If you know me in real life, you might wonder, "Who is Vanity Fame?" or "Why is this called Vanity Fame?" Vanity Fame is my alter ego—the side that has always been there, evolving with who I am today. When I’m confident, carefree, happy, excited, or even a little delusional, that’s Vanity Fame in action. This persona has been my shield against the darker parts of life, and after years of wanting to fully embrace it, I’ve finally decided to make Vanity Fame my reality.

"Vanity" in Vanity Fame comes from Christina Aguilera’s song “Vanity” from her Bionic album. It also reflects something I’ve struggled with my entire life—my self-esteem, or the lack of it. In reality, I’ve never felt particularly strong in this area, but when I step into the role of Vanity Fame, I transform into someone who exudes confidence, even to the point of being unapologetically self-assured—a stark contrast to who I am in the real world.

The "Fame" in Vanity Fame is inspired by Lady Gaga’s debut album, The Fame, released in 2008. I’ve been listening to it since I was just nine years old, during a time when life at home was incredibly challenging. That album became my sanctuary, an escape from reality. Every time something difficult happened, I would lose myself in The Fame and retreat into a fantasy world—a place where I wasn’t weighed down by the struggles of my reality, where I could be the center of attention, free from judgment.

Vanity Fame didn’t always have a name. It was once just my escape—an imagined world where I could hide from the bullying, the loneliness, and the feeling of being misunderstood as a kid. Now, Vanity Fame isn’t just an alter ego; it’s who I am becoming.