An interview with
Dina Delicious
Shane Marcus
An interview with
Dina Delicious
Shane Marcus
Dina Delicious is a musician in America and hopes to take the world by storm and not let the fact that she is trans stand in her way, and so she shouldn’t!
Anyway, after hearing so much about this amazing person, I thought it would be great to have a chat with her and find out all about the person behind the music.
Is the world ready for a transsexual recording artist? Why or why not?
The world is ready for everything, I believe there is more acceptance, curiosity. It’s not easy putting yourself out there 100% and, as an artist, you have to create openly and honestly. If they’re not ready they will be!
I believe in my community as a whole and we are making great strides. It’s all about setting the stage.
Take us back to the beginning of your journey: when did you realize you were a woman in a man’s body?
I never felt trapped, no not me ever, and I transitioned very early on so I never had a “man’s body” myself – but I have enjoyed men’s bodies!
I was very young and I knew I was different and I was gonna cause a commotion. Being a transgendered girl causes a scene. I was always the kid obsessed with lipstick, perfume and everything feminine.
Where are you from? Where did you grow up? Please describe the conditions of your youth.
I was born and raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York. It wasn’t an easy neighbourhood but it definitely shaped me and moulded me to be the person I am today. There is a toughness there that is still kind, a lot of respect for each other.
My mom was a single parent and she/we didn’t have much but I was loved and she had great friends. I loved all those mob wives types – I was surrounded by that type of glamour my whole life. I guess that’s why I love extremes
Who was the ideal woman to you? Has that person impacted your life as a woman today?
I love big hair, big boobs and big personalities, and I got all three. I was always attracted to women from the 50s. I remember watching old films with my mother and grandmother and I was impacted by that. I don’t really have an ideal woman or an ideal man.
Were you scared to undergo surgery or did the surgery represent a new freedom to you?
No, I love surgery. I want more over and over and over. It was a means to an end and surgery never gave me freedom. Nightlife did.
How many surgeries did it take to get to where you are now?
I really had a lot of things done, dozens. You know when you go to the Doctor and they have you fill out the form and it say list all previous surgeries? I have to truly leave it blank just to mess with them, lol.
When did Dina Delicious emerge? Why did you choose the name?
My Mama gave me Dina and my friends called me Dee Dee for my breasts because I was Dina with the double dees and I feel Delicious. So I just went with it.
How has dance music influenced your life?
My earliest music memory is my mom listening to Donna Summer and she would dance around the house. I was fascinated by music – all music. I believe music should stir emotion and dance music was definitely one of my escapes.
How do you define your sound?
Dirty in a sexy way and definitely fun. I wanna make you dance but I want you to feel it too. My sound is forever evolving.
How does your music represent you as an artist?
It’s an extension of my personality; for sure I live for my music.
What is the message behind Bubble Wrap? What do you personally love about the song?
We have all felt suffocated at one point or another and Bubble Wrap is about breaking free and living your life.
I learned a lot recording that song. It was my first production in LA. I wasn’t with my guys in NYC and I was very vulnerable. I definitely had to get out of the Bubble Wrap to do that song. The remixes are very fresh and new. I’m not playing it safe with the remixes at all.
What is the message behind Black Widow? What do you personally love about the song?
Black Widow is about a backstabbing friend. I love singing about evil bitches.
Why did you decide to re-record “Two of Hearts”?
Two of Hearts came about in such a great way. I always LOVED that song it was in the movie Party Monster. I just loved it.
My best friend and I started talking about cover songs etc and Two of Hearts came up. Our eyes lit up and two weeks later I was in the studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn recording it.
Two of Hearts is such a great song with a universal message of love. It doesn’t mention he or she in it. It’s love for all, it’s a song about equality for sure. I really had to make sure I played homage to the original and update it also.
Have you experienced a relationship where your two hearts beat as one?
Yes
Growing up as a boy, did you ever fear you might not be able to find true love because your outside didn’t match your inside?
No, I never thought about it like that at all.
What’s the biggest lesson you have learned from love?
There are so many kinds of love but every love is beautiful and always to bet on love
What is your ultimate mission as a performer? What do you hope to leave audiences with?
Ultimately I wanna give you a show, some fun, a moment to let it all go. When I perform with my dancers, I try to have a party on the stage that everyone’s invited to. Ultimately my show, my music and all that comes along with it will grow. I have a very clear idea of what I want.
Any misperceptions about Dina Delicious that you’d like to clear up now?
Not yet, but I’m sure they’re coming!
What has been your biggest regret? On the flip side, what are you most proud of?
I don’t really have regrets. The things that I’m most proud of are my work ethic and my tenacity.
Lastly, what’s next? Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I see a lot of great things, a lot of hard work, a TV show, a film. I want it all and I’ll work for it. As long as I’m creating, I’m good.
