Vanessa Vanjie Mateo is Prepared for Her Shut-Up in Dolls Quantity 3 – Socialite Life

She’s the queen who stormed onto RuPaul’s Drag Race and left the world chanting her title—twice. Now, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo is serving face, physique, and full-on fantasy in Marco Ovando’s Dolls Quantity 3, the most recent chapter in his celebrated drag images sequence, arriving in September.

The brand new guide, the most recent in Marco’s acclaimed sequence celebrates the worldwide artwork of drag. Along with legendary queens together with Vanijie, Violet Chachki, Ginger Minj, and Aquaria, Marco additionally turns his lens to a few of Drag Race’s latest breakout stars, including Nymphia Wind, Morphine, Airplane Jane, and Lana Ja’rae. “This quantity nonetheless highlights legends,” Marco says, “but additionally introduces recent faces who’re redefining the artistry.”

Dolls Quantity 3 is split into 4 distinct chapters: “The Studio,” showcasing refined portraiture; “The Reveals,” capturing the electrical performances on the Werq the World tour and on stage, together with RuPaul’s Drag Race Stay!; “The BTS,” providing uncommon glimpses behind the scenes; and “The Events,” celebrating nightlife from underground golf equipment to crimson carpets. 

Identified for her unapologetic character and signature sass, Vanjie brings her one-of-a-kind charisma to a guide that not solely captures the artistry of drag however elevates it to high-fashion heights. As well as, this busy queen is bringing crimson carpet realness to a metropolis close to you with the Werq the World tour.

We caught up with Vanjie to speak about being a part of this daring new quantity, the magic (and insanity) behind the shoots, making ready for Werq the World, and what drag means in 2025.

First issues first. What was your response when Marco requested you to be a part of Dolls Quantity 3?

I used to be excited. I really like Marco. He’s one in every of my close to and expensive associates. Ever since I joined Werq the World, he was at all times anyone who was tremendous pleasant, providing consolation and he’s only a candy particular person. So, when he requested me to do quantity three, three is my fortunate quantity – my birthday’s October third – and anytime he tells me or he desires me to be part of something, I don’t hesitate. I really feel like we’re a decent knit household right here at Werq the World. All of us maintain one another, so his undertaking is my undertaking. His guide is my guide and who wouldn’t need to be in part of such a fierce guide?

You’re additionally on the quilt of the guide. How did you react whenever you discovered that you just had been going to be on the quilt?

[Marco] by no means advised me he till [the book was] within the little manufacturing facility being made. I used to be gagged. I imply, it actually touched me. It was arduous to place into phrases how a lot he means to me and him placing me on the quilt was so candy. It’s a type of issues the place folks will come into your life for a motive. And him placing me on the quilt of one thing that he’s obsessed with and he’s such a proficient particular person. So, I used to be like, little outdated me is on the quilt of the guide. Thank God it’s a guide that doesn’t have phrases so I don’t should learn!

He did that photograph shoot for me. That was proper after I filmed All Stars and he did all my photographs for all my seems. And on Instagram he’s been with me just about by way of all of my Drag Race journey. So, him placing me on the quilt and him selecting that photograph, I used to be gagged.

Marco described the guide as being extra trend ahead. What was your shoot like and the way did you put together for it?

Truthfully, with regards to making ready for photograph shoots and stuff, I’m a type of folks. I can’t actually sit nonetheless, it’s not my favourite factor, however with him, he’s a type of those who helps me. He is aware of inventive methods to get me to sit down down and do the photograph shoot. However we sort of collaborate and he places it collectively. Me and him at all times textual content forwards and backwards with inspo and temper boards. He’s fully creatively concerned and he comes up with all these ideas. It’s at all times good to have anyone that’s been within the business and he’s nearly like a Google. He has so many references and he’s capable of put one thing that he is aware of will translate and assist me get no matter vibe I’m making an attempt to channel. It’s two inventive, loopy folks collectively. Generally that’s what it takes to offer the youngsters what they need.

The guide options each drag legends and recent faces. How does it really feel to be a part of the legend class now?

Youngster…I can’t consider it. I really feel just like the auntie even occurring tour, being part of the guide, I’m lastly capable of be the one to offer recommendation and assist coach and simply be anyone that may provide information and expertise by way of all of it, by way of photograph shoots, by way of touring. I assist them have somewhat sense of ease, which I’m grateful for as a result of plenty of the older ones and all people that’s completed this earlier than me had been the identical those who did that.

So, I get to move the information and the wealth and simply even only a shoulder…, generally simply being in a room with anyone whereas they going by way of no matter course of is sufficient. It’s undoubtedly leaning on one another.

The guide explores drag as each an artwork kind and a cultural power. How do you see your personal drag evolving inside that house?

I imply, I really feel like plenty of my journey as a drag queen, I realized a lot from touring and attending to be round so many proficient folks. You’ll be able to’t assist however to evolve and simply, rework as an individual and develop as an artist.

You see all people pull up and Werq the World’s at all times nicely, the those who I’ve been working with are the vast majority of the folks which are within the guide. Everybody’s an knowledgeable at what they create, so you may’t assist however need to push your self. And all of us as inventive folks have that in in us and it pushes you. You recognize, drag is sort of a private factor, so, after all, you need to be the perfect one and the perfect you and push your self. So, attending to see the way in which everybody interprets various things on tour or throughout photograph shoots, it makes you need to be extra sickening, as they are saying.  

These days, drag is influencing trend greater than ever. Do you see your self as a part of that dialog? And the way do you incorporate type into your performances?

I imply, I’m not the one to toot my very own horn, so I’m somewhat awkward when I’ve to speak about myself and all that. I really feel prefer it’s an apparent factor that drag has at all times been there. Drag has at all times impressed the celebrities. It’s simply now being extra apparent as a result of they’re contacting our similar designers and, thoughts you – put this in there – we paid the precise value. I don’t suppose the celebrities do it. I’m simply making an attempt to say that. We truly pay full quantity, which I get it. We’ve nonetheless obtained methods to go, however I believe it’s one thing that’s at all times been there. It’s simply hasn’t been within the forefront.

Now now we have all of those boards and Instagram, and also you get to see all of the inspiration that drag has impressed. All of the those who we glance as much as that we by no means thought we might be bumping shoulders subsequent to and dealing with and even being round, they know our names. So, it’s sort of validating now, as a result of , I really feel like folks at all times felt like they’re getting impressed by drag queens and celebrities, however now it’s like lastly being acknowledged and we’re doing our huge ones.

If somebody sees you in Dolls Quantity 3, what do you hope they are going to take away out of your picture and the guide as an entire?

I hope that once they see me within the guide, hopefully it touches those who relate to me, perceive me, come from somewhat island of Puerto Rico or wherever they’re from, that they see that there’s hope for everyone. I believe that’s why the guide is so sickening – there’s illustration for everybody. And I simply hope to encourage the younger ones and provides them somewhat beacon of hope.

I believe it’s past us generally. I can’t put it into phrases, however I do know that I really feel like I’m doing the appropriate factor, and that’s why I’m blessed to be having these folks round me that assist me be the place I’m purported to be, to do what we’re purported to do, which is to assist the little younger ones that come after us to see themselves in me and the remainder of the ladies.

How are rehearsals going for Werq the World?

Youngster…as I stated, I’ve completed this for a very long time, so I’ve realized to only have enjoyable, smile, chuckle and kiki with the ladies as a result of I used to emphasize out and attempt to be Rhythm Nation by way of the rehearsals, however they’re going to be hectic. It’s plenty of us making an attempt to make a present go clean. It’s plenty of work, however it at all times pays off and also you simply roll with the punches. So, the rehearsals are going like they’re purported to…loopy.

I do know you’re enjoying Rihanna within the present. How are you channeling Rihanna in your performances?

Ah, I imply, she’s been one in every of my inspirations since eternally. I believe since I used to be a younger one, I’ve at all times watched her movies and stuff, so I really feel like I simply channel her from simply being somewhat child watching the movies and all her inventive juices. I’m simply doing my tribute to her placing all her wonderful music collectively. She’s additionally from somewhat island, so for this reason it’s an attractive factor to be on Werq the World, you get to reside your private desires.

Werq the World goes to 48 cities. What’s it like connecting with followers on such a large scale night time after night time?

It’s wonderful. I imply, we get to see all types of followers after which us being right here with a bunch of the completely different ladies you get to satisfy. You recognize, after we do private gigs, you meet everybody that involves see you, however you get to introduce your self to folks that will haven’t been a fan or no matter. So, it’s wonderful attending to see all of the followers that love the present from everywhere in the world, even from little locations. Generally we find yourself in locations the place I’m like, woman, they watch drag out right here? So, we get to satisfy all people everywhere in the world. It’s a blessing.

It’s so wonderful that you just get to satisfy those who love the identical stuff as you. And it’s nearly such as you construct your personal little household. Each time we get collectively it’s like somewhat reunion as a result of lots of people simply return and are available see us after they simply noticed us for a Halloween present, they might come again once more and so they see us for this one. It’s like a household. Even the those who come watch us. So, it’s enjoyable and so they’re nice followers – even those that put loopy feedback. We love y’all too!

Now you’ve been a meme, you’ve had a really memorable showmance and also you had your personal courting present. What’s subsequent so that you can conquer?

Hopefully one other present, I might hope. And I don’t know, I attempt to take my life day-to-day as a result of if I plan an excessive amount of, I get nervousness. However hopefully extra TV, proceed to speak, proceed to work. I simply need to see what occurs after this. Stick with me on social media once I do submit and I’ll let . Y’all would be the first ones to know, however the sky’s the restrict and I really feel like half the occasions we do greater than what we may even think about. So, we’re going to see what’s going to occur for the next 12 months.

I’d like to see a second season of your courting present.

Truthfully. Yeah, I used to be going to say that as a result of I’ve been speaking to one in every of my associates, John, about it. He’s been my agent and I used to be like, I believe it could be time, as a result of with the primary one, it was loads to place your self on the market, however I really feel like, no, I could be somewhat bit able to do one other one and perhaps not do it 24 hours. Perhaps we do like “A Month with Vanjie” or one thing – as a result of in case you may final a month, then we would work.

Dolls Quantity 3 shall be accessible at choose tour stops on the 2025 Werq the World Tour and is obtainable for on-line pre-order at www.marcovando.com and www.vossevents.com.  Get tickets for the Werq the World tour at Voss Occasions.  Observe Vanessa Vanjie Mateo on Instagram, TikTok and on her web site.