Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Tony Olivas of Queens

Tony Olivas shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Tony, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
I am currently learning from myself at the moment. From the moment my birthday arrived, there was a realization and a feeling that I had just crossed the finish line, it was a tough year but what came out of that was new found wisdom, I got a chance to sit down and think about what works and what doesn’t, and to think about what truly brings joy to my core being.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Tony B. Olivas, but I sometimes go by Thee Magician. I’m a multidisciplinary creative originally from Seattle and now based in Queens, NYC, with photography at the heart of what I do. My work explores fashion, editorial, and self-expression through highly stylized and intentional visual storytelling.
The name Thee Magician isn’t just a title—it’s a personal philosophy. Inspired by the tarot archetype, The Magician represents someone who bridges the spiritual and material worlds, manifesting ideas into reality. That symbolism speaks deeply to how I approach my craft: I use whatever tools I have, trust my vision, and transform concepts into something tangible and resonant.
My creative journey hasn’t always followed a straight path, but that’s part of what makes it unique. I’ve built my brand by embracing resourcefulness and intention, believing that skill, imagination, and drive outweigh the need for perfection or expensive equipment. Right now, I’m continuing to expand my visual portfolio, working on projects that blend fashion, self-portraiture, and storytelling, always rooted in transformation, presence, and authenticity

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful would have to be graduating and finishing high school on time. It was my third high school, senior year, barely enough credits to pass, and not a single care left in the world. In and out of meetings with my counselor regarding alternatives, I finally chose to finish out the rest of school online. I would stay up every single night until my vision was blurry, finishing assignments. Right up until graduation, I had an emotional moment, because I had just finished an assignment that would determine whether or not I would graduate on time, even cried a little because I did not receive my grade. On the day of graduation, I got an email with the grade I received, and with pure joy, I couldn’t hold back the tears because I would be able to walk with my graduating class. From that moment, I knew I was powerful enough to achieve anything!

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Anything creative. I just needed to get my brain, heart, and hands active and aligned. Also, I wasn’t shy or afraid of my feelings, so I would also write exactly how I’m feeling in that moment, and what led to it!

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
For the most part, yes. I value my privacy, but what you see is what you get. I believe in being true to myself, and when it comes to business—especially creative or personal work—I don’t think there should be anything to hide. Authenticity matters, and I try to lead with that.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I can’t say for sure that I am doing what I was born to do – not quite sure if I’ll figure that out considering I’ve always dreamed about being an actor or some performer but one thing is for certain Is that, I believe I was born to lead to by example, and that is, going after the things I want, practically crafting my world from my rich imagination, taking the risks, and believing you have to the tools to take risks and navigate through any situation presented!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Stephanie Brunt – @stephanie_brunt
Katie Yun – @yunk.world
Johnny Lawrence – @johnny_.lawrence
David Hand – @Misterdavidhand
Jun – bg2jun
Brittany Salaam – @thebellabritt
L’Marco – @lmarcomusic
Amanda – @upsid3h3art
Carlos – @boywiththepuff
Javiera – @javigaet
Ajani – @ajanirasbury
Angelique – @angeliquerodriguezmusic
Simmone – @c.simmonedesigns

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