This beauty (AND brain!) from the Haus of Westwood is now one of the Glam Awards’ first ever Best Party Host nominees: Ms. Vera Lee!
Thotyssey: Vera, hello! Happy holidays! How are they treating you so far?
Vera Lee Westwood: Hi! Happy holidays to you! I’m grateful to be able to spend the holidays with my mom, brother, and friends back in Baltimore where I’m from. It’s quieter here, which is a nice change of pace, but my New York friends keep FaceTiming me and asking me to come back! I already miss New York so much.
Aw! Baltimore is a great city; growing up there, were you always into stuff like fashion, theater, nightlife, etc.?
I actually grew up as a ballet dancer; I even majored in dance in high school at Baltimore School for the Arts before I got severely injured and decided to pursue acting and singing instead. In high school, though, I actually was the one who threw all the parties at my house. I had all the huge ragers, and always loved having people over–which was cool and somewhat lucky, given I was a very visibly queer kid.
What brought you to New York?
I actually decided art was more of a personal passion for me, and less what I wanted to do professionally. I moved here to go to Hunter College and study psychology. I will be graduating in May, and I plan on working more focused in community outreach and trans activism amongst other things.
That being said, I always just wanted an excuse to live in New York. I knew it was where I was supposed to be.
I bet studying psychology makes looking at the people around you in nightlife a very interesting (stressful?) pastime!
Well, there’s definitely a lot of interesting characters at these parties… maybe some people need a therapist, too! But I enjoy doing what I do because I love people and real connection. Finding my community really saved my life, and I think it’s so important to create these spaces where real connection and friendship are somewhat prioritized. A lot of parties focus a lot on sexual conquest and getting lit, but what makes a night feel successful to me is if I made new friends or laughed and danced with my loved ones, or fostered a space for people to connect in some way. Psychology has taught me how to understand what people need in order to be healthy and happy, and sometimes the right party can do that. It’s my job as a party host to try to curate that with the right energies.
All of that makes you a great party host! How did you become involved in that end of things?
I think I’ve always kept a large group of friends around me, so party producers took notice of that. I’m the type to walk into a space and immediately make friends with whoever is in my path. I’ve been told I have a “mommy” energy, and maybe lots of these twinks have mommy issues.
I moved here in August of 2022, and by April of 2023 I was doing a weekly party in Hell’s Kitchen at the Fishbowl. I just kept meeting more and more people and becoming a part of new parties, and now I work for legends like Ladyfag and Susanne Bartsch, which is a dream I hadn’t really pictured for myself. I was a fan of club kid culture, and Susanne and Amanda, but I didn’t know what a party host was at all–and I never thought I’d be able to work parties with them every week.
Joining the Westwoods came about just from queening out with fellow bad bitches. They saw the diva in me, and I could never say no to a sisterhood.
This year produced the first ever Best Party Host category at the Glam Awards, and you are a nominee! History maker, congrats! What are your thoughts and feelings on the nomination, and are you excited to attend the ceremony?
I’m very honored; I’ve had such an incredible year, and it’s wonderful to be recognized for my accomplishments. The other nominees are all such great people, some of whom are good friends who I’ve worked with a lot, and it’s so nice to share this honor with them and go to the ceremony all together. As much as it would be great to win, I’m just so grateful to be at a place where I’m able to make money doing something I love to do. I get to be around such legends and just have beautiful, fond memories all the time. It’s the easiest job in the world, and I feel that I’ll always cherish memories of this time in my life (though hopefully I’m not peaking? lol).
She’s just beginning! I wonder if you have any specific thoughts on the state of nightlife, both in regards to the current trends and the gloomy political climate. Do you think the kids are gonna stay home even more, or will they finally be out looking for a release and a community?
Part of why I do what I do is because I think community is the most important thing we have right now. I think it’s vital that people set their intentions, and use nightlife in a way that utilizes its power. During the AIDS epidemic, so much activism was done through nightlife. We have a platform as party hosts or producers or clubs, and we should use it for something bigger than momentary profit or sexual conquest. I sound like a TED Talk sometimes, and my friends make fun of me for it, but all we have is each other. Going into a Trump presidency, so much of our community is under attack whether because you’re trans, gay, an immigrant, a person of color, a woman. As a trans woman myself, I have used nightlife as a way to do fundraisers or raise awareness of causes, and I want to continue to do that in bigger ways. I’m planning on tying my professional career into these concepts, too.
I know we all want to just forget about our worries and dance the night away into ignorant bliss, which is understandable, but at some point we need to pull it together a little bit and starting fighting back.
New Years Eve is nearly upon us, and we know where you’ll be: the Museum of Sex, for Luis Fernando’s epic “Empire Ball!” Lots of great DJs and hosts lined up for this one! What can the kids expect from this ki?
I’m so excited for this! Museum of Sex is an incredible venue with three floors of some trippy visuals and sexual wackiness–and different musical vibes on each floor, whether it’s dance pop, house/disco, or reggaeton. It’s really something for everyone. Plus, it’s a masked ball… so think Illuminati, Eyes Wide Shut vibes… or maybe a Cinderella fantasy. All your fave girls, gays and theys will be popping p*ssy… it’s kinda the place to be . I love working in a brand new venue… I think we need a breath of fresh air sometimes, and Museum of Sex was the perfect place for that. Plus, I can’t wait to show everyone my look!
What else is coming up for you?
Well, to name some: I’m also looking forward to hosting “Clout 9” at Gabriela with fellow nominee Linux on January 10th! Then I’ll be heading to Aspen for Gay Ski Week, and I will be hosting “On Top” on January 18th with legends like Susanne Bartsch, Amanda Lepore, Andrew Dahling, and more. So much is coming up! I can’t wait to share what’s in store.
Excellent! Okay, lastly: any New Year’s resolutions?
Does it look like I should change something about myself? Lol! I’d say: get a new professional job, actually! She’s gonna graduate, and I need to level up for my daytime gig. But other than, that she’s perfect.
Truth! Happy New Year Year, Vera!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Vera Lee Westwood’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Thotyssey 