Skater Spotlight: Rebel Killson

Skater Spotlight on Rebel Killson, Captain of the Fight Crew!

LADD: When did you start skating with LADD and did you have any skating experience prior?

 RK: I started skating with LADD about 3 1/2 years ago. I had just moved to LA from New York City. A friend took me to the Ri-ettes vs Gotham and from the moment I walked up the ramp at the Doll Factory I knew it was something I needed to be a part of. Previously I was a competitive figure skater. I started when I was 3 and stopped when I was 21. I was lucky enough to be a part of the U.S. National and world team for two seasons. 

LADD: Please tell us more about your experience on the US national and world figure skating teams.

RK: I attended Miami University for college. They have a synchronized skating team there which is a varsity sport for the school. In addition, it's a national and world ranked team. I skated with them for two seasons. We traveled worldwide for competitions to places like Italy and Sweden. It was a great experience. We competed at a very high level, made some amazing friends, and overall was a very unique experience I'm so thankful I was a part of. 

LADD: Is there a lot of overlap between the skills used in figure skating and roller derby? Did figure skating teach you any bad habits that you had to break to be better at roller derby?

RK: There are a lot of skills that overlap between figure skating and roller derby. I had skated my entire life so putting on roller skates took a little adjustment but at this point I think my roller skating skills have surpassed my ice skating skills!! Coming from ice skating I think the best asset I carried with me was my edging. In derby it allows me to change direction quickly, juke, or do strange flamingo call offs when jamming. Bad habits... I think my most noticeable bad habit is my hand that flares out when I jam. See any picture ever taken of me. It's there haha. 

LADD: What committees/groups are you a part of within the league?

RK: I was previously involved in Juniors for a couple of years, which was awesome. I've taught Derby Por Vida. I've been a part of training team. And I'm now captain of Fight Crew. I do love being involved in different aspects of the league because it's provided me with so many things. 

LADD: You have stepped up your game as a jammer in the past year. Was this something you focused on in particular?

RK: Honestly. I'm so superstitious. I do the exact same thing before every game. I wear the same outfit to the track. I eat the same lunch. I drink the same flavor of Gatorade. But what I focused on? I seriously think what I focused on was my team… and how much they mean to me. They drive me every week. Many of them are my best friends that I talk to each and every day. Fight Crew has an amazing camaraderie. Win or lose I just feel so lucky to take the track with them… call them my teammates and call them my friends.    

LADD:The Fight Crew roster has seen a lot of new additions in the past year. How would you say the newcomers are doing?  

RK: Fight Crew has seen crazy roaster changes since I joined the team. Chargin Tina. Haught Wheels. Armed Kandy. Bombshell Betty. Skeev Jobs. Snark. The list goes on. We lost so many of our all stars in the past few seasons to retirement or moving on with their life and doing amazing things. But the team has changed a lot. But with that change we have also expanded. We have gained some amazing players. Like Remix, Bootz, Rita, Yolo and countless others. We also still have some amazing vets like Broady. Darla. Lusty. Rage. And amazing talents like Belle and Sly. We have a strong team and we have really rebuilt ourselves. 

LADD: Has the team identity changed over the past year?

RK: Kind of going off the previous question. We have had a mass change in our lineup. But with that we have had fresh blood and allowed ourselves to rebuild and come back stronger. 

LADD: Share with us a secret/odd bit of trivia that few people know about you.

RK: I'm a Disney obsessed person. I go to Disneyland a few times a month. Growing up, my family vacation was always to Disney World. Every year that's where we went. When I first moved to LA I didn't know anyone, so I went to Disneyland frequently. After joining derby I met a lot of the people who also go to Disneyland so it's a win win!

LADD: Who is your favorite Disney princess?  Villain?

RK: Favorite princess is Snow White. My mom credits her for getting me to wear underwear… which she actually told to the character when we were at the park once when I was like 27. Felt great. Favorite villain that's a tough one… I'm going with Queen Grimhilde. 

LADD: How do you feel about flat track roller derby?

RK: Flat track isn't my thing. I love the banked. I love the speed… I love the agility. I admire the athleticism of flat track. But I'm live or die banked track. 

LADD: Recently you worked with nomore.org.  What was that like?

RK: No more excuses!! I love no more. Because to me it's empowerment to women. My empowerment was roller derby and LADD. Before roller derby and LADD I was very shy. Very closeted. Roller derby and this league allowed me to be much more confident and proud of who I am. Nomore.org is a great representation of women and their rights and empowerment. Stand up. Speak up. Be proud. 

LADD: If someone is reading this right now who is shy and not feeling empowered, how can roller derby help them build that confidence and empowerment?

RK: Roller derby is just a great community. It brings people together from all walks of life. We all volunteer to help run the league so at the end of the day we are all incredibly passionate about this sport. I really think that's what helped me be more confident and more outgoing. It was the people that were here and the lifelong friends that I've made here. 

LADD: Could you see yourself becoming a trainer or coach later on?

RK: I have coached juniors… which was amazing and rewarding. I have been a part of training team. Both were extremely rewarding. In real life I've been a personal trainer for almost 9 years. So safe to say I love training!

LADD: Are you a fan of sports other than roller derby?

RK: I mean I cheer on any Cleveland sports team cause that's where I'm from. Mistake by the lake. 

LADD:  What was the last thing you watched on Netflix?

RK: Phineous and Ferb. Don't judge me.