Vivian Wilson spent the last three years updating her name and gender identity on legal documents, entering the public sphere of social media, and clapping back at a father who deadnamed his trans daughter and even claimed that she had been "killed." On Thursday, May 15 — one month after her 21st birthday — Wilson is launching a collaboration with queer-owned clothing brand Wildfang and is the face of a campaign that celebrates the power of reclaiming your name.
"For a lot of trans people, especially, there's this sense of pride that goes along with your new name. It's a reminder of who you are as a trans person," Wilson tells Out. "Obviously, not all trans people change their names. I know a lot of trans people that haven't. But most of us tend to do so."
She adds, "For trans people who change their names, there's a history to that name, right? Saying your name is kind of an actualization of your transness."
When asked how her first month of being 21 is going, Wilson says, "Well, very good, clearly. I've had a spectacular month, and I've done a lot of really cool things. Some exciting opportunities that I've been able to take advantage of. I sound like a pageant queen, but it's true."
Vivian Wilson photographed in Vivian Wilson for Wildfang campaign.
Courtesy of Wildfang
Wildfang connected with Wilson after noticing that she already wore clothes from the company. "They saw my TikTok videos," Wilson explains, "so it's very much an authentic thing. I genuinely wear their products. It was cool how this collaboration came to be."
Besides starring in the campaign, dubbed Vivian Wilson for Wildfang, Wilson designed a special-edition t-shirt that reads, "Existing shouldn't be revolutionary." Wildfang has committed to donating 100 percent of profits to The Trevor Project.
Wilson's Teen Vogue cover story, published two months ago, outlined her interests in becoming a model and/or Twitch streamer. But when asked if those career prospects had changed in any way, the sharp-tongued Queen of Threads replies, "Well, seven months ago I thought I was going to be an English teacher. So, yeah, I'm still figuring it out [laughs]."
"I really do enjoy modeling," she clarifies, "but there are other things I'm also looking to pursue now that I have this freedom granted by my platform, which has given me the ability to explore other options."
Among those other options is acting.
Vivian Wilson photographed in Vivian Wilson for Wildfang campaign.
Courtesy of Wildfang
"Voice acting is something that's always appealed to me," Wilson says. "Same with acting, but I don't know if I'm necessarily very good at it. I might have to take some lessons. But maybe, eventually, you'll see me on the big screen. Very eventually. Eventually. Keyword: 'Eventually.' Eventually, girl!"
She continues, "But I'm definitely pursuing modeling even further for the moment. It's one of the things I enjoy the most. My favorite aspect of modeling is [collaborating with] the crew. The people who make sure that you look right. The people who make sure that the lighting is tight. Oh, that rhymes! [laughs]. And obviously the photographer. Everyone's just trying to bring this vision to life. There's a sense of community on set that I really appreciate."
As seen on TikTok, Threads, and Instagram, this is Wilson in real-time, too: She's confident, but also unafraid to be vulnerable. She jokes often and makes people laugh with her but also commands attention when discussing serious topics. She's clearly bright but never comes across as someone who takes herself too seriously. She's a happy, funny, lovely young woman who is curious about people, art, clothing, languages, cultures, and history.
And herstory, too, of course. She is obsessed with herstory.
Vivian Wilson photographed in Vivian Wilson for Wildfang campaign.
Courtesy of Wildfang
Wilson is a huge stan of RuPaul's Drag Race and possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of the series and its lore. On Thursday, May 8, Wilson attended a premiere party for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 in New York City and made headlines the following day for the pictures and videos of her at the event.
"That was one of the best nights of my life. Like, I have Kerri Colby's phone number now. [laughs] It was so much fun. It was such an honor to be there," Wilson says.
"I literally didn't know any of that would happen," she recalls. "I just kind of went there, and I got there a bit late. My friend — the one who's in the background of the video kind of, like, screaming — texted me, 'The queens know you're here.' And I'm like, 'What are you talking about?' And [my friend's] like, 'They know you're coming.'"
Wilson pauses for a second to relive the gagatrondra of that realization. "First of all, I had to process two things. One: They knew I was coming. And B… Wait, I really just said one and B [laughs]. And two: They knew who I was. That was very crazy."
Bosco, Vivian Wilson, and Kerri Colby at a premiere event for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10.
Santiago Felipe/Getty Images for Paramount+Wilson notes that many Drag Race queens are "individuals who I've looked up to since high school, since the early days of high school. It was really so groundbreaking to be able to meet them like that, have regular conversations, and just have that moment. It was really fun. I had a great time."
"I'm obsessed with the show. And not just Drag Race, but drag in general," she says. "I really appreciate the art form. And, obviously, support local drag."
One of the most viral photos of the night had Wilson and drag queen Bosco posing together as Wilson wore Bosco's merch at the event. "It was really cool and spontaneous. She just kind of, like, gave it to me!" Wilson recalls. "I was like, 'Oh, I'm gonna go put this on.' And she was like, 'You want to take some photos?' I was like, 'Sure!' And then I was on her Instagram, which was very cool! I loved it."
The Bosco-branded tank top reads: "God's favorite transsexual." When asked about it, Wilson says, "I still have that tank top. I will cherish that tank top for many years to come."
View on Threads
Wilson said in past interviews that she would love to do drag someday. But has that feeling grown, shrunk, or changed after hanging out with such Drag Race legends?
"Oh, it has very much grown! I really want to do drag, and I might have some stuff planned," she teases. "Obviously, drag is very difficult. It's not something you can master in a day. I recognize that, and I still want to try it anyway."
Wilson adds, "I'm also very much in the public eye. So if, or more like when I start doing drag… There's going to be a crunchy phase, and everyone will have to get used to it. After that, it will be cunt."
I laugh and agree with her. Drag performers didn't always come as polished as they do in recent seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race. Most of them had crunchy phases, I tell her.
"Exactly," she replies. "Everyone's had a crunchy phase. I think we should all have a crunchy phase."
Vivian Wilson photographed in Vivian Wilson for Wildfang campaign.
Courtesy of Wildfang
As our conversation exits Mama Ru's queendom and re-enters planet Earth, we discuss queer and trans representation in mainstream media.
A notable TikTok video from Wilson shows her fiercely lip syncing to "Nissan Altima" by Doechii, writing that the song is a "national anthem." Earlier this year, Doechii presented an award to Lady Gaga and declared that Mother Monster was a "lifeline" for young queer people like her. Now, Doechii herself is becoming that source of hope and inspiration for a new generation in the LGBTQ+ community.
"Oh my god, I love her," Wilson says about Doechii. "Not only her presentation and her confidence and everything along with it, but also her sense of style. It's so well-defined. Whenever there's a red carpet that she's on, I always look forward to seeing what she's going to bring."
Unfortunately, a lot of erasure of queer and trans artists is also taking place in today's culture — and Wilson is very aware of it.
Vivian Wilson photographed in Vivian Wilson for Wildfang campaign.
Courtesy of Wildfang
"In terms of representation, we are simultaneously moving forward and moving backwards in a lot of regards," Wilson observes. "There's so much trans representation in modeling right now. Alex Consani, MJ Rodriguez, Zaya Wade, Chella Man. And it's great to see that, but it's kind of going down, too, I have to say."
She elaborates, "Specifically in films and TV, as the Overton window continually shifts to the right, we're seeing more and more attacks on pretty much anything that involves any trans character or storyline, which is disheartening to see. But I definitely think, or I definitely hope, at least, that the future will try to alleviate that problem."
Does Wilson have any advice or a message to trans youth as they face new challenges in the coming years?
"There are people out there who will support you. I want you to know that and really embody it," she declares. "I say this all the time: Don't let other people's negative opinions of who you are, your validity, or your queerness, affect your own perception of yourself. Because you are that bitch. I can say that: You are that bitch."
"And because you are that bitch, just know that there's a community out there for you, which you will be able to find," Wilson says. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel, which I know sounds cliché. But whatever, because it's true."
You can shop the Vivian Wilson for Wildfang collection on Wildfang.com.
Vivian Wilson photographed in Vivian Wilson for Wildfang campaign.
Courtesy of Wildfang
