About
Linda Le is widely known online as Vampy Bit Me or simply Vampy—a Vietnamese-American cosplayer, model, figure collector, and pop-culture host. Born on December 15, 1982, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, she raised a childhood passion for anime, fighting games, and model kits into a full-time creative profession. Fans initially noticed her hand‑made costumes in Otacool 2, a photobook from Japanese toy firm Kotobukiya, and the hobby soon mushroomed into global guest appearances, magazine covers, and web shows. She continues to make elaborate armor builds, stream game sessions, and attend conventions globally even today, all while retaining a laid‑back, “geek‑first” demeanor that connects well with her fanbase.
Before Fame
Le’s parents immigrated from Vietnam when she was born, and as a result, she was raised bilingual and exposed to both Vietnamese and American popular culture. By the age of twelve, she was already sewing together basic outfits based on Sailor Moon and arcade fighters. Upon completing a business degree at San Jose State University, she trained in professional hairstyling in the U.S., London, and Tokyo, a skillset that would later come in useful when snipping wigs and styling intricate headpieces. Her initial break came when Japanese sculptors at Kotobukiya requested her photographs, acknowledging years of late-night crafting sessions and providing her with the courage to become a full-time cosplayer.
Trivia
- Alias origins: “Vampy” originated as a fun nickname on early cosplay boards; it eventually developed into a stylized identity that blends gothic style with bold, anime‑influenced color schemes.
- Work ethic: In interviews, she’s joked about surviving on four hours of sleep during 15‑hour crafting sessions, particularly leading up to large shows like Comic‑Con or Anime Expo.
- Convention veteran: Alone from 2008 to 2013, she went to more than 200 U.S. fan conventions, sometimes in a new costume each day.
- Signature characters: Le has reinterpreted all the major iterations of Marvel’s Psylocke and is a frequent revisiter of Capcom’s Morrigan from Darkstalkers.
- Favorite materials: In a FanimeCon chat, she stated that flexible foam is her medium of choice because it withstands summer heat better than thermoplastics.
- Gamer by nature: A console is typically stuffed into her bag so she can level up in Monster Hunter or play a Persona session while waiting for photo shoots.
Family Life
While Le keeps most of her personal life away from social media, some information is available. She spent her childhood practicing in arcade fighters with a just-one-year-younger brother; their friendly competition ignited her lifelong passion for competitive games. Her parents’ choice to move to California also exposed her to a lively, multicultural fan community where cosplay flourished. As an adult, she has been publicly associated with artist and designer Jesse Yu, but the couple keeps to themselves.
Associated With
Le’s career is a web of collaborations:
- Long Vo—the Street Fighter illustrator who co‑created comic art with her for UDON Entertainment.
- Chloe Dykstra—her co‑host on Just Cos, a Nerdist web series exploring costume culture.
- Tim Miller of Sideshow Collectibles, with whom she discussed translating her designs into high‑end statues.
- Kotobukiya, Mad Catz, and Team Mantium Designs, who have each sponsored or showcased her builds.