Vogue and the Olympics. Two worlds that once seemed incompatible, until Vinii Revlon arrived and started changing history. If this year's Games have been called a return to the cultural Olympics, they did so with all the grace and elegance. Vinii Revlon was invited by the International World Games Association to organize several dance battles as part of the official side program (a battle is a dance competition, editor’s note). And where else but right under the Eiffel Tower.
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INTERVIEW: MARTINA FRIDRICHOVÁ
Vinii wasn’t chosen by chance; he’s been called a miracle in a genre that was once dominated solely by American talents. He has become one of the most important European legends and a driving force behind French vogue. His influence stretches far beyond borders, spreading his love for dance in places like Brazil, Spain, the UK, and other countries, where he holds numerous dance workshops. He is the Father and founder of the iconic House of Revlon, with which he participated in the HBO TV competition Legendary. Vinii Revlon inspires and pushes the boundaries of the dance world, so we took the opportunity to ask him a few questions.
MF: Vogue and the Olympics. Two worlds that didn’t seem to belong together until now. But then, Vinii Revlon came along and started changing history. How did ballroom become an official part of the Olympic program?
VR: The Olympic committee reached out to me, and for them, it made complete sense that voguing needed to be in the picture. So, quite frankly, I did it! Voguing has been making Paris, France, shine lately.
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So this is my way of telling the world: BE YOURSELF!
MF: What should people imagine when they hear about dance battles on stage that honor Olympic sports and combine voguing with the spirit of the Games, as the official program describes? What exactly are you planning?
VR: They need to imagine real-time battles, physical prowess, and a lot of fashion! I’m bringing ballroom to the biggest stage ever, and for that, I will showcase two of the best categories in the voguing scene: RUNWAY and PERFORMANCE. Think of the runway like a fashion show, and performance is VOGUING TIME—the girls are going to sweat!
MF: I think it’s amazing that the ballroom is part of the cultural Olympiad. It’s incredible how far the vogue scene has come—from an underground movement in the 1980s to the Olympics. I even see it as a sign of mainstream acceptance of the LGBT+ community. What does this mean to you personally? How did you come up with the idea to apply for the official program?
VR: So first of all, I didn’t apply; they came to me. Who wouldn’t? Haha, but my thoughts on this are that I’m super proud and excited to officially have the LGBTQIA+ community on the front line, not as guests, but as part of the celebration! Because we all know being an athlete and being "out" is not always accepted (still), so it’s my way of telling the world: BE YOURSELF. It’s okay; we’re all going to celebrate ourselves.
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MF: Did the Olympic committee accept your idea right away?
VR: I mean, they invited the king of Paris, so of course, they did, lmao.
MF: What does the Olympics mean to you? Are you planning to watch the events?
VR: It’s the champions meeting! It’s also a moment in time when we all compete but come together to celebrate ourselves, no matter the color of our skin or our religion! We speak sport here!
MF: What does voguing mean to you? What do you love most about it?
VR: The freedom to express my masculinity and femininity however I please! But what I love most is that through Vogue, I tackle a lot of important topics, such as racism, transphobia, and more.
MF: What is essential for vogue? The movements? Fashion? Safe space? The community?
VR: To me, it’s everything! But my number one is the safe space that I and we can create for our people! Still, to this day, people can get killed just for being gay, so having a scene where we are celebrated is truly a blessing.
MF: I know you started voguing in Paris, but then you spent several years in America, where you won numerous battles for your art. What happened when you returned to Paris?
VR: When I returned to Paris, I was “that bitch from Paris who made it,” lol. I also took what I learned in America and brought it back to Paris. I saw the good and the bad, and because of that, I was able to give back to my community.
MF: If I understand correctly, you are seen as an icon not only in the Paris vogue scene but also globally. You are an exceptional dancer, you organize various workshops, you teach, and you are the leader of the House of Revlon. It's said that you are the only European vogue dancer to be officially awarded the title of legend. Who awards these titles, and why did you receive yours?
VR: So, the only one now? No, but the very first to receive that legendary title, yes. The icons (icons are the ones who created houses and spaces for their city) of the American scene gathered together and voted for who’s next in line, like a coven. When the majority of the votes are in your favor, you win. In my case, everyone in the room voted for me to be a legend.
MF: What does it mean to be the father of the House of Revlon?
VR: It’s a full-time job. I have kids who look up to me. It means I have to guide them as best as I can. I’m a nice father, but not too nice, lol.
MF: You hold workshops all over the world; do you have any plans to come to Prague? It seems like the ballroom scene here is just starting to grow.
VR: Prague, I would love to be there if you would have me. ♥️
MF: What are your plans after the Olympics?
VR: Continue to spread love and joy around the world and showcase my house wherever I can. Speaking of a show, you might see an upcoming show about me and the House of Revlon next year. Who knows?
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