Meet Ariesela

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ariesela. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ariesela below.

Ariesela, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

One thing I have always said to other trans people or women when they ask me for advice on finding success in a corporate world that may not be welcoming to us is that the beauty of looking around the room and seeing no one like you is exactly that: there is no one like you, therefore the value of your specific insight has now doubled and the potentials of what you can achieve are limitless. There is no previous data to compare you too, making you not only an asset to the spaces you occupy but also a trailblazer paving the way for people like you that come after. As a trans woman I remind myself before every meeting and affirm that I am here because of the women before me that fought for girls like them to someday have the opportunities to be considered for the position I am in now, and I owe it to the women after to me to prove what I already know I am beyond qualified to do. I fought my whole life to be accepted but I am in a place now where I feel that I don’t care about acceptance, respect will be given to me because of my work ethic and the overwhelming merit I’ve developed along the journey of clawing my way to get here today. If there’s no one like you in the room, you’ve worked 3x harder than anyone else around you to get there and your resume is evident of that. I’ve learned a lot of success manifests itself from within, our work is what leads to opportunities but the confidence we hold in our work is what I find most effective in maintaining success,

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

To tell you a little about what I do: I am a trans performer, show producer, & aspiring activist known as “Miami’s siren superstar” — Ariesela. A lot of my artistic expression focuses mainly on reframing the trans experience as a divine metamorphosis instead of a journey of overcoming struggle. A lot of people transition with goals they feel are milestones they must achieve before they’re in the spotlight but I say be visible now and embrace the beauty of every step of my continued evolution. Currently I am committed to bettering the working climate & conditions for trans performers in South Florida. That is why I, alongside my co-hostess & producer Linerbaddie, created Doll LinkUp. Every Friday night we put on Miami’s girliest drag show at a local gem in town Villain Theater. and utilize the platform for our rotating cast of trans artists. I will forever be proud of the light we’ve shed on our community and the mark we’ve began to make in Miami drag history so early in our careers. Doll LinkUp is just the start of the doll domination movement!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

What a fierce question! I’d say the three qualities that I’d say were most impactful in my journey is charm, vulnerability, & consistency. I’d honestly advise most artists early in their journeys to try to master the art of human connection in the sense of understanding that charm comes from the confident energy people feel when you radiate yours, vulnerability is what makes people feel relation to you, & the consistency of your work allows people to go on the journey with you. This creates community and I have personally found that many of the opportunities that come my way are the result of others advocating for me. It’s hard but I think the best advice I can say to develop these skills is to just come from a genuine place and be yourself, I know everyone says that but truly when your artistry is just an extension of your heart: what’s for you will come.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

My grandmother was probably the most pivotal in my development amongst my parental figures. What she did for me was do what my biological parents weren’t able to do for me. She heard me and guided me to finding my own understanding of my wrongs, she would always remind me of my light growing up even when others darkness would consume me, she protected me and empowered me at the same time. I witnessed this remarkable woman work endlessly to provide for my sister & I, she had a way of creating harmony although chaos surrounded me. She passed away 4 days just after my drag debut, and I think the most impactful thing she did for me is leave me with her memory to model my own womanhood after.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.villaintheater.com/dolllinkup
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arieselita/

Image Credits

All photography by Cristina J On The Go with the exception of:
Split Action Shot by Lazaro Ricardo
Cheetah Action Shot by Matias Dapiaggi