{{Short description|American cosplayer (born 1982)}} {{About|an American cosplayer|the French writer|Linda Lê}} {{Infobox model | name = Linda Le (Vampy) | image = Cosplay Shoot BTS 4.jpg | caption = Linda Le dressed as [[Psylocke]] in 2013 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|12|15}} | birth_place = [[Okmulgee, Oklahoma]], U.S. | alma_mater = [[San Jose State University]] | partner = Jesse Yu<ref>{{cite web|last=Duhaime |first=Arielle |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/7/22/4544506/the-life-of-a-professional-cosplayer-at-comic-con-linda-le |title=Being Spider Girl: a day at Comic-Con with a master of make-believe |publisher=The Verge |date=2013-07-22 |accessdate=2014-06-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.kidrobot.com/j%E2%98%85ryu-and-vampy-customs-for-retail-and-web/ |title=J★RYU and Vampy Customs for Retail and Web! | Kidrobot Blog |work=Kidrobot Blog |publisher=Blog.kidrobot.com |date= 26 November 2013|accessdate=2014-06-25 |author1=Kidrobot }}</ref> | height = 5 ft 2 in<ref name=mm/> | hair_color = Black | eye_color = Brown<ref name=mm/> | website = }}
'''Linda Le''' (born December 15, 1982) is an American [[cosplayer]], costumer, model, artist, and Internet personality of [[Vietnamese Americans|Vietnamese descent]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Miniboss |url=http://gamewads.com/linda-le-cosplay-and-social-media-part-3/ |title=Linda Le - Cosplay and Social Media (Part 3) |publisher=GameWads |date=2012-09-12 |accessdate=2014-06-24 |archive-date=2014-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220145608/http://gamewads.com/linda-le-cosplay-and-social-media-part-3/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=asia>{{cite web |author=Yuen Sin of ''The Straits Times'' |url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/showbiz/8-questions-vampy-me |title=8 questions with Vampy With Me, AsiaOne Showbiz News |publisher=News.asiaone.com |date=2013-09-04 |accessdate=2014-06-24 |archive-date=2014-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105083300/http://news.asiaone.com/news/showbiz/8-questions-vampy-me |url-status=dead }}</ref> She is also known as '''Vampy Bit Me''',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cosplaynewsnetwork.com/vampy-bit-me-cosplay-profile/|title=Vampy Bit Me Cosplay Profile|date=2017-08-13|work=Cosplay News Network|access-date=2018-10-10|language=en-US}}</ref> or just '''Vampy''' or '''Vamp'''; "Vampy" is also a name she has given to her own fictional character persona.<ref name=asia/><ref name=kpop/><ref>{{cite web|last=Charles |first=Chris |url=http://www.idolfeatures.com/2013/11/linda-les-fhm-cover-shoot.html |title=Linda Le's FHM Cover Shoot |publisher=Idol Features |date=2013-11-23 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref>
As a model and cosplayer, Le has been featured in several mainstream magazines including ''[[FHM]] Singapore'' and ''[[Playboy]]''. She is a prominent spokesperson, brand ambassador, and event host for multiple Japanese and American companies, with partnerships including Bandai, Capcom, DC Comics, Kotobukiya, and Udon Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NYC |first=Anime |title=Vampy Bit Me |url=https://animenyc.com/guests-nyc/2018vampybitme/ |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=Anime NYC |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Biography== ===Early life=== Born in [[Okmulgee, Oklahoma|Okmulgee]], Oklahoma to a family of Vietnamese immigrants,<ref name=asia/> Le moved to and grew up in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], California<ref name=mm>{{cite web|url=https://www.modelmayhem.com/801979 |title=Vamp Beauty Linda - Model - San Jose, California, US |publisher=ModelMayhem.com |date= |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> where she graduated with a business degree from [[San Jose State University]] while doing various odd jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geekthenews.com/2012/10/22/vampy-cosplay/ |title=Vampy Cosplay |publisher=GeektheNews |date=2012-10-22 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> She later studied hairstyling from [[Paul Mitchell (hairdresser)|Paul Mitchell]]'s in the U.S., [[Toni & Guy]] in [[London]],<ref name=asia/> as well as in [[Tokyo]],<ref name=ign>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/03/08/linda-le-cosplay-extraordinaire |title=Linda Le: Cosplay Extraordinaire - IGN |publisher=Uk.ign.com |date=2011-03-07 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> before returning to America where she began teaching makeup and modeling. She has been dressing up as classic anime and video game characters since she was 12.<ref name=kpop>{{cite web |url=http://kusopop.com/feature/?p=22 |title=Exclusive Interview : Linda Le |publisher=KusoPop |date=2010-12-13 |accessdate=2014-06-24 |archive-date=2014-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817022933/http://kusopop.com/feature/?p=22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Career=== [[File:Cosplay Shoot BTS 6.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Linda Le posing as Jun from ''[[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman|Gatchaman]]'' in 2013]]
Le's early fame came after some of her [[cosplay]]s were featured in the showcase book ''Otacool 2''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popcultureonline.net/stgcc-2013-vampy-bit-me/ |title=Vampy Bit Me |publisher=POPCulture Online |date= |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> by Japanese toy and collectible company Kotobukiya.<ref name=time>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeoutsingapore.com/aroundtown/feature/interview-with-vampy-bit-me |title=Interview with Vampy Bit Me :: Features :: Around Town |publisher=Time Out Singapore |date=2013-07-29 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> Le then collaborated with ''[[Street Fighter]]'' artist [[Long Vo]] to create artwork and a comic for [[Udon Entertainment]]'s book ''Vent'', as well as with [[Sideshow Collectibles]]' sculptor Tim Miller, [[theCHIVE]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thechive.com/2010/05/21/the-boom-headshot-girl-revealed-meet-linda-le/ |title=linda le the boom headshot girl revealed |publisher=theCHIVE |date=2010-05-21 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thechive.com/2011/08/25/chivette-of-the-week-linda-le-38-hq-photos/ |title=Linda Le Chivette of the Week |publisher=theCHIVE |date=2011-08-25 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> [[Gibson Guitar Corporation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.impulsegamer.com/interviewlindalevampyreturns.html |title=Impulse Gamer Interviews Linda Le Interview (Vampy Returns) |publisher=www.impulsegamer.com |date= |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> KusoVinyl,<ref name=kpop/> [[Myx TV]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1agXS_KB18 |title=Grow Up Voltron: Falling in Love |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-08-07 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=755cIonNFrQ |title=MYX-Rated MYX TV Linda Le aka Vampy Interview |publisher=YouTube |date=2011-08-21 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> [[Manga Entertainment]] UK and [[Bang Zoom! Entertainment]],<ref name=fan>{{cite web|url=http://www.freakinawesomenetwork.net/2011/08/interview-time-vampy/ |title=Freakin' Awesome Network | Interview Time! Vampy |publisher=Freakinawesomenetwork.net |date=2011-08-03 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> [[Jessica Chobot]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/10/31/halloween-cosplay-blowout?page=13 |title=Halloween Cosplay Blowout - IGN |publisher=Uk.ign.com |date=2011-10-31 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> and other artists and companies in the USA and Japan.<ref name=mc>{{cite web|url=http://madcatz.com/players/linda-vampy-bit-me-le/ |title=Linda "Vampy Bit Me" Le |publisher=Mad Catz |date= |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> Le was part of costume and armor prop-making group Team Mantium Designs,<ref name=mc/> later renamed Mantium Industries,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mantiumindustries.com/home.html |title=home |publisher=Mantiumindustries.com |accessdate=2014-06-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212175321/http://mantiumindustries.com/home.html |archivedate=2014-02-12 }}</ref> and a video gamer sponsored by [[Mad Catz]].<ref name=mc/>
Le wrote a column for YouBentMyWookie<ref>{{cite web |url=http://youbentmywookie.com/author/vampy |title=Linda Le |work=YBMW |publisher=YouBentMyWookie |date=10 June 2011 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> and in 2012 she joined [[Nerdist Industries]] to produce ''Just Cos'', an Internet show about the world of cosplay, co-hosted by [[Chloe Dykstra]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nerdist.com/2012/05/just-cos-and-effect-dressing-the-part-with-chloe-dykstra-linda-le-and-seth-herzog/ |title=Just Cos and Effect: Dressing the Part with Chloe Dykstra, Linda Le and Seth Herzog « Nerdist |publisher=Nerdist.com |date=2012-05-18 |accessdate=2014-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108103222/http://www.nerdist.com/2012/05/just-cos-and-effect-dressing-the-part-with-chloe-dykstra-linda-le-and-seth-herzog/ |archive-date=2015-01-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Le was a member of [[Kat Gunn|Kat Gunn's]] professional gaming and cosplay team, Less Than 3 (LT3), which was also sponsored by Mad Catz.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://madcatz.com/mad-catz-announces-partnership-with-less-than-three/ |title=Mad Catz Announces Partnership with Less Than 3. |publisher=Madcatz.com |date=2013-02-14 |accessdate=2015-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509135023/http://madcatz.com/mad-catz-announces-partnership-with-less-than-three/ |archive-date=2016-05-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2013, ''[[FHM]]'' Singapore featured Le in the December issue, including on the cover.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://celebmafia.com/linda-le-aka-vampy-bit-fhm-magazine-singapore-december-2013-issue-24788/ |title=Linda Le aka Vampy Bit Me – FHM Magazine (Singapore) – December 2013 Issue |publisher=CelebMafia |date=2013-12-13 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref><ref name="fhm">{{cite web |url=http://lifestyle.xin.msn.com/en/magazine/fhm/cover-girl-vampy-bit-me |title=Cover Girl: Vampy Bit Me - FHM on xinmsn Lifestyle |publisher=Lifestyle.xin.msn.com |date=2013-12-02 |accessdate=2014-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311140311/http://lifestyle.xin.msn.com/en/magazine/fhm/cover-girl-vampy-bit-me |archive-date=2014-03-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Among her popular cosplay performances are [[Psylocke]] from ''[[X-Men]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://youbentmywookie.com/features/ybmw-girl-of-the-month-linda-le-8059 |title=YBMW Girl Of The Month: Linda 'Vampy' Le |work=YBMW |publisher=YouBentMyWookie |date= 14 January 2010|accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref><ref name="ns" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/videos/linda-le-vampy-bit-me-psylocke-cosplay-sdcc-2013/2300-6411813/ |title=Linda Le (Vampy Bit Me) Psylocke Cosplay - SDCC 2013 |publisher=GameSpot |date= |accessdate=2013-10-20}}</ref> and [[Morrigan Aensland]] from ''[[Darkstalkers]]''.<ref name="ign" /><ref name="ns">{{cite web|url=http://www.nerdsociety.com/cosplay-interview-linda-le-aka-vampy/ |title=Cosplay Interview: Linda Le aka Vampy | |publisher=Nerdsociety.com |date=2010-12-14 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamekult.com/blog/mercenar2/197128/interview-de-vampy-linda-le.html |title=Interview de Vampy (Linda Le) - Blogs - Forums de discussion jeux vidéo Gamekult |publisher=Gamekult.com |date= |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref><ref name="aa" /> In 2013 interviews, Le said she works "almost 15 hour days" and sleeps a maximum of 4 hours.<ref name="fhm" /> From 2008 to 2013, she appeared at over 200 American [[fan convention]]s.<ref name="asia" />
''Amped Asia'' in 2010 called her "probably the #1 most universally attractive Asian girl on the planet due to her geekiness (and sexiness too)."<ref name="aa">{{cite web|url=http://www.ampedasia.com/article/Linda-Le-aka-Vampy-Interview/ |title=Linda Le aka Vampy |publisher=Amped Asia |date=2010-10-07 |accessdate=2014-06-24}}</ref> [[IGN]] in 2011 opined "her cosplay skill is off the charts."<ref name="ign" /> According to [[Kotaku]] in 2012, "Linda is a cosplay machine, renowned not just for the quality of her costumes, but their variety as well;"<ref>{{cite web|author=Luke Plunkett |url=https://kotaku.com/the-very-best-in-cosplay-linda-le-5898240 |title=The Very Best In Cosplay: Linda Le |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2012-04-02 |access-date=2014-06-24}}</ref> Kotaku has also previously described her as "incredibly attractive" and her works as "amazing".<ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Fahey |url=https://kotaku.com/one-mother-loving-earthbound-cosplayer-5620768 |title=One Mother Loving EarthBound Cosplayer |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2010-08-24 |access-date=2014-06-24}}</ref> Asked in 2013 as where she sees herself in 20 years from now, Le answered: "Cosplay is great, but I can't be doing it forever ... Hopefully, I'll have my own costume line, come up with toys and do something related to the arts scene."<ref name="asia" /> {{-}}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{twitter|VampyBitme|Vampy Bit Me}} *{{facebook|VampyBitme|Vampy Bit Me}} *{{instagram|VampyBitme|Vampy Bit Me}} *[https://www.twitch.tv/vampybitme VampyBitMe] Twitch broadcast page
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Le, Linda}} [[Category:1985 births]] [[Category:American artists of Vietnamese descent]] [[Category:American costume designers]] [[Category:American women costume designers]] [[Category:Female models from Oklahoma]] [[Category:American models of Vietnamese descent]] [[Category:Cosplayers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Okmulgee, Oklahoma]] [[Category:San Jose State University alumni]] [[Category:21st-century American women]]