Lila Martinez (born July 10) also known as Lila Star Escada and known professionally as Lila Star is an American transgender actress, cosmetologist, recording artist, pageant competitor, and performer. She is known for being "the world's first transsexual Latina rapper."[1]
Lila Star | |
---|---|
Born | July 10 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Education | |
Occupation(s) | Actress, cosmetologist, recording artist, performer |
Years active | 2011–present |
Early life and education
editLila Star was born as Lila Martinez in Chicago, Illinois. She lived in the Humboldt Park area until the age of eight when she moved to the Albany Park area, where she currently resides. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended Truman University.[2] She also briefly attended The Second City.
Career
editLila has been performing for many years as an illusionist at bars and nightclubs in Chicago's Boystown district. She is set cast at The Baton Show Lounge and Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, where she is known for her impersonations of: Lil' Kim, Jennifer Lopez, and Toni Braxton.[3] In 2011 Lila made her debut on the rap music scene with the release of her hip-hop single, I'm a Killa. She has since self-released the singles The Truth and Feeling Like Cunt. In 2017 Lila appeared on the hip-house song, Cocky with Shea Coulee and The Vixen.[4][5][6] The music-video for the song has since amassed over 3 million views on YouTube. On September 23, 2017 Lila's film debut in the neo-noir short film Lakeshore Drive was released for a one-time-only screening at The 400 Theater in Chicago.[7] The movie is about a transsexual escort named Kim, played by Star, who is trying to escape prostitution and a controlling pimp behind. Lila says of her character Kim "I connected with the fact that the character wore sunglasses even at night because she was hiding something," said Star. "I was never comfortable in my own skin, so I would wear sunglasses even at night."[8] Lila will complete her scenes for the 1970s period piece A History of Wise Men after funding is complete.
Discography
editSingles
editYear | Title | Album |
---|---|---|
2011 | I'm a Killa | Non-album single |
2015 | The Truth | Non-album single |
2017 | Feeling Like Cunt | Non-album single |
TBR | Hourglass Body (Runway Walk) | Non-album single |
Featured appearances
editTitle | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Cocky" (featuring Lila Star) |
2017 | Shea Coulee & The Vixen | Couleé-D |
"Ni Santa (Remix)" (featuring Lila Star) |
2018 | Lester Rey | TBA |
Filmography
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Lakeshore Drive | Kim | Short film, film debut |
2019 | TranHeist | Morgan | Short film, lead role |
A History of Wise Men | Geneve | Short film, supporting role |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | The Jerry Springer Show | Herself | Episode: "Hush Hush Affairs" |
References
edit- ^ "Meet Lila Star: pageant winner, actor, and first 'transsexual Latina rapper'". March 3, 2018. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- ^ Swartz, Tracy (26 March 2018). "Chicago's Lila Star trying to be the 'first Latina trans rapper'". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "Lila Star Wants to be the First Trans Latina Rapper".
- ^ "Shea Couleé – Cocky ft Lila Star + The Vixen". June 26, 2017.
- ^ "Listen to Shea Couleé's New Track, 'Cocky'". June 3, 2017.
- ^ "Listen To Shea Couleé's Firece New Dance Track "Cocky"". June 5, 2017.
- ^ "Short film Lakeshore Drive September 23". 5 September 2017.
- ^ "Chicago independent film "Lakeshore Drive" gives a short, haunting ride along the iconic roadway". Archived from the original on 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2018-04-03.