Believe it or not, the Drag icon’s signature Chair Splits stunt was invented by chance. Despite not being a product of deliberate design, the stunt has propelled the performer to stages across the globe. On an unsuspecting rehearsal day when everyone was reluctant to buy lunch, some crew members declared that they would buy Mocha a free lunch if she could split onto two chairs. Casually accepting the bet, she gracefully executed the stunt, giving birth to her legendary repertoire staple. This move requires immense core strength, balance, and precision. “I’ve had a few very painful accidents during practice, but thankfully no broken bones… yet,” she laughs. Mocha’s fitness background, which includes acrobatics, aerials, and pole work, has infused the Drag performer’s acts with dynamic physicality, earning invitations to take the stage in Paris, America, Guam, and beyond.

The process of transforming into Mocha Diva has become second nature after years of dedicated practice. “In the beginning,” she reflects, “it could take me a week just to conceptualise and plan a new character. Now, I can go from zero to full Mocha Diva in just an hour, sometimes forty-five minutes.” She has mastered her maquillage, yet for her, true beauty goes beyond a flawless face, extravagant outfits and jawdropping stunts. “Actually, I think the definition of beauty in Drag is confidence. Because no matter how you paint your face, no matter what costume you’re going to wear – if you are confident then you will feel beautiful, and that will transcend to the people watching you too.” It’s an inspiring sentiment that goes beyond the realm of Drag – allowing audiences to bask in the radiance of magnetic self-confidence. 

Her journey has encountered its fair share of rocky passages, with obstacles unique to Hong Kong’s adolescent Drag scene. She laments that the tipping culture is almost non-existent, a big element present in American and Thai Drag cultures. While the performer’s growing recognition has resulted in more tips, supplemented by the expanding local Drag community, young queens still aren’t tipped well, if at all. Another major challenge is presented as the majority of Drag performances in Hong Kong take place in bars and clubs, where intoxicated patrons can exhibit a lack of respect and etiquette. “People will just disobey basic rules,” Mocha expresses, “like touching the queens or pulling on our hair. It’s really difficult to navigate that boundary because asking them to stop can often lead to a negative reaction.”

In spite of the challenges, the city’s Drag community has come a long way. When Mocha Diva began in Hong Kong, the performance landscape was sparse, with shows confined to the occasional special event. However, the Drag culture soon blossomed as the late Petticoat Lane began hosting a regular cadence of electrifying Drag shows. Recognising the art form’s untapped potential, Mocha Diva played an instrumental role in the scene’s evolution, co-establishing the celebrated Drag Extravaganza brunch series that helped elevate Drag’s visibility and reputation. Now, Hong Kong’s Drag landscape has flourished into a vibrant, multifaceted community, with venues like The Stage and Rosewood regularly hosting performances.

Mocha Diva’s longstanding contributions to Hong Kong’s thriving Drag culture are exemplified through her work as a partner at Linq Bar, where they showcase the remarkable breadth of talent within the city’s Drag community. With shows taking place three to four times a week, even outside of Pride Month, and an influx of artists from diverse troupes, Linq has reinvigorated Hong Kong’s Drag landscape. 

The Drag luminary’s role now extends beyond the stage, as she enthusiastically takes on the mantle of mentor, providing makeovers and tutorial sessions to aspiring Drag performers. Driven by a passion for educating people on the artistry and effort behind Drag, she helps these “Baby Queens” make their fantasies into reality, mirroring the guidance her own Drag Mother once provided. With her unparalleled makeup and acrobatic skills, global recognition, and deep commitment to the Hong Kong Drag community, Mocha Diva continues to reign as one of the city’s most iconic and influential performers.