We were lucky to catch up with Redd Fafilth recently and have shared our conversation below.

Redd, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

From a really young age I knew I wanted to be a star. I specifically remember saying I wanted to be Elvira when I grew up. I always admired her humor and her goth aesthetic. She has gotten to work with so many icons throughout her career and became an icon within her own right.
I started off just being a cosplayer, but I knew I was meant for more. I wanted to perform on a stage. I did a little bit of theater when I was younger, but I knew I wanted to do something that would give me the artistic freedom to do what I want to do. I didn’t realize Drag could be an option for me, until I got older. I began to go to club nights and see what other people were doing, and eventually I was given an opportunity to perform on stage. I get cast in an all alternative and horror themed show, and I got to showcase the type of art I wanted to see in the world. It was absolutely life changing, and I haven’t stopped since.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Redd FaFilth, the Bay Area’s Gothiccc Non-Binary Drag Sensation. I have been doing Drag for over 6 years.
What sets me apart from others is my style and point of view. My Drag leans more towards the gothic, horror side of art, but I also like to bring in my nerdy sense of humor to what I do. Not only am I stage-stomping performer, but I have also been a makeup artist for over 15 years, and I’ve been styling hair/wigs for almost 10 years. Doing drag is kind of just a mashup of all my special skills, which is why I love it so much.
Throughout my Drag career, I have gotten to meet and work with iconic people like The Boulet Brothers, John Waters, and Sam Well, just to name a few. I have been so lucky to work on so many stages throughout California, and my goal is to take my Drag everywhere.

I have also won numerous titles including the 3rd World’s Best Elvira Look-A-Like, 2022 Annus Novus RORSHOK Champion, and the Mx Apocalyptic Queen of 2020, to name a few.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In order to keep Drag alive, we need supporters to really show up and show out for their performers. Drag and queer people in general are under attack, and sometimes don’t even feel safe in their own spaces. We are the people to change that. The act of Drag is political, and we can’t forget to keep using our voices, to keep going out and supporting local shows. If you are a fan of an artist, really show that you care. Interact with them online, show up to their shows, share their posts on your feed. With everything being so social media-centric, we have to help each other get the word out there. If you do come to a show, support the venue, and heavily tip your performers. I personally know how much work it is just to create one look, one number, even if its just three minutes long. A three minute mix can take weeks of preparations, not even including the look, theme, and/or dance the artist wants to incorporate.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is when other people see you and your art for exactly what it is. I am a very detail oriented creature, and even something really “simple” of mine has a lot of thought and work behind it. There is nothing I love more than when an audience member, or a follower lets me know that they saw exactly what I was going for and the details I put in. There’s nothing more rewarding to an artist than feeling truly seen. For me, gender expression is a huge part of my drag, and also embracing the dark, gothic side of me. I love when I hear that my art is unmatched and so individual. One hopefully compliment that I remember most is being told that I have such a unique perspective, that my drag is untouchable, and that I do the numbers no one would think to do or wouldn’t do it in the way I do. I give everything to the art of Drag and to my Drag persona, so when it is recognized, I am eternally grateful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reddfafilth/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreepsCreations
• Other: TikTok: @CreepsCreations

Image Credits

Personal Photo: Elle Jaye @drumphotos
Carnage photo: Justin Gold of Lost Highway Photos @lost_highway_photo
Every other photo is by Joseph Niles Photography @joseph_niles_photography