Liv Osthus

Liv Østhus is an American writer, activist, musician, and former stripper. Having performed for more than twenty-five years under the stage name Viva Las Vegas, she has written two books about her experiences on stage, in addition to writing for outlets including The Village Voice and The New York Times Magazine.

Described as the "Diva of the Demimonde" by Geek Love author Katherine Dunn, she has been dubbed the most literate and most famous stripper in Portland, Oregon. Willamette Week described her as a "renaissance woman who's authored memoirs, sings punk and French medieval music alike, and has beaten breast cancer to perform into her 40s". Her cultural influence in the city extends to inspiring a feature-length documentary, Thank You for Supporting the Arts, and a one act opera, Viva's Holiday.

A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, Osthus was a candidate in the 2024 Portland, Oregon mayoral election, finishing in fifth place out of twenty candidates.