We recently had the chance to connect with Willy Vodka and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Willy, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Haunt season isn’t just a time of year… it’s a feeling. The air turns crisp, leaves crunch when you step on em, and there’s that eerie feeling that builds as October creeps closer, but for me, the real magic starts when the gates at Creepy Hollow Haunted House open.
That first night, I become Willy Vodka. It’s not just a costume…it’s a transformation. The moment the mask goes on, something shifts. My everyday self fades into the background, and the clown takes over. I’m not pretending. I’m not performing. I’m home. Willy is wild, unpredictable, unsettling…and somehow, that chaos feels more real than anything else.
The crowd brings it to life. Some scream, some laugh, some freeze. I see it in their eyes…fear, excitement, confusion…and I feed off it. Every reaction is fuel. Willy Vodka isn’t just there to scare people. He’s there to shake them up, make them feel something, and leave a mark.
When I’m in character, I’m not acting. I’m existing in a space where the rules bend and the screams… I Cherish those. That’s what haunt season means to me. That’s why, when the mask goes on, I finally feel like myself
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Willy Vodka, and I come straight out of Creepy Hollow Haunted House, tucked away on the outskirts of Houston, Texas. Over the years, I’ve done a lot…some wild, some fun, and some things I never imagined possible for a little red clown from a haunted house. What started as just scaring people turned into something much bigger. I’ve had the chance to work events both locally and out of state. Most recently, I was honored to be part of the Houston Horror Film Festival and the World of Oddities Expo right here in Houston. Being invited to work those events meant a lot…it showed me that people are starting to recognize what I bring to the table.
I’ve also made my way into film, appearing in Clown Motel 2 and Clown Motel 3. That was crazy the set was actually in Las Vegas which was insane on its own. Seeing my self on set was one of those moments where I realized how far this character has come.
I’m not just about scares. I create content online year-round, especially during the off-season. That’s where people really get to know me…not just as a haunter, but as a creator and an individual. I think it’s important to stay connected with the community. I’ve worked hard to make my mark in Houston. I am chaotic, fun, and unapologetically loud, but Willy Vodka is also a reflection of the passion I’ve poured into this world for years. This isn’t just a character. It’s who I am.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
If I had to name someone who truly changed the course of my life, it’s Rellik the Clown. He saw something in me that I didn’t even know was there. What started as a seasoned haunt actor taking me under his wing turned into one of the most meaningful, chaotic, sometimes even immature friendships I’ve ever had.
Rellik taught me everything I know and still use to this day, and just to be clear…this isn’t me kissing up to him. This is me giving credit where it’s due. We’ve traveled across the country doing what we do best being ourselves. People see the clowns, the masks, the costumes…but I see one of my best friends, because with or without the masks, the clowning never really stops.
It’s wild how one decision can completely shift your life. I never imagined I’d be on a journey that would take me places most haunt actors never get to go and I owe it to him. Rellik saw the potential, and he pushed me to create, to keep going, and to never settle. Honestly, the world could use more people like him.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say this: Things will get better. Nothing lasts forever.
Growing up as a Mexican American, trying to rise above when the world seems to bet against you…it’s exhausting, but even when the odds are stacked high, you can make your mark. You can hold your head up and say, “I gave it everything I had.” And that’s all anyone can ask for.
The road hasn’t been smooth. There has been bumps, detours, and moments that tested me, but each one shaped who I am…both behind the mask and out of it. Life is hard, no doubt, but it’s never impossible.
As a kid, I didn’t think things would ever change. I couldn’t see the light ahead, but they did change. They got better, and now, looking back, I wish I could reach out to that younger version of me and say, “Hold on. You’re going to be okay.”
I know now, and that knowing…that strength is mine to carry forward.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Willy Vodka the clown, the Haunt Actor, the Creator…whatever people choose to call me…isn’t just a character. He’s me. The purest version of myself, amplified, unleashed, and unapologetically free. He’s not weighed down by the grind of daily life…no bills, no stress, no clock to punch. Just raw expression.
Sure, I live the everyday guy life. I’ve got responsibilities like anyone else, but that version of me is tethered to the real world. Willy Vodka? He’s the escape. He’s the privilege I give myself to break free and become who I was truly meant to be.
At the end of the day, it’s simple: I just want to make people smile or scream. If I can do that, then I’ve done my job.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If immortality were real, what would you build?
My goal would be to help transform Creepy Hollow into a true Mega Haunt. I’m thinking big…massive. Imagine something on the scale of the Texas Renaissance Festival, but drenched in fog, fear, and everything spooky. That’s the kind of experience I want to build.
Creepy Hollow already has a strong legacy, and I’d love to be part of taking it to heights no haunted house has ever reached. Not just bigger, but bolder. More immersive. A place where people don’t just come to get scared…they come to live the haunt. I want to create something unforgettable, something that puts Houston on the map as a destination for horror fans from all over.
This isn’t just about expanding a haunt. It’s about building a world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creepyhollowhaunt.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_willy_vodka/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWillyVodka/#
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Willy_Vodka
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewillyvodka
Image Credits
Personal Image
Photo Credit: Standford E Moore – IG @stanmoore
1st image
Rellik the clown in Green
WIlly Vodka Red
2nd image
Poster from the shortfilm ReVulsiVe
Photo Credit :Wolfpack Visual Media
Images 4-6-7-8
Photo Credit- IG @melprods9
5th image
Set of Clown Motel: 3 ways to hell
