Meet Mole D’Vine | Drag Queen & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mole D’Vine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mole, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It really came down to, “I don’t want to go through life with ‘What ifs”. It was during quarantine back in 2020 where I had nothing better to do than order in food, get drunk and watch RuPaul’s Drag Race. I had always been curious about the idea of a drag queen, or a man playing a woman, Tyler Perry’s Madea, Mrs. Doubtfire, White Chicks. As far back as when I was 11 and going to the circus with my family in Mexico, there was this clown playing a woman and had balloons for boobs; sitting on my dad’s lap and pointing said balloon to his face. I was so enamored yet intrigued. Back to 2020, after watching every single season up till that point, I thought to myself “what if I did that” or “I should try that”. That time I was also focusing on me and my health, which bothered some of my party “friends”; cut ties with them and I that’s when I was like, F it. Ill try this drag thing out and see what happens, for fun. I also knew I wanted to do something greater with it and with my life. Show those “friends” and myself that I can be someone. I remember thinking to myself, like duh this makes sense for me, my friends know I love to put on a show, be the center of attention, have fun with life and be silly. That’s what drag is! Now its time to make a name for myself and expand my talents and see what other endeavors I can get into.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art really comes from all aspects of life, I love the world and I see beauty in everything. In people, in music, in pain, art is everywhere. Frida Kahlo said it best “I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to better.” My drag aesthetic is always changing, I love to play with other styles and taking what I’ve learned and implementing them into me. In the begging of my career I had an idea of what I would look like, I wasn’t to far off. It’s exactly like the Mexican dish mole, you can make it in so many styles, it can be adjusted to be more spicy, more sweet, thick or thin but it’s still the same dish. I’ve learned that I am always changing and adjusting but the goal in mind that I am happy with the result and the people enjoy what I show and I bring to the stage. The makeup is always right, the hair is combed (sometimes) I radiate this energy that keeps the audience engaged and excited to be there. Life is a beautiful thing and worth celebrating with my performances and the outfits with the crowd. That is my brand and it’s what sets me apart from other performers I think.
When people hear my story I want them to know that everything that I’ve been through, good and bad, that I always saw the beauty in that moment, in people, in myself and my conciseness. Life inmates art and that is true. Remind everyone that drag really is a celebration of all those things and of women, cultures, the past the present and the future.
Being an artistic person I have always struggled with being my worst critic. The way I see ideas in my mind aren’t always executed the way I wanted them to be, which can get me in my head. Paired with comparing myself to other artist I always feel like I have to do better. The artist block is real! I will stop or even give up on a project completely when the inspiration and fun is lost, when it starts to feel like a chore. I have now learned to not take myself to seriously and be accepting of what I present to the world, to be real with myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in the city of Oceanside, CA. A beautiful city with ocean breezes, palm trees and great food. We have to hit up 101 Bagels on Coast Highway for breakfast, do some shopping at the local spots, the Artist Alley where small business and vendors are posted up. Walk the to the end of the Pier, catching the ocean breeze. Lay out on the sun and bask it all in. Come noon we have to go to Primos Market for some tacos or Krispy Krunchy Chicken, pick up some tall boys and eat on the cliffs. Cruise down the harbor, down all the way to Encinitas. At sundown we would go to one of the local bars in Carlsbad where they have live music and DJ.
North County is great because its only 30 minutes away from Hillcrest and about an hour away from Los Angeles. So much to do here but it’s more of a chill welcoming place, the weather is perfect every day. The dive bars in Vista are a guaranteed great time with karaoke. We would end the weekend with a family carne asada! Of course we would have to drive down to Hillcrest to see the amazing local talent that city has to offer!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom has been my rock. The first ever show I did was on her birthday, she had no idea what I’ve been doing in my bedroom while she was at work. It was a of coming out to her, a way to invite her into my life. I had set up the living room with streamers, lights, flowers, everything and I went and did my thing. Ever since she has been nothing but supportive. She will take me to my shows on a work night knowing she had to be up at 6am. As a Mexicana mom, she has to hold me accountable on how I represent myself and our community, we can get annoyed with one another but that’s my momager and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Te quiero mucho Mama Mole, Gina la Latina.
Another person who has truly helped me become the person and drag queen that I am today, is my dearest friend Vinh Tu, the current president of the Human Dignity Foundation. We met at a local dive bar drag queen competition, where I placed second alternate. He invited me to a few events to try and get my name out there, he was always pushing me to be a part of the LGBTQ community. Eventually we became really good friends to the point where I can consider him my family. Nobody can keep it as real as he does. Vinh will tell it like it is every time to the point my mind can’t take it but I know it comes from a place of true for real love.
I would like to shoutout my closest friends and family for being my ground keeping me humble, my best friend Yvonne Caudillo, my older brother for being a gay icon and showing me that it is okay to be yourself, Elvira Meza for letting me do my makeup for the first time in her basement. My North County family: J Lau Farrow Halston who shouted me out, Keri Oki for giving me a chance and the car rides, Lance Holmes, Reina Shine, Marianna Vincci, Lyrik Notez the list goes on. Without them I wouldn’t understand what it is to be in the community nor the concept of chosen family. Shoutout to the hardworking Mexicans and Latinos, the cholas I grew up with, the single mothers, all people of color, the queers the goths the trans community, I am no one without my people.

Instagram: @mmmhmole

Youtube: TheMoleDvine

Image Credits
Verocity Productions, Courtney Johnson, Stella Star Studios