When we first saw Valentina glide onto the RuPaul’s Drag Race stage in 2017, she was a polished enigma. Perfect teeth. Barely any drag experience. A beret. She was the "fan favorite" who somehow managed to make a face mask the most controversial accessory in reality TV history. But lately, the conversation has shifted. People aren't just googling her runway looks anymore; they’re looking for Valentina out of drag, trying to keep up with a journey that has become much more than just a costume change.
Honestly, the "out of drag" version of Valentina—born James Andrew Leyva—has undergone a massive metamorphosis. If you’ve been following along, you know it hasn't been a straight line. It's been a series of layers peeling back.
Beyond the Mask: Who is Valentina Out of Drag?
For years, we knew her as the "Mexican-American bombshell" who dominated the screen. Out of drag, James was often seen as a soft-spoken, incredibly fashion-forward guy from Bell, California. But that image was a bit of a placeholder. In May 2025, right around her 34th birthday, Valentina shared something that changed the narrative for good.
She officially came out as a transgender woman.
In an emotional post, she introduced herself as Valentina Xunaxi. That middle name, Xunaxi, isn't just a random choice; it’s a Zapotec name (pronounced Shun-ashi) that translates to "virgin," "goddess," or "saint." It was a gift from her Muxe mother, Elvis Guerra. If you aren't familiar with Muxe culture, it’s a recognized third gender in the Zapotec cultures of Oaxaca. By embracing this, Valentina basically bridged the gap between her indigenous roots and her modern identity.
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The "Baby Trans" Phase and Real Life Struggles
Transitioning in the public eye is a weird, high-pressure gig. Valentina has been incredibly candid about this recently. In late 2025 and early 2026, she started calling herself a "baby trans." It’s a term of endearment, sure, but it also signals that she’s still figuring it all out.
She actually admitted that she delayed starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because of work. Specifically, she didn't want the physical or emotional shifts of hormones to mess with her head while she was co-hosting the first season of Drag Race México in 2023. She wanted to be "on" for the cameras. It wasn't until after the season wrapped—and after the deeply personal loss of her father—that she felt ready to fully dive in.
"I maintained an image that my father could understand and respect," she told Shangay magazine. "Once I went through my gay boy phase, after his death, I felt ready to show my full femininity."
Today, Valentina out of drag isn't just a "guy in a hoodie." She's a woman in a state of "metamorphosis." She’s been on hormones for about a year and a half now, and she describes herself as a butterfly that hasn't quite left the cocoon yet.
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Why the "Out of Drag" Search Matters
- The 2019 Non-binary Era: Before the 2025 announcement, she identified as non-binary. She famously told Out magazine, "I feel like a goddess. I feel like I'm my own gender."
- The Name Shift: While she still uses Valentina professionally, her legal and personal identity has leaned into the Xunaxi name.
- The Style Evolution: Her "boy" clothes have almost entirely disappeared. Her out-of-drag style is now heavily influenced by 90s supermodels and vintage Mexican cinema stars like María Félix.
Career Moves While Transitioning
It’s easy to think a transition might slow someone down, but Valentina’s been booked and busy. Beyond the Rent: Live performance where she played Angel (a role that helped her explore her own gender), she’s been a fixture in fashion circles.
She’s worked at Prada on Rodeo Drive. She’s been the face of major campaigns. And while she didn't return for the second season of Drag Race México, she’s been vocal about wanting to get back in front of the cameras. She recently told Monét X Change on The Pit Stop that she’s matured and is basically "turned on" by the camera more than ever.
She's also focusing on her music. If you haven't heard "A Prueba De Todo," you're missing out on some serious telenovela energy. She wants to be a "360 artist"—someone who sings, dances, acts, and designs. She’s not just a drag queen; she’s a brand.
Navigating the Public Eye
There’s a lot of pressure. Fans can be... intense. Valentina’s followers are some of the most protective in the world (they’ve been known to go to war for her on social media). But even with that support, she’s been honest about the "social pressure to become the person of your dreams overnight."
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She’s taking it slow. She’s not rushing the surgery or the "perfect" look. She’s living in the messy, beautiful middle ground of a transition.
For anyone looking at Valentina out of drag and wondering what’s next, it’s pretty simple: more authenticity. She’s stopped trying to be the "perfectly manicured boy" and is leaning into being the woman she always felt she was. It’s a brave move, especially in a world that likes to put performers in very specific boxes.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Allies
- Respect the Pronouns: Valentina uses she/her. Even when looking at old photos of her "out of drag" as James, using her current pronouns is the standard for being a respectful fan.
- Understand the Muxe Connection: If you want to really understand her identity, look into the Zapotec Muxe culture. It’s a vital part of her story that goes deeper than standard Western labels.
- Follow the Transition Honestly: Don't expect a "reveal" overnight. Valentina has explicitly said she is taking her time.
- Support the Art, Not Just the Look: Watch her work in La Usurpadora: The Musical or listen to her singles. Her transition is part of her life, but her talent is why she’s here.
Valentina has moved far beyond the "French vanilla fantasy" of Season 9. She’s living a real, complicated, and very public life as a trans woman in 2026, and honestly? She looks more like herself than ever before.