclinations. Instruments, dance, and other forms of artistic expression were always within reach, and I had the privilege of learning from seasoned creatives who passed down their wisdom. I’ve been on stage since the age of two, and those early experiences shaped the artist I am today.
,
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been anything but smooth. When I was 15, I was in a car accident with my best friend the day before a major orchestra performance, where I was supposed to conduct a piece, I had arranged, scored, and composed. The accident left me unable to walk or play the violin, plunging me into a deep depression that lasted for years. I destroyed my sheet music and reached one of the lowest points in my life.
At that time, I had been building momentum in my career through theater, acting, and singing, often working alongside my mother. This accident shattered my family’s dream of me becoming an orchestral genius and silenced my creative voice.
In my despair, I turned to punk rock and fell in with a bad crowd, which ultimately led to me being kidnapped. I endured an abusive marriage and struggled for 28 years to reclaim my life, identity, and creative voice. My band, Method to the Madness, was born out of a desperate need to escape my abusive ex-husband and rescue my son and me from Guatemala. What started as a survival mechanism turned into a career and a legacy that allowed my voice to be heard around the world.
I spent 10 years trapped in Guatemala, with my passport held and kept expired, living as an illegal American. The band became a vehicle to get the attention of people searching for me, serving as a form of coded communication. I booked and planned gigs strategically to get closer to the U.S. embassy and eventually the airport, where I finally made my escape.
When I arrived in Atlanta, GA, I was in distress, with a hole in my chest, bleeding, battered, and bruised, clutching my guitar and holding my 6-year-old son. It had been over ten years since I had seen my family. The journey back home was far from easy—I had to take precautions to protect myself and my son, and I was often met with indifference from law enforcement. Despite my attempts to report the kidnapping, I received little help and was systematically abused. To this day, nothing has been done, and my abuser remains at large.
These experiences led me to become a creative activist. The systemic bias I faced—socially, musically, and personally—fueled my passion for advocating through my music for marginalized people, women, survivors, and those who fall through the cracks in our broken system. I started a 504c4 organization in Arizona but was ostracized due to racial stigma, which eventually led me back home to California, where my talent was more appreciated.
The journey home has been one of the hardest struggles of my life, taking half my lifetime to be heard, recognized, and healed. Being homeless more than once, both stateside and abroad, took a significant toll on me. Yet, art has always been there when people have failed me. I believe that everything I endured and survived was meant to help me uplift and inspire others.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Throughout my career, I’ve been the core heartbeat and driving force behind Method to the Madness, a band known for pushing the boundaries of genre and delivering unforgettable live experiences. My work isn’t limited to just the band; I’ve also showcased my talents in theater under the names Anitra Young and Ozzie Esposito, where I’ve consistently pushed artistic boundaries and inspired audiences with my powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence.
Here are some of my career milestones:
1992-2005: Early Beginnings and Artistic Exploration
– Participated in local talent shows and open mic nights, building a foundation for my career.
– Toured internationally in countries like France, England, Mexico, and Guatemala.
– Collaborated with various musicians and bands, refining my skills as a vocalist and performer.
– Explored theater and acting under the name Anitra Young, appearing in local productions.
1998-Present: Method to the Madness
– Founded Method to the Madness in 1998, blending elements of rock, funk, and soul to create a unique sound.
– Released our debut EP, Introducing Method to the Madness (2002), which garnered attention for its distinctive style and energetic performances in Guatemala.
– Continued to build a loyal fan base by playing at small venues and bars before gaining momentum in the mid-2000s.
2008-2015: Rise to Prominence
– Performed at larger venues and festivals, earning critical acclaim for our first full-length album.
– My captivating stage presence and powerful vocals became a defining aspect of the band’s identity, solidifying our reputation as innovators in the music industry.
2006-2019: National and International Tours
– Embarked on extensive national and international tours, delivering electrifying live performances.
– Collaborated with renowned artists and producers, further establishing Method to the Madness as a groundbreaking force in music.
– Released multiple albums, each one pushing artistic boundaries and showcasing my evolution as a vocalist and performer.
2020-2024: Evolution and Exploration
– Adapted to the changing music industry landscape by exploring virtual performances and online collaborations.
– Released experimental projects that ventured into new sonic territories, continuing to push creative boundaries.
– Expanded my creative endeavors into media, modeling, and production, while maintaining my role as the lead vocalist of Method to the Madness.
Current Endeavors:
– I currently serve as a board chair at RH Media Productions, where I continue to expand my talents into new areas.
What sets me apart:
My career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of artistic exploration and a refusal to be confined by genre. Whether performing with Method to the Madness, captivating audiences in the theater, or exploring solo endeavors under my various stage names, my dedication to my craft and my passion for music remain unwavering. I’m most proud of my ability to turn personal challenges into powerful creative expressions that resonate with and inspire others.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always deeply immersed in music and art. I was a reclusive child, intensely focused on my passions. With show parents, I was constantly performing or practicing, whether at events, on vacations, or simply at home. I was the “entertainment on tap” for any occasion, and performing became a way of life rather than just an interest.
At age 7, I was given a computer to compose my early symphonies, which I later conducted and performed with my school orchestras in junior high. Summers were spent at the beach in Stinson, where I would practice my violin on the rocks, letting the sound echo across the shore. My mother often recounts how people would hear concertos as I practiced during those vacations.
Diagnosed with genius syndrome at an early age, my childhood was far from ordinary. While most kids were learning social skills, I was being given puzzles, tests, and musical instruments. I didn’t have the typical childhood experiences like sleepovers; instead, I was a performer with a budding career. I loved math and often challenged myself by tallying groceries in my head faster than the cash register clerks. My mother fostered my love for nature, taking me to forests and oceans where I spent a lot of time alone, which suited my introspective nature.
I took advanced classes at the University of the Pacific and Cal State Stanislaus during the summers, designed for GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) kids, where I studied subjects like computer programming and anthropology at just 6 years old. I’ve always been a lifelong learner but balancing that with being socially awkward and different from other kids was a challenge. Despite this, I found lifelong friendships, like my childhood best friend and God-sister, Heidi, who remains like family to this day.
As a teen, I spent time at the iconic 924 Gilman, where I witnessed bands rise to fame and learned from the punk scene. After my accident, which left me unable to play the violin, I turned to the guitar, guided by the punks I admired. I also dabbled in the rave scene as an underground DJ for a few years, but the strong pull of the guitar kept calling me back. I channeled my depression, teenage angst, and childhood trauma into my music, and in 1996, I fell in love with rock ‘n’ roll—I found my true home. It wasn’t until later in my adult life that I discovered my grandfather had also been a rock ‘n’ roller, which felt like a full-circle moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://express.adobe.com/page/E4rcXE9dkh7K2/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=78t98ef5zneu&utm_content=1xpq0n6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getalittleloco?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCFyi3GkGWVCdZlfoxDmI75w
- Other: https://www.bonfire.com/store/locowear-fashion/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=store_page_share&utm_campaign=locowear-fashion&utm_content=default
Image Credits
RH Media Productions
Method to the Madness