Meet Ronnie Rotic | Drag Artist/King

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

Hi Ronnie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued this career out of the desire for expression. I believe I’ve always been a performer. Before I began performing in drag, I was a professional wrestler. I loved everything about it. I was athletic and loved putting on a show. I unfortunately had to stop due to a major injury so I turned back to drag.

When I started doing drag at 17, I was confused about my gender identity. I was a butch lesbian that didn’t exactly feel like a butch lesbian. I didn’t like calling myself a girl. It wasn’t until I started performing as a king and getting addressed with masculine terms that I began to realize I might be transgender.

Now, as a 23 year old trans man, I continue to pursue drag as a career because it allows me to create and continue to build myself as a person. I get to be someone that my younger self could look up to. Drag is healing my inner child.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like being shocking when I perform. I do crazy stuff. I eat real dog food in my numbers. I staple myself. I incorporate collars and the like attire into my gags. I love when people come up to me and say they had to look through their fingers because they didn’t want to look, but couldn’t help themselves. I’m crazy stupid.

I’d like to think my art is very punk rock. It goes against the grain and does not assimilate. I don’t want to do a top 40 song and dance. I want to perform metal and staple dollars to my body. I want to show off my Chicano heritage and dress like a homie. Ultimately, Ronnie is a rocker foo through and through.

I’m currently in a weekly drag competition, Now, That’s What I Call Drag Vol 2 at Executive Suite in Long Beach, produced by CXP Productions. I’m most proud of everything I’ve been pumping out for this. I’m showing my versatility and that I don’t just do rock or act emo. I can still be myself and fit the challenges into my drag. Through this competition, I’m proving that I also would never change myself for anything. Ronnie isn’t a top or bottom, he’s a verse king that can do just about anything.

Becoming and honing Ronnie Rotic has not been easy. For a while, I told myself, “I’m not going to do this, I don’t like this, etc.” I was not willing to change and was stuck in the mindset that I had to perform and look alternative. I did not want to experiment with my drag. I was very set in my ways. My girlfriend was the person that got me to venture out and teach me that even though I wasn’t performing some random emo song, I could still be Ronnie. You *can* teach an old dog new tricks. We are constantly evolving, we cannot get stuck in any one mindset. That’s not how we should live. I had to tell myself that.

Along the way, I’ve faced many challenges. From exploring gender and sexual identity, to family issues, to facing myself, my traumas, and insecurities. Nothing is fixed, though. It’s all still here. Instead of trying to get rid of my problems or run from them, I’m learning to cope. I’m learning how to deal with it. Life will always have problems, why would I avoid them or act like they dont exist? I believe the best thing to do is learn how to handle and to manage them myself. I’ve gone to multiple therapists to better myself and have learned so much about myself. With therapy and my girlfriend, I learned how to communicate and set boundaries. I’m still learning on trying to implement that all more but it’s not an overnight thing. I spent 23 years being insecure, I have to remind myself that I’m not just doing this for my future self, but I’m also healing that little kid inside me who felt scared, alone, and hurt. Reminding myself of that helps.

I want people to know that if they want something, they must go out and get it. Life is so short, why let it be full of what ifs? Be yourself and love yourself. That feels so corny, but I’m being so honest. It’s cliche because it’s true. After my wrestling injury, I hit rock bottom. Had I not returned to drag and if I lived in the “what if” mindset, I would never have come out as trans, I never would have met my friends, I never would have gotten the opportunities I have, and I never would have met my girlfriend. When I think about the chances of these things having never happened, I get emotional. Me tearing my bicep and rotator cuff was a good thing, in a sick and twisted way. So do not live in the past and with a “what if” mindset. Do what makes you happy and makes your heart full.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I will always love and rep Long Beach. If a friend was visiting, I’d recommended breakfast at Good Time on Coronado. Their breakfast burrito is to die for. After that, I’d recommended taking a stroll down 4th Street to look at all the vintage stores. The Vine on 4th also has great hotdogs if you’re looking for a quick snack and beer on your travels. Then as the evening begins to fade in, I’d recommend traveling down to Broadway. Take one more stop at Trunkshop Apparel. Their clothes and accessories are perfect for any occasion.

I’m sure you’re getting hungry now, that hotdog is starting to wear off. Stay on Broadway and visit Spicy Sugar. That was my girl and I’s first date spot. Their Pad See Ew is legendary, every other Thai spot we’ve gone to does not even compare. And for the price ?! I could eat there every day if given the chance.

If you’re a party guy like me, Broadway is full of great queer bars. You can start off with The Hare LB then head down to Men’s Room Bar. The vibe and atmosphere is perfect with great drink prices (I’ll have a Modelo or vodka cran, please). Still not had enough ? Then stop at Mineshaft to dance, their djs are always stellar.

Not into nightlife ? My go to chill spot is always the beach or the grassy areas overlooking it on Ocean Blvd. It’s so relaxing to set up a blanket or grab a bench and just focus on the water and the sky. A great decompression spot.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my girlfriend, snd fellow drag entertainer, Beau ‘Dacious, for all of her love and support. She has been such a huge influence on me and my drag. When I want to give up or don’t give it my all, she’s there to motivate me. She has helped better my drag and most importantly, she has helped me better myself. Her love and support is what keeps me going.

Instagram: @itsronnie.rotic

Youtube: @muttboyRonnie

Other: My top surgery gofundme to help finish paying it off: https://gofund.me/92eb4fab

Email: theeronnie.rotic@gmail.com