MAIN-CHARACTER ENERGY: Victoria Villarroel & Carter Gregory
For Victoria Villarroel and Carter Gregory, staying true to where you come from is just as important as embracing where you’re headed. Bound by friendship and a shared Venezuelan pride, the two have carved out their own paths while keeping authenticity at the center of everything they do. In conversation, Victoria and Cartera reflect on home, becoming the versions of themselves they once dreamed of, the ambitions shaping their next chapters and, of course, the friendship that keeps them laughing along the way.
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
What does it mean to represent Venezuela on a global stage?
Victoria: Venezuela is just unlike anything — so special, so complex, and still going through it, honestly. So when I get to carry that flag with me everywhere I go, I don’t take it for granted. I want people to feel Venezuela when they see me — the resilience, the beauty, the culture, all of it. The world needs to know our story, and not just the hard parts — the soul behind it too. So I just show up, proud and loud, with so much love in my heart. Because everyone needs to know about Venezuela, mi amor!
What version of yourself are you becoming?
Victoria: Honestly? The one I always dreamed about. The most confident, the most secure, the most me I have ever been. This is the version that lived on my vision board for years! I used to look at her and wonder if she was even possible. And now I’m her. It took time, it took work, it took believing in myself even when it was hard, but I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. She’s here, and she’s just getting started baby
Who takes longer to get ready?
Victoria: Me, forsureee!
Who’s never on time?
Victoria: CARTER.. he’s always late smh.
What piece of home do you miss the most?
Victoria: Oh, this one hits different. Honestly, it’s the little things being surrounded by my family and friends, that feeling of just being together, nowhere to be. I miss Margarita, Los Roques, there is truly nowhere like it in the world.
And don’t even get me started on las empanadas de pabellón..nothing, and I mean nothing, compares. You can travel the whole world and never find that taste again. Home is home, and Venezuela will always have the biggest piece of my heart
What’s a moment between us you’ll never forget?
Carter: The moment I’ll never forget is when we first met. We were both dancing at a party and immediately clicked. But what really bonded us was spending the entire night trying to figure out whether the guy dancing next to us was gay or straight. We debated it for hours, analyzed every move, every look and then eventually discovered he was GAY GAY GAY. The mystery was solved. From that moment on, I knew we’d be best friends.
What are your future goals?
Carter: One of my biggest goals is to continue growing “The Set List” into a space where artists feel comfortable being fully themselves and where the conversation goes beyond promotion and gets to the heart of what inspires them. I also want to keep building my record label, “Plot Twist”, by signing and developing incredible artists, helping them tell their stories, and creating moments that genuinely connect with people.
What would you say to the version of yourself that was dreaming about this life?
Carter: I’d say to little closeted Carter: keep dreaming and keep believing, because the life you imagine is possible. The things that make you different today will become your greatest strengths tomorrow. You don’t have to be anything other than yourself. Work hard, stay kind, be a light for the people around you and never apologize for who you are. Be proud of yourself. The rest has a funny way of falling into place.
When do you feel most Venezuelan?
I feel most Venezuelan when I’m with Victoria, eating an arepa and blasting “Veneka” by Rawayana. Cartera is from Maracaibo after all!
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer & Creative Director: Tyrell Hampton (@tyrellhampton)
Cover Art Design: Carlos Graciano (@sadpapi666)
