Living On $70K A Year In NYC | Millennial Money

36 year-old Cesar Villavicencio, better known by his stage name, Pixie Aventura, has been performing as a drag queen since his freshman year of college. He's been able to build a full-time career performing as Pixie, making $70,000 last year through performances at clubs, weddings and corporate events. Cesar says that while life as a professional drag queen requires a lot of time, out-of-pocket expenses and stamina, it's also given him more creative agency as an artist and as a performer.
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Produced And Shot By: Zach Green
Senior Managing Producer: Eric M. Clark
Additional camera: Lauren Shamo
Editor: Marisa Forziati
Reporter: Ryan Ermey
Animator: Elham Ataeiazar
Additional Footage: Cesar Villavicencio, Getty Images
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Living On $70K A Year As A Drag Queen | Millennial Money

[@AlejandraPascucciOficial]

I keep reading some ignorant comments. DRAG IS NOT TRANS. Drag is a persona. Playing a character. Trans is an identity. Pixie Aventura is drag not trans.

[@TllBizzarre]

So dressing up as a girl isn't Trans?

[@jesse8488]

@@TllBizzarreit’s literally not. Educate yourself

[@numerologicatarot3333]

😂😂

[@jjeverson2269]

Trans is nonsense

[@Seethi_C]

So drag is basically a minstrel show with blackface, but with women?

[@nataliealex597]

Love hearing the different stories from all walks of life. So sick of the high income business owners that are so unrelatable. More stories please!

[@mysteryY2K]

true that!

[@johnnyanderson3287]

Business owners unrelatable?? They are very relatable, you’re just not built to be an entrepreneur, so just say that..

[@mysteryY2K]

@@johnnyanderson3287 high income business owners. not just business owners

[@nataliealex597]

@@johnnyanderson3287 Haha. Don't get your panties in a twist. Most people are not making six figures and therefore why I made my comment. If you don't believe me, go look census income figure for the most recent year.

[@IBRIHAM_THEMAN]

Get a real job then? Most tradespeople make close to or well into 6 figures. Also, drag people are not relatable in the slightest.

[@zettanganga8015]

Hearing this Drag Queen's story just inspired and motivated me to pursue my own passion and creativity. Having worked in cubicles in Corporate America for the past 40 years, I really want to live my truth. I have always had to stifle my creative juices in order to fit into a conservative office environment. Now I can finally smell the scent of Freedom. "Free at last!". This video is life-changing for me. ❤❤❤❤

[@michael_harren]

Go for it!!!!

[@lupaman100]

Make the move. Don't limit your abilities!

[@beach2787]

late

[@FCBarcelonaXMI]

less than $2k in retirement at the age of 36 is shocking

[@naya4607]

I hope more senior communities are built solely for people relying on social security only. We have some in my city where rent for them are $400. So retirement is still possible

[@harashe1000]

@@naya4607 Whoah, that's awesome!

[@urbanflight820]

I so appreciate Cesar's New York City hustle mentality. I also respect his artistry and potential trajectory. Great feature, CNBC.

[@justteresiah]

I always look forward to these. Good one as always. Graham is going to have a field day with this budget

[@urbanflight820]

I was thinking this while watching also! The transportation, while I understand the reasoning, is nuts. Cesar definitely needs to beef up the retirement contributions.

[@enigma7ic]

Oh wow, I’m pretty sure my company hired this guy for a corporate event show a few years ago. What a small world. It was pretty good

[@mirabella2154]

Yuk. That's a company I would avoid as customer as well as employee.

[@mysteryY2K]

@@mirabella2154 awww what do we have here, a triggered snowflake?

[@mysteryY2K]

@@bebop355 because the shows are fun

[@ItsMe-lq5ns]

​@mirabella2154 you're doing them a favor then. K, byeeeeee

[@ItsMe-lq5ns]

​@bebop355 bcuz they wanted too 😒🙄. K, byeeeee

[@michael_harren]

Thank you for featuring independent artists and especially a DRAG QUEEN in this weird time when my LGBTQIA fam is being targeted even more than usual. This kind of representation is needed and I am so thankful to see it.

[@michael_harren]

@@the.mark.anthonynobody is doing that.

[@miss.l.1563]

"Targeted" 😂

[@michwashington]

If a drag queen 👸🏻 can be making 70k and loving their work while doing it… you can too.

[@mirabella2154]

No, thanks. Some people prefer real jobs.

[@michwashington]

@@mirabella2154 🙄 That is his real job and I wasn’t saying you had to be a drag queen 🙄

[@VinceGoodrum]

@@mirabella2154 What's your job??

[@mysteryY2K]

@@VinceGoodrumunemployment checks 😂

[@HomerSimpsonSpringfield]

🤮🤮🤮🤢

[@selfridgesforever4399]

Respect to him! I love his story and his creativity is next level. Hope he reaches his goals of buying a home one day. Also to the comments of people being negative, please grow up, It’s 2023!

[@mysteryY2K]

for real! funny how the same people complaining about "triggered snowflakes" have since become the thing they hate most! 🤣🤣 oh nooo a man in a dress BIG WHOOP PEOPLE GET OVER YOURSELVES

[@mysteryY2K]

@@the.mark.anthony only a trope because these people have been living in the 1800s for decades now

[@selfridgesforever4399]

@@the.mark.anthony not a trope just stating basic facts

[@selfridgesforever4399]

@@the.mark.anthony if you had basic comprehension skills you would know my comment does not say that in the slightest

[@erichillard]

Pixie is one of the best entertainers in New York City hands down!

[@SplittingCheese]

I recognize that he is perhaps an independent contractor, but I wonder if he wanted to start his own drag business how feasible it would be to scale that business model. It seems to be a viable business model that can all be done without entirely being brick and mortar

[@ismaelaraujo2238]

Pixie is one of the most fabulous queens who have stepped their feet in NY and I’m living for this.

[@irmakalember3709]

Love it so cool.

[@netizencapet]

He leaves out the time in writing the routines. That would take a lot of time.

[@kylewayne4956]

Seriously one of the hardest working queens in the city, love Pixie so much ❤

[@Dyst0piaa7]

You get the loudest YAAASSSSSS for this

[@Brokeloco]

Wow this is awesome.. good job on turning your dream into a masterpiece.. when is your next show ?? I would real enjoy attending??

[@OmarHernandez-dq4uu]

Come through Cesar/Pixie Aventura!!! 😍😍♥️♥️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@AllPureSkill]

Props to them making money doing what they wanna do

[@ILLYHA]

Love this story!!! Hard work! Respect!

[@obecox939]

It is ma'am

[@busam1578]

Why does the math never math for me on these videos?

[@beeslikethat]

How does anybody make it in New York City on 70K

[@michael_harren]

It's not that crazy and this person has a roommate which must help.

[@MissTiffee619]

It’s actually quite doable if your are savvy enough.

[@therealdavidleong]

Yet another NYC feature? Seems like close to 50% of these videos are about someone living in NYC

[@mysteryY2K]

yeah what about normal cost of living cities lmao

[@AlexandraAnnette]

So cool! Loving this

[@blazinpyromaniac]

This video has the less than 25k views in 3 weeks ☠😆. People dont seem to give af

[@TheEpiCool]

Woah

[@johnnyanderson3287]

How is his monthly budget almost $6400/mo, when his salary is listed $70K/yr, unless that $70K is net income?? If $70k is the gross, then his math is really not mathing..

[@naya4607]

Net likely

[@AlexandraAnnette]

The closest is EVERYTHING

[@jjeverson2269]

In NYC you get paid for everything except actual work.

[@innerlocus]

Wow, I missed my calling, I could have been a star.

[@ibrahimcheema2149]

😂

[@glamkakes3783]

Good thing most of his items and ride share are tax deductible since it’s for business

[@dragqueencommunity]

love this... 💅💅💅💅💅💅💅

[@OfficialBigAnge]

Iconic

[@RailwaySNL]

be whom you are no matter the Box. or label 🏷️

[@ronjasonaborita5358]

I love her personality! Hahaha

[@yougetaspear7799]

Don't be a drag just be a queen, so bleeping drag queen for what

[@AlexandraAnnette]

Omg based on that my stripper name would be Psycho Spring Hollow LOL the name pixie aventura is so cute

[@lisasims3970]

very inspiring

[@naya4607]

Glad he’s living life!

[@intheuniversekey]

Show us real work

[@elitegamer7414]

Eww

[@Yujin_Senpai_PUBG]

So it was Always About Money (not Gender freedom/Body Positivity)😂😂

[@mysteryY2K]

that's like saying DJing or Film was always about the money. you are just wrong. these performance acts started originally as art forms and have become art forms+industries since then, so of course money is involved. money is involved in sports, money is involved in acting. but at the end of the day its about the love for the art, not the money. you think you're so clever don't you?

[@rexyzvent5864]

You can make a god living after grinding a way. Good to see. Love the apartment and dressing room. A real homely home!

[@weerobot]

Go Girl...

[@HomerSimpsonSpringfield]

Are you out of your mind

[@mysteryY2K]

@@HomerSimpsonSpringfieldtriggered snowflake?

[@HomerSimpsonSpringfield]

​@@mysteryY2KThe people who tolerate you on a daily basis are the real heroes

[@HomerSimpsonSpringfield]

​​@@mysteryY2KAww, it’s so cute when you try to talk about things you don’t understand 😂😂😂

[@mysteryY2K]

@@HomerSimpsonSpringfield triggered snowflake indeed. can't just mind his own business and let others live their lives 🤣 how pathetic

[@NanaSam333]

Subbed 😊

[@moff_gideon]

So this guy dresses as a clown for work and spends all his money on makeup and cheeseburgers

[@pcos3607]

She’s rich & no taxes

[@1heart7seas1moon]

i love her

[@j.j.911]

Grifter BS.

[@mysteryY2K]

aww what do we have here, a triggered little snowflake?

[@manuelseda9197]

400-600/hr kinda low for this talent!

[@Someone-ts9rj]

Yeah should 4000-6000/hr 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[@marksiems9779]

Leaving that aside, it appears that everyone is currently considering investing in a variety of non-governmental revenue streams. especially in light of the current global economic crisis. I'm looking for the best way to enter these markets with my six zeros sitting in savings. Equities, gold, silver, and virtual currencies are still great investments at the time.

[@VuqarIE]

🤮🤮🤮

[@olympic-ass-eater]

Ewwww

[@nickjacobs8507]

Unsubscribing 👋

[@cocomarineblu993]

How about a normal person in Ohio who is 45 with 3 kids?

[@Ovprksdnw]

Oh, a creative person is now considered "abnormal"?!

[@michael_harren]

What is a normal person?

[@Ramifications537]

"Normal person in Ohio" sounds like an oxymoron

[@naya4607]

Did you mean to say “boring”?

[@valeria-militiamessalina5672]

@@michael_harrenfor them "normal" means married with children and living a middle-class life the way people had to in the 19th century and before. It is not his fault that his mind cannot comprehend or accept anything else beyond the "norm", narrow-mindedness is dangerous but not a disease, just a handicap.

[@mmorri24]

Unsubbed

[@nataliealex597]

Cool story bro. Thanks for motivating me to subscribe!

[@mysteryY2K]

bye! thanks for leaving you won't be missed!

[@rahundsigma]

Unsubbed too. Dont need to glorify this pointless crap

[@HomerSimpsonSpringfield]

​@@nataliealex597Another unemployed drug addict 😂😂😂

[@alexl0890]

What a snowflake lol.

[@MattsoILL]

Wow they did two episodes in a row about clowns. Must be running out of ideas. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Omar-Facio]

gross

[@johnsmokes6775]

freak

[@Ovprksdnw]

YOU are! Grow up, Karen

[@darkangelstarspiritual9595]

HI GUYS