Meet Victoria Elvato | Drag Queen

We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Elvato and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always felt drawn to creativity. Growing up in Honduras until I was 11, I was always part of something artistic—competing in art contests, singing at events like Mother’s Day, and performing in dance groups to popular telenovela songs. But when I moved to the U.S. and didn’t know the language, I became more reserved and lost touch with those creative outlets.

Years later, a close friend introduced me to drag, and everything just clicked. Drag gave me the stage I’d always dreamed of, a way to express myself fully and reconnect with that part of me I’d missed for so long. It’s become the perfect outlet to share my passion and let my emotions out in ways I never imagined.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I always knew I wanted to be in show business, but I never imagined it would be through drag. I studied television, film, and media at San Diego State, but it wasn’t until my junior year that I was introduced to drag. As a shy person, performing had always been something I did in my room—drag became my armor, transforming me into someone fearless. I fell in love instantly.

At first, I only performed twice a year in my college talent show. It wasn’t until late 2020 that I got serious, entering competitions and eventually traveling all over SoCal. When I commit to something, I give it my all. With hard work and the support of amazing friends, I’ve built a career while juggling multiple jobs. In the beginning, I balanced drag with three jobs, but as my bookings grew, I was able to leave two and focus on my full-time role as a behavior specialist at a school.

On top of that, I play sports and help my parents with anything they need, so finding balance has been key. It hasn’t been easy, but I stay focused on my goals, and every day, I’m working to make them a reality.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends visit, I make sure they experience the best of San Diego. The beach is a must, along with Balboa Park—one of my favorite places to walk around. And of course, the food! San Diego has one of the best food scenes, hands down.

Nature is always part of the plan—hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the views. The drag scene here is also incredible, and Rich’s Stunt event is a favorite. Whether performing or just soaking in the energy, the San Diego drag community always shows up.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a huge thank you to my close friends who have supported me from the start—without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Finding community has meant everything, and the gay sports league here in San Diego has opened so many doors for me.

A special shoutout to J.J. Grayson—drag was always my dream, but you gave me the push to get back into it. Your costumes and art inspire me every day. Much love to my drag mother as well Strawberry and just any show producer that has given Victoria a stage. And of course, thank you to the entire community for always showing up and making space for our art to shine.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriaelvato/?next=%2F