Watching over and welcoming us from the glory days of Boots & Saddle to one of the hottest new spots in Hell’s Kitchen, Nickystar’s light shines bright.
Thotyssey: Hi Nicky, thanks for chatting with us today! I last saw you on Pride; we were both minding the children at Balcon Salon, me at the door with wristbands and you in the back!
Nickystar: Oh yes! I loved it! I enjoyed Pride, seeing everyone celebrating who they are. I was tired at the end of the night, but so worth it.
Yes, as annoying as Pride can sometimes be (lol!), it is great to see everyone actually celebrate. I slept for a whole week afterwards! Do you have a favorite memory from any past Pride?
Hmm. I would have to say 2013. I was with all my friends… trying to walk around, and it was impossible because there was so many people. There was a man that had rats on him… each with a different color of the rainbow! That was crazy, but interesting.
That was me! Just kidding. How long have you been doing security there now?
I’ve been working for Balcon Salon since they opened up, I believe it was October 18. October 20 was when I actually started working with them.
You often travel with a large group of folks who think of you as a mom, auntie or sister! How did you and all these folks find each other over the years?
They call me Mama Hen, and they call me Hell’s Kitchen Mother. The way I acquired those names was basically getting to know people, showing love, treating everybody with respect, giving advice, helping somebody. Every time they see you, they give the same love back. When you treat people with so much respect and love, they’re always gonna come and give you that hug and say “Hi” to you. That’s how I became sis, mother, auntie. It’s something beautiful. So as my name is Nikystar, I have my Star kids: I have Angel, and I have Mikey, and I also have Cory. And it just goes on and on and on– one big family throughout time.
I’ve known you for a while now!
I remember when I met you the first time when you were working for Boots & Saddle, when it was that hole in the wall… before it even made that move to across the street from SushiSamba. And yeah, that’s how way back we go in the community. I remember Honey Davenport’s shows, and waiting ten minutes to get into the bathrooms, because even though it was a hole in the wall it was always packed. It was all good memories. definitely.
I will always treasure those Boots & Saddle memories! Were you always out being social in New York nightlife?
I have always been a social person. I would go out with my friends for drinks, and sometimes by myself. I’m a mom of four and a grandmother of one, so going out from time to time was a way for me to just unwind and enjoy myself. I love meeting new people. I love watching the drag shows! The talents, so many of them: glitz, glamour, makeup, the outfits… it was beautiful to watch them evolve throughout the years!
This is maybe a dangerous question, but do you have any favorite drag queens from over the years or today?
That is a dangerous question! OMG, I can’t answer that, lol. I love all of them! They are all so talented and beautiful in their own way! I can’t choose or have favorites. I do have favorites, and if they read your magazine, they will know who they are, lol!
Fair enough! Are you a native New Yorker, by the way?
Yes I was born in Manhattan. I moved around a lot throughout my years, but always come back to New York
And what is your favorite neighborhood to party in?
I’ve been to a lot of places! I’ve gone to Metropolitan and Macri Park, I’ve gone to Industry, Boxers–even the one day that they had in Washington Heights. No Parking, which is no longer exists. Morocco, which was on Broadway, on 143rd or 145th Street. I’ve been to Castro, Le Boy, Battle Hymn, Cielo, Krash. Definitely Escuelita. There were numerous places that I’ve gone to with my friends, or places I discovered on my own. That’s another reason why people know Nickystar: I’ve been everywhere. You would have to write a book with me! But now, I guess I would have to say Hell’s Kitchen because it’s where I currently work, and where I’ve been meeting so many beautiful people.
One interesting thing I’ve learned about you–I’m not sure if I remember hearing you sing during the old days of Boots karaoke, but when you hit the mic nowadays, you have a gorgeous voice! Have you ever been, or considered being, a performer or recording artist?
I enjoy singing, as a matter of fact. I’ve been singing since a very early age in my life… even though I never actually pursued it as a career. I pushed my children to sing at an early age; the two older ones can sing. But yeah, I sung karaoke at the old and new Boots & Saddle. I was a security guard over [at the newer one]. I used to go all the way downstairs to check IDs while I’m downstairs, and was singing at the same time.
It’s crazy that I used to work in that Boots & Saddle, and that Boots is now Playhouse… and little did I know I was gonna work for the same owners who opened Playhouse.
Things always work out! So these days the folks can find you at Balcon, where you’re usually monitoring the back. It’s a beautiful space, with an amazing stage!
Oh honey, that’s my second home! My favorite part is the balcony on the second floor, where you can make it rain on the drag queens while they’re perfoming up on the beautiful stage. I work there on weekends: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Glorious! Is there anything coming up for you that the children should know about?
I have no new projects, or anything like that at the moment. Just working a Balcon Saloon NYC, and I’m just gonna enjoy the summer with my kids and my boyfriend. If anything pops up, I’ll definitely post it on social media.
Sounds good to me! Lastly: when you are out on the town, what is something that you can never leave home without?
My ID, money and my makeup, lol.
Wisdom! See you out soon, Darling Nicky!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Nickystar’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Thotyssey 