Gabriella Stella Interview | Respect the Artist
Gabriella Rubin is a poetess from Staten Island, NY who uses poetry to express her most raw emotions. She is the Founder of the Haus of Expression, where she helps poets evolve and express themselves as writers in an emotionally safe & supportive space. The Haus of Expression was featured in the 2022 NYC Poetry Festival and will be featured in 2023.. Gabriella has performed across the US and on international stages. She ran a show in Mexico called "The Flo Show" that is still running in Ireland.
How did you get your name?
My artist name was originally inspired by my late Italian grandpa, Guiseppe Vitale. He referred to my mom and aunts as “Stella Bella, which translates to “Beautiful Star”. Being that poetry runs in my grandpa’s bloodline, I wanted to create a stage name in his honor that is unique to me, which is what originally led to the thought of Gabriella Stella. However… Gabriella Stella has a double-sided meaning for me. When contemplating Gabriella Stella I was hit with a wave of sadness, because Stella would replace my Jewish last name, Rubin. (My mother is Italian and my father is Jewish) I had a fear of not representing the entirety of me… and then it hit me! The Star of David is the Jewish symbol and what my ancestors had to wear on their chest in which millions were killed for. This is the moment I knew “Gabriella Stella'' was divine. Stella allows me to embody both sides of my bloodline and represent the ancestors who have gotten me here.
How did you get into creating?
Creating came much later in life for me, from the ages 8-22 basketball ruled my days. The term “ball is life” was indeed a fact haha. Basketball took up so much of my energy and when not on the court I was studying accounting or math. I never had the time to explore other aspects of myself that were fluid and creative. After basketball ended and I entered the real world of working as an accountant at a Big 4, I went into a reality shock and started to experience anxiety and depression in a way I never had. One day I picked up a pen and wrote the poem “Shadows” which was the first poem I had written in 10 years… after writing Shadows I couldn’t stop! I was uncovering so much of myself …next thing I knew… I had 100 poems and was totally in love with poetry. From there I never looked back.
Where are you from?
Staten Island, New Yawkkkkkk!!!
How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?
Staten Island is home in every aspect. I grew up in a close-knit family and was raised alongside my cousins (more like siblings). I was taught the value of love at its core; which I take into every aspect of my life. As I got older, basketball started to get more serious. I began to play AAU on the NYC Heat, in which my teammates were from all 5 boroughs. This was one of the most eye-opening time periods for me because my team was so diverse. I was exposed to the different cultures of each borough. My teammates expanded my vision and introduced me to new music, style, vibes, food, slang, and more; all while hooping with New York’s top players. I took away a lot of lessons on and off the court.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
I can be super fiery, and when things feel right I often jump without looking! A couple of months after I started writing poetry I decided to start a poetry club. At this time I had no real knowledge of poetry but here I was leading a club and hosting workshops every week haha! Running those workshops and leading a club gave me no choice but to learn and level up! Especially when the club started attracting some serious talent like Karina G Lopez. She straight up told me these workshops were not advanced enough. Since meeting her through the club she has been a huge ally for my development and we currently meet 1v1 for further growth. I also ask questions and try to remain patient. I’ve only been doing poetry for 3 years which is nothing compared to other poets out there. After playing basketball for 20 years I gained the understanding that to become a master you simply have to put in the time! I think this mindset has helped me grow enormously because I keep plenty of room open for improvement and don’t stay married to any piece. I believe I can learn something from everyone so I remain a student at all times.
What does your current setup look like?
Poems are constantly coming through me whether at work, in the car, or shower. However, my ideal setup would be in my room, a quiet house, in my pajamas… where I can really sit and feel what is going on underneath the surface. I need a pen and paper, writing on a phone or computer doesn’t feel right to me. I need my technology off and no distractions when writing. This allows me the space to listen to my soul and feel the energy. Writing poetry is a very spiritual practice for me and it’s important for me to connect to the higher source/God.
Who inspires you?
The flowers, the butterflies, the sun! Simply put God and all the ways he expresses love. This life is a journey of coming home to ourselves and releasing all false beliefs to live in our truth. God inspires me because he put poetry in my heart… out of nowhere haha! Throughout most of my life, I was in my fierce fiery energy… which is what I needed to succeed in my sport. My fire will always be a huge part of me, but now I am being called to get softer, go deeper, and express myself.
What is your goal when you create?
My goal is to channel whatever I feel pouring through me… in hopes to spread light, connect and help people evolve. Art is God and creating art when I am in alignment with what I’m feeling is powerful. The words I write are forever immortal and can impact those around me. It could change the life of someone in 400 years and that is the enormous power of the butterfly effect.
Why do you create?
I create because it feels good! God doesn’t just put things in people’s hearts for no reason and poetry feels so right in a way words can’t express. That is how I know this is what I am supposed to be doing.
How has choosing your creative path affected your life?
The creative path has brought color to my days! I see the world as art. Before art, my life was feeling dull, I always had this knowing that something was missing. Choosing this path has made me softer and more vulnerable. Sharing my deepest truths is not easy, it takes strength and trust in my own words. I have had to overcome so many doubts to continue to get up on stage and share pieces of myself.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?
Speaking in front of people was one of my biggest fears. I was ok with being in the back, unseen. When finding my love for poetry it never once crossed my mind to get on a stage and share my work. It wasn't until I was in Tulum, Mexico that I went to an open mic. My friends who often got on stage encouraged me to get up there and try. I will never forget this night... the open mic was at Radio Tulum, it was a Virgo full moon and for the first time I got up there! My legs were shaking uncontrollably and I felt like I was going to pass out. I read right off of my phone and shared a couple of poems as my voice shook. It wasn't until after I got off stage that things changed for me. Three girls ran up to me crying because of the pieces I shared. They expressed how much power they felt in my voice and that my words were what they needed to hear. This is the moment when it hit me that my poetry can help other people. after this I made a decision, I was going to keep going. I faced my fear time and time again. I started getting on stage 3/4 times a week at one point, each time shaking and sickly anxious. I knew I had to keep going. It wasn't until about 30 stage appearances later it started to get a little bit easier. I had to accept that God wants me to be seen and that my comfort zone was just holding me back. I had and still have to face the vulnerability of messing up in front of people, sharing personal pieces, and being SEEN. It has been a journey, but getting through these obstacles makes me feel liberated.
What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?
In the past couple of weeks, my most played song is "Butterfly" by The Emmitt Sisters. On May 6 I lost my grandma and it has been a very challenging time for me. This song reminds me that cracking open is needed in order to grow.
What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?
My dream as an artist is to travel the world sharing my poetry through Spoken Word and published books. I also want to get into songwriting and create art with my poems. Right now I am focused on improving my work and getting on bigger stages. I am also in the works of writing my first book!
What would you tell someone else with a dream?
You have nothing to lose only to gain, GO FOR IT! Become close friends with discomfort and failure.
Tell us about your most recent release: I recently had the utmost honor to share a poem at my grandma's burial called "Casa of Love". This was one of the most special moments of my life that I will treasure forever. On May 6th when she passed I had 3 days to prepare a poem that encapsulated her life. It was a great deal of pressure but I wouldn't of had it any other way, and I was going to make sure I honored my grandma's life.
Check it out
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsFC0YMtbIX/
Connect with Gabriella
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamgab/
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