The Art of Christian Cimoroni
The Art of Christian Cimoroni
April 24th, 2013 by Nina with No Comments
My friend Christian Cimoroni is one hell of an artist. His style is so unique and so gorgeous and his work is getting some attention. Many of you already know Christian as Barbie Roberts, and some of you know his incredible work. I just wanted to spotlight his creativity and celebrate his unique artistry and vision. It is glorious.
Christian is gifted and brilliant. Spread the word on this artist. I know he is already one to watch.
Below are just a few of my personal favorites. Check out all of Christian’s work here: http://rebelrebelblackandwhite.tumblr.com/
Christian’s latest piece. Drag mother, Nina. Me. So hot.
Idol Chatter – The Top 4
April 24th, 2013 by Nina with No Comments
Image credit: Fox
What more can happen on American Idol. An incredibly strong top 4 leaves me scratching my head at who will be the next to go. Sure, tonight’s performances matter but I think the fans have already connected with their favorite.
Tonight, the contestants will sing two songs each and probably some cheesy duets that make you smile and fart at the same time. One of the selections will be of personal choice. The other song selection will be one-hit wonders. How is Donna Summer a one-hit wonder? Or even Destiny’s Child? Or Julie London? Ok, maybe more so Julie London, but I have her greatest hits, and honey, her version of “Fly Me To The Moon” is on point!
So, we have Angie Miller, Amber Holcomb, Kree Harrison (“Kree-dom”), and Candice Glover.
The song spoilers are out. It makes me nervous for what tonight may hold for a couple of the girls. The list seems somewhat ominous! See for yourself!
How the final four stack up for me:
Kree Harrison has this really likable quality about her. I think. I mean, the girl can sing her face off, but there seems to be something missing from the package. And, let’s face it, after a trip to the bottom two last week, she is going to have find something deep inside her to get America back on her side. She needs one of those moments that just would define the rest of her American Idol experience, but with the spoilers pointing to “White Shade of Pale” and “It Hurt So Bad”, I am having my doubts.
Amber Holcomb gave me absolute life last week with Barbra Streisand’s “What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life”. This big ole’ queen was waving her finger at the screen, but then I found myself almost in shock. Were people going to go with her song choice? I mean, the song is timeless, but it is not the first thing at the front of a “Call Me Maybe” generation. I was thrilled to see Amber pull through. She has been the underdog in a sense to me. I think she has this incredible gift but where she seems to lack is in pop star personality. I wanna hear her wail a Whitney Houston song, but tonight she may run into the same troubles she ran into last week, possibly going too “old” for the AI demographic. She is singing “MacArther Park” tonight. I just hope no one leaves that lil’ cupcake out in the rain.
Angie Miller is like a physical cross between Sheryl Crow and Miley Cyrus. She also has the Hannah Montana annoy-ability factor….to me at least. I like her performance though and tend to agree with the rest of the judges that when she gets behind the piano, she becomes this electric entertainer. AND, her performance of “Halo” last week was lovely. Tonight, she is slated to sing Jessie J’s pop power ballad “Who You Are”. I personally love this song. It is like this anthem of the soul, which, honestly Angie has connected herself to heavily this entire season. So, good choice, Ang, good choice. It has worked so far, and I don’t see it hurting her tonight.
I have to be fully honest that I fell in love with Candice from the beginning. Aside from talent, there is this incredible story and personality behind the vocalist. I love sass. I can only assume that will come as shock to many of you. I am thinking back to last week when Candice wailed on the Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey duet, “When You Believe”. It is clear to me that she has been born to do this. She is the top threat of the game, and the one to beat. And according spoilers, I am beyond excited to see her do Drake’s “Find Your Love.”
The judges will be very busy tonight watching the contest move into the final 3 stage, but it seems that one of the judges has taken a particular interest in another reality competition on TV. In fact, she goes so far to pick a winner! Work Roxxxy Andrews!
Living for this! And for American Idol tonight! Be sure to tune in to Idol Chatter on Fox28 tomorrow morning at 8:40 am to see how it all shakes out!
Where in the World is Nina West?
June 8th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
My Pride schedule this year is everywhere YOU want to be!
TUESDAY, JUNE 12
Come to Camelot Cellars Winery on June 12th from 7-9pm and have none other than ME, as your bartender. I will pour your glass of locally crafted vino for you and enjoy your company.
There will be $1 off selected glasses of wines and $2 off all flights. A portion of the Wine Bar sales for this event will go to my selected charity, Project Zero: Ohio, which raises funds for HIV/AIDS research here in Central Ohio. Also, for every bottle of our Limited Edition or Specialty Wines purchased that evening, Camelot Cellars will donate $1 to the charity. Come to Camelot Cellars Winery for the start of Pride Week to enjoy some wine and support Project Zero: Ohio.
Following this event, I will be heading down to Union Cafe for Nina’s Pre-Pre Pride Party at Union Cafe! 10 pm! And it is Tequila Tuesday!! 
Wednesday, June 13
I will be joining the Pre-Pride celebration with Virginia West at Virginia’s Top Shelf Wednesday! This cast is fantastic and features special guest INDIA FERRAH, from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 3, as well as some of your favorite entertainers!
THURSDAY, JUNE 14
I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am for this event. It really is one of my favorite shows to do every year, and this year, i have really tried to bring you some of the best in female illusion and impersonation. Make sure to get your tables early as they always sell out! The cast for the Pride Kick Off Show this year is stellar, featuring Virginia West, Maria Garrison, The Royal Renegades, Freesia Balls, Candi Panties, Kari Kerning, Stefanie Sexton, a cameo by Kiley Dash and more!
FRIDAY, June 15
Such a hot night is planned for YOU! First, we have the Diesel Underwear Fashion Show, featuring the very hot and sexy Rod Daley. I will be hosting outside with Rod and an amazing Torso Fashion Show, and then we will head inside and join Virginia West, Anisa Love, Maria Garrison for the Axis Lounge All Male Review happening all night!
SATURDAY, June 16
After the Pride Parade and Festival, make sure you get some rest in because we are gonna party all night long! UNITY BALL and DRAGAPALOOZA are the biggest Pride parties in the city! First, join me and Virginia West outside for the largest drag event in the midwest, and starring PHI PHI O’HARA from RuPaul’s Drag Race 4 and LATRICE ROYALE from RuPaul’s Drag Race 4! The event will also feature India Ferrah, RuPaul Drag Race 3 star, Nova Star, former Miss Gay United States At Large, Toledo’s own Deja Delaterro, as well as many of your local favorites including Anisa Love, Alexis Stevens, Maria Garrison, Freesia Balls, Kari Kerning, Candi Panties, Samantha Rollins, Paige Passion, Vivi Velure, Barbie Roberts, Sandy Von Lipshitz, Vivian Von Brokenhymen, Cassandra Terrace, Akasha O’Hara Lords, Kiley Dash, Sonya Ross, Selena Terrace-West, Drew Terrace, Stella Boheme, Mathilda Longfellow, Britney Blaire, Mikaila Denise! And if that isn’t enough, come inside for the hottest dancing at UNITY BALL 2012, with an all-male review downstairs in the lounge hosted by Virginia West, Anisa Love, and Alexis Stevens, and a fabulous drag review in the cabaret hosted by me and featuring Phi Phi O’Hara, India Ferrah, Deja Dellaterro, Nova Starr, and Maria Garrison and more!
SUNDAY, June 17th
Just when you thought the weekend was over, it is time to come out for that game of games BAT N ROUGE 2012! Where else will you see a bunch of drag queens play softball? This year, the event is hosted by myself, Virginia West, and special guest Latrice Royale!
I hope you make it out to one or many of my appearances, but more importantly, i hope you have an amazing Pride 2012!
Like A Big Schlong
May 1st, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
I love a good song spoof. And I love Willam. Check it!
What to do on a Wednesday?
April 30th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
Let me tell you, Wednesday nights just got a lot hotter with Virginia’s Top Shelf Wednesday’s at the new Axis Lounge! And this Wednesday will be no different. Catch Virginia West this Wednesday at Axis Lounge with special guest India Ferrah, from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 3 and former All American Goddess! After all, expect the unexpected! Doors at 10 pm, Show at 11 pm!
More KENYA! MORE KENYA!!
April 30th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
Make sure to get there early to catch one of the brightest stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4, KENYA MICHAELS!! May 19! 10 pm, UNION CAFE with encore performance at Axis Nightclub for OZ!
Kenya Michaels
April 27th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
The pint size princess from RuPaul’s Drag Race 4 will be in Columbus!!
Drag Racing.
April 27th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
RuPaul’s Drag Race is the phenomenon that has put the art of drag back at the forefront of pop culture. Sassy ladyboys have become all the rage, thanks, primarily, to the amazing artistry of Supermodel of the World herself, RuPaul. Through mini-challenges and runway challenges, queens all over the country have come to identify their drag seemingly by the first names of contestants that have been on the show. “I’m a Morgan with a Shangela rising…” or “I really want to be like Nina Flowers…” In fact, so many people I know are sitting at the edge of their seat waiting to hear the results of the season 4 surprise finale, that it is a polarizing conversation when talking to almost anyone who is a fan of the show. Will it be Chad Michaels, Phi Phi O’Hara, or Sharon Needles? Regardless of who is announced the winner Monday Night on Logo TV (they filmed 3 different endings of each contestant winning to throw the live studio audience) they all have left a mark on this art form.
Each contestant seems to represent something uniquely different, and yet uniquely American. With that, I mean that each of the three finalists seems to possess something that seems to be a desirable commodity. Chad Michaels is seasoned at the craft. You can’t tell me that that queen hasn’t seen almost all of it, and has learned from every bit of it. She is mature and even-keeled, approaching the craft as with sense, determination, and fine brush strokes of a celebrated fine artist like Picasso or Van Gogh. This bitch knows what she is doing, and if she doesn’t we could never clock it. Sharon Needles seems to represent that ingenuity and creativity. She is the voice of an artist that has long been stifled but seems to finally be getting their due. Original. Often imitated. Never duplicated. Sharon seems to be the freak inside many of us, with that softer side of Sears. She has drive but her humor keeps her grounded. And then, you have Phi Phi O’Hara who seems to represent that hunger and determination. She is someone who doesn’t seem to take no for an answer. A fighter. And a true representation of youth. She seems to think before she acts, which, for the most part, has really played in her favor on the show, but has seemed to hurt her with the fans.
So you have wisdom, creativity, and drive. If those three qualities were in one person, you would have a clear winner, and while each may have a bit of those three major characteristics, you have to come back to the original judging standards – who is the biggest C.U.N.T.? Who has the most creativity, uniqueness, nerve, and talent? And, for the sake of the argument, who has made the best TV for season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race?
Willam Belli threw the greatest wrench into the works this season, and just as excited as everyone is to find out the winner, there is this overwhelming excitement to find out what Willam did! So without a doubt, I think honorable mention must go to Willam for his role in this season’s crossdressin’ hijinks! I personally think she is hysterical and represents a very different brand of drag that is not too prevalent throughout the US.
Fan favorite? Check back for another blog that will be posted tonight on my thoughts there.
And the winner? With the twitter voting that was held this year for the show, I think that is only going to play in the favor of Sharon Needles. From the beginning, she was the dark horse. She is so different, and her point of view as an artist has never been highlighted by the show. She captivated viewers with her humor, self-deprecation, and all-around fierceness. Chad Michaels may pull the win, because, as the judges noted time and time again, she is polished. I found it a little odd that that was used as a negative critique – as I didn’t know that being “too polished” was a bad thing, but that may ultimately play in her favor. Had you asked me towards the beginning of the season, I would have picked Phi Phi for the win, but she may have shot herself in the foot with the judges and fans alike for what seemed to be an approach that brought with it a body count. I really like Phi Phi, appreciate her perspective, and celebrate her hunger for the win (it is a reality game show of sorts, right?) but her tactics to get there, while not breaking the rules, may have hurt her cause in the long run.
So who wins? We will find out on Monday! Post your comments on the blog to voice your thoughts!
The Princess is Coming
March 5th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
Delta Work!
June 22nd, 2011 by Nina with No Comments
