PRIDE 2025 - The Naked Truth: ViLette Stratton

For ViLette Stratton, drag wasn’t something she fell into by accident—it was something that quietly called her name until she was ready to answer. Her story, like so many in the LGBTQ+ community, is one of evolution. Of turning discomfort into confidence, fear into freedom, and art into a vehicle for truth.

Her official start in drag came in 2013, but the seed had been planted years before. “I saw my first show at the age of 18 at UNM, and it sparked my curiosity,” ViLette recalls. That moment unlocked a sense of possibility. “I dabbled a little in drag—even dressed up as a fairy for Halloween one year. I even met a queen who put me in drag when I was 18. It was a whole different experience. I loved and hated it at the same time and couldn’t figure out why.” She laughs softly, reflecting on how complicated that first taste of drag felt.

That moment could have been the end—but it wasn’t. “I said I’d never do drag again,” she admits. “But as I approached 21, I thought, maybe I should try it. It could be fun.” And try it she did. She returned to the very same show at UNM—only this time as a performer. “That was my very first show, and I haven’t stopped since.”

Since then, ViLette has carved out a vibrant presence in the New Mexico drag scene—not just with stunning performances, but with a deeply rooted sense of community. “I feel like I bring a sense of family and warmth. I’m always greeting everyone with a smile and a hug. You never know what others are going through, and a little kindness can make someone’s whole day.”

That philosophy goes beyond the stage. ViLette is also a designer with her own small business, Creations by ViLette, creating custom looks not only for herself but for other entertainers throughout Albuquerque. Her performances are captivating, her looks unforgettable—but it’s her heart that leaves the biggest impression. “I love engaging with the audience and connecting. I want them to feel something.”

But ViLette’s drag is more than entertainment—it has been a catalyst for discovering her most authentic self. Growing up, ViLette was always aware of her femininity, but had no framework to understand it. “As a teen, I didn’t know what being trans or transitioning was,” she says. “So, I just assumed, Oh, I’m a gay guy. I have to try and still be masculine so other gay guys would like me.”
Starting drag gave her the space to explore. “It brought me so much joy being able to express my femininity,” she says. “But it also confused me. I started meeting other trans people, and I was envious. I thought, ‘I’ll never have the means to transition.’ So, for years, I settled. Drag was the only way I allowed myself to be feminine.”

For a long time, ViLette rarely appeared in public outside of drag. “Most people didn’t even know what I looked like out of drag,” she shares. “I only posted pictures in drag, only went out in drag. And that worked—until it didn’t. Until I wanted more for my life.”

That desire led her to take brave, practical steps toward transitioning. “I realized there were resources. I made some calls and got on waiting lists. Eventually, I got into therapy, got on the right meds, and started living life for me.” She smiles. “Here I am today—happier with myself than I’ve ever been.”
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As her identity evolved, so did her drag. “My drag has gone through many phases,” she says. “Glitter beards, artsy, cosplay, high femme—you name it. But as I became more comfortable with myself, I started leaning into what gave me the most confidence.” Today, her drag is a stunning blend of femininity and power, creativity and clarity. “I still love experimenting,” she says, “but I’ve found my sweet spot.”

With all the lessons she's gathered along the way, ViLette has one central message she hopes to share, especially with LGBTQ+ youth. “Be true to yourself,” she says. “It’s okay to put yourself first. And kindness? It’s powerful. It can take you places you never imagined.”

She also encourages younger members of the queer community to look beyond national headlines. “Learn not only monumental LGBTQ history but local queer history. Get to know the community as a whole, young and old. Ask questions. Listen to people’s stories.”

And above all else: “Be brave. Be courageous. Practice self-care. We’re living in a scary time, politically. Trans and nonbinary folks especially are under attack. So now, more than ever, we need to stick together. We need to show up for each other.”

ViLette Stratton is more than a performer—she’s a living reminder that self-discovery is an act of courage, that drag is both a mirror and a window, and that community begins with compassion. She’s sewn her own garments, stitched together resilience from adversity, and created a life—and a stage persona—that speaks truth in rhinestones, lashes, and love.

And in every performance, every hug, and every shared story, she reminds us: being yourself isn’t just brave—it’s revolutionary. P&E - Teresa Robinson

Follow ViLette on social media at @vilettestratton on Instagram and Facebook.