Victory “Vi” Lê is a woman of quiet strength and luminous presence, living and creating in the ever-restless heart of San Francisco. A transgender singer, performer, and student, Vi first stepped into the public eye as one of the women featured in Cecilio Asuncion’s documentary What’s the T?, a project that captured not only stories of transition, but the courage it takes to exist openly in a world that so often demands conformity. Since then, her life has continued to unfold as a careful balance between artistry, purpose, and self-discovery. By day, Vi is completing her degree in psychology and working with the Department of Public Health, guided by a long-held dream of becoming a doctor, a healer in both mind and body. By night, she takes the stage at AsiaSF, the legendary San Francisco cabaret where transgender women are not only servers and hosts, but stars. There, Vi lends her voice to bluesy and jazz-infused songs, singing with a warmth shaped by lived experience, heartbreak, resilience, and hope.
As the venue’s only live singer, she does more than perform; she weaves emotion into melody, and community into family, standing alongside women she proudly calls her sisters. Vi’s beauty, like her artistry, is not ornamental but deeply rooted. It grows from self-ownership, from years of searching, questioning, and learning to love herself without apology. She speaks of transition not as a single moment or destination, but as a personal, evolving journey, one that belongs to each individual alone. Her words reject rigid narratives and embrace choice, patience, and compassion, reminding us that there is no universal path to becoming oneself. At her core, Vi believes in visibility, not as spectacle, but as truth. She envisions a world where transgender women are seen simply as human beings navigating love, family, ambition, and belonging, much like anyone else. Grounded yet dream-filled, reflective yet playful, she embodies the idea that standing out is not an act of defiance, but an act of survival and grace. This interview is an invitation into Vi’s world, a space where song meets science, softness meets strength, and identity is not explained, but lived.
Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Victory “Vi” Lê, an American Student from San Francisco, singer, performer, one of five transgender women presented in Cecilio Asuncion’s documentary “What’s the T?”. Hello Vi!
Vi: Hello Monika! What a pleasure and honor it is to be interviewed by you. I hope you’re doing well.
Monika: To begin, would you mind sharing a little about who you are and what your life looks like these days?
Vi: Well, to start off, I am a proud Transgender woman here in beautiful San Francisco, CA. I’m currently a student, finishing up my psychology degree. I also work at DPH(Department of Public Health) and AsiaSF, a restaurant that employs transgender women waitresses/hostesses who are also showgirls; where we all serve and entertain in a dinner PG-13 cabaret/show. I am their only live singer at the moment, and I’m blessed to be able to call the girls who I work with, family.
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| Interview for Asians on Film (YouTube) |
Monika: You radiate such confidence and charm. What do you think truly shapes your beauty?
Vi: The secret comes from owning yourself, and knowing who you are. It took a long time for me to come to love myself fully for who I am, and from there, beauty blossomed from the inside out. We were born to stand out, not to fit in. So long have many of us been victims trying to assimilate into society.
Monika: Nearly three years have passed since “What’s the T?” premiered. Looking back, how has your life evolved since then?
Monika: Nearly three years have passed since “What’s the T?” premiered. Looking back, how has your life evolved since then?
Vi: I’m finally finishing up school. I still have plans on becoming a doctor, but recently changed my major in school from Biology to Psychology because the new medical entrance exam (MCAT) is adding psychology to the exam.
Monika: And what about the sisterhood from the film? Are you still connected with the other ladies?
Vi: I do keep in touch with most of the ladies from the documentary. Melanie/Nya Ampon is my roommate here in San Francisco, after moving out of Hayward. Cassandra, I still see from time to time, and Mia I bump into at community events in the city. As for Rakash-Armani, I haven’t seen her in a while, I do miss her, but I know she wants to live a quiet life now. And, Cecilio who is an honorary “lady of what’s the t?” *giggles* He has become a brother and a mentor for me.
Monika: And your love for performing? When did you first feel that the stage was where you belonged?
Vi: I’ve always known I was meant to be on stage. I’ve always loved to sing and found it to be a passion in life. If I could sing as a career, I would, but nowadays I focus on my career dream. I put my other dreams on the side (still pursuing them), and keep a realistic outlook that can still help people. I’ll be a singing doctor.
Monika: Your performances blend playfulness and sensuality so naturally. Where do you find your inspiration for dance and music?
Vi: Dances I perform are usually silly, yet seductive. I get inspiration from burlesque-type choreography. As for singing, I usually perform bluesy/jazzy-type songs because the genre fits my voice. Singing styles like Amy Winehouse, Adele, Melody Gardot, and many others.
Monika: And for those who want to see you shine? Where can people catch your live shows? Are there any new projects on the horizon?
Vi: You can see me perform at AsiaSF in San Francisco. As for new projects… they’re always popping up here and there. I’m mostly focusing on finishing school at the moment.
Monika: Has your transition influenced the way you create or express yourself artistically? What does being a transgender artist mean to you?
Vi: Being Transgender is only a part of my identity, my artistic perception continues to evolve and change as I evolve and change.
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Victory on the poster of What's the T? whatsthetfilm.com |
Monika: How do you view the current situation of transgender women in the United States today?
Vi: I am happy to see more and more transgender youth emerging, and have the ability to live their lives for who they know they are. I just wish that the trans community didn’t strive so much to fit in/assimilate into society. We should be able to stand up, out and proud, to just be ourselves. I believe, in order for the transgender community to get equal rights, is to be more visible. We need the world to know that we exist and that we are just living our lives, much like everyone else trying to navigate dating, love, family, careers, and whatever else. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter about your orientation, or sex you were assigned at birth, we are all human.
Monika: Visibility can be powerful. What helps you personally stay grounded and proud in your identity?
Vi: I actually transitioned late in life. I always knew there was something different about me at a very young age. Growing up, I only thought there were only 2 identities – straight, and gay. For the longest time… I thought I was gay and lived a gay boy life for a while until I got the chance to learn and interact more with the trans community. I then started to live my life more androgynously, and eventually, with a sisterhood of trans women, I started my medical transition at the age of 26.
Monika: Your transition path was very personal and thoughtful. How did you navigate the pressure or expectations from others?
Vi: I have always dreamed of having kids when I was younger, so I only chose to forgo HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) for a year so that I wouldn’t become medically/chemically castrated. I just went on HRT to grow breast tissue so that I could undergo Breast Augmentation as my final step in the transition. This process was, of course, a difficult one, because I had all of these other trans women telling me how to define myself, and how to transition, according to them.
Monika: And when it came to decisions about surgeries, how did you find clarity about what was right for you?
Vi: Some told me that breast augmentation is not my final step in my transition, that getting SRS (sexual reassignment surgery) is. For the longest time, I thought about SRS, but I’ve loved my body for more than 28 years now, and I’m happy with how my body is. I love my own body, this is my body, and this is my choice. Yes, it may change, as I may want to possibly get SRS down the road, but at the moment, right now? It isn’t the choice for me. Perhaps when I’m 65? Lol.
Monika: What has this journey taught you about defining your own womanhood?
Vi: In the end, I learned that each person defines his or her own transitional journey. There is no universal trans experience, and that we shouldn’t be forcing someone else to follow the transitional path we’ve chosen. We should allow them to make and choose their own transitional path.
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| What's The T trailer (YouTube) |
Monika: During your transition, did you have any transgender role models you could look up to or draw strength from?
Vi: Growing up, there weren’t any visible trans role models to look up to. I hope to change that.
Monika: And today? Are there transgender women whose journeys or voices inspire you?
Vi: I love Janet Mock, she is inspirational and incredibly sweet. Laverne Cox, for persevering through it all to get to where she is now. Melanie Ampon, my roommate, has become my older sister. And my little sister LA, though I may be giving her advice, she always teaches me new things all the time; we learn and grow together. I would also have to say my good friend and mentor who is like my brother, Sean. Though he isn’t a trans lady (he’s definitely honorary trans), he is definitely someone I look up to, admire, and appreciate for making me a better woman than I was yesterday.
Monika: It sounds like you’ve built a beautiful support system. How important has community been for you?
Vi: Definitely telling my parents about my truth. Even though I knew I didn’t need their financial support, I still wanted to share with them who I am. My mom and dad love me unconditionally; there is no doubt about it. But, it took them a little while to fully comprehend my changes. My little brother, Vinney, has always supported me through all of my stages in life.
Monika: How do you feel about the way transgender stories and characters are portrayed in the media today?
Vi: I only wish that actual trans people could play these roles portrayed in movies and shows. Too often, our stories are told through an outsider’s lens, which can unintentionally flatten or stereotype very real, complex lives. When trans actors are given these roles, there is an authenticity that cannot be taught or replicated, because it comes from lived experience. Representation is not just about visibility, it is also about opportunity, dignity, and being trusted to tell our own stories. Seeing trans people portray trans characters would not only improve the quality of storytelling, it would also help normalize our presence in the industry and in society at large.
Monika: Representation matters so much. What kind of change would you like to see in casting and storytelling?
Vi: The LGB community, I feel, still does not understand the T in LGBT. I feel that we all fight our own battles within our own community. I would love to see cross-community collaborations for equal human rights, not just specifics in gay/lesbian/bi/trans rights.
Monika: When it comes to politics, do you follow current events or engage in any advocacy work? And do you feel transgender women can influence political change?
Monika: When it comes to politics, do you follow current events or engage in any advocacy work? And do you feel transgender women can influence political change?
Vi: I am not very active in politics, but yes, I do believe transgender people can make a difference, especially when we unite and stand together, not separate.
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| What's The T trailer (YouTube) |
Monika: How would you describe your personal style? Are there certain looks, colors, or trends you feel most at home in?
Vi: I would say that I’m a bit on the grungy side of fashion, I’m a bit of a tomboy. But, I definitely know how to dress it up. For me, personal style is about flexibility and confidence, dressing in a way that feels authentic while still leaving room to play and evolve.
Monika: Love seems to play a meaningful role in your life. How would you describe its importance to you?
Vi: Love is the reason why I breathe, and why I live. I live to love and be loved. As for the love of a significant other… I’ve learned to just be patient, and let it happen on its own, never to force it; one cis-man to be stupid with, make memories with, share with, build a home with, create a family together with for the rest of our lives.
Monika: And when you imagine that future love, what qualities matter most to you?
Vi: I could definitely see myself penning a memoir later in my life. I think that desire comes from valuing honesty, reflection, and emotional depth, which are qualities I would want to share with others as well.
Monika: Speaking of the future, are there any projects or plans you’re currently focusing on?
Vi: At the moment, I’m just focusing on school, and working with DPH (Department of Public Health).
Monika: Many young transgender women struggle with gender dysphoria. What guidance would you offer them on their journey?
Vi: Love, just know it doesn’t happen overnight. It took me almost 23+ years to make the decision to transition. It is a process and a journey. Like everything in life, small steps still get you where you need to go, you’re able to view your progress, and you’re able to make smart decisions instead of impulsive ones. Instant gratification only lasts so long. So, take your time to discover you, to love you, to be you.
Monika: Vi, thank you for the interview!
All the photos: courtesy of Victory “Vi” Lê.
© 2015 - Monika Kowalska
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