Living life epically and turning out the kiki fiercely, first time Glam nominee (for a first time category) The Willyan is a New York nightlifer and fashionista you definitely need to know.
Thotyssey: Hello Willyan, thanks for talking to us! So we are about halfway to the Holidays now… are you filled with the Christmas spirit, or something else, lol?
The Willyan: Other than the month of June, December used to be my favorite month. Growing up with limited resources in a coast city of São Paulo, the aesthetic of it all and the sparkling lights always fascinated me.
But this end of year, I just have been thinking about one thing: awards season! I’m on a journey of watching all potential contenders for next year’s Academy Awards, and it’s always an excuse to go to the movie theater; me and my friends are pretty much three times a week at AMC, lol.
Also, I got to be nominated for a Glam Awards for Best Party Host, I’m just so happy!
Yes! Congrats for that nomination… the debut year of that category! What do you think makes a good party host in this town, in your opinion?
I’m excited to be recognized in this brand new category that celebrates an essential part of NYC nightlife. A good party host, is someone who embodies the spirit of the event and engages with those around them. Every party I’m part of is a tribute to our community, where connections are made, and everyone feels comfortable in their skin and part of the experience.
Not to settle for simply being a nominee, you also put out a masterpiece of a social media video announcing the nominations for another category, Best Dressed! There was FX and Coco Chanel quotes and a robot voice and curated footage of all the nominees and everything. Everyone was talking about it, well done! What motivated you to do that?
Creating that piece was a lot of fun for me. This is my second year announcing a category, and I really wanted to elevate my efforts this time around. When I was given the opportunity to announce the Best Dressed / Style category, I knew I had to create a visually stunning experience and a feast for the eyes. I channeled my inner futurism tech enthusiast; I decided to embody my Futuristic Alien Fashion A.I. Demon fantasy.
What really motivated me was the idea of creating something so different that people would have never expected for a Glam Awards announcement video; I was very much inspired by the VMA’s announcement videos. Also, I do love the idea of “expect of the unexpected” when people hear / read my name, THE WILLYAN. What I really wanted was to show the tip of the iceberg of my uncharted potential. As you pointed out, it got everyone talking!
Speaking of the VMAs, I see that you were there this year! How did that happen, and what is the best tea you can share from what you saw or experienced that night?
Well, a really good friend of mine works for a well-known alcohol brand that sponsored this year’s VMAs. One thing led to another, and there I was at one of the VIP sections. Watching Chappell Roan and Katy Perry up close was magical, but the real highlight was the pre-VMA party where I got to hang out with some queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16–like Xunami Muse, she’s a superstar and such a sweetheart. By the way, I own a Versace-inspired piece that she once wore!
Many hours and drinks later, the VMAs ended and I ended it up at an after-party in a gorgeous penthouse in Williamsburg with a famous TikToker. That’s all I can say, shhhh! Then we ended up at a huge warehouse rave in Brooklyn and my friend swore that we met Tyla, but I was already out of space by 2am if you know what I mean, lol. It was such a spontaneous New York night—one of those evenings when you can hardly believe something so cool just happened to you.
With all this in mind, I’m developing a blog about my nightlife journey—a platform where I can share what inspires me in the nightlife scene and what’s hot in this city as the ultimate place to be!
OMG exciting! So what brought you from Brazil to New York, and how did you get into nightlife? Were you always into fashion and statemen-making when you were a kid?
I still find it hard to pinpoint what brought me to NYC. Honestly, I’ve never had a proper answer to this question. As a child, one of my biggest dreams—silly as it may sound—was to spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Every year, I’d watch YouTube videos and imagine myself surrounded by confetti. It all felt so magical! So, in a way, I suppose that dream brought me here.
Growing up in South America, I saw how deeply Brazilian culture is influenced by the United States–visiting it still a privilege for not the majority of families. My family earned less than $200 a month, making it impossible for us to travel. I always felt that my future was not meant to be in Brazil; I was merely there temporarily while enduring a challenging reality.
Due to the end of the slave trade in Brazil in the late 1800s, many, like me, lack a family tree to trace back. My mother never knew her father, and she was the youngest of nine siblings. My grandmother was reportedly the daughter of an Italian woman and a Black man, but such details have faded over time. All I know is that her last name was “Fortunato,” which means “Lucky” in Italian. On my father’s side, my grandmother’s parents were likely children of enslaved people.
I grew up in a coastal city near São Paulo, where cruise ships were a common sight in the summer and crucial for local businesses. Six months after I turned 18, I applied for a job at a cruise ship agency. The hiring process went smoothly, and I felt as if everything was falling into place. I saw the opportunity as a way to escape my reality and live in a place where I could be myself without fear.
My self-taught English was just enough to land a position with an Italian cruise line heading back to Europe, earning 500 euros per month. For the first time, I felt alive. Immersed in a luxurious parallel universe, where I’d sleep in Greece and wake up in Italy, felt like a dream. I worked tirelessly, often doing 12 to 18-hour shifts with no days off for nearly nine months. Nowadays, I could never manage that. During that time I experienced many firsts, a natural result of being in an environment where I felt free to be myself. Though I was still far from who I am today, I felt on top of the world compared to my upbringing.
During that time, I developed a strong interest in fashion, feeling as though I had the world at my fingertips. However, as time passed, I began to crave different experiences and felt confined by my freedom. After many years and having visited thirty countries, I made a decision while stranded on a ship in Alaska in 2018: that would be my last year at sea.
Over the years I considered moving to various countries, but never back to Brazil. As a kid I dreamed of moving to Australia, but while in Europe I seriously contemplated Italy. France also caught my attention when I had a romantic fling with a French boy I met every fifteen days while docked on the French coast—was it Toulouse, or maybe Marseille? Anyway… He’s an incredibly talented musician, playing the piano like no one I’ve ever met. He was willing to risk everything for “love,” but I couldn’t commit to such a wild adventure. We hadn’t spent enough time together, and everything felt too crazy; my life would certainly have been very different now had I taken that leap.
My first and only real relationship happened here in NYC, just before the pandemic hit. As the lockdown progressed we began hanging out more frequently, and it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me during that year. Much of my current confidence and empowerment stems from being in a relationship where I felt someone was genuinely interested in me for who I am. Once I realized that there would always be someone who appreciates me for my true self, I started to feel more comfortable in my own skin–and my life transformed. Although I learned this lesson “late” in life and not in the most ideal way, I learned it from the best person.
Additionally, my roommate at the time was a drag queen, the Brazilian icon Isabella Rio. At her weekly Monday parties, “A Night In Rio” held at The Ritz in Hell’s Kitchen, I began to explore making bold statements with my looks, attracting people’s attention and curiosity. It wasn’t long before I started to gain an Instagram following within the Brazilian community.
Throughout late 2021, 2022 and early 2023 I became a well-known figure at many Midtown parties, and it didn’t take long for me to get known as the “Midtown It-Boy”. At one of Isabella’s parties at The Q in 2022 (RIP), she encouraged me to host my first party. She always recognized a potential in me that I couldn’t see in myself, it took many incentives until I faced my fears of failure and followed her advice, and I’m grateful for that.
That same year, I stumbled upon the Glam Awards on my Instagram feed and thought, “Wow! I must be part of this.” I used my influence to announce that year’s Best Party Producer category. Although my video seemed simple compared to the heavily edited version I created for 2024, it had a unique flair. Shortly thereafter, Frankie Sharp invited me to host one of his parties. Fast forward two years, and I received my first Glam Award nomination and I know I have what it takes to win. I very much want to.
I’m yet to process the idea of potentially becoming the first ever Best Party Host, but also the first and only Brazilian immigrant to ever win a Glam Award in its twenty-six year history. It would be a historical night, and hopefully it will also open many doors to my community!
That is quite an epic journey, and that potential win would be an amazing milestone! So as far as nightlife goes, where might folks be likely to find you during the upcoming weeks, months, etc.?
This Friday, December 13th, I’ll be hosting this year’s Glam Awards-nominated Best Club Party “NO RSTXXN” at Balcon in Hell’s Kitchen by Lucifer, who is also nominated for Best Party Producer!
On January 10th, 2025–I guess I can share this–I’ll be joining my fellow Best Party Host nominee Linux at her already iconic “Clout 9” party. More details on that coming very soon. Although we have been hosts at a mutual party, I have always wanted to directly work with her! She is definitely one of my inspirations for my upcoming nightlight blog; I love her work at Paper Magazine. #goals
Also, I do have other exciting stuff that will be happening in between. I look forward in being able to share them with you as soon as they are confirmed. Oh! And you will certainly find me at the 26th Annual Glam Awards ceremony on January 27th, at Sony Hall. I’m sure you’ll love what I’m planning to wear!
And it won’t be very hard to find me as well at a random AMC around the city, lol! I’d love to host and throw a movie night rave party with them; it would be so iconic! So if you know anyone, let me know.
That would be amazing! Ok, to close: what do you want for Christmas?
I’d love to have a better relationship with my family. I haven’t seen any family member since I moved to NYC, six years ago. I’m a whole different person now, and I believe few family members wouldn’t recognize me if we crossed ways on the street.
That’s beautiful! Thanks, Willyan!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for The Willyan’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram.
Thotyssey 