Imani Ortiz is the woman behind Las Vegas radio personality DJ Bad Gyrl. She currently hosts The Bad Gyrl Show on Vegas All Net Radio and co-hosts The Party Zone on KLAV.

Gay Vegas recently got the chance to ask the DJ some questions.

What led you to start a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize “this is it”?

I wish I could say I had this long broadcasting career in radio, but that’s not the case. I came into Bruce Garrett’s office at the KLAV radio station looking for a commercial for my business because a friend of mine told me I could get one produced for a good price. After meeting with him for a few hours, Bruce mentioned he was looking for a co-host for his Nights Over Las Vegas third hour segment – The Party Zone. After convincing me to come on his show as a guest I signed on three weeks after meeting him. It was very natural for me to entertain the audience. I got the radio bug. After that day I stayed on his show. I am just very blessed. When I am presented with an opportunity I take it and run with it. Bruce played a big role in convincing me to do my show The Bad Gyrl Show. And 15 months later here I am on their sister station VANR. My show launched March 6th of this year and I plan to do big things with it. You will have to stay tuned to see what new things unfold.

How can people listen to you and do they have to live in Las Vegas to tune in?  

No, absolutely not. It’s very easy to listen – just download the Vegas All Net Radio (VANR) App on your Android or iPhone. If you don’t have a phone – but I think almost everyone does – you can always listen from your computer as well from my website, www.djbadgyrlvegas.com. Internet radio is the future. Look at Pandora. It has 14 million registered users. It has satisfied music lovers all over the world. I love the idea that you can listen to me anywhere just by downloading the app on your phone. I have Google Analytics on my website and my site gets hits from different states and countries, such as Greece, Italy, South Korea and Russia. I have a decent audience in Russia. Who would have thought that? It’s nuts, but I love it.

So what does “Bad” mean in the name DJ Bad Gyrl?

Almost everyone assumes the name Bad means something negative, as in naughty behavior. It’s not like that. The name Bad Gyrl was given to me while I was attending personal training school in Chicago by a friend of mine. He knew what a prankster I was – I would prank my roommates. I was known for throwing ice on my roommates while they were in the shower, breaking eggs on their heads and smearing chocolate pudding in their hair for no reason. I love to make people laugh and have fun.

Tell me something interesting about you

I remember, one time, I printed the application to be cast on the show Bad Girls Club. I filled it out and sent it to the casting director. I was shocked that they called me back and left a message on my mother’s voicemail at home. They were interested in meeting with me in person. I interviewed with them at Joe’s Bar in Chicago early in the morning. I answered a few questions, but I never got picked. I think I wasn’t crazy enough for the show. I was sure I would get picked. It’s a good thing I didn’t because my mother was absolutely against me being on the show. I would have definitely acted a fool anyways.

What do you like to do for fun when you are not in radio mode?

Fun to me is working on conducting business. I am a businesswoman first. I am a certified spray tan technician. When I am not working on formats for radio, I am out promoting my radio show and learning nightclub promoting from my good friend VIP host Will Miller. I’m always thinking of new designs for my t-shirt line Marilyn Junkie that launches end of April. I am an artist at heart. I love art.

How interactive are you with your audience via your website or social media, such as Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter?   

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I am very interactive. I try to answer all the emails and messages I get daily. I love to thank those who support what I do. Without the audience there’s no reason to do radio. I love when I get messages that make me smile – that’s always a great feeling.

So the ladies want to know– are you single or taken?

Well, depends who’s asking. LOL Yes, I am single. Ready to mingle. See you ladies at Dinah Vegas!

What are some of your favorite celebrity interviews?

I don’t have a favorite really because each interview is different. I really loved interviewing Sandy Sachs, the founder of Dinah Vegas. Who doesn’t know her? I loved her. She was great in person. I am covering Dinah Vegas this year again – hope to see everyone there!

By the way, I don’t have a program manager at the station. I book every single interview I get. I literally do the job of two people, but I love it. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have some big, big interviews coming up. You guys will have to tune in.

What are you plans for the rest of 2015?  

First, make The Bad Gyrl Show the baddest radio show on VANR! Bring the best celeb interviews, music and funniest on-air pranks. I want to entertain my audience and make it the best music show there is.

I also just got the call the other day from representative Janice Lipnisky – she wants me to be the face of Clique Vodka. It’s a blessing to get a call from a company such as Clique Vodka and I look forward to doing big things with them.

Second is to launch my clothing line Marilyn Junkie. I am a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe. I can’t give away too many details, but it’s centered around her. I personally designed each design for the line. Hope you guys love it. You will be able to buy it directly from my website.

I will be donating a percentage of the proceeds to the Scleroderma foundation. My father passed away a year ago from this rare form of cancer. I came to Vegas with my father’s blessing. I didn’t want to leave him back home, but he told me, “go to Vegas.” A month after I arrived he passed away. So I am on a mission to make him proud.

Third – it’s a long shot, but I would love to bring The Bad Gyrl Show to XM Radio or Sirius. Anything is possible with hard work and determination. I want to show people that with this recipe dreams do come true. I am just going to do what I do best and that is entertain audiences through music and my big mouth.   

You can tune into The Bad Gyrl Show every Friday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Vegas All Net Radio. You can also catch Imani co-hosting The Party Zone on KLAV from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. 

Visit www.djbadgyrlvegas.com for more information on Imani and her work.