On Point With: Vita Vanitea

Spring is the season for this drag artist to bloom: the Hong Kong Hottie herself, Vita Vanitea! [Cover photo: @beyondyouphotography]

Thotyssey: Vita, hello! Happy April Fools Day! Did you pull, or fall for, any pranks today lol?

Vita Vanitea: Happy April Fools! No, I didn’t pull any pranks… but I did fall for a couple on Twitter. I saw one that was like “Missy is stepping down from managing Katseye,” and was like yasss, but then remembered what day it was today, LOL!

Maybe someday that will be real! The last time I saw you, you were competing at Metro’s Queer Talent Show in a very interesting way: painting a self-portrait live onstage while lip synching a number, and by the time the number was finished so was the painting! I can’t imagine the skill and timing that went into that! Had you done a number like that before?

OMG, thank you so much for the kind words! I’d never done that number before, and I was like, “okay now or never. I gotta try this idea out that I’ve had in my head for a while, and what better spot then ay my Metro debut at Queer Talent Show?” It’s all about practice and timing, I have like three or four practice portraits I’ve done before debuting that number. It takes practice and time to make sure a number like that can be done in the time, and it’s also about figuring out what reads best for the audience. I did a couple full body paintings while practicing, but decided on a more stylized self portrait instead– since that’s easier for a group of probably drunk people to read while also being faster and easier in a number to do. It’s about give and take, lots to consider!

Incredible! Were you always a painter / visual artist?

Yup, I grew up doing lots of art classes in school–doing digital art eventually, then drag! Sort of like a Pokemon evolution of an artist.

Where’s your hometown?

I’m born and raised in NYC! I like to brand myself as the Hong Kong Hottie, cuz that’s where my family is from originally!

Have you been to Hong Kong yourself?

Yup! Only been once or twice, but it’s always great going back!

How did your drag journey begin?

I started in college. There were the student drag shows, and after my freshman year seeing it I was like, “I gotta get into it.” So my sophomore year is when I did the drag competition — my first time in full drag ever. Since then, in college every year I would do the student drag competition and be the occasional “dorm” queen… but it wasn’t until 2024 that I decided to get back into it and join a local competition at the Toolbox! My drag sister Jolli B had done it the year before in 2023, and seeing her really inspired me to get back into my drags. Ever since then, it’s been open sets, more competitions, and shows!

How might you describe the “type” of drag you like to do today, as far as looks and numbers go?

I always want to look put together; I like to think that I look very composed, usually, from the shoe color matching the jewelry and the nails, to the styling of an outfit. If it’s a gown or a bodysuit or whatever I’m wearing, I like to look like I know what I’m doing. If it falls apart, then all you can do it’s laugh! I did an open set once where my wig look FRIED… and you know what, you just gotta laugh it off and keep it pushing.

In terms of numbers: I like to experiment with different things, see what works for me. I go back and forth between sensual and slower numbers to more dance heavy numbers. I’m not amazing at choreo, but if you’ve been to a Vita show you know I like to bust out a lot of handography and arm work, and some whacking my legs up in the air as well, lol. When it’s my slower numbers, I love to work in more elegant movements with my hands and arms trying to work in a story.

What are the biggest joys and challenges of being a NYC drag performer in 2026, would you say?

I love just the energy in the room whenever a performer hits the stage; whether it’s me, my sister, or someone new I’ve never seen. Like I just love the energy that comes when the song starts or the lights hit.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve seen, though: just lots of bars closing. Financially a lot of people are hurting, so it’s not as big as crowds coming out. And I get it, it’s a tough time. But I’m hoping that things get better soon for us all. One of the first places I performed at, Pink Metal, sadly closed this year; it was such a safe space for so many performers.

Yes, it will be missed! You’ve got some gigs coming up that we can discuss, starting with a guest spot Thursday night at Phoenix in the EV, with Anne J. Tifah!

Yesss, I’m so excited for it! First time at Phoenix, and I always love being with Anne Tifah. It’s always a great time with them!

Then Monday you’ll be at Icon with Eden DarkStar and Matzah Belle Soup for a special open stage show! Will this be your Queens debut?

I also love Eden and Matzah! Not my debut, I’ve performed in Queens a couple times, I’ve been at Fresco’s Grand Cantina, Albatross, and at Icon before once, but would love to perform there more!

Looking ahead to Wednesday the 22nd, you’ll be part of a drag tribute to Sinners at C’mon Everybody! Were you a big fan of the film, and how excited are you for this show?

Yes OMG! I was so honored of Afrosephone Applegate and Leopard Killa to think of me when finalizing casts. I loved Sinners so much, such a great movie and the inclusion and cast and acting… everything was just amazing. When watching it, I was so surprised to see Chinese representation in it–especially since it’s real life! The accurate inclusion also of Grace and her family being Taishanese was especially great to see, since the Canton and Taishanese Chinese were the ones there in the Mississippi Delta. So I’m super excited and honored to be a part of the show, especially as a Cantonese Chinese queen. It makes it even better to be Grace in the Sinners show!

Then I see you’ll be competing in the last prelim of Mx. Cantina at Fresco’s on May 2!

Yes!! Throwing my wig into the ring this year for Mx. Cantina, fingers crossed!

What else is coming up for you?

That’s it for upcoming shows for me, at least for now, but if anyone wants me to twirl, just hit me up! I’m always at some open set somewhere also.

Okay then, to close: what your favorite / most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?

Oh, I love my rhinestones. I remember when I was starting out again, a queen came in and was like “what, the girls don’t stone their faces anymore?” And ever since then I throw a stone on my face somewhere somehow!

Thanks, Vita!