Well look who is back, presumably by popular demand. Happy Holidays Nicole Onoscopi! How are the wilds of Oregon treating you?
Hello hello! Happiest of holidays to you too!! It’s been wonderful so far! Great to kick back and spend some quality time with the family after the whirlwind holiday season in the city. I was ready for a break, but I’m already chomping at the bit to get back in the heels!
So we had a lovely chat earlier this year and now you’re back, as what is OBVIOUSLY the biggest part of your Iconic prize package so let’s start with that, shall we gurl?
Well of course it is! Let’s dive right in!
Tell us a little bit about your experience winning this brand new competition that was hosted by my gal pal Heidi Haux and produced by Michael Bradley Block and Lindsey Kay!
Competing in Iconic was a lot like camping: INTENSE. After competing in the Ultimate Drag Pageant at The West End I had caught the drag bug terribly and was dead set on continuing to challenge myself and grow. I had performed at ICON a small handful of times prior to competing and was thrilled to have the chance to play there for eight weeks. I would say that this competition was much more competitive than other drag experiences I’d had and that many of the girls, including myself, were a bit cutthroat at times. The producers had put together quite an impressive prize package and incorporated weekly prizes, so the incentive to perform well was great and the pressure from the other girls really pushed me to step my game up over the eight weeks. We were lucky to have the mentorship of Heidi, Michael and Lindsay throughout the competition and it was the greatest joy to work with all three of them. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into Iconic and I’m so grateful for the for the growth and friendships that have bloomed from it.
I know they’re casting for season two as we speak. What would your advice be to the next batch of queens to compete be?
They are indeed! They’re looking Ruben Studdard to my Kelly Clarkson haha. From what I’ve learned, I think the key to succeeding in competitions is to find a way to stay authentic to yourself under the umbrella of the themes. It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase your artistry and talents, so let them have it! It’s always entertaining to watch someone do what brings them joy on stage.
What was the most challenging category for you?
Horror week intimidated the heck out of me! Anyone that knows me well knows that I’m terribly squeamish. I’ve been known to faint at the sight or even mention of blood. Out of drag, people often tell me that my quirks remind them of Patrick Bateman, so I thought I’d put together a little dragged up American Psycho number! Both the number and the look were so wildly different from anything I’d done before and I learned a lot from it. Post-competition, the clear raincoat and axe have been wonderful for scaring away hookups that linger a bit too long after doing the deed. Laughs
That axe might be useful in future competitions as well although Iconic isn’t the only title you have claimed in 2018. You’re also the reigning Miss Rockbar.
I am indeed! I loved visiting as Coco Taylor’s guest during her reign as Miss Rockbar and was determined to weasel my way into their talented little family.
Weasel? I thought there were more bears at Rockbar?
Photo by Michelle Felix
The rumors are true! I often think I might enjoy watching their fun more than they enjoy watching me! *Laughs
Okay, so now I need to talk about the real reason I got you here…..that SICKENING stoned wig you were sporting at DragCon this past September! How did that stunner come about?
Oh thank you!!! That masterpiece is the work of Kenneth Griffin, or @Perspectivebeats on the ‘Gram! He’s done some of my favorite hair and when he asked me if I wanted to him to stone that one I simply couldn’t resist!! I’m so fortunate to call so many talented designers friends.
You’re lucky that I’m a lady and refrained from tackling you to take it right there on the spot.
Lucky indeed! The world would have seen my bald head underneath! Laughs
We averted narrowly averted disaster! So moving on to the new year, do you have you eyes on any other crowns or are you going to give some other girls a chance to win a crown?
I’m hoping to put a little less pressure on myself in the coming year, but if I know anything myself, I’m sure I’ll end up back in the game a time or two. I was first runner-up to superstar Hibiscus at Miss Stonewall this year and I look forward to trying for that title again. I also would love to challenge myself with something like Miss’d America to take my drag to the next level. I’m so grateful for all of the opportunities and support I’ve had this year and I hope to spend more energy bringing the best show I can to my weekly gigs in 2019.
Photo by Jeff Eason
Well you are just doing my job for me Nicole! What an easy segue! Where can the people come and see you?
They can find me out in Astoria every week at ICON for Manic Mondays, Tuesdays at Rockbar for the Nicky O. Show!, The West End for Wacky Tacky Thursdays AND at The Chelsea Bell Bar& Grill on Fridays for All Stars 4 starting January 4th! I’ve also recently joined Ritzy Bitz’s team of La Pulperia’s ‘Angels’ so I’ll be popping up at both the Hells Kitchen and Upper East Side locations for brunch a couple times a month!
Photo by Robert Riese Photography
And on the interwebs?
The handle is @NicoleOnoscopi on all the platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and even Venmo!
I love a queen with uniform branding! Well my dear I think we’re almost finished but I want to wish you happy holidays and continued success in the new year. Do you have any final words of wisdom to share with the WERRRK.com universe before I send you back into the forests of your home state?
Thank you! It’s always such a pleasure to chat with you! As Ellen says, “be kind to one another” and always remember that you’ve got a friend in me, Nicole Onoscopi!
(Featured image by Robert Riese Photography)
