Vanessica stomps the floors of Seoul’s lounges, night clubs, and bars like a honky-tonk road mama with smoky breath and whiskey lips. She’s one of the many Drag Queens in Seoul you and Rupaul Dragrace’s Kimchi ought to know about! So let’s dive into our Interview with Vanessica!
For folks not familiar with your work how would you describe Vanessica?
White Girl who is part werewolf. With a capital W and G. Like, take every ridiculous stereotype of a white girl and turn it up to 11.
And the werewolf because I’ve got a full beard and body hair.
What or who inspires you as an artist?
It’s hard to cite a specific example. I don’t think a specific idea or concept inspires me, because my tastes are very broad, so it can change often. If I really picked something, I’d say gay culture that’s a little bit “dirty”. Tom of Finland meets John Waters with a splash of pop music.
I will say I’m super into Grace Towers and Hellvetika right now.
How did you conceive of Vanessica?
I’m somewhat a part of the Drag Race baby boom. I had been interested in it before seeing the show, but I never really thought I could do it until after watching. So I never really planned my character. It just so happened, though, that every time I got into drag, the character would just become more and more of a White Girl. So I’m just going with it. Who knows who she’ll be in a year.
Drag already explores gender roles what motivated you push the boundaries farther with Vanessica? How has the reception been from your contemporaries?
I felt the Seoul scene was pretty black and white. Fishy girls, looking pretty, doing pretty things.
I believe I’m the only deliberately bearded queen in Seoul right now. I think some fellow queens don’t quite take me seriously for that reason. I’ve gotten vibes that people think my beard and body hair somehow make me less serious about drag.
I’m not bothered though. I had someone tell me at my last performance that I “was such a mess and the most fun to watch”, so I think I’m doing something right.
How do you think theories such as the male gaze, sexual fetishism, and gender performativity are reflected in your work?
I don’t think my drag and thought process go that deep. At least those are concepts I’ve never actively considered when I perform.
But if I think about it, from the Male Gaze standpoint, I do deliberately act in objectifying ways. Mainly because I know I do not make a beautiful woman, and I certainly do not make the type of “woman” a man would like to see behave that way.
Maybe I’m subconsciously trying to teach a lesson? Like, don’t objectify women because the results probably won’t be what you want.
Describe your routine getting ready?
I take about 4 to 5 hours, because I hate being late and I don’t like feeling rushed. I also take so much time because I have no makeup game plan.
I listen to a lot of R&B. The last time I got into drag, it was a lot of Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Ashanti, etc.
I have to do it with someone. Getting into drag alone is SO boring, plus I love bouncing ideas off of someone. You might think fire engine red eyebrows are a good idea now but…
I also pee every 5 minutes out of sheer nervousness. And because once I’m tucked I won’t be peeing again all night.
What’s your Seoul connection?
Well, I primarily do shows for Kuciia with the Meet Market. But what got me into the drag scene in Seoul would be the ultra fantastic performer Strawberry Cherie. I met people through her, so if Vanessica bothers you, it’s Strawberry’s fault and you can blame her.
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done on stage?
I do a lot of splits and act out sex positions, which gets a reaction from the crowd always. It’s pretty tame stuff, but I feel like the average drag show attendee in Korea is not super experienced. So doing a number about watersports would just completely miss the mark and be total fail, despite being truly outrageous and life-giving, I think.
Like, I once pulled condoms out of my wig and passed them out, but people were hesitant to accept them.
What is it like when you’re performing?
A quick, sweaty blur. Usually the first thing I do once I finish performing is ask someone how it went.
When did you start to do drag?
I’ve been screwing around with makeup since 2010, but I’ve only started performing since last year. So I’m very much a baby queen with far to go.
How has your life changed since you started doing drag?
It’s made me more confident. Like baselessly so. Walking down Itaewon main street in full drag when it’s crowded as hell is the ultimate test of blind confidence.
Since I’ve started doing drag, I feel like I can do anything. I may not do it well, but I will do it, damnit.
What’s your most fabulous drag possession?
Once more, I’m a broke baby queen, so while I’d love to cite some AMAZING piece like a vintage Heatherette gown, I’m gonna have to give a lame answer and say all of my makeup.
I will be shady, though, and say it’s all name brand and you can bet my face won’t be melting off after 4 hours.
Unlike others I’ve seen…
Describe the perfect night on stage in three words.
Tips. Laughter. Booze.
If you were exiled to a deserted island and could only take one other drag queen, who would it be and why?
Probably Detox because gurl is pumped and silicone floats so I could use her as a life raft.
If you were a pop song, what would it be called?
Something awful and blatantly sexual. Like, “Dick Detective”
What is your life motto?
I didn’t come up with it, but it has resonated with me hard: If you have a paycheck, I have a talent.
Like I said, I’ll do anything.
What can people expect from a show?
Girl, I don’t even know what to expect from a Vanessica show. However, I will make you laugh at least once and I will do the splits.
How do your family and friends react to Vanessica?
Friends love her. They make suggestions sometimes and I’m always open. It takes a village, y’know?
Family doesn’t know but that’s not out of embarrassment or shame… they just don’t need to know yet
What is your number one Drag beauty tip?
Accept it and move on.
When I’m getting ready there are always mistakes or slip-ups. Instead of obsessing and stressing, I just shrug and say, “Well, I guess this is how she looks tonight.” And then I keep going.
Your eyebrow being a centimeter too high won’t be the end for you.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions about drag queens?
We’re not mean. Kiki-ing and reading is part of the game. Lighten up. We’re men in dresses. It’s not that serious.
I feel like Drag Race is watered down drag too much, so like, the old school classic queens (heavy paint, arched brows, library permanently open) are often seen as “bullies” and “mean” in the general public’s eye.
What are the best parts of being a drag queen? The biggest challenges?
Best part is how liberating it feels for me. I’ve got a license to kill in drag. I’m already wearing a corset and 6” stilettos, so how much worse can I embarrass myself?
Second best part is getting out of drag.
Biggest challenge is finding cute shoes in my size here.
Favorite song to lip synch to?
Bad Touch by Bloodhound Gang
Who should EVERYONE be following right now?
They should be following me (@vadgessica). DuoRaw (@duoraw), Grace Towers (@thegracetowers), and Hellvetika (@hellvetika)
What song should play when you enter a room?
Bad Girls by MIA
What will the name of your autobiography be?
“Saying the Wrong Things at the Right Times”
In the Real Housewives of Seoul Today, what would your Housewife tag line be?
“It’s a man, Maury!”
What’s the hardest part about being a drag queen?
Accepting that you’ll always be a little bit broke.
What advice would you give to anyone who’s interested in doing drag?
Just do it, and do it sincerely.
You may not have $500 wigs or expensive gowns, but you don’t need them. If your heart is in it, that will show.
How can people discover your past work and what projects are you working on currently?
At this point, Instagram (@vadgessica)
Currently working on a Facebook page. I’ll make sure to post about it on the ‘Gram when it’s available
I have a fun little side project going with two fellow Seoul queens (Nikki Ashes and Ani Mal). I can’t give too many details right now, but if you’re into J-Pop, you’ll be into it.
Featured Image by Blair Kitchener
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