Lady Red – A Sparkling Tribute

With so many talents and so many reasons to love her, Lady Red Couture deserves more than one professional identifier. A powerhouse musician is only one such role, but one worth highlighting

The first time I met Lady Red was outside Fubar. I had just finished dinner at Laurel Hardware next door and my friends and I had plans on visiting a bar or two down the street. “Oh my god that’s Lady Red!” I told them. “From Hey Qween…” and got no response. It didn’t matter. I trotted over and made brief conversation. “We have a whole pizza we didn’t eat Lady Red, would you like it?” I asked before she smiled with a pause. “No vegetables, right?” I said “No of course not. I know the rules.” She accepted it and gave me a hug.

Years later after I had moved to Los Angeles, Lady Red was doing much more than a (very successful) Youtube show and acting as Door Diva at Fubar. Jonny McGovern (Who had a litany of music projects of his own and a dozen podcasts, online shows etc.) would put on quirky events featuring and promoting Lady Red’s new single “The Rent,” produced by Jonny’s long-time collaborator Adam Joseph. Some friends and I attended the premiere party for it as well as a few live performances at bars and clubs around the city. I never missed a chance to see her.

A highlight for me was attending her “Black Girl Magic” talent collective at a downtown club around the holidays. She sold her legendary fried chicken sweet potato pies, which she famously made only once a year. I had to go. I had to try it. It did not disappoint.

My friend who I had dragged along didn’t seem to understand the urgency. I was not one to initiate a trip out of my way for a drag show, unless it was for Lady Red. He quickly understood my fandom.

A common part of my routine living near West Hollywood was taking a stroll down the boulevard to say hello to Lady Red outside of the various bars at which she worked the door. She was the draw. Not the drinks or the guys or any other stunts any bar could pull. She was the Stunt Queen.

I’d talk to her about what she’d eaten. How her night was going. I’d tell her “don’t lie to me girl I’m just as annoyed as you are with this mess.” And she’d erupt into her uproarious, low-yet-high signature laugh. Such a satisfying sound. You really felt accomplished if you ever made Lady Red laugh.

Recently, I was preparing final details at a beautiful rented house in Palm Springs for my 30th birthday party. Some of my good friends from LA were just arriving, with a few coworkers on the way to help us celebrate in the best way we could, despite everything going on in the world. I was setting up the bar outside on the counter surrounding the covered grill next to the splashing fountain, the humongous rectangular pool just beyond that. I was so happy that things were coming together. I was really surprised that people showed up, and flattered nearly to tears.

“Aaron…” One of my original Hollywood friends said to me with a perplexed expression. “I hate to tell you this during your party but…Lady Red died.”

I put down the beer bottles in my arms, clutching the bottle opener in one hand and letting the mini-fridge door swing against my leg. “What…?”

He was one of several friends who I had made very aware of my love for Lady Red Couture. It was difficult to explain who she was to the others who caught on and asked what had happened.

Since then, I can best sum up that I could not call her a friend. Far too many people adored her for me to claim that. I’m a fan, promoter and cheerleader for Lady Red. I was overjoyed to spread her gospel of love by bringing friends along to her shows, or playing them clips of the podcasts that she was a part of. I’d sprinkle her songs into playlists that I proudly shared for parties or holidays.

Sad doesn’t even begin… I’m crushed. I’m worried about her friends and loved ones. The rest of us who won’t get to return post-COVID to the clubs with her at the door. My solace at this time comes from my confidence in the fact that I never wasted an opportunity to be in her presence. I enjoyed her music, her jokes and her creative performances as much as I could manage, and I am so grateful that I was able to do so.

With that, I invite you to enjoy some of her songs and encourage you to keep them on rotation. Someone with that much light deserves for her torch to be carried.

Rest In Peace, Lady Red.