Meet Nathan Landaverde | Nayden | Queer Latin Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nathan Landaverde and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nathan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to the performing. Whether it was singing, dancing, or acting, I loved making people around me feel joy. However, growing up in a traditional Mexican religious household, I was often told how not to walk, how not to speak, and how not to dance. I felt like I had to suppress that bubbly side of me. I felt like I had to hide parts of myself that brought me the most joy.

My escape became my room. When my parents would go to bed, I’d slip on my ear buds and lose myself in the music—listening to the divas I admired (Missy Elliott, Selena Quintanilla, Nicki, Beyonce, Gaga, you get the point LOL). I would sing and dance in front of my mirror, & dream. It was my safe space, where I could be unapologetically myself.

I remember my first rap, which I wrote to the instrumental of Y.U Mad by Birdman. It was a way for me to release the anger I felt from my home life and the bullying I faced at school. Writing became my outlet, and from there, I started writing little songs and verses.

Years later, after my best friend from elementary school tragically took her own life, she left me a note telling me to never give up on my dreams. That moment was a turning point for me. I wrote a song in her memory, and from that moment, I knew I had to keep making music—especially music that uplifts and celebrates our LGBTQIA+ community.

My passion for music and performance has become more than just an escape. It’s now my mission to create art that makes people feel seen, heard, and celebrated. It’s about spreading joy, breaking down barriers, and inspiring others to embrace who they truly are.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Getting to where I am today definitely hasn’t been the smoothest ride, but I’ve made a lot of progress. There are still a few things I’m learning about myself, but the growth has been significant. I think the most challenging thing I’ve had to overcome has been my self-doubt. Growing up, I had to suppress a lot of my emotions due to family issues, which led to me doubting myself for a long time. I had to unlearn a lot of things and reprogram my mindset—learning to feel more confident, stop putting myself down, and be more positive overall.

I’m not going to lie, there are still days that aren’t great, but I’ve learned to focus on the bright side and not let the negativity take over. I try to invite all the good energy into my life, and even when things feel off, I still try to push forward and keep my mindset in a place of growth and optimism.

In my day-to-day life, Nathan is this social, bubbly butterfly who avoids confrontation and even stays quiet when he gets the wrong food order because he doesn’t want to cause an inconvenience. But then there’s Nayden—this powerful entity who isn’t afraid to speak his mind, stir things up, and cause a little madness when necessary. It’s a balancing act, and I’ve learned to embrace both sides of myself, knowing when to be calm and when to stand firm and unapologetic.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in Orange County if my best friend was visiting, I’d kick things off with an iced crème brûlée latte from Tribute Coffee in Garden Grove. Perfect way to start the day—good small grab & go bites, & tasty iced coffee options. Then, we’d head over to Simply Pho in Orange for lunch, one of my go-to spots for pho. Definitely a must for anyone visiting!

Then we’d make our way over to La Michoacana PREMIUM (yes, it’s that extra, LOL) in Santa Ana, right at the corner of Bristol & Memory Lane, for some bomb ass paletas. It’s the perfect way to cool off and indulge in some traditional Mexican paletas and munchies.

Then we’d go up to LA to Los Callejones (Santee Alley) for a little shopping spree, to get lost among the vendors.

After all that walking, for Dinner, we would go to El Cholo in Downtown LA for the margaritas. Lastly, we’d wrap up the night by heading over to The New Jalisco Bar, which is a small, queer, Latin spot in Downtown LA !

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to dedicate this shoutout to my childhood best friend, Linaa Lerma. Linaa was a beautiful Mexican trans woman who taught me the importance of living every day to the fullest and always being my authentic self, no matter who was watching. She showed me the power of unapologetically embracing who you are, and I carry that lesson with me every day.

I also want to dedicate this shoutout to my fiancé, and his entire family. Who have become my chosen family, offering me love, support, and encouragement in ways that have truly shaped who I am today. I’m beyond grateful for them. Love you all! <3

Website: https://linktr.ee/thisisnayden

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisnayden

Twitter: https://x.com/thisisnayden

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisisnayden

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6Bx8nzuoPtxILURA_mY8g

Image Credits
Alby Sanchez