Meet Tony Soto | Producer and Drag Artist

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

Hi Tony, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Being a performer and a talker is all I ever really cared about doing. Even when I worked at a corporate job in Chicago it was corporate theater. I do wish I had taken a management class at some point, but here we are.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I first started thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up, even at a young age, I wanted to move to New York and be an actor on One Life to Live. As I’m sitting here now, in my 40’s, I am a live show producer and professional drag artist.

Less money and more drama. Just how I like it.

I never considered drag as a job, but it happened, and I was good at it.

It is so easy to be a drag artist, but it is very hard to be a good drag artist.

A major challenge one has to overcome is knowing why you are choosing to do drag. If your goal is just to be on a drag game show on television or the internet, perhaps drag isn’t for you.

I want the world to know not to sleep on local drag artists. My shows in Los Angeles are always free and fun. So come out and experience the best drag queen that you have never heard of.

I’m fierce on the mic, I will always be beautiful, and I will always stumble through a number.

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?
I mean how dare any friend that would want to come and take up a week of my life? A visit is 3 days tops.

The first thing I would do if entertaining a friend for ONLY 3 DAYS, would be to hit up any one of the amazing dispensaries in the Los Angeles area.

Next, we check out the amazing Griffith Park. From the hiking to the abandoned zoo to the observatory that is a full day in itself.

Then, we EAT. With the diverse restaurants in Los Angeles, there is something for everybody, but two spots I can recommend are Little Doms if you are feeling fancy and House of Pies if you love a diner.

Finally, I will take them to every bar that employs me, shout out to Akbar in Silver Lake, Precinct DTLA, and Stache in Weho.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I think it’s important to appreciate the teachers who told you that you were important. The late D.Ann Jones, my speech teacher and drama director, was a tough woman who only wanted you to know your worth. I will always remember what she taught me, “when you are here to work, leave your garbage at the door.”

Website: https://www.thetonysotoshow.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonysotoproductions/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0h384lqPQqi6YtjLV02JWg

Image Credits
Alex Bohs