Creative Loafing – Toni A. Jones
Although Nicole Paige Brooks is known for relentlessly roasting drag show spectators by night, this notorious trash-talker’s daytime gig reveals her softer side. During the day, it’s all about the kids.
Brooks is an active participant in Youth Pride, an organization for LGBTQ youth located in Little Five Points. She hosts monthly parties and various activities for young people to network with each other in a safe environment.
Terminology used to identify women in Brooks’ line of work is of no particular importance to this glam queen. “I like the term ‘female impersonator’ because I think it sounds nicer, but I don’t think there’s a big difference between ‘drag queen’ and ‘female impersonator.'”
Her name is a compilation of various feminine influences in her life: Nicole is the name of a girl she dated in high school; with an alternate spelling, Paige references trailblazing pinup model Bettie Page; and Brooks pays homage to her drag mother and fellow Atlanta female impersonator, Shawnna Brooks.
The Oklahoma City native can be seen emceeing at the Jungle Club once a month, and at Le Buzz in Marietta every Friday at 11 p.m. She’s also scheduled to emcee her first Starlight Cabaret in Piedmont Park during Pride alongside the event’s annual host, Raven.
Brooks says her look constantly evolves as it is not necessarily modeled after any particular woman. “Now, if I model it after anyone, it’s my mother. My mother is the ultimate woman.”