THANK YOU, Columbus!
THANK YOU, Columbus!
May 1st, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
So, this morning, as I was shaking off a night of heavy sleep after the annual Denison Show, and my phone began ringing. It was my mom. I don’t know about you, but usually when I see my mother on my caller ID, I immediately think something is wrong. I am not sure why I am like that because 99.999% of the time, nothing is ever wrong. But, there I was this morning, immediately thinking that something was happening. Something was wrong.
I answered quickly and my mom says, “Congratulations!’
What? For what, I thought. And then I said, “For what, mom?”
“On your thing…” she said, I could hear the excitement in her voice. Ijust had no idea what she was referring to at all.
“On what, mom? I am not sure what you are talking about…”
My mind was going from one place to another. Maybe she heard the Dension show last night was amazing. Maybe she was congratulating me on that. No. Doubtful. I couldn’t figure it out…
“The magazine poll, Andrew! You got third place!! Congratulations! ”
Oh my god! The (614) Magazine poll! I completely forgot about that! And holy what????
“What?” My voice cracked a little. My heart was racing. I was and still am so thrilled. What a huge honor.
Mom and I talked a bit longer, and laughed, and she made it very clear that Jack Hanna is everything. Trust me, I know that.
But, wow, are you kidding me? I think I may have officially arrived! I will gladly take 3rd to two people that I think the world of, JACK HANNA and JENI BRITTON BAUER! AMEN!
Wow. Again, complete shock. And so honored and humbled. Thank you, Columbus and all of you NINA fans out there who continue to love and support me and push me to be better every time.
And, the entire amazing thing about all of this? Just about 6 months ago, my mom and dad had just found out that Nina existed. In a strange full-circle moment, my mom was the first person to call and inform me of this amazing news. And she was so excited. No, that is what tells me I have officially arrived. Thank you mom and dad.
Columbus, get ready for a renaissance.
Nina West is one of the ColumBEST
May 1st, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
(614) Magazine’s ColumBEST polls are in! 106 categories, 286,891 votes from 9,894 voters! We at superdragqueen.com are pleased and proud to announce that Nina West is one of Columbus’ favorite local celebrities!
Check it out here! (614) Magazine ColumBEST
Best Overall Columbus Celebrity
Jack Hanna 21.31% of 2,529 votes
Briefly embroiled in a strange controversy earlier this year after defending Zanesville deputies who put down over 50 exotic animals, Jack Hanna still hung onto the mantle of the city’s best overall celebrity. Most rational people sided with Jack, who probably cried a lot as he helped authorities track down very many escaped predators. Widely acknowledged as one of the leading animal experts in the country, his incredible work at the Columbus Zoo transformed it into a national destination. When it comes down to it, we just love him as Jungle Jack – the man in the khakis with the charming Southern drawl. His love for animals and devotion to charitable causes and conservation efforts has made him the gold standard of Columbus celebrities.
2) Jeni Britton Bauer … 6.56%
3) Nina West … 6.45%
Thank you to all who voted in the contest and for making Nina West one of your favorites!
Candids 3
January 4th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
Whose head is that? LOVE THIS!!!
Candids 2
January 4th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
I love when the blue hairs read the interview!!!
Day 4
January 4th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
The article came out on New Year’s Day. A lot has happened in the last 3 days.
I went to dinner last night at Old Bag of Nails in Grandview with my friends, Lori and Sara, and as we were leaving, I noticed the issue of (614) with me on the cover sitting by the front door. Before we left, the manager stopped me and nodded his head toward the issue. I had never seen the man before, and so I just assumed that he was, in his nod, asking if that was me on the cover.
I began to answer, “Yep, that’s me…”
But he cut me off. Instead, he said, “No, I wanted to know how they have taken it? Your parents? they knew before the issue came out, right?”
I was speechless. My heart began to speed up a little.
I giggled a little and then realized that there is this new reality now for me. Ten years I have kept it all secret and hidden. And now, in just a few short weeks all of it has changed. My life is different. Reality is different.
When Travis Hoewischer approached me about doing this interview, I was very skeptical, but I knew it was time to be honest with myself and more importantly, with my parents. I had to tell Travis that my parents didn’t know and as a result i may not be able to do the piece as “Andrew”. I needed a few days to collect my thoughts. I needed to figure out how I would tell my parents.
Stop.
Look back to 2009. I did an interview with a publication in town where I had to hold on to my anonimity for fear of my parents reading the interview. I was referred to as “Steve” in the piece to hide my identity. When you read the piece, it feels so uncomfortable and disconnected. That was because of “Steve” or should I say me, rather than the interviewer. Epic FAIL.
So fast forward to November 2011 when I was approached by Travis to think about this. I didn’t want another epic fail on my end. I wanted to make it worthy of me. I wanted it to be as real as possible. I look at it in show terms. I want to work with people who are going to come prepared to play and make it interesting. In the interview in 2009 as Steve, I had so many walls up. I couldn’t play. I couldn’t give the interviewer a real or straight-forward response. But I knew that I had to let the walls down and get real with it all. No matter what it meant. I also knew that the clock was ticking on telling my parents. I had to tell them.
In having this conversation with Travis, he made such an obvious statement that had been missed on me.
While doing the interview, another very private story came out. Until the issue, only 10 people knew that story – Mom, Dad, Heather Evans, Patricia, Miles, and a few others. It was and has been the most painful thing I have ever had to go through. Scary. But, I went into the interview ready to be honest and unguarded. I had to let it all out so that I could begin this process of healing. College was still one of the greatest experiences of my life, but that is because I had people looking out for me and wanting to ensure that I succeeded. In the interview, I shared my story of bullying and harassment, and the fact that I was forced to tell my parents about being gay. I didn’t get the chance to sit them down and soften the proverbial blow, per se, but rather, it was a phone call from an hour away with their son crying on the other end. It was a call riddled with fear and uncertainty. it was a terrible time for me on campus and I was so afraid of how my parents would react to finally hearing the words, “Mom and Dad, I am gay.”
I wanted the chance to come out as a drag queen to my parents on my terms. It was almost as if I got the chance to come out to them all over again.
My parents are good people. They supported me in that terrible time in my life. I didn’t know where it was going to go after all was said and done, but there were there for me when i needed them and always have been. I just didn’t know what drag would do.
So, as I told the manager at Old Bag of Nails last night, I have talked to my parents. In fact, they found out right before Christmas. The story there is beautiful in and of itself and I will save that for another time, but, I will say I had the best Christmas ever. My holiday was filled with love and support. I know that in their efforts to understand, we are getting back to being closer than ever before.
By any definition, the true meaning of family. I wish i would have given them the opportunity to be there sooner.
And I should say, the first thing my mom and dad both said to me, obviously before the interview came out:
“Andrew, we are just so proud of you.”
Now, day 4. No more regret.
Candids.
January 3rd, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
Check out my friend Tyler (AKA Shauna Robix) with the (614) issue! Holla!
The Interview
January 3rd, 2012 by Nina with 2 Comments
I am so thrilled to have been asked to take part in this. I am relieved to have all of the cards on the table. I am excited for this new phase of my life, both personally and professional. Please read this interview and share!
photos by Chris Casella
http://614columbus.com/article/andrew-levitt-a-k-a-nina-west-4071/