From Drag Race to DTLA Proud: Salina EsTitties on her Latine roots, finding strength in sobriety, and navigating life in the spotlight
BY MARK ARIEL | PHOTO BY ZIV SADE
Salina EsTitties, the electrifying drag queen who charmed audiences on Season 15 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” is preparing to ignite the stage at the DTLA Proud Festival this August 24th.
Known for her vibrant personality, comedic prowess, and undeniable talent, this California native has cemented her status as a true legend in the drag community.
In an interview with THE FIGHT Salina talks about her Latin heritage, sobriety and staying authentic and vulnerable.
First off—how do you identify and what inspired you to become a drag queen?
I identify as a gay Latine man who does drag, My journey into drag really began after I got sober. I started volunteering at the annual Best in Drag Show fundraiser, which raises money for people living with HIV/AIDS. One year, they asked me to compete, and that’s when my drag journey truly began.
Your runways on “Drag Race” often paid homage to your Latine and West Coast heritage, sometimes garnering specific critiques. How do you navigate feedback that might not fully understand that intention?
If you get it, you get it, and if you don’t, maybe it’s just not for you, or maybe you don’t care to learn my POV, and that’s okay—that was the mindset I had to embrace during that time in my life, and how I move forward today. When I was on “Drag Race,” I was also dealing with the passing of my mom, and I realized that my connection to my Latin heritage was deeply tied to her. During that period, I was trying to learn as much as I could about my roots and channel that into my art and drag. It just happened to coincide with my time on the show.
Yes, the critiques weren’t always easy to hear, and facing negativity—even from others in the Latin community—was challenging. But looking back, I can see that I grew from those experiences. At the time, it was tough, but I always knew that my intentions were pure, well-intentioned, and heartfelt.
Could you elaborate on how your sobriety journey has influenced your artistic expression?
Without sobriety and recovery, I simply wouldn’t be here today, doing what I love. By the time I was 20, my life had reached a breaking point—I was homeless, struggling with serious health issues, and feeling like I had no way out. Sobriety gave me a second chance and opened up a world beyond my wildest dreams. Through Salina EsTitties, I’ve found the perfect vehicle to channel all my talents and ambitions. I’m not just “a silly drag queen dancing in the corner for tips;” I’m a producer, a writer, a director, a singer, a dancer, and an actor. Being a multihyphenate artist means I can bring all these facets of myself to the forefront. And by truly throwing myself into my art, I hope that my representation as a Sober gay Latino inspires others and shows them that if I can do it, they can do it too.
”Drag Race” brought you significant exposure. What have been the most unexpected joys and challenges that have come with that increased visibility, both personally and professionally, since your season aired?
First of all, it’s an honor and a privilege to be part of the World of Wonder family, and today I always strive to represent both them and myself in the best way possible. That said, navigating the visibility that comes with being on Drag Race is definitely a unique challenge. There’s no handbook or support group for dealing with this kind of overnight exposure, and the passionate Drag Race fandom, along with media outlets that thrive on clickbait, can make it even more intense.
I handle it by staying authentic and vulnerable, just as I always have. It’s not always easy, and it doesn’t always work in my favor, but at least I can look back and know I stayed true to myself. If people choose to misunderstand or villainize me, that’s beyond my control. Personally, it’s been challenging to navigate friendships and relationships, and finding people I can truly trust is an ongoing journey. But I’m grateful for the friends who have stood by me, as they’re the ones who help me navigate all of this, shift my perspective, and feed my soul.
Professionally, the exposure has been incredible, opening doors to opportunities I’ve always dreamed of. So, while it’s a bittersweet experience, ultimately, it’s a dream come true, and I absolutely love it.
2025 DTLA PROUD FESTIVAL
Celebrating a Decade of Resilience
The DTLA Proud Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Sunday, August 24th, from 12pm to 10pm at the historic La Placita Olvera. This marks the first time an LGBTQ festival will be held at this significant location.
The festival promises a day of celebration, culture, and community, featuring: Family Block Party at La Placita Olvera; SUMMERTRAMP at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (21+) and DTLA Proud Stage & Market (21+).
Presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased now before prices increase on August 1st.
The entrance is located at 535 N Main St, DTLA.
Join DTLA Proud in commemorating a decade of resilience, love, diversity, and joy!
For tix and more info visit: www.dltaproud.org.
