Interview - Jvst Tina
Jvst Tina, welcome gorg to Spill the Tea!
Hey! Thanks for interviewing me!
To start, when did you discover you wanted to do drag?
I discovered I wanted to do drag when I saw the spice girls video wannabe and wanted to be Vicky B! I used to wear a black tee over my head pretending it’s a wig and lip-syncing to the Spice Girls haha.
How did you choose your Drag name?
I was with some close friends of mine and we were talking about a certain manager from Versace (I used to work for them) and loved her mannerisms when she fixes her hair and decided to name my drag after her. (this is the PG 13 version) another version is referring to the drug Tina haha! Coz just like the drug people can get addicted to me lol
“As an Asian Queen I would like to show how beautiful we are because especially in the London scene we don’t get seen a lot and I would love to change that and promote Asian beauty”
Did you have any rejected names and if so, what were they?
Yes! My first drag name was Mercurya! Because I was obsessed with Sailor Mercury from Sailor Moon and every time I hang around by my friends near Tower Bridge I would always see this boat named Mercuria and thought it was a sign. But then thought sounded like a cheap version of Aquaria so decided to change it haha!
If I had to personally give you a ‘type Queen’ label I would say you are a look Queen, as your posts are fierce! Firstly, would you say you are a look Queen? Secondly, how would you describe your style?
My aesthetic is very important to me because my drag is what I would want to look like if I was a woman and I am very inspired by fashion plus I’m not the best dancer so looks is what I shall serve haha. My style is a mix of Versace, Persephone from the Matrix, Kitana from Mortal Kombat, Vicky B (Spice Girls era), and random things from everyday life I take inspiration from. And as an Asian Queen I would like to show how beautiful we are because especially in the London scene we don’t get seen a lot and I would love to change that and promote Asian beauty.
How long does it take you to come up with each look and what is your process?
Most of my looks are from Archive pieces I have in my wardrobe, I have worked in Fashion my whole career and have collected some great pieces and I try to build looks on what I have. If there is a certain look I want to do and don’t own it, I would try to make it (with the help from my mom) and charity shops help a lot too in terms of great finds. With my make up I have found a face that really works for my aesthetic and try to stick to that. I want people to know what I draw is a Jvst Tina face.
How has Covid changed the way you do Drag?
It actually gave me the time I needed to improve my skills, mixing music, make up, creating looks and coming up with new performances. Covid gave me the time to grow the Jvst Tina Brand.
With freedom on the horizon what one thing have you missed most about performing to a crowd?
Just interacting with people! I miss talking to people and hugging random strangers.
RuPaul’s Drag Race has helped push Drag into the mainstream but Drag goes way beyond that. What one other Queen deserves a shout out from you?
Angela Krown, Luna Cortez and my sis Asia Thorne all 3 queens I consider my sisters.
