Cho & Tell
Subscribe
Cover photo

She Started DJ’Ing in Her 40s and Now She’s One of The Biggest DJs in The World

How Marjorie Gubelmann went from social fixture to one of the biggest DJs in the world...

Alina Cho

Apr 27
1
5

You may know her as Mad Marj... the DJ with the diamond touch.

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

The resident DJ of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna.

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

The jet-set DJ who spins for Dolce & Gabbana.

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

The lady in the fabulous frock who, just two weeks ago, DJ'd the FIT Annual Awards Gala honoring Serena Williams.

She’s one of the most sought-after DJs in the world.

Who played tunes from her dining room during the darkest days of the pandemic.

Photo courtesy: Marjorie Gubelmann

Here’s what you may not know about Mad Marj.

Her real name is Marjorie Gubelmann.

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

Most of her friends say if they were ever in trouble, she would be their first call.

She’s there for you, and always – always – tells it like it is.

ALINA CHO: You worked at your radio station in college?

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Correct, I did. I was a DJ on college radio. I went to a school called New England College in 1987. It was in a teeny, teeny town in New Hampshire called Henniker. And I was not a good match for the town. It had a pub, a bong shop, a gas station, and a Chinese restaurant.

ALINA CHO: Okay…

MAJORIE GUBELMANN: I wore all black. I drove an Audi. I smoked Marlboro Lights. I listened to new wave music. Everyone was wearing tie dye, and I was like, “Oh my God.”

ALINA CHO: You were listening to The Cure while everybody else was listening to the Grateful Dead.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I was fascinated with music ever since I was a little girl. So, I said, "I want to be on this radio." And they were like, "Well, you have to pass your broadcasting test." It was hard, but I did it. I passed, and they said, "Okay, you have a show." And I had a show once a week on Thursdays from 3-6. And they said, "What's your DJ name?" And I said, "Mad Marj."

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

ALINA CHO: It's so crazy. I had no idea.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: That's where the name came from, and I would play new wave music by myself in a basement, telling jokes to myself.

ALINA CHO: And probably, like, five people were listening, right?

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: You know what's weird? It became kind-of a thing.

ALINA CHO: Of course, it did.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I had a really good slot, and I’d make up stupid competitions. I'd say, "If you call in…” and I'd find something in my closet and give it away. That was me, just chatting away, playing the tunes that I liked.

ALINA CHO: Let's fast forward all these years. It's 2011, and Mickey Boardman, your very close friend, and my friend as well, is having a birthday party.

Mickey Boardman and Marjorie Gubelmann; Photo courtesy: Marjorie Gubelmann

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: It goes back. He is planning the party.

ALINA CHO: Okay.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And we're at Sunday lunch at my apartment, which you have been to.

ALINA CHO: Yes.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And we are talking about all these young girl DJs who could be my child, basically.

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And I said, "Oh, you know, in college I was a DJ on the radio." And he looked at me and he goes, "Girl, you're going to DJ my birthday." I was like, "Mickey, no. I don't what I'm doing. It's been 30 years," or whatever it was.

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And he goes, "These people play on an iPad. Of course, you can do it. I'll have a man there who can help you." And I said, "Okay, well, I'll just do 15 minutes." And he's like, "I don't care. That's perfect. Put on one of your dresses." And I did.

ALINA CHO: I know you did.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And that's how it all happened. So many friends were there, and they were like, "Wait a minute. Is Marjorie the DJ?” And I’m mouthing out, "Yeah, I don't know what I'm doing." Two hours later, I was still like, "Woo!"

ALINA CHO: I was going to say, it wasn't 15 minutes.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: No, it was the rest of my life.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: An important thing to say, and for people to know is, I was in my 40s.

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I'd come out of a very unpleasant divorce, which had left me in a financial situation which was not optimal, and I needed money.

ALINA CHO: Yeah.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I needed money to look after my son, myself, and to live.

Marjorie Gubelmann with her son, Cyrus; Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

And the phone rang immediately following that birthday party with jobs that were very good jobs, with money that I really needed. And because I was 40 and not 20, I thought, I should really learn how to do this and not fake it.

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I called a friend's boyfriend who was running Warner Music at the time.

ALINA CHO: Yes, I know.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I said, "Don't laugh and don't ask any questions, but I need to go to DJ school." He said, "Okay, you have to go to Scratch [DJ] Academy. It was founded by Jam Master Jay." And I told one person. I thought, if it doesn't turn into anything, no one knows.

ALINA CHO: Yeah, totally.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Under promise, over deliver.

ALINA CHO: That’s what I always say.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Move quietly. Then, when I graduated, I got my diploma, and my first job was for Clinique.

ALINA CHO: Oh, wow.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I didn't say I was a DJ for a really long time.

ALINA CHO: Why not?

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: This is why. I was scared, because I really loved it, and I was getting paid. So, I was like, this can't last. This is too good to be true.

ALINA CHO: Well, they now call you, “The DJ with the diamond touch.”

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Well, I wonder why. Because of the jewelry.

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

ALINA CHO: Let’s talk about that, because, let's be honest, part of your appeal is…

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: The way I look. My fancy dress.

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

ALINA CHO: Big jewels, fabulous dress.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Correct.

ALINA CHO: Amazing hair and makeup.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Always, full on.

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

ALINA CHO: Full on.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: That’s definitely what people want. I mean, I think if I showed up in some leggings and a t-shirt, they would be like, “Wait, wait, we want the girl with all the makeup and the jewels and the dress on.”

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

ALINA CHO: That’s right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Playing the hits.

ALINA CHO: That’s the other thing. You play the most amazing want-to-get-out-and-dance music.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: It depends on the crowd. But I also know my crowd.

Instagram: @marjoriegubelmann

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: If it’s a teenager thing, do not hire me. I am not the right fit. I am friends with your parents. Do not hire me. I will say no. It will be embarrassing for everyone.

ALINA CHO: One last question. Do you ever think to yourself, “Oh, gosh, I love it so much, I should have started this earlier”?

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: No. I never think that because I wasn't ready. I was too insecure to have started this earlier, because in my younger years, I think in my brain, I would've thought being a DJ meant you weren't accomplished. I had to go through all those peaks and valleys of my life to reach a place where I'm like, “I don't care. I want to do what makes me happy.”

Subscribe for free to Cho & TellEmmy Award-winning Journalist, Producer of the upcoming Netflix documentary on Martha Stewart and Host of The Atelier with Alina Cho writes about the people, places and things that catch her eye.
By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with Alina Cho to receive their original content, including promotions. Unsubscribe at any time. Meta will also use your information subject to the Bulletin Terms and Policies
1
5

More from Cho & Tell
See all

Top 10 Nude Wedges for Your 2022 Summer — Both Luxury & Budget Options Included!

From the chicest designer options… to sandals under $99…. this list has the very best sandals of the season!
Today

He Changed Men's Swimwear and His New Pop-Up Shop is the Place to Go Before You Book Your Summer Trip!

Thorsun La Isla Manhattan has everything from men's to women's to home decor to beauty products... and it may be here to stay!
May 19

Burnout Sent Calvin Klein’s Creative Director Home to Brazil Where He Discovered the Star Ingredient of His New Fragrance

Francisco Costa is out with a new signature scent... plus, could the former creative director of Calvin Klein return to fashion?
May 17
1
Comments
Log in with Facebook to comment

5 Comments

  • Nicole Lapin
    Writes The Money Minute
    Yasss Mad Marj 👏👏👏
    • 2w
  • Terrence Dawson
    Really! This isn’t DJaying. Auto Sync doesn’t replace soul. Knowing your crowd…😂! carry a crate records and then mix a set on the fly with what’s in that crate. Scratch Academy can teach techniques but again you can’t teach soul! Glorifying the push button DJs👎🏾
    • 3w
  • Oliver Mercado
    Gotta love the Auto Sync feature on those Pioneer CDJs. Looks like she’s a glorified human jukebox and wedding DJ. Probably can’t even hold a 8-beat mix w/o the AutoSync button. Hmmmm…another “Paris Hilton” DJ?
    • 3w
  • Paul Bennett
    She look resemblance of Carrie fisher
    • 2w
  • Baruch Ben Israel
    YT folks are the people can do 💩 like this😡
    • 3w
Share quoteSelect how you’d like to share below
Share on Facebook
Share to Twitter
Send in Whatsapp
Share on Linkedin
Privacy  ·  Terms  ·  Cookies  ·  © Meta 2022
Discover fresh voices. Tune into new conversations. Browse all publications