Facetune Team: Let’s start with the basics. Tell us a little about yourself—where you’re from, your background, and what led you to where you are today.
Novila Rose: My name is Novila Rose, and I’ve been living in Chicago for almost four years now. I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York—literally right on the border with Canada. Growing up, it was a very small-town vibe. My school had maybe 100 kids, and I spent 13 years attending school on the same street with the same people.
Even as a kid, I felt like there was something bigger out there for me. I was always drawn to theater, arts, and technology. Whether it was singing, acting, graphic design, or video editing, I loved dabbling in everything creative. Eventually, I wanted to merge all those interests into one path.
I moved to Chicago for college and studied broadcast journalism at Columbia College Chicago. That’s where I really got into storytelling and video creation. I focused a lot on highlighting queer stories and collaborating with other drag artists, which became my passion.
Facetune Team: That’s amazing! So, how did Drag and Facetune become part of your journey?
Novila Rose: It all started in April 2017. I was 14, almost 15, and I’d never touched a makeup brush. But I remember watching an interview with Aquaria from Drag Race, where she talked about using Photoshop to map out her makeup looks before trying them in real life. I thought, “I don’t have the makeup skills yet, but I have a phone and Facetune—maybe I can try this!”
I was sitting on my aunt’s couch, hiding my phone because I didn’t want anyone to see what I was doing. I took a selfie and started experimenting with creating makeup looks on Facetune. Looking back now, that first attempt was horrendous, but it felt right. It sparked something in me.
Over time, Facetune became my tool for imagining new drag looks. I probably have 200 sessions saved - each one a bookmark of a specific time in high school or college. Those edits captured the music I was listening to, the mood I was in, and even what I was dreaming about. Facetune wasn’t just a photo editor for me—it was a creative playground, a way to build confidence and explore without judgment.
Facetune Team: That’s such a personal connection. How do you use Facetune now?
Novila Rose: I still use Facetune just as much as I did back then, but it’s more of a tool for planning and refining ideas. If I’m brainstorming a new drag look, I’ll take a selfie and start experimenting - what if my brow was higher? What if the cheek was a different color? It helps me visualize before I try it out in real life.
The paint tool is my go-to feature. I love how customizable it is—like using the light skin tone for highlights or the classic option for sharp lines. The AI lighting tool you recently added is also incredible. It’s a game-changer for editing photos, especially with blank backgrounds. And, of course, I use smoothing, filters, and the grain effect for layering.
Facetune Team: You’ve clearly mastered the app! Beyond content creation, do you also perform professionally?
Novila Rose: Yes, I perform pretty regularly here in Chicago, especially along the North Halsted strip, which is lined with gay bars and clubs. I started performing when I turned 21, but even before that, I had made a name for myself in the local drag scene.
My performances are mostly lip-sync numbers. I love artists like Gwen Stefani, George Michael, and Madonna—they’re my inspiration. Comedy isn’t really my strong suit, though. I once bombed a comedy challenge during a drag competition—it was the semifinals, and I was doing great until that challenge. Safe to say, I stick to what I know now!
Facetune Team: Fair enough! So, why do you do drag? What does it mean to you?
Novila Rose: Drag is the perfect blend of everything I love—makeup, fashion, photography, video creation, and performing. It lets me take all those passions and create something uniquely mine.
When I was younger, I always felt like I wasn’t the best at any one thing. But drag taught me that I didn’t need to be the best—I just needed to be me. It’s a way of living out the dreams of my younger self, like that 14-year-old experimenting with Facetune on his aunt’s couch. Drag is my way of honoring those dreams and showing my younger self that we made it.
Facetune Team: That’s beautiful, Novila. Thank you for sharing your story—it’s inspiring to see how you’ve turned your passions into something so meaningful.
Novila Rose: Thank you for having me. It’s been a joy to reflect on this journey and share it with you.
