September 7, 2022 • 51 mins
In another walk down memory lane, Carmen talks with an old friend from back in the days of myspace. Rylie also known by her stage name RubberChild is a member of the House of Avalon, a makeup artist, a drag performer, and internet personality. Topics include: giving Carmen her name, performing drag in Miami and LA, discovering Rylie’s true self, and her gender affirming journey.
For more from Carmen and Beauty Translated, visit @TheCarmenLaurent & @beautytranslatedpod!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You are the one that gave me my middle name,
and that that was a significant I'm so happy you
took that on as your name and your person, and
like that is so special to me because like being
included in other girls journeys and transitions is just so
heartwarming and touching. And a lot of people don't like
(00:21):
to like see other dolls succeed, but I think it's
the best thing in the world. Hello everyone, and welcome
to episode eleven of season one of Beauty Translated. I'm
your host, Carmen Laurent. That's right, I say season one
because I'm very happy to tell y'all that after episode
(00:42):
twelve will be taking a short break that will be
back with an all new season in season two. We'll
be stepping outside of Atlanta, talking more about beauty, gender
affirming procedures, and touching more on trans issues related to
and within the trans community. Today, so onto this week show,
(01:02):
we have another guest I have known for many years.
She is a sister of the House of Avalon and
a legendary drag performer in l A known as Rubber Child.
I know her today as Riley. In this episode, we
discussed the origins of our relationship that dates back to
the MySpace days. We talked about how Riley gave me
my name, and we get into her own journey discovering
(01:25):
the woman she always was as she takes a walk
down memory lane with me. Please enjoy my chat with
the lovely Riley rubber Child. All right, this week joining
us from sunny Los Angeles, we have the doll diva
(01:48):
rubber Child. Riley. Thank you so much for being here
with me. Can you tell me a little nervous? Oh
my god? Why because we haven't talked and so along,
so I know. So, first of all, tell the listeners
a little bit about who you are and where you're from. Okay,
(02:09):
So my name is Riley a k A. Rubber Child,
and I am currently living in Los Angeles. I do makeup,
I do drag, I host parties, I do private gigs.
I do only fans, and I talked sh it on
the internet. Beautiful, fabulous, gorgeous. I wanted to explore a
(02:29):
little bit about how we know each other. So, first
of all, you and I know each other from way, way, way,
way way back in the day in my space. Yes,
from my Space. Okay, that's what I thought. That's what
I was telling everyone. I was like, this girl I
knew from my Space. We just like reconnected and I
was like, I couldn't remember if it was my Space
or Facebook. Yeah, so it was definitely my Space because
(02:51):
we were trying to be my Space famous. We girl,
We had our shaved brows, we had our little little
tight jeans, the brows drawn up to the hairline, like everything.
We were trying it. I recently just threw my eyebrows
back this year, will like, within the past year. Since then,
well they look stunning. I have eyebrows this whole time.
(03:14):
Thank you, well, congratulations, welcome back to the world of
the eyebrows. You know, it's great. I never thought I would,
but I'm it's fucking great. Except when it connects. Mhm,
A lady, a woman, her estrogen, she desaid, her shot accidentally,
(03:34):
this is my tea. Oh oh no, the one. Oh no,
we're getting all mixed up. So yes, we know each
other from the early days of my Space, when we
were MySpace scene queens, and you played a significant role
in my my Space days. Were you in Florida at
(03:56):
that time during like my Space I was. I grew
up in Western New York in like a tiny town
outside of Buffalo called self date in Yeah, on a
farm the whole works, just trying to be the girl
and house chickens the whole works pigs. So I was
living in like a farm during my Space times, like
(04:19):
dial up internet, sneaking to my friend's house because my
mom didn't let me have internet because she didn't trust me,
which I mean, I mean was smart because why would you, right,
I wouldn't trust me either, So I was just like
going to my friend's house and like the public library
after school and like logging on my Space and trying
to fucking serve. Of course, just like we all were
(04:40):
bit we were so do you remember some of the
early interactions we had on my Space? Did I bully
you a little bit? Actually? And I didn't bring you.
I didn't bring you on my show to have a
Tyronne Naomi moment. No, I was a full like I mean,
I just was a fucking asshole. But like, I mean
that was like everyone was rotted and I just I
(05:03):
was brought to like well yeah, it was just and
I remember just I was like just mean to people
for no reason. I'm sorry. No girl, Oh my god,
no girl, No, I wasn't gonna Actually I did believe you, right?
Did I say something nasty? I don't remember, girl. I
really let's find the receipts we can, because I feel
(05:24):
like we made some YouTube videos together. Don't you remember that?
Like we made some YouTube videos like via Skype together.
I want to say, did we? Yes? Didn't do? I
think we made prank phone calls. I don't know. It's
been a lot of drugs between now and then. So
I loved prank phone calls and drugs. So I believe you.
(05:44):
Do you want to hear a funny story? Yes? Please.
Two nights ago, I had like dental ship done and
so my mouth was completely numb. And I came home
and I took a Narco because I was in pain.
I took like an hour nap. I woke up and
I was craving chalk it. So I went to my
freezer and I saw I had like a chocolate bar,
and I was like, well, it's probably my roommates. I'll
(06:05):
eat it. I am like a full stoner, like always high,
and I ate of the bar and then I was like, fuck,
this is probably like weed or mushrooms or something. So
I go look and I see the little weed thing
and I'm like, oh, it's weed, okay, likes I'll be fine.
Like and he comes home and I told him and
(06:26):
he was like those were shroom's girl, and I was
like no, and he's like, yeah, I like eat three
and I freak out. I was like, well, I had
like nine. So so my boyfriend who doesn't do drugs,
doesn't drink, doesn't smoke. I was like, you have to
eat the rest of this with me because I can't
do this alone. And I had the absolute best time
(06:48):
of my life in my bedroom. Oh my god, that
is so funny that your boyfriend's a sober sally too,
because mine is too. Is he yes? And I have
had him do mushrooms with me before and he just
like he didn't giggled a lot. It was like it
made me feel fre It was very dune and because
I was trying to get him to do mushrooms and
he was like, I will, but I don't want to.
(07:08):
And I was like, well, I'm not going to make
you because you're not going to have fun cut to
me like forest feeding him. I'm like, I'm not doing
this alone. I'm not going down this rabbit hole without
somebody or told me it was. It was stunning though.
He was great. He got me like watermelon and like
lemon water. It was beautiful. Was it a gorgeous trip? Yeah?
(07:29):
I stuck this deck. Beautiful, gorgeous girl. You're living that
l a life that I want to be living. Do
you want to live here? I do, yes, because I
went in February for the first time and now I'm
just like so into it. It's magic. Yeah, Well, we'll
see what happens. I might be maybe I want to
(07:54):
go back. Like. The one thing, of course that I
do remember about you is and I don't remember the bullying,
I honestly don't, but I do remember that you were
the first person, one of the first people that I
came out to as trans and I said, you know,
like I'm going to be going by Carmen now and
(08:16):
you know I'm a woman or whatever. I remember that.
I believe that was like Facebook time. Yes, we had
moved into the next era. You know, we've moved on
to Facebook now. We're Facebook friends now, and I think
we might have even had like a video chat. But
do you remember I think I told you, like I'm
trying to come up with a middle name, and I
(08:38):
can't think of a middle name, and you are the
one that gave me my middle name, and that's that
was a significant I'm so happy and because I remember
you were telling me like some names that you were using,
and I was like, you need something fucking really cunty
and just like something like boogie and like that fantasy
(09:01):
and I think I like to set a few names,
but like that was the first one, and I was like,
I just feel like this is right, and I'm so
happy you took that on as your name and your
person and I'm so fucking like, I like, that is
so special to me because like being included in other
girls like journeys and transitions is just so heartwarming and touching.
And a lot of people don't like to like see
(09:23):
other dolls succeed, but I think it's the best thing
in the world. Of course, we want to see the
dolls dolling. Yeah, no, I really appreciate that. And I
think the next day I filed my name change with
Carmen Laurel. That is iconic. Never looked back. Are you
married now? Not yet, but you know it's coming. We'll
(09:45):
see if he's listening. Um, we've been in a relationship
for seven years. So he takes amazing He takes very
good care of me. I'm a kept woman and amazing
as you fit to be. So tell me more about,
(10:06):
like before you transitioned yourself and found your own journey,
what were some other significant trans people that you've helped
along with their transitions. I mean, I feel like as
of recently, I've just been trying to help a lot
of people, like in like the local community, like get
help with their name change, or get help with good insurance,
to help with surgeries, because a lot of times people
(10:29):
like the medical system is so hard and so confusing,
and a lot of people will get dicked around. And
I had a really great experience going through my surgeries
and my hormones and just everything my name changed because
I had helped from like a few doctors and therapists
that just like had my best interests. So I figured
out how to like switch and like snake through the
(10:52):
little systems like get your ship done so you're not
getting constantly put on the back burner. So my favorite
thing is like local dolls, being like this is what
I did, This is my insurance, this is my primary doctor,
this is my therapist, this is my surgeon. These are
the phone numbers I have where you can see all
of these like other options. Just like it's good to
(11:13):
have options as a girl like us because usually it's
like this is it. You have one person, you know,
so there's there's options, and people like shouldn't settle because
for like not enough hormones or like not surgery because
their insurances that covered, you know what I mean, absolutely,
And girl, that's where I'm stuck. I live in Georgia
and the insurance game out here is a whole different story, right,
(11:36):
and it's different every state too, so it's like extra marrish. Yeah,
it's like they don't want to they don't want to
give up trans people nothing out here, girl, because well
they know that fucking they won't be able to take it.
We'll be to handle it. They can't handle it, just
like mother St Laurent said. But yeah, I love to
(11:57):
hear dolls helping out dolls and l because I'm gonna
be real just for a moment. Yeah, I am here
in Atlanta, and I watched all the ship going on
in l A with these dolls in l A. And
I'm just like, these girls are sucking crazy, stabbing each other,
showing up to each other's surgery appointments and ship like,
(12:22):
and I know that I'm gag, like, what the fuck?
I know, the day before her facial feminization surgery, you're
going to try to get her that like prison honey, prison,
prison honey. Yes, yeah, well that wasn't I believe that
(12:43):
was in Texas. Oh my god. Okay, but yeah, it's some.
I mean, there's a very there's I mean, there's a
lot of divisions of dolls here in Los Angeles, the
dollars divisions, the dolls division, lots of little what is it, burrows,
doll doll clicks. Yeah, And I just like, I don't
(13:05):
really care about other people's drama anymore, which is nice.
So I'm just like, it's just easy to just stay
home and stay to myself and hang out with my family. Beautiful, Well,
tell me more about your family. Are you in the
House of Avalon. House of Avalon is one of the
legendary drag housels of today. They were originally based in Arkansas,
(13:26):
but today they ruled the nightlife in l A. Members
include Simone, winner of Season thirteen, A roupmost Drag Race,
G G. Good, Markham and Rowe Grant, Vanderbilt, Hunter Crenshaw,
and our very own Riley rubber Child. I am a
little sister of Avalon, So they live like a ten
(13:47):
minute little walk away, and they actually helped me move
out here. I've known them forever. They helped me find
my apartment, got me like my first few jobs here,
really just like took care of me. And they always
have and like that even before I lived out here.
So I'm so grateful for them. They're all just like
such amazing people in so many different ways and so
(14:08):
unique and just like well literally just push you till
your fucking limit to make you insane, just to make
sure you're the best version of yourself. That's the best
thing you can ask for, right, very honest, Like we're
all honest with each other. We don't bullshit each other
because that's what we're about, is just like always be
honest with each other. Delusions, right right, No delusions here.
(14:32):
If your hairline looks fucked up, you're gonna get told.
That's why I've got thanks. Oh my god, do I
need to get bangs? Girl? No, but you should get
clip on bangs because honestly, there's so much fun. Tell
me more about your drag, first of all, And I'm
curious because I've been following your drags since the beginning,
since you started drag. I've been following you since before
(14:54):
you were doing drag, and you were kind of doing drag,
you know, like we all were. And Rubber Child has
evolved quite a lot over the years, I would say,
and today you're like Darlina, like her final form. Well
this isn't her final form. There's still a few more.
I've always always just been obsessed with changing myself and
(15:19):
looking different then I look previously, and just constantly evolving.
And I know that's like a cliche thing to say,
but if you like look back at my fucking photo history,
I look different every year because I was finding new
parts out about myself. And I like originally started with
makeup when I was like thirteen fourteen, during my Space
(15:40):
so I didn't know what a trans person was. I
didn't know what a drag queen was. I knew what
Jeffrey Starr was, and I was like, I don't understand,
but I relate. So I like started wearing makeup as
like a young little gay boy and then just grew
up and I stopped with all of that for a
(16:01):
while while I was still working at the mac counter,
still doing makeup. But I was just like, I don't
feel like I feel like a generic almost like I'm
playing a character. So I started doing drag to help
me just like feel fun and pretty and just like,
you know, like myself. And I didn't realize that at
the time. I thought I was just having fun, but
(16:21):
looking back, it fully was me just like reaching out
desperately for like femininity, and I just I didn't realize
why I was always wanting to be in drag and
stay in drag and only be like photographed in drag.
I remember, I was just like really really fucking sad.
One year I went to the doctor and I was
just like, I like don't see myself as an old man,
(16:44):
and I want to stop this now. So I was
just like, I'm so confused because at this point in
my life I'm older, and I like knew what trans was,
but I just didn't think that it was a possibility
for me because I thought I should have done it
when I was younger. But then I I fucking watched
Vane No, and I was like, oh my god, it
(17:07):
changed my if I was like, she's a thirty year
old girl that did it. But anyway, before that, I
went and I was like, I just don't want to
continue to grow. I don't see myself as an old man.
I don't know what. But so I started taking Spirit
of Lactone. Just leave her, I love her. I was
just doing that for about two years, just that, just
a light tea blocker, just a light tea blocker. And
(17:27):
everyone was like, well, why don't you just start taking
like but like, why don't you just like finished transitioning.
And I was like, I don't know, like I didn't
think it was possible, Like I just did not think.
I was like I don't want to be I don't
want to feel ugly and I don't want to you know,
all of our dysmorphia. Yes, and that has other friends
of mine call it the dysphoria demon that gets in
(17:49):
your head and like fucked up. Yeah yeah, And it
really that notion of like oh we're too old to transition,
it's too late. Those are just like transphobic things that
just keep you stuck and exactly exactly, it's it's not
too late, like I mean, bad example, but Caitlyn Jenner,
(18:10):
you know a great example nine eleven Noviber And as
long as you're making yourself happy and you have like
your safe, gives the fuck, like you know, like there's
the best thing I ever did. I honestly like wouldn't
be here if I wouldn't have followed my heart in transition.
(18:43):
I have to say, like, I don't even know when
it happened, girl, but you just grew these tits, and well,
I was transitioning, like not privately, but just my close
friends and family here. I told everyone obviously, because we
tell each other everything, so everyone knew. And if I
saw people out and they asked, I wasn't embarrassed. I
(19:04):
just wasn't ready to post about it on social media
and deal with that because I was like still at
the time where people would say something transphobic, I would
take it personal and I knew that, so I didn't
share that part of myself until I was comfortable. And
I'm so proud of you, so proud of you that
(19:24):
you blessomed in this beautiful woman that you always were.
But yeah, like I can totally relate to that feeling
of like, well, when I first started hormones, I felt
the same way for sure, Like I was, what year
did you start? Because it was it was a long
time ago. Huh. Yeah. So I've been on hormones since
I was eighteen, So my eighteenth birthday as when I
(19:46):
started hormones. And I'm going to be thirty next year.
So it's been eleven years, almost twelve years. That's amazing.
Can you believe it? I can't believe that. I can't
believe we've known each other, Like, have I known you
for like half of my life? Pretty damn much. Because
(20:07):
if you remember back to episode one, during my conversation
with Violet, she talks about how I was busy back
in the day trying to be my Space famous, and
Riley was there to witness all of it. In fact,
she was doing the same thing in Florida. We both
had our MySpace names are seen Kid, Androgynous Aesthetic, and
(20:28):
the online shock Jocked persona that came along with all
of that. It's interesting because Riley and I have never
met in real life. We hope to meet up someday,
but until then, I will tell you that I'm glad
to know someone who has seen me through the stages
of my journey, and I have also known her throughout
her journey as well. The fact that it is through
(20:49):
the lens of a friendship that has taken place completely
online is probably something that many of you out there
can relate to. I was literally like maybe thirteen when
we knew each other, like on my Space, and we've
just kept up with each other ever since then, like
just on every new iteration of social media. Yeah, and
(21:10):
that's so funny. We've never met in person, no, and
that is something that makes me sad, and I hope
that when I come to l A next time, we
can meet and have dinner early. And I love it. Dinner.
Do you like frozen yogurt? Oh my god, yes, I do?
This really nice one in Beverly Hills. Kim Kardashian goes there.
I can only go like every few months because it's
like fourteen dollars. Oh my god. Well that sounds like
(21:35):
a reason to celebrate. Let's go, let's do it. Oh
my gosh, it's right next to my electrolysis diva, who
fucking tortures me? What are you getting electrolysis for right now? Okay,
So I started with electrolysis because that's what my insurance
would cover. Have you had ever had electrolysis or no?
(21:56):
Oh yeah, I felt like hours and hours of electrolis,
you know, for like an inch or two of space,
it's like two hours you don't have to and you
have to let your facial hair grow, and then you're
puffed up and swollen for three days after, so you're
down for a week. And I was doing it twice
a week, but just trying to bang it all out,
and I literally just like I couldn't because I would
(22:18):
do like two hour sessions, three hour sessions, and I
flowy was just like I can't do it anymore. And
then I had my FFS and I was like I
don't want to like go that invasive right now, So
I'm going to move over to laser just to keep
up with things. It's honestly so much less painful. But
my hair is so light. Yeah, like just as awful
(22:40):
is so hard it never ends, it really is. And
you and I have the same journey in a lot
of ways, Like we started out as like those like
Jeffrey Star, like my Space, like Makeup Freaks and all
of them, and like we both have blonde hair probably right,
because yeah, so that's the reason I also had to
go with electrolysis. It's because if you don't know laser,
(23:03):
here's a little for the show about aesthetics and beauty.
Here's the first aesthetics and beauty tip ever. In order
for a laser to work, your hair has to have pigment,
and if your hair is blonde, the laser ain't gonna
see it. So yeah, electrolysis is, like a lot of times,
the only option that works really well. But oh my god,
(23:24):
I didn't even know. And I'm not saying like you
don't look amazing, but I had no idea. You already
had f f S and everything. Girl. We have mentioned
FFS in a previous episode. We're going to get into
more detail about it here. So just for the listeners
who may not know, FFS stands for facial feminization surgery.
(23:45):
It is a term for a series of cosmetic procedures
that helped to feminize the face. Typically browbone shave, hairline advancements,
brow lift, rhinoplasty, mandible recontouring, lip lift, and tracky is
shapes would all fall under facial feminization. It's probably one
of the most affirming procedures for many trans women, and
(24:08):
I can't wait to have mine done? Who did you
go to tell me all about it? So it was
a ten hour surgery, beautiful. I went to Dr Sinclair
here in Beverly Hills, and that's why it took such
a like a long long time, because he had a
long waiting list. Once I finally had gotten approval for
(24:30):
like my surgery, that's when I was like, Okay, I
feel comfortable making my post to the world now. Yeah.
So what we did was he didn't orbital He moved
my orbital bone back, so like they cracked my skeleton,
pushed it back. They did a little brow lift, a
little eyelift, my nose. I had cheek implants, a little jaws,
(24:53):
shave a chin and plant and a tracheal shave, gorge things,
just a little lip blossom ascara. It was, well, that's
what I've got on now, because honestly, I'm like, I'm
I don't need to like fucking wear pancake makeup anymore.
I don't see my face. You see my my preffs
(25:14):
face with pancake. You're so oh my god, no, thank you,
But I can't wait to get ff s. That's going
to be my moment of transjoy. Yeah, it's it really
like it was. It was great. It was amazing, and
I had my boyfriend that took care of me, so
I was like very well looked after. Yes, yeah, so
(25:35):
is that the same boyfriend you're with now? M How
long have you guys been together. We've been together for
over a year, not very long, but I'm going to
marry him. Yeah, he's the one. He's handsome, he's just
you know, it's okay. He's just like such a sweet
angel and like just loves me for me before and
(25:56):
after surgery and just loves like my heart. And I've
never felt so much love or given so much love
in my whole life. And just like my friends and
family lately and just recently, the amount of love I'm
like spewing and smelling is like overwhelming. I love to
hear that girl. Oh my god, it's great. It's like
(26:19):
I'm finally like, oh, this is what it's like to
not want to kill yourself, like fully fully and feel
validated and feel gender euphoria and all these beautiful things. Yeah.
So yeah, tell me about, like what was your moment
since your transition, Like what was your moment of like
gender euphoria honestly, when I had my books done. Yeah
(26:41):
that was recently too right. It was in May, and
it was the day after drag Con. So I did
drag Con all weekend, worked at the clubs at night
to all those tips, and I can hauled us into
the hospital six o'clock Monday morning, Oh my god, after
doing a gig the night before, not the night before,
(27:01):
but that was drug Con that night I did. I
was working on Saturday night, but my friend dropped me
off and I remember like waking up and it was like,
obviously I was more conscious than my face. So I
remember more and I remember coming home and just for
like that first week, I would just hysterically cry when
I saw like my profile of my chust And I'm
(27:23):
never someone I never really boobs never really were like
a big thing to me. I just wanted to Like
when I had when I was ready to go, I
was like, I'm just gonna do a small natural boob.
I like, I just I don't know, I just I
never really connected that with gender to me. I don't
know why I was. I would always was like my
face was more connected to gender than my my body.
(27:47):
It didn't like register what a what a huge deal.
It would be like to be like looked at and
perceived like because I mean, in society, breasts are like
such a big thing of femininity, even though like that's
not real, but in society it isn't a lot of
people look at you differently and just being I like,
(28:08):
notice I'm treated more like I noticed a big different
in the treatment of post and pre breast surgery. And
not even because of that, I love it, but it
just like for me, I just feel it was it was.
It was the most euphoric feeling seeing my my boobs,
and I didn't expect it, and it caught me off guard,
(28:28):
out of nowhere. I still don't know why. I never
I wasn't like that. I mean, I was excited, but
I just was. I didn't realize I was going to
love boom so much on me. Yeah, no, I get that.
It's crazy. I've had these I've been a member of
the aty bitty titty committee for a very long time,
(28:48):
and I've always thought, you know, the same thing, like
my face before, my boobs always, But now you've got
me like I see you on the beach, I see
you in your string bikini. You got me thinking like, damn,
I want to fill out a bikini top like that.
I know. I just wanted like a small, tiny be
or like a like a full be because before my search,
(29:10):
I was like a small bee. I just want like
a little teardrop. And my doctor was like, well, I
know how you want the rest of your body to
look and like you have like bigger thighs, and I
know you want to go bigger, so if you want
to be proportionate, you just have to trust me. And
I was like fuck, and I was I like, have
a picture, I'll send it to you of me with
the implants in my little shirt. And I was just like,
(29:33):
these are fucking huge. I'm so scared. But like and
I was like, I'm just gonna go bigger because everyone
was just they went bigger no matter what. So I'm
just gonna do it. And I'm happy I did. And
I don't always try. I want bigger because I want
bigger than I wanted. Well, congratulations girl. Happy. I still
(29:55):
wear my compression bra like in bed when I'm at home.
I'm like, I I'm taking care of them, mama. Yeah,
So the BBL is next. I'm actually going to do
an implant and then a B B L Okay, Okay, yeah,
I'm doing an implant because I I mean, oh, I
don't have a lot of body fat, but like I don't,
I work out a lot and I walk a lot
(30:17):
and I eat healthy. So I was like, I want
ridiculous ass. So my doctor was like, we could do
like an implant if you really want to, and then
we'll do like three sixty light bow, which is like
like well all over the body to just fill out
the rest of it and smooth it down. And I
was like I'm down, and he was like, I just
want to let you know this is going to be
like the worst surgery you've done, and it's gonna be
(30:39):
you're gonna be down for four weeks and you cannot
sit on your ass. And I was like, I mean,
I want, I need it, I want it. I'm gonna
do it. But it was just like, well, like what
am I going to not do it? Like no, of
course I'm going to right of course, yeah, no, absolutely,
(31:00):
because that I think it's like what like six weeks
you can't sit on your ass basically you have to
like lay on your belly and like all of that.
I guess you know which I just got like I
just these Well, my books will be about like will
be about like six or seven months old, so they'll
be like fine to crush in in the bad. Yeah,
they'll be ready for a little like you can get
(31:22):
your breast pillow girl. Actually being in working in the
esthetics industry, I have seen a lot of bbls in
my day, and I know that journey just from secondhand knowledge.
What do you think would you do what you want it? Yes,
I would definitely do it. I would probably have to
go the same route because I have like no body fat.
But I'm also scared they're afied of implants because of
(31:45):
like I was two, Yeah, because of like I don't
even want to like the whole ex plant like rejection ding,
like all of that terrifies me. Well, I wanted to
talk about more of your work as a makeup artist.
You've been a makeup artist for a very long time,
since You've been obsessed with makeup as a young team
like we both were. You've painted some really amazing faces.
(32:09):
I have. Yeah, I started doing makeup, like so, I
always did makeup on myself, like when we knew each
other when we were in high school, and then when
I graduated high school, like a week after, I moved
to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and went to a makeup school.
I knew what I was doing academy. No, it was
Cosmic School of Makeup, but I went there just because
(32:34):
they taught like air brush and more ship, and I
was like, I just know how to do like a county.
I I don't know how to do like air brush.
I can just make people look like me. So I
I did that, and then I got a job at
mac afterwards, and I was there for like almost ten years,
and then retail makeup wasn't for me. I wanted to
(32:54):
make my own schedule. I was sick of not making money,
so I started freelancing and doing stuff for my friends.
And I don't really use like a portfolio or anything
right now. It's just kind of like I mostly do
things for my friends, or like my friends will recommend
me to people. You know, right, I know you do
like Simmons makeup. I do Simmons makeup. I did her
(33:16):
makeup for the reunion of this past season for a
cover fashion magazine she just did, and I just did
her makeup the other day for it was something regarding
the new movie She's at the Broos, your favorite face
to paint. I really like painting Simone because she literally
(33:38):
is just like just do whatever you want. She'll send
me like to reference pictures and it's like, just do
whatever I want to look young. And then like she's
so natural, like with her well not natural, but I
always try to get her to do like more colors
or like rhine stones. I'm like, but you like look
good in color, Like you look like she looks great
in natural colors. I was like, you look good and
(34:00):
literally every single color, like let me, let me rainbow
brite you out. Yeah, she would look stunning with like
a lot of color on her face. Being visibly trans
(34:21):
online and in real life comes with lots of transphobia
directed your way. It is no secret that trans women
bear the biggest brunt of this hatred. But we are
also the least bit concerned of what you may think
of us. I asked Riley how she got to that
place in her womanhood. So I feel like I'm at
a place now where like people saying transphobic things towards
(34:44):
me isn't like if we're going to be real. I've
been called a tranny. Since I was support team. Yeah. Absolutely.
I mean I was called a tranny before I knew it,
when Trainy was even after I knew that, I is
that as a word. That has constantly been what I've
been referred to, So it never really offended me. It
(35:06):
doesn't offend me now because I like I can separate
the reality from it doesn't It doesn't affect my life
that there's something this person has had some experience and
they're taking it out on me. And if I need
to be your scapegoat, I can handle it and it's
(35:26):
not going to affect me because I know that I'm loved.
I know I love myself, and I know that these
people aren't speaking facts. I was on TikTok Live earlier
and this like this girl was like, you're a dude.
You're a dude, and I was like, I was being obnoxious,
but I was like, then, why does my driver's license
say female? Like what is going on? I don't understand.
(35:48):
How can I be a dude if my driver's license
as female? I don't get it. It's just like I
don't ever argue back with people I have something nasty
to say, because if they're saying it, that aggressively unprovoked.
They're not going to change their mind by me being
compassionate with them, So I'm not going to waste my time.
I'm just going to be goofy and funny because that's
(36:10):
obviously my defense mechanism. And I really don't care to
change your mind, Like you're not someone that I care about,
You're not a person that affects my life. Yeah, and
I would metch rather just make fun of the person
than anything, And I think you do a beautiful job
of that. Some of your old videos are like you
reading like hate comments and stuff like that comments, and yeah,
(36:32):
that's just it's never bothered me because you know, like
I'm sure you experienced the same thing, like how we
grew up, always always, always, like the negative was a
thousand times worse than the positive. So you either have
to get really thick skin and separate yourself from those
words or it'll just it'll take you down. And it's
(36:55):
it's unfortunate when people left that happen or not. Everyone
can take it, but it's just I would encourage everyone
to like laugh at yourself and not take things so seriously,
and you'd be a lot happier. But I understand when
people do get offended, because that's fucked up and rude,
you know, absolutely. Yeah. One other thing too I wanted
(37:18):
to touch on. It was just like talking a little
bit more about like your journey towards those gender affirming
surgeries you've had like ffs from a placement therapy, Like
what was it like preparing for those things? What was
it like finding like doctors and stuff. So I had
a really great therapist who helped me find a few
(37:40):
surgeons that would be able to be covered with my insurance,
and I did some research on them, and I found
my doctor, doctor Sinclair, and I looked at his work
and I was just like, oh, he's like the doll doctor,
Like he's touched all of the dolls. So I was like,
I want him no matter how long I have to wait,
Like I want him, which I to wait a long time,
(38:00):
which is fine, not complaining. It was do I'd wait
thirty more years? How old are you? By the way,
I'm thirty one? Oh my gosh. But I mean I
used to never tell people my age because I was
like a Mandela Poor never tells people her age, Like
that's stunning. But I was just like honestly, Like, I like,
aged is not a thing that I think about, Like,
(38:23):
I like, I always thought thirty was going to be like, oh,
but you're like this is you're you're old, but like
you're dead. Basically you're you're fucking will according to gen
z No. But it's just age never really bothered. Age
doesn't bother me now because I'm like the happiest I've
ever been in my life. I could be sixty years
old and like I'm still happy. Yeah, it radiates for me,
(38:46):
I can see it. Thank you. It's my SPS, yes,
it's your SPF and estrogen radiating boozing. Yes. So when
I was finally able to have my surgery, it was
I remember was at Barnes and Noble with my friends
at the grove and I got the call from my
therapist and then the email letter came through and I
(39:07):
went outside and I sat on the floor and I
just cried, like in the mall, like bawling, and I
called my mom and then I ran and I told
my friend and I was just like I couldn't because
like I've I didn't know that I wanted facial feminization
surgery my whole life. I just knew I wanted surgery
to look more feminine. I didn't know what it was called.
(39:29):
So once I was like, oh, there's like a word
for it to make me look more feminine, like perfect,
let's do it. Sign me up, sign me up twice,
but like for preparing for it, and I would honestly
recommend anyone that's going under any surgery. This was like
I cracked the code, the secret I like, and I'm
going to share it. So the month before I went
(39:53):
on a juice cleans not just drinking juice, but I
was eating healthy and I was drinking cucumber juice, apple juice,
orange juice uice, prune juice, carrot juice, and I was
buying like the big tubs of pineapple juice. I was
drinking at least four pineapple juice a day. Oh my god, girl,
for your insides. Just like I've never felt better. And
(40:18):
I like, two weeks before surgery, I started taking four
Arnica pills a day. But the pineapple is also what
helps with bruising. And I'm gonna I both like hair,
I can't want to show you right now because people
can't see but my bruising. You know how some girls
get a nose drop and they came out purple. So
(40:38):
literally only bruising I had was a little yellow under
my eye and a little bit of like purple burgundy
on my top, and I was like swollen, but I
had zero bruising. And it was because of like I
like went full into like health psychopath mode. Be healthy,
be healthy prior, and you'll have a great recovery and
(40:59):
a great So true, you don't have to keep it up,
but yeah, but just in preparations, Just in preparation, and
if you're ever going to get your boobs done, start
doing like ad workouts because that's all you can use
to get up and it's hard. Can't use your arms.
That's so true. Your core together girls. Good good points.
(41:21):
Good point. I like, I feel like I have always
been so like I don't want to say authentic online,
but I've always been so present online with my life
that like I just like I don't I really don't
get embarrassed with things. I don't really have much to hide. Yeah,
you really you really have. And like it's just funny,
like how I feel like I've watched your stories for
(41:44):
so long and just all at that I feel like
I've been a part of your life this whole time.
But just even just watching you like mess around in
the salon, I feel like, didn't you work at a salon?
Oh my god, I did, and I would chase the iguanas. Yes, yes,
And I would watch those videos and be like, oh
my god, what is going on employing? I just love
to like be goofy on social media, and like my
(42:07):
number one thing is like I want to make my
friends laugh. I want to make myself off, and I
just want to have fun, and I like want everyone
else to join in on the fun with me. It's
a party for everybody. So that's why I like, that's
why I do stupid things online and I just always
post like what I'm thinking or what I'm feeling or
what I'm beating, just because I connected with people like
(42:28):
that were like that when I was younger, and it
made me feel like, Okay, I can have the kind
of life I want to live because it made me
feel less alone if I can share someone, if I
can share chasing an iguana around and it makes someone
laugh and it makes their day right and fucking happy,
or just like the filters you would always like put
(42:49):
on people's faces. My god, I love my favorite wanted
to do the clown on people and then Sam and
I tell people I'm making clowns. That's gorgeous. So what
can people expect going to see Rubber Child live, going
to a Rubber Child performance? So I mean, it depends
(43:10):
on the night. I really like to do, Like one
of my favorite numbers ever is I will do a
It's a Bloodhound Gang where I dressed up as a
monkey because they did in the video and I throw
up bananas at people. So I love to do like
goofy numbers. I have like a Ree number Mambo number
five as a classic, but I also love performing like
(43:34):
Aisha erotica or like Nicki Minaj. The style. The style
very much varies depending on like my mood. I either
like to be like really goofy and ridiculous or just
like the baddest bitch in the world. I think it's
time to pull out that monkey number again. I just did.
Before I did that, that was my number for drug
con for a monkey park. I was was well funk
(43:56):
and then I just I just posted that picture of
me too, and I was like, how insensitive you're gonna
get canceled. I know that's always like my biggest fear.
Every time like an episode drops where I'm saying the
word tranny like and I'm like, ah, I know, it's like,
how dare you refer to yourself what everyone else does?
Get mad at The comedians were saying trainny that don't
have any trans friends or know any trans people, not
(44:17):
the trans person? Thank you? Hello, Yes, okay. Last question
I have for you is what do you find most
beautiful about being a transsexual woman? Oh? My gosh, everything,
And I'm really glad you use the word transsexual because
I feel like a lot of people are afraid to,
but it is. It feels more powerful than transgender to me,
(44:42):
and it feels okay, let's break that down because feelings
about it too, and I've been using the word transsexual.
Transgender feels very clinical to me. It feels very like
like dictionary blah blah blah. I don't feel like I
for me, gender and sexuality are always coming and going.
(45:05):
With the word transsexual, I just really enjoyed because it
feels powerful, and it feels the word sexual is powerful,
the word trans is powerful, so together it just literally
makes me feel like I'm on a pillar and I've
got like Greek little sheep behind me and doves on
my arms, and I am just the goddess advanced transsexual,
(45:26):
advanced transsexual, as Miss Lapore would say, I'm something of
an advanced transsexuals. I wish they would do so you
watch for no. No, I wish they would do like
a biopic of Amanda the Poor's life like I did
with that. I was just saying that about Amanda, and
I was also just saying that about Lady the Lady Shepley.
(45:49):
I don't know if you're familiar, but I will from Savannah, Georgia.
She's an icon. I will look her up. Yeah, Jada
Essence Hall just did her on Snatch Game for All
Stars seven and like nobody knew who she was. But
I'm like trans icon, you know. I love that. I
wish they would have talked about that about her being
transpant on the show. I know, right, God forbid, they
(46:11):
throw that in, God forbid. But yeah, so tell us
what do you find most beautiful about being a transsectional?
Being trans makes me feel so beautiful and so happy.
And I've never felt more at home and my body
or more at home in my mind, and I can
feel like magic coming out of my fingertips. And it's
(46:36):
just such a surreal, surreal thing, such a surreal culture
to be a part of. And I wouldn't change a
single thing. I don't even know if I could go back,
if I would start younger, because I feel like it
happened when it was supposed to, and it happened when
I was ready, and I wouldn't change a thing. I
love that. What about you? What about you? What do
(46:58):
you love? I feel similarly to a lot of like
my other sisters, And the answer I've gotten from them is,
and I've always felt this way, is that I feel
like I can customize my whole life. I customize my look,
who I am, my name, my persona, just that whole
process of creation and recreation that comes along with being
a transsexual. And I just look at myself in the mirror,
(47:20):
and if I don't like something, I'm always like, well,
I have the the power to change that one day,
you know. And I love that that is so true,
the beautiful Yeah, once I have the money, you know,
a little funding, and then look at there. But yeah,
I love to hear that. I think oftentimes I hear
people regret not transitioning younger, and Leeven, I wish I
could have started hormones younger. But and even you said
(47:43):
that you went from a place of like feeling like, oh,
it's too late now, but now that you've made that step,
you're like right now that I made the jump, I
was like, oh, like what was that? I was just
my insecurity. That was me thinking like like it was
just like transphobia. Like I was like, I don't want
to be an ugly girl, but I mean I would
rather be what I consider an ugly girl than not
(48:09):
living my truth, right, you know, right, I get that absolutely,
And as RuPaul would say, that's the inner saboteur, right,
I would like fully would just yeah, I set myself
up and I just had to jump over at the
up of the fence and be like it was it
literally just was like because I was in such like
(48:29):
a sad place when I started transitioning, Like it was
literally like if I don't do this, I'm going to
jump off a bridge. Like not to be dramatic, but
that's where I was at. So it saved my life.
And I know transitioning saves a lot of people's lives,
especially younger people, which is why it's so sad what's
going on right now with the hormones and the government
and people taking everything away. It's like, God, can't you
(48:51):
just like we're not hurting anybody, just let us live. Yeah,
it's fucking insane. I know, yeah, we just we just
had anisode about it too. And Florida's got crazy ship
going on, Missouri's got crazy ship going on. I got
out of there. I know city. Yes, bath Salts it
(49:17):
is girl. That's hilarious. Well, thank you for being here
with me. Riley, I really really appreciate it, and it
was so much fun. Riley, tell us tell the listeners
where they can find you. Follow you, so everyone listening.
The easiest place to find me us on Instagram at
Riley r y L I E the number four ever
(49:41):
and then there's a link in my bio with all
my other links. Riley forever baby for ever. Thank you
so much for being here, doll. Thank you for having me.
It was so good to catch up and talk with
you and just talk shit. Yes, I can't wait for
us to me and we're going to talk to him more. Ship.
It's not well. Yeah, when the cameras aren't rolling in
(50:02):
the microphone office, really are going to talk shit? I
can't wait. All right, y'all, that's it for my chat
with the amazing Riley rubber Child. I want to thank
Riley again for taking the time to come on my
pod and reconnect with an old friend. I have almost
talked to every single one of the little Hatchlings I've
known throughout my life. Can you believe it? I can't
(50:25):
wait for next week's episode, if the season for now
A Beauty Translated. Thank you all so much for listening
and supporting this podcast. Stay tuned and stay beautiful, y'all.
It can be ugly out there. The show is an
association with the I Heart Next Up program co founded
by on a host name Joel Minique and Yessenia Mendian.
(50:49):
Beauty Translated is sound designed by Jessica Cranchitch and produced
by Kurt Karen and Ali Perry, and our theme song
was composed by Aaron Kaufman. For more podcasts from My Heart,
visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your favorite shows.
You are the one that gave me my middle name,
and that that was a significant I'm so happy you
took that on as your name and your person, and
like that is so special to me because like being
included in other girls journeys and transitions is just so
heartwarming and touching. And a lot of people don't like
(00:21):
to like see other dolls succeed, but I think it's
the best thing in the world. Hello everyone, and welcome
to episode eleven of season one of Beauty Translated. I'm
your host, Carmen Laurent. That's right, I say season one
because I'm very happy to tell y'all that after episode
(00:42):
twelve will be taking a short break that will be
back with an all new season in season two. We'll
be stepping outside of Atlanta, talking more about beauty, gender
affirming procedures, and touching more on trans issues related to
and within the trans community. Today, so onto this week show,
(01:02):
we have another guest I have known for many years.
She is a sister of the House of Avalon and
a legendary drag performer in l A known as Rubber Child.
I know her today as Riley. In this episode, we
discussed the origins of our relationship that dates back to
the MySpace days. We talked about how Riley gave me
my name, and we get into her own journey discovering
(01:25):
the woman she always was as she takes a walk
down memory lane with me. Please enjoy my chat with
the lovely Riley rubber Child. All right, this week joining
us from sunny Los Angeles, we have the doll diva
(01:48):
rubber Child. Riley. Thank you so much for being here
with me. Can you tell me a little nervous? Oh
my god? Why because we haven't talked and so along,
so I know. So, first of all, tell the listeners
a little bit about who you are and where you're from. Okay,
(02:09):
So my name is Riley a k A. Rubber Child,
and I am currently living in Los Angeles. I do makeup,
I do drag, I host parties, I do private gigs.
I do only fans, and I talked sh it on
the internet. Beautiful, fabulous, gorgeous. I wanted to explore a
(02:29):
little bit about how we know each other. So, first
of all, you and I know each other from way, way, way,
way way back in the day in my space. Yes,
from my Space. Okay, that's what I thought. That's what
I was telling everyone. I was like, this girl I
knew from my Space. We just like reconnected and I
was like, I couldn't remember if it was my Space
or Facebook. Yeah, so it was definitely my Space because
(02:51):
we were trying to be my Space famous. We girl,
We had our shaved brows, we had our little little
tight jeans, the brows drawn up to the hairline, like everything.
We were trying it. I recently just threw my eyebrows
back this year, will like, within the past year. Since then,
well they look stunning. I have eyebrows this whole time.
(03:14):
Thank you, well, congratulations, welcome back to the world of
the eyebrows. You know, it's great. I never thought I would,
but I'm it's fucking great. Except when it connects. Mhm,
A lady, a woman, her estrogen, she desaid, her shot accidentally,
(03:34):
this is my tea. Oh oh no, the one. Oh no,
we're getting all mixed up. So yes, we know each
other from the early days of my Space, when we
were MySpace scene queens, and you played a significant role
in my my Space days. Were you in Florida at
(03:56):
that time during like my Space I was. I grew
up in Western New York in like a tiny town
outside of Buffalo called self date in Yeah, on a
farm the whole works, just trying to be the girl
and house chickens the whole works pigs. So I was
living in like a farm during my Space times, like
(04:19):
dial up internet, sneaking to my friend's house because my
mom didn't let me have internet because she didn't trust me,
which I mean, I mean was smart because why would you, right,
I wouldn't trust me either, So I was just like
going to my friend's house and like the public library
after school and like logging on my Space and trying
to fucking serve. Of course, just like we all were
(04:40):
bit we were so do you remember some of the
early interactions we had on my Space? Did I bully
you a little bit? Actually? And I didn't bring you.
I didn't bring you on my show to have a
Tyronne Naomi moment. No, I was a full like I mean,
I just was a fucking asshole. But like, I mean
that was like everyone was rotted and I just I
(05:03):
was brought to like well yeah, it was just and
I remember just I was like just mean to people
for no reason. I'm sorry. No girl, Oh my god,
no girl, No, I wasn't gonna Actually I did believe you, right?
Did I say something nasty? I don't remember, girl. I
really let's find the receipts we can, because I feel
(05:24):
like we made some YouTube videos together. Don't you remember that?
Like we made some YouTube videos like via Skype together.
I want to say, did we? Yes? Didn't do? I
think we made prank phone calls. I don't know. It's
been a lot of drugs between now and then. So
I loved prank phone calls and drugs. So I believe you.
(05:44):
Do you want to hear a funny story? Yes? Please.
Two nights ago, I had like dental ship done and
so my mouth was completely numb. And I came home
and I took a Narco because I was in pain.
I took like an hour nap. I woke up and
I was craving chalk it. So I went to my
freezer and I saw I had like a chocolate bar,
and I was like, well, it's probably my roommates. I'll
(06:05):
eat it. I am like a full stoner, like always high,
and I ate of the bar and then I was like, fuck,
this is probably like weed or mushrooms or something. So
I go look and I see the little weed thing
and I'm like, oh, it's weed, okay, likes I'll be fine.
Like and he comes home and I told him and
(06:26):
he was like those were shroom's girl, and I was
like no, and he's like, yeah, I like eat three
and I freak out. I was like, well, I had
like nine. So so my boyfriend who doesn't do drugs,
doesn't drink, doesn't smoke. I was like, you have to
eat the rest of this with me because I can't
do this alone. And I had the absolute best time
(06:48):
of my life in my bedroom. Oh my god, that
is so funny that your boyfriend's a sober sally too,
because mine is too. Is he yes? And I have
had him do mushrooms with me before and he just
like he didn't giggled a lot. It was like it
made me feel fre It was very dune and because
I was trying to get him to do mushrooms and
he was like, I will, but I don't want to.
(07:08):
And I was like, well, I'm not going to make
you because you're not going to have fun cut to
me like forest feeding him. I'm like, I'm not doing
this alone. I'm not going down this rabbit hole without
somebody or told me it was. It was stunning though.
He was great. He got me like watermelon and like
lemon water. It was beautiful. Was it a gorgeous trip? Yeah?
(07:29):
I stuck this deck. Beautiful, gorgeous girl. You're living that
l a life that I want to be living. Do
you want to live here? I do, yes, because I
went in February for the first time and now I'm
just like so into it. It's magic. Yeah, Well, we'll
see what happens. I might be maybe I want to
(07:54):
go back. Like. The one thing, of course that I
do remember about you is and I don't remember the bullying,
I honestly don't, but I do remember that you were
the first person, one of the first people that I
came out to as trans and I said, you know,
like I'm going to be going by Carmen now and
(08:16):
you know I'm a woman or whatever. I remember that.
I believe that was like Facebook time. Yes, we had
moved into the next era. You know, we've moved on
to Facebook now. We're Facebook friends now, and I think
we might have even had like a video chat. But
do you remember I think I told you, like I'm
trying to come up with a middle name, and I
(08:38):
can't think of a middle name, and you are the
one that gave me my middle name, and that's that
was a significant I'm so happy and because I remember
you were telling me like some names that you were using,
and I was like, you need something fucking really cunty
and just like something like boogie and like that fantasy
(09:01):
and I think I like to set a few names,
but like that was the first one, and I was like,
I just feel like this is right, and I'm so
happy you took that on as your name and your
person and I'm so fucking like, I like, that is
so special to me because like being included in other
girls like journeys and transitions is just so heartwarming and touching.
And a lot of people don't like to like see
(09:23):
other dolls succeed, but I think it's the best thing
in the world. Of course, we want to see the
dolls dolling. Yeah, no, I really appreciate that. And I
think the next day I filed my name change with
Carmen Laurel. That is iconic. Never looked back. Are you
married now? Not yet, but you know it's coming. We'll
(09:45):
see if he's listening. Um, we've been in a relationship
for seven years. So he takes amazing He takes very
good care of me. I'm a kept woman and amazing
as you fit to be. So tell me more about,
(10:06):
like before you transitioned yourself and found your own journey,
what were some other significant trans people that you've helped
along with their transitions. I mean, I feel like as
of recently, I've just been trying to help a lot
of people, like in like the local community, like get
help with their name change, or get help with good insurance,
to help with surgeries, because a lot of times people
(10:29):
like the medical system is so hard and so confusing,
and a lot of people will get dicked around. And
I had a really great experience going through my surgeries
and my hormones and just everything my name changed because
I had helped from like a few doctors and therapists
that just like had my best interests. So I figured
out how to like switch and like snake through the
(10:52):
little systems like get your ship done so you're not
getting constantly put on the back burner. So my favorite
thing is like local dolls, being like this is what
I did, This is my insurance, this is my primary doctor,
this is my therapist, this is my surgeon. These are
the phone numbers I have where you can see all
of these like other options. Just like it's good to
(11:13):
have options as a girl like us because usually it's
like this is it. You have one person, you know,
so there's there's options, and people like shouldn't settle because
for like not enough hormones or like not surgery because
their insurances that covered, you know what I mean, absolutely,
And girl, that's where I'm stuck. I live in Georgia
and the insurance game out here is a whole different story, right,
(11:36):
and it's different every state too, so it's like extra marrish. Yeah,
it's like they don't want to they don't want to
give up trans people nothing out here, girl, because well
they know that fucking they won't be able to take it.
We'll be to handle it. They can't handle it, just
like mother St Laurent said. But yeah, I love to
(11:57):
hear dolls helping out dolls and l because I'm gonna
be real just for a moment. Yeah, I am here
in Atlanta, and I watched all the ship going on
in l A with these dolls in l A. And
I'm just like, these girls are sucking crazy, stabbing each other,
showing up to each other's surgery appointments and ship like,
(12:22):
and I know that I'm gag, like, what the fuck?
I know, the day before her facial feminization surgery, you're
going to try to get her that like prison honey, prison,
prison honey. Yes, yeah, well that wasn't I believe that
(12:43):
was in Texas. Oh my god. Okay, but yeah, it's some.
I mean, there's a very there's I mean, there's a
lot of divisions of dolls here in Los Angeles, the
dollars divisions, the dolls division, lots of little what is it, burrows,
doll doll clicks. Yeah, And I just like, I don't
(13:05):
really care about other people's drama anymore, which is nice.
So I'm just like, it's just easy to just stay
home and stay to myself and hang out with my family. Beautiful, Well,
tell me more about your family. Are you in the
House of Avalon. House of Avalon is one of the
legendary drag housels of today. They were originally based in Arkansas,
(13:26):
but today they ruled the nightlife in l A. Members
include Simone, winner of Season thirteen, A roupmost Drag Race,
G G. Good, Markham and Rowe Grant, Vanderbilt, Hunter Crenshaw,
and our very own Riley rubber Child. I am a
little sister of Avalon, So they live like a ten
(13:47):
minute little walk away, and they actually helped me move
out here. I've known them forever. They helped me find
my apartment, got me like my first few jobs here,
really just like took care of me. And they always
have and like that even before I lived out here.
So I'm so grateful for them. They're all just like
such amazing people in so many different ways and so
(14:08):
unique and just like well literally just push you till
your fucking limit to make you insane, just to make
sure you're the best version of yourself. That's the best
thing you can ask for, right, very honest, Like we're
all honest with each other. We don't bullshit each other
because that's what we're about, is just like always be
honest with each other. Delusions, right right, No delusions here.
(14:32):
If your hairline looks fucked up, you're gonna get told.
That's why I've got thanks. Oh my god, do I
need to get bangs? Girl? No, but you should get
clip on bangs because honestly, there's so much fun. Tell
me more about your drag, first of all, And I'm
curious because I've been following your drags since the beginning,
since you started drag. I've been following you since before
(14:54):
you were doing drag, and you were kind of doing drag,
you know, like we all were. And Rubber Child has
evolved quite a lot over the years, I would say,
and today you're like Darlina, like her final form. Well
this isn't her final form. There's still a few more.
I've always always just been obsessed with changing myself and
(15:19):
looking different then I look previously, and just constantly evolving.
And I know that's like a cliche thing to say,
but if you like look back at my fucking photo history,
I look different every year because I was finding new
parts out about myself. And I like originally started with
makeup when I was like thirteen fourteen, during my Space
(15:40):
so I didn't know what a trans person was. I
didn't know what a drag queen was. I knew what
Jeffrey Starr was, and I was like, I don't understand,
but I relate. So I like started wearing makeup as
like a young little gay boy and then just grew
up and I stopped with all of that for a
(16:01):
while while I was still working at the mac counter,
still doing makeup. But I was just like, I don't
feel like I feel like a generic almost like I'm
playing a character. So I started doing drag to help
me just like feel fun and pretty and just like,
you know, like myself. And I didn't realize that at
the time. I thought I was just having fun, but
(16:21):
looking back, it fully was me just like reaching out
desperately for like femininity, and I just I didn't realize
why I was always wanting to be in drag and
stay in drag and only be like photographed in drag.
I remember, I was just like really really fucking sad.
One year I went to the doctor and I was
just like, I like don't see myself as an old man,
(16:44):
and I want to stop this now. So I was
just like, I'm so confused because at this point in
my life I'm older, and I like knew what trans was,
but I just didn't think that it was a possibility
for me because I thought I should have done it
when I was younger. But then I I fucking watched
Vane No, and I was like, oh my god, it
(17:07):
changed my if I was like, she's a thirty year
old girl that did it. But anyway, before that, I
went and I was like, I just don't want to
continue to grow. I don't see myself as an old man.
I don't know what. But so I started taking Spirit
of Lactone. Just leave her, I love her. I was
just doing that for about two years, just that, just
a light tea blocker, just a light tea blocker. And
(17:27):
everyone was like, well, why don't you just start taking
like but like, why don't you just like finished transitioning.
And I was like, I don't know, like I didn't
think it was possible, Like I just did not think.
I was like I don't want to be I don't
want to feel ugly and I don't want to you know,
all of our dysmorphia. Yes, and that has other friends
of mine call it the dysphoria demon that gets in
(17:49):
your head and like fucked up. Yeah yeah, And it
really that notion of like oh we're too old to transition,
it's too late. Those are just like transphobic things that
just keep you stuck and exactly exactly, it's it's not
too late, like I mean, bad example, but Caitlyn Jenner,
(18:10):
you know a great example nine eleven Noviber And as
long as you're making yourself happy and you have like
your safe, gives the fuck, like you know, like there's
the best thing I ever did. I honestly like wouldn't
be here if I wouldn't have followed my heart in transition.
(18:43):
I have to say, like, I don't even know when
it happened, girl, but you just grew these tits, and well,
I was transitioning, like not privately, but just my close
friends and family here. I told everyone obviously, because we
tell each other everything, so everyone knew. And if I
saw people out and they asked, I wasn't embarrassed. I
(19:04):
just wasn't ready to post about it on social media
and deal with that because I was like still at
the time where people would say something transphobic, I would
take it personal and I knew that, so I didn't
share that part of myself until I was comfortable. And
I'm so proud of you, so proud of you that
(19:24):
you blessomed in this beautiful woman that you always were.
But yeah, like I can totally relate to that feeling
of like, well, when I first started hormones, I felt
the same way for sure, Like I was, what year
did you start? Because it was it was a long
time ago. Huh. Yeah. So I've been on hormones since
I was eighteen, So my eighteenth birthday as when I
(19:46):
started hormones. And I'm going to be thirty next year.
So it's been eleven years, almost twelve years. That's amazing.
Can you believe it? I can't believe that. I can't
believe we've known each other, Like, have I known you
for like half of my life? Pretty damn much. Because
(20:07):
if you remember back to episode one, during my conversation
with Violet, she talks about how I was busy back
in the day trying to be my Space famous, and
Riley was there to witness all of it. In fact,
she was doing the same thing in Florida. We both
had our MySpace names are seen Kid, Androgynous Aesthetic, and
(20:28):
the online shock Jocked persona that came along with all
of that. It's interesting because Riley and I have never
met in real life. We hope to meet up someday,
but until then, I will tell you that I'm glad
to know someone who has seen me through the stages
of my journey, and I have also known her throughout
her journey as well. The fact that it is through
(20:49):
the lens of a friendship that has taken place completely
online is probably something that many of you out there
can relate to. I was literally like maybe thirteen when
we knew each other, like on my Space, and we've
just kept up with each other ever since then, like
just on every new iteration of social media. Yeah, and
(21:10):
that's so funny. We've never met in person, no, and
that is something that makes me sad, and I hope
that when I come to l A next time, we
can meet and have dinner early. And I love it. Dinner.
Do you like frozen yogurt? Oh my god, yes, I do?
This really nice one in Beverly Hills. Kim Kardashian goes there.
I can only go like every few months because it's
like fourteen dollars. Oh my god. Well that sounds like
(21:35):
a reason to celebrate. Let's go, let's do it. Oh
my gosh, it's right next to my electrolysis diva, who
fucking tortures me? What are you getting electrolysis for right now? Okay,
So I started with electrolysis because that's what my insurance
would cover. Have you had ever had electrolysis or no?
(21:56):
Oh yeah, I felt like hours and hours of electrolis,
you know, for like an inch or two of space,
it's like two hours you don't have to and you
have to let your facial hair grow, and then you're
puffed up and swollen for three days after, so you're
down for a week. And I was doing it twice
a week, but just trying to bang it all out,
and I literally just like I couldn't because I would
(22:18):
do like two hour sessions, three hour sessions, and I
flowy was just like I can't do it anymore. And
then I had my FFS and I was like I
don't want to like go that invasive right now, So
I'm going to move over to laser just to keep
up with things. It's honestly so much less painful. But
my hair is so light. Yeah, like just as awful
(22:40):
is so hard it never ends, it really is. And
you and I have the same journey in a lot
of ways, Like we started out as like those like
Jeffrey Star, like my Space, like Makeup Freaks and all
of them, and like we both have blonde hair probably right,
because yeah, so that's the reason I also had to
go with electrolysis. It's because if you don't know laser,
(23:03):
here's a little for the show about aesthetics and beauty.
Here's the first aesthetics and beauty tip ever. In order
for a laser to work, your hair has to have pigment,
and if your hair is blonde, the laser ain't gonna
see it. So yeah, electrolysis is, like a lot of times,
the only option that works really well. But oh my god,
(23:24):
I didn't even know. And I'm not saying like you
don't look amazing, but I had no idea. You already
had f f S and everything. Girl. We have mentioned
FFS in a previous episode. We're going to get into
more detail about it here. So just for the listeners
who may not know, FFS stands for facial feminization surgery.
(23:45):
It is a term for a series of cosmetic procedures
that helped to feminize the face. Typically browbone shave, hairline advancements,
brow lift, rhinoplasty, mandible recontouring, lip lift, and tracky is
shapes would all fall under facial feminization. It's probably one
of the most affirming procedures for many trans women, and
(24:08):
I can't wait to have mine done? Who did you
go to tell me all about it? So it was
a ten hour surgery, beautiful. I went to Dr Sinclair
here in Beverly Hills, and that's why it took such
a like a long long time, because he had a
long waiting list. Once I finally had gotten approval for
(24:30):
like my surgery, that's when I was like, Okay, I
feel comfortable making my post to the world now. Yeah.
So what we did was he didn't orbital He moved
my orbital bone back, so like they cracked my skeleton,
pushed it back. They did a little brow lift, a
little eyelift, my nose. I had cheek implants, a little jaws,
(24:53):
shave a chin and plant and a tracheal shave, gorge things,
just a little lip blossom ascara. It was, well, that's
what I've got on now, because honestly, I'm like, I'm
I don't need to like fucking wear pancake makeup anymore.
I don't see my face. You see my my preffs
(25:14):
face with pancake. You're so oh my god, no, thank you,
But I can't wait to get ff s. That's going
to be my moment of transjoy. Yeah, it's it really
like it was. It was great. It was amazing, and
I had my boyfriend that took care of me, so
I was like very well looked after. Yes, yeah, so
(25:35):
is that the same boyfriend you're with now? M How
long have you guys been together. We've been together for
over a year, not very long, but I'm going to
marry him. Yeah, he's the one. He's handsome, he's just
you know, it's okay. He's just like such a sweet
angel and like just loves me for me before and
(25:56):
after surgery and just loves like my heart. And I've
never felt so much love or given so much love
in my whole life. And just like my friends and
family lately and just recently, the amount of love I'm
like spewing and smelling is like overwhelming. I love to
hear that girl. Oh my god, it's great. It's like
(26:19):
I'm finally like, oh, this is what it's like to
not want to kill yourself, like fully fully and feel
validated and feel gender euphoria and all these beautiful things. Yeah.
So yeah, tell me about, like what was your moment
since your transition, Like what was your moment of like
gender euphoria honestly, when I had my books done. Yeah
(26:41):
that was recently too right. It was in May, and
it was the day after drag Con. So I did
drag Con all weekend, worked at the clubs at night
to all those tips, and I can hauled us into
the hospital six o'clock Monday morning, Oh my god, after
doing a gig the night before, not the night before,
(27:01):
but that was drug Con that night I did. I
was working on Saturday night, but my friend dropped me
off and I remember like waking up and it was like,
obviously I was more conscious than my face. So I
remember more and I remember coming home and just for
like that first week, I would just hysterically cry when
I saw like my profile of my chust And I'm
(27:23):
never someone I never really boobs never really were like
a big thing to me. I just wanted to Like
when I had when I was ready to go, I
was like, I'm just gonna do a small natural boob.
I like, I just I don't know, I just I
never really connected that with gender to me. I don't
know why I was. I would always was like my
face was more connected to gender than my my body.
(27:47):
It didn't like register what a what a huge deal.
It would be like to be like looked at and
perceived like because I mean, in society, breasts are like
such a big thing of femininity, even though like that's
not real, but in society it isn't a lot of
people look at you differently and just being I like,
(28:08):
notice I'm treated more like I noticed a big different
in the treatment of post and pre breast surgery. And
not even because of that, I love it, but it
just like for me, I just feel it was it was.
It was the most euphoric feeling seeing my my boobs,
and I didn't expect it, and it caught me off guard,
(28:28):
out of nowhere. I still don't know why. I never
I wasn't like that. I mean, I was excited, but
I just was. I didn't realize I was going to
love boom so much on me. Yeah, no, I get that.
It's crazy. I've had these I've been a member of
the aty bitty titty committee for a very long time,
(28:48):
and I've always thought, you know, the same thing, like
my face before, my boobs always, But now you've got
me like I see you on the beach, I see
you in your string bikini. You got me thinking like, damn,
I want to fill out a bikini top like that.
I know. I just wanted like a small, tiny be
or like a like a full be because before my search,
(29:10):
I was like a small bee. I just want like
a little teardrop. And my doctor was like, well, I
know how you want the rest of your body to
look and like you have like bigger thighs, and I
know you want to go bigger, so if you want
to be proportionate, you just have to trust me. And
I was like fuck, and I was I like, have
a picture, I'll send it to you of me with
the implants in my little shirt. And I was just like,
(29:33):
these are fucking huge. I'm so scared. But like and
I was like, I'm just gonna go bigger because everyone
was just they went bigger no matter what. So I'm
just gonna do it. And I'm happy I did. And
I don't always try. I want bigger because I want
bigger than I wanted. Well, congratulations girl. Happy. I still
(29:55):
wear my compression bra like in bed when I'm at home.
I'm like, I I'm taking care of them, mama. Yeah,
So the BBL is next. I'm actually going to do
an implant and then a B B L Okay, Okay, yeah,
I'm doing an implant because I I mean, oh, I
don't have a lot of body fat, but like I don't,
I work out a lot and I walk a lot
(30:17):
and I eat healthy. So I was like, I want
ridiculous ass. So my doctor was like, we could do
like an implant if you really want to, and then
we'll do like three sixty light bow, which is like
like well all over the body to just fill out
the rest of it and smooth it down. And I
was like I'm down, and he was like, I just
want to let you know this is going to be
like the worst surgery you've done, and it's gonna be
(30:39):
you're gonna be down for four weeks and you cannot
sit on your ass. And I was like, I mean,
I want, I need it, I want it. I'm gonna
do it. But it was just like, well, like what
am I going to not do it? Like no, of
course I'm going to right of course, yeah, no, absolutely,
(31:00):
because that I think it's like what like six weeks
you can't sit on your ass basically you have to
like lay on your belly and like all of that.
I guess you know which I just got like I
just these Well, my books will be about like will
be about like six or seven months old, so they'll
be like fine to crush in in the bad. Yeah,
they'll be ready for a little like you can get
(31:22):
your breast pillow girl. Actually being in working in the
esthetics industry, I have seen a lot of bbls in
my day, and I know that journey just from secondhand knowledge.
What do you think would you do what you want it? Yes,
I would definitely do it. I would probably have to
go the same route because I have like no body fat.
But I'm also scared they're afied of implants because of
(31:45):
like I was two, Yeah, because of like I don't
even want to like the whole ex plant like rejection ding,
like all of that terrifies me. Well, I wanted to
talk about more of your work as a makeup artist.
You've been a makeup artist for a very long time,
since You've been obsessed with makeup as a young team
like we both were. You've painted some really amazing faces.
(32:09):
I have. Yeah, I started doing makeup, like so, I
always did makeup on myself, like when we knew each
other when we were in high school, and then when
I graduated high school, like a week after, I moved
to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and went to a makeup school.
I knew what I was doing academy. No, it was
Cosmic School of Makeup, but I went there just because
(32:34):
they taught like air brush and more ship, and I
was like, I just know how to do like a county.
I I don't know how to do like air brush.
I can just make people look like me. So I
I did that, and then I got a job at
mac afterwards, and I was there for like almost ten years,
and then retail makeup wasn't for me. I wanted to
(32:54):
make my own schedule. I was sick of not making money,
so I started freelancing and doing stuff for my friends.
And I don't really use like a portfolio or anything
right now. It's just kind of like I mostly do
things for my friends, or like my friends will recommend
me to people. You know, right, I know you do
like Simmons makeup. I do Simmons makeup. I did her
(33:16):
makeup for the reunion of this past season for a
cover fashion magazine she just did, and I just did
her makeup the other day for it was something regarding
the new movie She's at the Broos, your favorite face
to paint. I really like painting Simone because she literally
(33:38):
is just like just do whatever you want. She'll send
me like to reference pictures and it's like, just do
whatever I want to look young. And then like she's
so natural, like with her well not natural, but I
always try to get her to do like more colors
or like rhine stones. I'm like, but you like look
good in color, Like you look like she looks great
in natural colors. I was like, you look good and
(34:00):
literally every single color, like let me, let me rainbow
brite you out. Yeah, she would look stunning with like
a lot of color on her face. Being visibly trans
(34:21):
online and in real life comes with lots of transphobia
directed your way. It is no secret that trans women
bear the biggest brunt of this hatred. But we are
also the least bit concerned of what you may think
of us. I asked Riley how she got to that
place in her womanhood. So I feel like I'm at
a place now where like people saying transphobic things towards
(34:44):
me isn't like if we're going to be real. I've
been called a tranny. Since I was support team. Yeah. Absolutely.
I mean I was called a tranny before I knew it,
when Trainy was even after I knew that, I is
that as a word. That has constantly been what I've
been referred to, So it never really offended me. It
(35:06):
doesn't offend me now because I like I can separate
the reality from it doesn't It doesn't affect my life
that there's something this person has had some experience and
they're taking it out on me. And if I need
to be your scapegoat, I can handle it and it's
(35:26):
not going to affect me because I know that I'm loved.
I know I love myself, and I know that these
people aren't speaking facts. I was on TikTok Live earlier
and this like this girl was like, you're a dude.
You're a dude, and I was like, I was being obnoxious,
but I was like, then, why does my driver's license
say female? Like what is going on? I don't understand.
(35:48):
How can I be a dude if my driver's license
as female? I don't get it. It's just like I
don't ever argue back with people I have something nasty
to say, because if they're saying it, that aggressively unprovoked.
They're not going to change their mind by me being
compassionate with them, So I'm not going to waste my time.
I'm just going to be goofy and funny because that's
(36:10):
obviously my defense mechanism. And I really don't care to
change your mind, Like you're not someone that I care about,
You're not a person that affects my life. Yeah, and
I would metch rather just make fun of the person
than anything, And I think you do a beautiful job
of that. Some of your old videos are like you
reading like hate comments and stuff like that comments, and yeah,
(36:32):
that's just it's never bothered me because you know, like
I'm sure you experienced the same thing, like how we
grew up, always always, always, like the negative was a
thousand times worse than the positive. So you either have
to get really thick skin and separate yourself from those
words or it'll just it'll take you down. And it's
(36:55):
it's unfortunate when people left that happen or not. Everyone
can take it, but it's just I would encourage everyone
to like laugh at yourself and not take things so seriously,
and you'd be a lot happier. But I understand when
people do get offended, because that's fucked up and rude,
you know, absolutely. Yeah. One other thing too I wanted
(37:18):
to touch on. It was just like talking a little
bit more about like your journey towards those gender affirming
surgeries you've had like ffs from a placement therapy, Like
what was it like preparing for those things? What was
it like finding like doctors and stuff. So I had
a really great therapist who helped me find a few
(37:40):
surgeons that would be able to be covered with my insurance,
and I did some research on them, and I found
my doctor, doctor Sinclair, and I looked at his work
and I was just like, oh, he's like the doll doctor,
Like he's touched all of the dolls. So I was like,
I want him no matter how long I have to wait,
Like I want him, which I to wait a long time,
(38:00):
which is fine, not complaining. It was do I'd wait
thirty more years? How old are you? By the way,
I'm thirty one? Oh my gosh. But I mean I
used to never tell people my age because I was
like a Mandela Poor never tells people her age, Like
that's stunning. But I was just like honestly, Like, I like,
aged is not a thing that I think about, Like,
(38:23):
I like, I always thought thirty was going to be like, oh,
but you're like this is you're you're old, but like
you're dead. Basically you're you're fucking will according to gen
z No. But it's just age never really bothered. Age
doesn't bother me now because I'm like the happiest I've
ever been in my life. I could be sixty years
old and like I'm still happy. Yeah, it radiates for me,
(38:46):
I can see it. Thank you. It's my SPS, yes,
it's your SPF and estrogen radiating boozing. Yes. So when
I was finally able to have my surgery, it was
I remember was at Barnes and Noble with my friends
at the grove and I got the call from my
therapist and then the email letter came through and I
(39:07):
went outside and I sat on the floor and I
just cried, like in the mall, like bawling, and I
called my mom and then I ran and I told
my friend and I was just like I couldn't because
like I've I didn't know that I wanted facial feminization
surgery my whole life. I just knew I wanted surgery
to look more feminine. I didn't know what it was called.
(39:29):
So once I was like, oh, there's like a word
for it to make me look more feminine, like perfect,
let's do it. Sign me up, sign me up twice,
but like for preparing for it, and I would honestly
recommend anyone that's going under any surgery. This was like
I cracked the code, the secret I like, and I'm
going to share it. So the month before I went
(39:53):
on a juice cleans not just drinking juice, but I
was eating healthy and I was drinking cucumber juice, apple juice,
orange juice uice, prune juice, carrot juice, and I was
buying like the big tubs of pineapple juice. I was
drinking at least four pineapple juice a day. Oh my god, girl,
for your insides. Just like I've never felt better. And
(40:18):
I like, two weeks before surgery, I started taking four
Arnica pills a day. But the pineapple is also what
helps with bruising. And I'm gonna I both like hair,
I can't want to show you right now because people
can't see but my bruising. You know how some girls
get a nose drop and they came out purple. So
(40:38):
literally only bruising I had was a little yellow under
my eye and a little bit of like purple burgundy
on my top, and I was like swollen, but I
had zero bruising. And it was because of like I
like went full into like health psychopath mode. Be healthy,
be healthy prior, and you'll have a great recovery and
(40:59):
a great So true, you don't have to keep it up,
but yeah, but just in preparations, Just in preparation, and
if you're ever going to get your boobs done, start
doing like ad workouts because that's all you can use
to get up and it's hard. Can't use your arms.
That's so true. Your core together girls. Good good points.
(41:21):
Good point. I like, I feel like I have always
been so like I don't want to say authentic online,
but I've always been so present online with my life
that like I just like I don't I really don't
get embarrassed with things. I don't really have much to hide. Yeah,
you really you really have. And like it's just funny,
like how I feel like I've watched your stories for
(41:44):
so long and just all at that I feel like
I've been a part of your life this whole time.
But just even just watching you like mess around in
the salon, I feel like, didn't you work at a salon?
Oh my god, I did, and I would chase the iguanas. Yes, yes,
And I would watch those videos and be like, oh
my god, what is going on employing? I just love
to like be goofy on social media, and like my
(42:07):
number one thing is like I want to make my
friends laugh. I want to make myself off, and I
just want to have fun, and I like want everyone
else to join in on the fun with me. It's
a party for everybody. So that's why I like, that's
why I do stupid things online and I just always
post like what I'm thinking or what I'm feeling or
what I'm beating, just because I connected with people like
(42:28):
that were like that when I was younger, and it
made me feel like, Okay, I can have the kind
of life I want to live because it made me
feel less alone if I can share someone, if I
can share chasing an iguana around and it makes someone
laugh and it makes their day right and fucking happy,
or just like the filters you would always like put
(42:49):
on people's faces. My god, I love my favorite wanted
to do the clown on people and then Sam and
I tell people I'm making clowns. That's gorgeous. So what
can people expect going to see Rubber Child live, going
to a Rubber Child performance? So I mean, it depends
(43:10):
on the night. I really like to do, Like one
of my favorite numbers ever is I will do a
It's a Bloodhound Gang where I dressed up as a
monkey because they did in the video and I throw
up bananas at people. So I love to do like
goofy numbers. I have like a Ree number Mambo number
five as a classic, but I also love performing like
(43:34):
Aisha erotica or like Nicki Minaj. The style. The style
very much varies depending on like my mood. I either
like to be like really goofy and ridiculous or just
like the baddest bitch in the world. I think it's
time to pull out that monkey number again. I just did.
Before I did that, that was my number for drug
con for a monkey park. I was was well funk
(43:56):
and then I just I just posted that picture of
me too, and I was like, how insensitive you're gonna
get canceled. I know that's always like my biggest fear.
Every time like an episode drops where I'm saying the
word tranny like and I'm like, ah, I know, it's like,
how dare you refer to yourself what everyone else does?
Get mad at The comedians were saying trainny that don't
have any trans friends or know any trans people, not
(44:17):
the trans person? Thank you? Hello, Yes, okay. Last question
I have for you is what do you find most
beautiful about being a transsexual woman? Oh? My gosh, everything,
And I'm really glad you use the word transsexual because
I feel like a lot of people are afraid to,
but it is. It feels more powerful than transgender to me,
(44:42):
and it feels okay, let's break that down because feelings
about it too, and I've been using the word transsexual.
Transgender feels very clinical to me. It feels very like
like dictionary blah blah blah. I don't feel like I
for me, gender and sexuality are always coming and going.
(45:05):
With the word transsexual, I just really enjoyed because it
feels powerful, and it feels the word sexual is powerful,
the word trans is powerful, so together it just literally
makes me feel like I'm on a pillar and I've
got like Greek little sheep behind me and doves on
my arms, and I am just the goddess advanced transsexual,
(45:26):
advanced transsexual, as Miss Lapore would say, I'm something of
an advanced transsexuals. I wish they would do so you
watch for no. No, I wish they would do like
a biopic of Amanda the Poor's life like I did
with that. I was just saying that about Amanda, and
I was also just saying that about Lady the Lady Shepley.
(45:49):
I don't know if you're familiar, but I will from Savannah, Georgia.
She's an icon. I will look her up. Yeah, Jada
Essence Hall just did her on Snatch Game for All
Stars seven and like nobody knew who she was. But
I'm like trans icon, you know. I love that. I
wish they would have talked about that about her being
transpant on the show. I know, right, God forbid, they
(46:11):
throw that in, God forbid. But yeah, so tell us
what do you find most beautiful about being a transsectional?
Being trans makes me feel so beautiful and so happy.
And I've never felt more at home and my body
or more at home in my mind, and I can
feel like magic coming out of my fingertips. And it's
(46:36):
just such a surreal, surreal thing, such a surreal culture
to be a part of. And I wouldn't change a
single thing. I don't even know if I could go back,
if I would start younger, because I feel like it
happened when it was supposed to, and it happened when
I was ready, and I wouldn't change a thing. I
love that. What about you? What about you? What do
(46:58):
you love? I feel similarly to a lot of like
my other sisters, And the answer I've gotten from them is,
and I've always felt this way, is that I feel
like I can customize my whole life. I customize my look,
who I am, my name, my persona, just that whole
process of creation and recreation that comes along with being
a transsexual. And I just look at myself in the mirror,
(47:20):
and if I don't like something, I'm always like, well,
I have the the power to change that one day,
you know. And I love that that is so true,
the beautiful Yeah, once I have the money, you know,
a little funding, and then look at there. But yeah,
I love to hear that. I think oftentimes I hear
people regret not transitioning younger, and Leeven, I wish I
could have started hormones younger. But and even you said
(47:43):
that you went from a place of like feeling like, oh,
it's too late now, but now that you've made that step,
you're like right now that I made the jump, I
was like, oh, like what was that? I was just
my insecurity. That was me thinking like like it was
just like transphobia. Like I was like, I don't want
to be an ugly girl, but I mean I would
rather be what I consider an ugly girl than not
(48:09):
living my truth, right, you know, right, I get that absolutely,
And as RuPaul would say, that's the inner saboteur, right,
I would like fully would just yeah, I set myself
up and I just had to jump over at the
up of the fence and be like it was it
literally just was like because I was in such like
(48:29):
a sad place when I started transitioning, Like it was
literally like if I don't do this, I'm going to
jump off a bridge. Like not to be dramatic, but
that's where I was at. So it saved my life.
And I know transitioning saves a lot of people's lives,
especially younger people, which is why it's so sad what's
going on right now with the hormones and the government
and people taking everything away. It's like, God, can't you
(48:51):
just like we're not hurting anybody, just let us live. Yeah,
it's fucking insane. I know, yeah, we just we just
had anisode about it too. And Florida's got crazy ship
going on, Missouri's got crazy ship going on. I got
out of there. I know city. Yes, bath Salts it
(49:17):
is girl. That's hilarious. Well, thank you for being here
with me. Riley, I really really appreciate it, and it
was so much fun. Riley, tell us tell the listeners
where they can find you. Follow you, so everyone listening.
The easiest place to find me us on Instagram at
Riley r y L I E the number four ever
(49:41):
and then there's a link in my bio with all
my other links. Riley forever baby for ever. Thank you
so much for being here, doll. Thank you for having me.
It was so good to catch up and talk with
you and just talk shit. Yes, I can't wait for
us to me and we're going to talk to him more. Ship.
It's not well. Yeah, when the cameras aren't rolling in
(50:02):
the microphone office, really are going to talk shit? I
can't wait. All right, y'all, that's it for my chat
with the amazing Riley rubber Child. I want to thank
Riley again for taking the time to come on my
pod and reconnect with an old friend. I have almost
talked to every single one of the little Hatchlings I've
known throughout my life. Can you believe it? I can't
(50:25):
wait for next week's episode, if the season for now
A Beauty Translated. Thank you all so much for listening
and supporting this podcast. Stay tuned and stay beautiful, y'all.
It can be ugly out there. The show is an
association with the I Heart Next Up program co founded
by on a host name Joel Minique and Yessenia Mendian.
(50:49):
Beauty Translated is sound designed by Jessica Cranchitch and produced
by Kurt Karen and Ali Perry, and our theme song
was composed by Aaron Kaufman. For more podcasts from My Heart,
visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your favorite shows.
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