Coco Marusix confesses: her glory years, the drama she experienced, will there be a movie of her life? and more

This is the central story of the video clip of “Fly”, the latest musical success of the national rock group Bala Perdida. Audiovisual proposal of social denunciation starring Coco Marusix (Callao, 1964) and La Uchulú, influential TikToker who plays Marilyn as a young woman.

Marusix Campos, iconic artist of the LGBTI+ community, returns to the acting scene after two decades of absence. The last thing she did was the film by director Michael Kats, “Ladies Bathroom” (2002). A year later, she suffered a stroke that temporarily took her away from the stage.

“Marilyn, my character in this video clip, shone on stage until she faced a difficult moment of hate and violence. A situation that did not kill her, but marked her for life. I felt identified with her because they have always persecuted us. When the raid came or a group of boys wanted to hit you, if you weren’t lucky enough to be able to run, you had to hide under the car. It usually happened at dawn, when you left the clubs“, remember.

The sensuality, self-confidence, elegance and mischief of the 58-year-old figure revolutionized the 80s and 90s. She was one of the first trans vedettes in Peru. She dazzled in the coffee theaters and was part of the cast of actors of “Risas y salsa”. Her popularity grew considerably after repeated interviews with Jaime Bayly, with whom she was romantically linked.

triumphs and falls

In 1982, when she was barely 16 years old, after obtaining second place in a beauty contest, the owner of the historic nightclub Perseo proposed to Coco Marusix to be part of a transvestite show. An opportunity that the artist took advantage of to show her talent to producers like Efraín Aguilar, who after taking her to a music magazine (Music Travesti Hall), integrated her into his cast of “Risas y salsa”.

“He was underage, but no one knew (laughs). She was dazzled. Working with Analí Cabrera, Teddy Guzmán, who to this day is my great friend, ‘Felpudini’…, was a luxury. They all welcomed me with open arms. They guided me, they taught me, they showed me the path to success, she emphasizes. “From Teddy, for example, I learned elegance, sobriety and good taste. When I started I believed that the more glitter I used, the more regal I looked. Completely false“, Add.

─Did your parents support you on that path?

I grew up with my grandparents. They always supported me. My dad was closed, he was one of those who thought that the man had to work and the woman be in the kitchen. For a long time he refused to see what was really going on, but he never forbade me anything.

─Did you deal with homophobic bullying at school?

No, because I never deprived myself of anything. If I had to play soccer, jump off the stool, or topple, I did it. I lived my age in every way. And the boys in my class were like my brothers: they protected me, they took care of me.

─ Do you remember how was your first time on stage?

It was in November 1983. I danced “Cabaret”. She was nervous. I was afraid that the chair she was carrying in her hand, the cap or the wig would fall off. I concentrated on the choreography and forgot about the audience. It was beautiful. At the end of the show, they gave me a standing ovation. My skin got goosebumps.

─Did you have any artistic reference?

I watched Teresa Dávila on television. I loved her, she was seductive and graceful.

─After “Risas y salsa”, in 1998 you hosted “Loca Visión” with Marisol Malpartida, a program that only aired for one day. Why didn’t it work?

Thinking, now, cold, and without looking for an excuse, I think it was because of the production. They did not even agree with the guests. Communication was lousy, they fought a lot. A guide was missing.

─Did the kiss, the flirtations and double meaning games on TV with Jaime Bayly form part of a show?

Until now people continue to think that there was something between us. Nothing happened other than what everyone saw. When we met in the street, we greeted each other, then each one by his side. Everything was show.

─Is it true that he went to your presentations and then entered your dressing room?

When I was doing “My Son’s Boyfriend” at the Teatro Arlequín, it’s true that Jaime went to see me, but he wasn’t alone. It was with his producer, Ximena Ruiz Rosas. He wanted to meet me before interviewing me to find out how I was going to handle the interview. He did it without any hint of romance. Also, at that time I had a partner.

─ Were you with a character from the show, football or politics?

At that time I had several suitors, but it was yesterday and I don’t remember.

Will you tell it one day? For example, in a book or in a movie?

More than a book or a movie, I would like to make a documentary about my life. It probably encourages me to tell many things. Recently, Ernesto Pimentel called me to participate in his film, we are in talks.

─ Do you remember the moment of greatest brightness on stage?

Definitely, when I did the Marilyn Monroe musical. The applause from the public was endless. She was a very difficult character, but she gave me great satisfaction.

─In 2003, at the age of 36 and in the prime of your career, you suffered a stroke that changed your life. After 20 years, how do you remember that moment?

It was very difficult. At first she didn’t accept it. Now I know that it could have happened to me at 20, like at 40, because it is a genetic issue. I fell asleep watching the movie “Maid in Manhattan” by Jennifer Lopez. When I woke up, the left side of my body was numb. I thought it would happen, but trying to stand up, I fell. Crawling I was able to reach the door, which was locked, and call a friend with whom I shared a house. She took me to the hospital. She practically carried me to the cab.

─Is it true that you received discriminatory treatment in the hospital?

Something happened that upset me, but over time I understood that it was a nurse’s job to do what she did. After asking me if I was allergic to any drugs, he asked me if I had HIV. I told her no, however she asked me again. And she kept doing it. When she had already asked me like 200 times, I yelled at her. Finally, I had to leave Edgardo Rebagliatti. They couldn’t see me because I wasn’t insured. They took me to the Military Hospital clinic, thanks to the fact that Álex Otiniano’s sister, may he rest in peace, worked there. My family and friends were decisive in my recovery. They supported me emotionally and financially.

─Being so independent, I imagine that dependence would have been the most difficult.

Completely. Before the therapies it was hard for me to sit alone. Asking for help for everything was very uncomfortable. It was quite difficult, but I learned with time and countless falls, like 800 thousand (laughs), to stand on my own again.

Was it a life lesson?

It was a lesson in faith and being a better person. And not because it was a m….. before, but because it teaches you to be more sensitive to things in life.

─Is it true that you thought about ending your life?

In my room I had a window, not very big. One day I thought about diving from there. When I tried to stand up to do it, I fell. The blow hurt so much that I didn’t try it anymore (laughs). Then something amazing happened: I was in bed and I felt someone touch my head. At that moment my body began to wake up. It was a sign, I understood that I needed patience, I had to wait.

How did you manage to get out of that depression?

Thanks to my family. Having them by my side helped me not to feel alone, to continue with my therapies and to eradicate negative thoughts. Little by little I returned to my work. The owners of Vale Todo gave me the opportunity to reconnect with the public.

How was that reunion?

They applauded me tearfully. It was very exciting. They put me a kind of podium with wheels to be able to move from one place to another. I couldn’t dance or wear heels, but the affection of the public was revitalizing. I became more cautious, I stopped doing crazy things.

─What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

Going to Cusco to look for an ex-partner with whom I had fought. He didn’t know exactly where she was. I was guided by a photo that he shared. I hovered around that place for several days. Finally, I found it. That crazy story had a nice ending.

─What projects do you have for the rest of the year?

I want to travel to the United States to meet up with some friends there. At this stage of my life, I’m not one to make plans, I let life surprise me.

New generation

Esaú Reátegui Wong, better known as La Uchulú, She plays Marilyn as a young woman in the video clip for “Volar”. The artist from Pucallpino who achieved great popularity thanks to his choreography of “I don’t know” left comedy for a moment to experiment in drama with Marusix in this new audiovisual proposal.

“It was an honor to meet Coco Marusix and record with her. We recorded a whole day, from 11 in the morning to midnight. It was a great opportunity to experience the more serious side of acting. A different concept than what I’m normally used to. I loved getting out for a moment of comedy”, he highlights.

“It is a moving story. On the very day that Marilyn is beaten until she is disabled by savages, she is given a new dress for her show, which she never got to wear when she was young. She puts it on as an adult and starts doing her show for herself, to feel full“, Add.

The name ‘La Uchulú’, he explains, comes from the mispronunciation of his first name. She acquires it as a therapy, to overcome a strong depression as a result of a terrible experience that she had to live.

“Uchulú is my refuge, my safe and happy place. He helped me out of depression when I wanted to commit suicide. The videos I made served me as therapy. When I’m having a hard time, I put on the wig and transform myself because she can make all dreams come true. She is the queen”, underlines Esaú, who currently integrates the cast of artists of the Circus of La Chola Chabuca.

The official presentation of “Volar”, as well as “Ruge la ciudad”, the new official album by the band made up of Ángel Romano (lead guitar), Jorge Zagal (bassist), Enrique Visaloth (vocals), Juan Diego Rodríguez (guitar rhythm), Jorge Paz (second guitar) and Lucas Chirinos (drums), will be held this August 17, at the Selina de Miraflores. They will be accompanied by the groups Argot, Royal Flush and Diana Foronda’s solo project. Coco Marusix and La Uchulú will also arrive to close the show.