Meet our people: Kayla Hilliar (AKA Itza Bit)

Meet our people: Kayla Hilliar (AKA Itza Bit)

From clay to cabaret: my journey as a queer artist and drag performer

Kayla Hilliar has spent the past six years with Adecco USA, based in Missouri, where she leads national campaign strategy, creative initiatives, and high-impact event activations as a Marketing Project Manager. Her work spans cross-functional collaboration and enterprise-wide storytelling - bringing Adecco’s message to life in meaningful and memorable ways.

But storytelling doesn’t stop when the workday ends. Beyond the office, Kayla is a passionate queer artist and drag performer known as Itza Bit. Whether she’s shaping clay or taking the stage in heels, her creative life is rooted in community, expression, and unapologetic joy. She also leads the Stories that Inspire series and serves as the U.S. marketing lead for Q+, using her platform to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and foster spaces of inclusion and pride.

This is her story.

How it started

From pottery wheel to drag stage

"With pottery, I always felt free to express myself. But drag was different. As a cis white woman raised in the Midwest, I didn’t feel like I belonged in the drag world. I thought I could only ever be a spectator. I was afraid the community wouldn’t accept me, and I let that fear hold me back for years.

But then something shifted. Representation matters. Seeing performers like Chappell Roan, Gottmik, and Germany’s First Drag Superstar Pandora Nox, helped me realise that drag is for everyone, including me. Now, when imposter syndrome creeps in, I turn to a quote by Marianne Williamson that I dragged up a bit:

‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who am I not to be? I am a child of the Divine. Playing small does not serve the children. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so others won’t feel insecure. I am meant to shine. Now let’s feed the children!’

That reminder helps Itza Bit take the stage - with joy, with purpose, and without fear."

My role today

"Today, being a queer artist means creating. It means honouring my craft and sharing it loudly and lovingly. It means showing up as a beacon for queer joy - whether I’m at the wheel shaping clay or under the spotlight in heels. It means being the kind of representation I needed when I was younger. And maybe, just maybe, it means helping other queer artists believe they can shine too."

A message to others

"You are brilliant. You are talented. And what you have to offer this world is vibrant, fierce, and worthy of celebration. So please - share who you are loudly and proudly. I promise, you won’t regret it."
— Itza Bit (Kayla)

Quick-fire insights

• Advice to my younger self: You are not too much—and you never were. Follow the spark. Oh—and trust your gut. She’s loud, she’s mouthy, and she’s always right.
• Down-time: Art, reading, video games, movies…y’all I’m a big nerd. 
• Luxury must-have:  In this economy? Lol Just kidding, but my hobbies are my luxury. You’d be surprised how much wigs and bags of dirt (clay) will set you back. 
• Last supper guests: Kurt Vonnegut, RuPaul, Martha Stewart and Robin Williams. And I want Martha to make some kind of epic nacho extravaganza. 
• Superpower: I would normally say ADHD is my superpower, but being a drag queen and a chaotic good, I’d love the ability to shapeshift.

*All initiatives and programs mentioned herein are subject to local law and may not be available in all locations.