Despite her vain and superficial tendencies, Venia forms a genuine emotional connection with Katniss Everdeen. She experiences a sense of sadness when she says her final goodbyes before Katniss’ return to the arena for the Third Quarter Quell. Unfortunately, during the Second Rebellion, Venia, Flavius, and Octavia are captured by the rebels and tortured in District 13.
Venia Character Profile
- Name: Venia
- Age: Unknown
- Gender: Female
- Place of origin: The Capitol
- Physical appearance: Thin angular woman with aqua hair and gold tattoos above her eyebrows.
- Skills: Cosmetology, Hair care, hair styling, hair coloring, makeup artistry
- Strengths: Kind, affectionate, strong-willed
- Weaknesses: Vain, superficial
- Loyalties: Forced to side with the rebels
Personality and Physical Description
Venia is a thin, angular woman whose gray hair has been dyed aqua. She has gold tattoos above her eyebrows in the first ‘Hunger Games’ book. The tattoos are later expanded to curl below her eyes in ‘Catching Fire.’ She styles her aqua hair in different ways. Before the 75th Hunger Games, her hair is spiked, thereby giving her the appearance that she has just received a major shock.
Similar to many Capitol citizens, Venia is entirely focused on appearances. She puts on an affected Capitol accent and lacks a deep understanding of the harsh reality of the Hunger Games. Together with Flavius and Octavia, she places vanity above all else, oblivious to the irony of his luxurious lifestyle amidst the district residents’ suffering and hunger.
Although Katniss is put off by her prep team’s obsession with appearances and superficial discussions, she also notices a childlike innocence in their demeanor, as if they are unaware of any other way of life.
Despite her clear flaws, Venia possesses a kind-hearted nature. She is highly respectful of Katniss’ mother and is genuinely nice to her when she shows the prep team how to do Katniss’ hair.
Venia is also extremely strong-willed, as she can carry out her duties without being fazed by Katniss’ imminent death, like her other teammates. She is sweet and affectionate and grows fond of Katniss during the time they spend together.
Venia in the 74th Hunger Games
Venia, together with Flavius and Octavia, serves as a member of Katniss’ prep team in the 74th Hunger Games. Their main responsibility is to work at the Remake Center, where they prepare Katniss for stage appearances and public events. Their tasks involve cleansing her, waxing her body, washing her hair, and tidying her nails. Additionally, they enhance her skin’s radiance and ensure her hair looks vibrant, which is crucial in presenting Katniss as healthy and content in District 12. It also allows Cinna, Katniss’ stylist, to tailor her look for each occasion. They also work closely with Portia, Peeta Mellark’s stylist, to create complimentary outfits for the District 12 tributes.
While working, Venia engages in casual conversations about her Capitol life and its difficulties. Although Katniss isn’t particularly impressed, she acknowledges that Venia can be helpful and kind at times.
“Then Venia goes to work on my hair, weaving strands of red into a pattern that begins at my left ear, wraps around my head, and then falls in one braid down my right shoulder. They erase my face with a layer of pale makeup and draw my features back out. Huge dark eyes, full red lips, lashes that throw off bits of light when I blink. Finally, they cover my entire body in a powder that makes me shimmer in gold dust.”
‘The Hunger Games’
Even after Katniss wins the Games, Venia continues to assist her with public appearances. This includes preparing her for the final interview and helping her get dressed for various engagements throughout Panem during the Victory Tour.
Venia in the 75th Hunger Games
In ‘Catching Fire,‘ Venia, Flavius, and Octavia help Katniss prepare for her wedding shoot. They dress her in various costumes and chatter about the lack of seafood and electronic gadgets in the Capitol. This leads Katniss to believe that the districts are rebelling against the Capitol.
They are later assigned once again to be Katniss Everdeen’s prep team for the 75th Hunger Games. This time, Venia is deeply troubled witnessing her beloved tribute returning to the deadly arena. Her affection for Katniss, however, does not hamper her ability to carry out her tasks effectively, although the thought of Katniss facing imminent death greatly disturbs her.
As the moment nears for Katniss to enter the arena, both Flavius and Octavia are overwhelmed with sorrow, and their emotional distress becomes unbearable. They cry tears of sorrow, leading them to resign from their duties. Venia, who is much stronger than her teammates, takes over all the duties upon herself.
“Then it’s just Venia, whose skin is so pale her tattoos appear to be leaping off it. Almost rigid with determination, she does my hair and nails and makeup, fingers flying swiftly to compensate for her absent teammates. The whole time, she avoids my gaze. It’s only when Cinna shows up to approve me and dismiss her that she takes my hands, looks me straight in the eye, and says, “We would all like you to know what a…privilege it has been to make you look your best.” Then she hastens from the room.”
‘Catching Fire’
Venia in District 13
Upon Katniss’ escape from the arena, Venia, Flavius, and Octavia get apprehended in ‘Mockingjay’ and transported from the Capitol to District 13. Even during the Second Rebellion, Cinna held hope that the prep team would aid Katniss, but sadly, the rebels treated them with cruelty.
In District 13, they are held hostage. They are confined in a wretched room (Compartment 3908) and subjected to harsh punishment for stealing a piece of bread, leaving them half-naked and chained to a wall. They likely endured beatings as well.
Katniss and Gale eventually discover Venia and the rest of the prep team in a repulsive room filled with filth, urine, and infection. She promptly secures their release, and Mrs. Everdeen provides them with medical care. Once integrated into the District 13 community, Katniss notices that Venia looks almost like her usual self. Her aqua hair lay down flat, and gray roots began growing out.
Despite her continued fear of the people in District 13, Venia assists Katniss in preparing for her role of the Mockingjay in various propaganda videos. She dresses her in her Mockingjay uniform. She also helps with her appearance on the day of President Snow’s execution, although she is horrified at Katniss’ ravaged appearance. Ultimately, Venia, Flavius, and Octavia are the only members of the prep team to survive the Second Rebellion.
“I guess it’s good Plutarch kidnapped you three after all.”
“We’re the only prep team still alive. And all the stylists from the Quarter Quell are dead,” says Venia. She doesn’t say who specifically killed them. I’m beginning to wonder if it matters.
‘Mockingjay’
FAQs
Who are Venia and Octavia in ‘The Hunger Games’?
Venia and Octavia are a part of Katniss’ prep team in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games. Their duties included getting Katniss ready for the opening ceremonies of the Games by improving her rugged appearance. They also help to prepare Katniss for her wedding dress shoot in Katniss’ new home at the Victors’ Village.
What does Octavia do in ‘The Hunger Games’?
Octavia is a part of the prep team for Katniss Everdeen in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games. As such, she is responsible for waxing Katniss’ body hair, buffing her nails, washing and combing her hair, etc. In the first year, she works with Katniss’ mentor, taking the lead of the head stylist to prepare her for public appearances.
What is Venia doing to Katniss?
Venia is remaking Katniss to Base Beauty Zero in ‘The Hunger Games.’ The whole prep team is responsible for scrubbing Katniss down and preparing her for Cinna’s initial examination. Kimiko Gelman portrays Venia in the film, while Nelson Ascencio and Lenny Kravitz portray Flavius and Cinna, respectively.
