We were lucky to catch up with Nasty recently and have shared our conversation below.

NASTY, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

In all honesty, YES. There are so many times I ask myself “Why do I even do this? I should just quit right? But it’s one of those questions I ask myself right before a performance and I laugh at myself because I know this is what I am meant to be doing. My mind, body and soul have brought me right where I wish to be for the rest of my life. There are so many issues that come in this line of career… The lack of respect for Drag Kings, lack of recognition for the job itself, lack of QUEER spaces, ohhhhh I could go on. I think of me at a “regular job” and feel a tightness in my stomach over it. No one wants a F***ing regular job. At least no one I know. I live creatively. The way I brush my teeth is creative, the way I make my morning coffee is creative– you see where I am going with this? If I don’t have an outlet where I can present my higher self that is NASTY, I absolutely do not want it.

NASTY, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Queer Entertainer. A Drag and Burlesque artist.
I got into this line of work by having a sincere desire to find an outlet that expresses my emotions creatively involving music. Something about a good song you’ve always been drawn to and creating the art you see in your mind from it. I think what sets me apart from others in this industry are the things that inspire me– Anything 80’s, Michael Jackson, Prince, Pete Burns, The Mask, Purple Rain, Trad Goth makeup/fashion and vampiresssssss. I love to dance and create an image. A very precise image at that. I also believe the way I express gender is what draws people in. Who doesn’t love looking at a man looking like a beautiful woman?
I am honestly most proud of the fact that I am doing it. Like ACTUALLY doing this. I used to be such an anxious person. When I was younger, I couldn’t even order food for myself without this wave of static and anxiety filling my body. Now, I can talk on a microphone at a bar and host a show. I can be on a stage and present myself fully! And even show some skin you know? When you’re queer and trans, there is a majorly specific way you can just hate yourself and your body. I even struggle showing my body alone in my own home, but there is something about performing that makes me feel capable of crushing any of those feelings. I feel free.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Oh yes… One day, I wish to travel the world with other creatives doing what I do. Meeting new artists is almost like a drug. Whenever I travel out of town for a show, I am always STRUCK with inspiration. Whether it’s by the artists themselves, the venue, the city or even just the experience of driving somewhere with someone else. Yapping in the car or listening to our favorite tunes to perform to. I want to wake up and be able to tell myself “I am an artist and this is how I make my living/live my life”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

You really mean to tell me you cannot understand why this is how I want to live my life? – This is my question to non-creatives. I was a shell of a person for my first 19 years of life. Sure, I have been creative all my life, but never have I experienced such a vastness of art. I can talk straight from my chest instead of constantly sounding like I am about to cry when I have to ask a question. I have learned so much about the human experience and what it means to truly love by being an artist. The people I have met through this community of entertainers inspire me each day to work harder and be exactly as I am.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @1980svampire
• Facebook: Nas Ty

Image Credits

TJ Lindsey
Paige Margulies
Purely Mischief Photo