Checkout a fun and down to earth interview with Victoria of @victoriakuang on Instagram. She keeps things real and without a filter, just the way we think everyone should be. It’s lighthearted, fun and at times not PG-13… but its 2020… so who gives a F.
Who is Victoria Kuang?
VK: I’m from Boston, MA. I currently live in New York, NY. I study Psychology and Dance at Marymount Manhattan College. I’m 22 years old. I’m a dancer, singer, and model.
How did you develop an interest in fashion, beauty, and travel respectively?
VK: I’ve always had a thing for fashion as a little kid. I think I got a lot of my fashion sense from my momma. My mom was one of the original “ABG’s” of her time, back in the 90’s. She used to dress me up in brands like Baby Phat and Juicy Couture. I wore baby tracksuits and urban streetwear clothes at the age of 5 years old. Think of Aaliyah and J.LO! I was a mini version of them… and I still dress like that to this day. When it comes to beauty, I remember being totally against wearing make-up… until I realized that it’s a lot of f*cking fun to get dolled up with your girls! There’s nothing wrong with experimenting with new things and making yourself FEEL good.
As far as traveling, I started flying to different states at a young age! I used to travel to Las Vegas, NV to compete with my former dance company “Phunk Phenomenon” in the “Hip Hop International” competitions. I also used to travel a lot between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA to see my family too. I’m always down to explore a new city and try new food!
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while traveling?
VK: I personally hate the act of physically traveling. By that I mean I get motion sickness and I can’t sit on a plane, in a car, bus, boat, whatever for long periods of time, before I start getting dizzy and nauseous. Fun fact: Wherever I went, whoever I was with always carried plastic bags, Dramamine, and paper towels with them in the car. I used to puke all of the time. Yeah it sucks!!! And of course, for my kind of work, I need to travel a lot. So, I really can’t escape it. It’s also a running joke with my friends, that I’m on a nationwide tour. To whoever reading this, I will be touching down in your city soon, I’m sure haha.
How would you describe your philosophy on health and fitness?
VK: I think taking care of yourself – your mental, physical, and spiritual parts are the most important things to be concerned about in life. Without having your health, you wouldn’t be able to survive. You need to be careful guys! And fitness is just as important to maintain, as that can be very beneficial for your mind, body, and soul. I grew up having asthma, and a variety of other small health issues. So I’m always cautious about what I put into my little body – the dosages of medicines I take, or the junk food I eat… sometimes. Honestly, I’m not going to lie, I eat like a fata**. I love me some mozzarella cheese, buffalo wings, and of course some rice because I’m Asian, jk. And maybe some raspberry sorbet and chocolate munchkins would be nice too. Okay let me stop. I hope y ’all get the point, please take care of yourselves!!!
Being part of an industry, whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?
VK: I’ve seen how superficial it can get and how hard it is to try to get away from the bullsh*t and the madness of it all. And honestly, I still really struggle with it to this day. I started working in the entertainment industry when I was 16 years old. I only started working more recently, as I’ve appeared in a few music videos for some bigger artists in the industry in 2018/2019. Let me tell you, it is not all it’s cracked up to be. Yes, it’s fun and cool to hang out with some of your favorite celebrities. But it’s also draining, trying to keep up with an “image.” I always preach about being authentic to myself and being as transparent as I possibly can be. But sometimes, I lose sight of it too. I subconsciously think I do this because of the people I’ve chosen to surround myself with and spend my time/energy on. And possibly for the impression of it “helping” me in my career somehow – if I appear to be “such and such” to someone with more power or greater authority than me.
A lot of times I found myself playing “the game.” It wasn’t until this year in 2020 where I found myself trying to avoid being caught up in situations like that, with people that I really don’t care to know. I have my best friends and mom to thank for that. They always have my back. No matter what, I’m always reminded of my roots. I love being from little old Boston, MA. They raised me! And I love the people that actually love me for me. Not for who they think “Victoria Kuang” is. This is also why I don’t like certain aspects of social media or showing my face at those exclusive high-profile fashion parties either. I just want to do my thing. And live my life, true to me. I don’t want to pretend to be something I’m not, just so someone can like “me.”
Who or what gives you the most inspiration?
VK: I find inspiration in so many people and things. I’m basically on my phone 24/7, so I tend to keep up with what’s going on in the world… especially with some of my favorite girls (the Kardashians/Jenners). I’ve written so many essays on them in my marketing/psychology classes and somehow always find myself stalking their babies. I’m obsessed with Kylie’s baby Stormi. She’s so f*cking cute and I can’t wait to be a mommy one day because of her. It’s actually kind of a dream of mine now. But in general, I like to pull inspiration from people that aren’t afraid to be “unique.” I’ve always been a weirdo growing up and was even bullied a lot for it in school (just because I loved unicorns and horses LOL.) So, it inspires me when I see other people dare to be different. I used to hate being the odd one out. But now that’s my favorite quality about myself and what I tend to gravitate towards in other people too.
General words of wisdom you live by….
VK: “You get what you give.” That quote I found from my girl J.LO. It’s in my Instagram biography too. I fully believe that this goes for anything in life. Any kind of energy you give out, is what you inevitably attract. If you want that job, you better give it your all!! Or if you want to be treated better, you yourself must be kinder to those around you. I believe in karma. I trust that what comes around always goes around. So why not have good karma and be good human beings?
What’s your favorite thing to do in your down time?
VK: If I could just stay at home and sleep all day I would. Or actually right now, I kind of wish I was at his place cuddling with him and watching movies together. I love being in his presence. That’s when I feel the most happy and comfortable. When I’m around him.
What is your stance on influencers being paid to post about brands? Should influencers be transparent regarding payment for posts?
VK: I think that influencers deserve to get paid to post about brands. After all, we are the ones that help drive and promote sales for these companies!! I can’t stress enough how important marketing is. It can really make or break a company based on how they decide to brand themselves and find their niche markets. Especially since we live in a time where social media platforms are pivotal, and it’s all about having visually appealing “aesthetics.” I also do think influencers should be transparent with the public about sponsored or ad posts. Honesty is always the best policy! That’s how you keep a strong relationship with your followers.
How do you stay full of energy throughout the day?
VK: I ask myself this question every damn day. Still have yet to find out how.
Best moment/memory of 2019?
VK: There were so many good moments and memories with some of my favorite people in the world. My trip to Los Angeles, CA in August for Wolf Tyla’s “All Tinted” music video was so much fun. I made so many dope friends!! Shout out to my little LA squad! But I think one of my career highlights of 2019 would have to be, seeing my face being sold on T-shirts and my friends wearing them. It’s so cool to me. I’ll never get over it. Go cop your merchandise at fountainoftheallure.com!
If your best friend could tell us something embarrassing about you, what would it be?
VK: Dude, there’s way too many to count lol. I do stupid sh*t so often that I really don’t surprise anyone anymore. But there was one time I said “Katy Perry pop sh*ts” instead of “pop chips” in my class presentation about negative body image in media and advertisements. I don’t think I can ever live that down.
