POP ,

LIFE AFTER LOSS & WHAT COMES NEXT.

Basilio Romo is a Mexican American LGBTQ performance artist who creates music in the pop genre. Basilio’s training in the performing arts began at the young age of 16 with Shaun Royer [who developed Artist such as Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Hilary Duff and other legendary American pop sensations]. As a singer / songwriter, Basilio creates music which communicates life from a gay perspective.

A little history for our readers—Formerly Mr. Gay San Antonio America 2018 and Mr. Gay San Antonio USofA 2016, Basilio continues to act as a proud voice and creative producer for the LGBTQ community by participating in and hosting fundraisers Benefiting LGBTQ nonprofit organizations. He has performed his music live all over Texas for LGBTQ Festivals such as Pride SA 2015-2019, SPLASH South Padre, Out in The Park Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and was formally on the judging panel of the SA’s Got Talent show hosted by Ada Vox (American Idol finalist).

Basilio’s early music has played on San Antonio, Houston, and Austin radio stations. He made his feature length film debut as “hoodlum” in Oscar nominated director Richard

Linklater’s latest Netflix Film “Apollo 10 1/2”, 2021. Most recently, Basilio Romo has also entered the world of Drag performing under the name “Anita” [see Instagram @anita_verga].

This is all tip of the iceberg, things most already know. We went in depth to ask Basilio to share his full story, in his words, no holds barred. “I started getting into entertainment when I was about 15 years old. I started with acting classes and quickly got into singing classes and music theory lessons with my late mentor, Shaun Royer. I have faced many obstacles on my way. I started making my own music back in 2011 and back then I was told that I could not be featured as a mainstream artist because I was openly gay.” (Let that sink in a moment because even now in 2023 we still have so much more work to do by way of equal rights and opportunity.)

“Now today, artists like Lil Nas X, Sam Smith, and even the Drag Race phenomenon has broken the mold and boundaries, I now feel that there could be a place for me in the Pop Genre World. Being a Gay Artist, I’ve also faced a lot of obstacles getting jobs or sponsorship within my own community —because I won’t have sex with the show promotors or coordinators.” A brave statement about sexual harassment within the industry, even on a local level that most are afraid to come forward about, fearing being blacklisted or disbelieved. We at PEPPER, a publication run by and staffed in part by sexual abuse / assault survivors stand with Basilio and those like him who are unwilling to compromise themselves in light of fostering a culture of secrecy around abuse.

“I’ve had struggles throughout the years finding engineers and producers to work with because of my sexuality. Most producers in San Antonio I’ve come across don’t want to be associated to a queer artist. Until recently when I started working with my producer Gabe Garces and Hip/Hop engineer Stilo, I had never really been accepted by my heterosexual peers. I’ve also been scammed, which slowed me down the pass 2 years on releasing music.

During the pandemic in 2020, I received an Artist Grant from the City of San Antonio and I paid a producer (Reed Washington: CreditsMigos, Lil Xan…) who I have known for years and even worked with before successfully in the past [“Love Like That” and “Black Sheep”]. I paid him $2,000 to curate 2 new beats for me for an EP I was creating at the time. He stole my money and to this day I have not received a refund or any work. I think its worth mentioning so no one else gets scammed. (Reed is a Native San Antonian but currently resides in Los Angeles.)

So I’ve defiantly faced many obstacles. I still continue facing obstacles with just the fact that my social media following is close to non existent after being hacked during the pandemic in 2020.

However, I continue to make my work and to live my life as an open book. For me, if anyone can relate to my work and feels empowered to be themselves and live life, then I feel like I’m doing what I’m suppose to be doing in this world.”

The coming up stories you hear about life in the underbelly of the industry and systemic prejudice are all eerily similar. What Basilio has experienced is nothing new, and that‘s the problem. As open and educated as the world is at this point, the culture in the business needs to change. Basilio continues moving forward playing his role as an artist in hopes of helping to engender some of that change. He’s been knocked down, but he’s never stopped moving.

Taking it back to family life before the music, Romo tells us, “I would say my parents are very supportive. When I was a teenager they took me to all my acting workshops, vocal lessons, photoshoots and runway shows I’d partake in.” That is, in fact, how I came to know Basilio when he was only 16, as he came to my small apartment studio for a Photoshoot. I’ve beenrooting for him ever since. “When I traveled to LA and NYC to work on my previous endeavors from 2016-2019, they were supportive as well. I’m very lucky for them.

Being adopted when I was a baby, and being outed by my high school administration made things growing up in a conservative Chicano Christian home a bit difficult. But when it came to my talents, they always believed one day I could achieve my goals, as long as I keep working.” And work he has.

One of the first things you notice about Romo (even from his earlier years) is his unique curated style and keen fashion sense. “My personal style is inspired by anime characters, video games, cartoon characters (Final Fantasy, KingdomHearts, 7DeadlySins, Rocket Power, Looney Tunes…) and the early 2000s Pop era. I also love fashion like Mugler, Schiaparelli, McQueen, Dolce&Gabbana...but to be honest I think my late partner Jonathan really inspired my style. He really opened my mind and helped me discover a whole world of art, fashion, music and culture I never knew existed. I’ll always be grateful for all the things he showed me and taught me.”

We understand it’s a sensitive topic, but Basilio’s life was recently touched by tragedy in the loss of his partner. “This work I’m making right now has everything to do with my grieving process. When I first started working on this article with PEPPER Magazine, it was August 16, 2022. My partner had been missing for about four days. By that time, I had already called the city to make a welfare check and made a missing persons report with the police. Seven days after our initial shoot, I would find out that my late partner Jonathan Trevino passed away (August 22, 2022) in Los Angeles, California.” The death has been officially ruled as a suicide.

“It then took 2 1/2 months to get the results of his passing, to claim his body and to bring him home. I was not allowed to be present at his funeral service, I was not allowed to retrieve all my belongings from his home where I lived with him since 2019, upon the family’s request. It’s been a really tough grieving process.” A lack of closure has compounded the grief Basilio carries.

“Right now, the only thing keeping me going is my work. I want to be able to achieve the goals that he told me I was great enough to achieve. I just hope that, whatever the outcome is, I’ll be able to start moving forward. My main goal since his passing has been to not disrespect him by going down a spiral with drugs and alcohol. I want to honor him by being able to make all our dreams a reality, or at least giving it a real fair try.”

We shifted focus asking Romo how he chooses the the subjects of his songs. “In my earlier work I was very much focused on making feel good music, anything that makes you wanna dance and sing along to. Telling my own personal story was not a key factor at all. Right now I’m focused on telling my story, even if its just for myself. I’m just hoping I can learn and find myself through the process of making this new work.

I just want to be honest with myself so maybe then I can start to understand what I need to do to grow and be better in this life. Hopefully that inspires other people as well. But right now, I’m most focused on keeping myself inspired.

When I Started working on my upcoming single “Miss You”, it was because I had been grieving the loss of my partner Jonathan Trevino. I couldn’t find any music to listen to that I could relate to or sob to. Just searching for new music was difficult. So I decided to make my own song for myself that I could listen to while I grieve, that would make me think and hold myself accountable.

I hope that if there is someone out there looking for a song reading this, I hope that they can resonate with “Miss You”. But even if my song cant resinate with them, I hope this story can atleast inspire them or give them the courage they need to write their own song.

Ill give another example—my upcoming second follow up single “Star”. When I wrote “Star” during the pandemic, I was going through my contact list on my phone and I noticed I had some numbers in my phone since 2012. So with all the downtime I had locked up at home, I decided to clean out my contact list. When going through my contacts and cleaning out my list, I came across so many old friends’ numbers. I realized in that moment that so many of my friends are either hooked on hard drugs, in jail, or dead. And I started to be very grateful to still be alive, healthy, and most of all, have my freedom.

I’d say right now my key elements are just being honest with myself, my story, and coping with my reality. My work right now is all about accountability, healing, moving forward, rebuilding and learning how to forgive onesself. In the future, I hope I can touch on being fearless, powerful and mostly share how to become fearless and powerful.”

That all goes back to Basilio’s underlying mission and renewed sense of purpose. “I hope people (myself included) can be more empathetic to one an other. I believe the new music I’m releasing this spring definitely ignites that change.” Through the vehicle of his music, he has big dreams for what he’s hoping could come, “I would hope to one day land on the MTV VMA Stage. But honestly I’m happy working anywhere in this industry.”

As for advice to those pursuing a legitimate career in music, he suggests “learn music theory, and Practice! Also, be kind to everyone—there’s no reason not to be.”

So what’s next? “I have two NEW singles coming out [the before mentioned “Miss You” & “Star”] on all streaming platforms this spring 2023. “Miss You” will be released with a music video. I will be having a viewing party for the music video release, so please follow my social media for those details!

I also have web series out right now titled “Art Diary : Basilio Romo—Because I’m Clever”. The series follows me along my journey getting ready for this photoshoot / interview as well as the recording process for my new single “Miss You”, with some other personal confessionals that I’ve decided to share. You can watch “Art Diary : Basilio Romo— Because I’m Clever” on my Youtube, Instagram and my Facebook page.

You can also see me Basilio perform in Drag as “Anita” Feb 19, 2022 at Kuntsler Brewing.” Anita will continue to make appearances and be a voice tor the LGBTQ community, so follow her namesake page as well. [YouTube @basilioromo_ • Instagram @basilioromo • Facebook/basilioromo • TikTok @.Basilioromo ]

“I just want anyone out there reading to know that things in life are really hard and extremely unfair, but I’m here with you. You’re not alone—find that one thing that keeps you going and don’t stop. Keep going.

Even after you’ve come out of the dark and into the light, just keep going!”

*For inquiries / bookings, email basilioromo@icloud.com