Liv Osthus

Liv Osthus
Born
Liv Østhus

1974
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
Occupation(s)writer, dancer
Years active1997–present
Political partyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations		Democratic Socialists of America

Liv Østhus, also known by her stage name Viva Las Vegas, is a writer, musician, actress, activist, and for more than 25 years, a stripper.[1] She has written for The Village Voice, The New York Times Magazine, and other national and regional publications, and published two books about her experiences on stage.[2] Her story inspired both a feature-length documentary, Thank You for Supporting the Arts, and a one act opera, Viva's Holiday.[3]

Geek Love author Katherine Dunn anointed her the "Diva of the Demimonde".[4] She's been dubbed the most literate[5] and most famous stripper in Portland.[6] Willamette Week noted she has been a "renaissance woman who's authored memoirs, sings punk and French medieval music alike, and has beaten breast cancer to perform into her 40s".[7][8]

Osthus was a candidate in the 2024 Portland, Oregon, mayoral election, finishing in fifth place out of twenty candidates.[9][10]

  1. ^ "The Power of Audacity". Willamette Week. May 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "A Reality Show for Couples Therapy? Sign Us Up". New York Times. April 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "A Very Portland Christmas". Portland Mercury. December 2, 2015.
  4. ^ "Magic Gardens the Memoirs of Viva Las Vegas: Viva Las Vegas: Trade Paperback: 9780980141948: Powell's Books". www.powells.com.
  5. ^ Osthus, Liv (April 23, 2006). "A Reality Show for Couples Therapy? Sign Us Up". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  6. ^ Lion, Melissa (August 21, 2009). "The Stripper Who Lost a Breast". The Daily Beast. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "A Biopic Of Portland's Most Famous Stripper Is A Powder Keg Debate About Sex Work". Willamette Week. May 2, 2018.
  8. ^ "A Documentary About Well-Known Portland Sex Worker Viva Las Vegas Is Now Streaming And Available On DVD". Willamette Week. November 9, 2021.
  9. ^ "Liv Osthus, Stage Name Viva Las Vegas, is Running for Portland Mayor". February 27, 2024.
  10. ^ Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee – Committee Information – Name: Viva for Portland, Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division, accessed April 8, 2024