in the USA

s a self-proclaimed nail historian and scribe it’s only fitting that I take this time to acknowledge some of the contributions our X’treme Nailz Divas, Long Nail Beauties, Cuticle Cuties, and Trendsetting Nailz Artists have shared. My staff and I have been honored to have personally met with some of these wonderful women.

To sit and interface with people like Maria Ortiz, Mel Nubia, Edith Graham, Ana Otano, LA Rue Drummond, Desiree Wimbush, Lamuh, Naomi Taylor, Cordelia Adams, Lena Cole, Autumn Springs, Ayde Nunez, were absolutely surreal, and to be a part of the X’treme Nailz movement is priceless. Using this platform to record, document and showcase the unique and previously taboo exposé has been a dream come true.

Finally, the X’Treme Nailz Divas have a platform to tell their stories and express themselves accordingly, allowing them to now and forevermore sit at the ‘Big Table’. The plus-size industry had their struggles, and the LBGTQ community elbowed their way to get a seat. The ME TOO Movement roughed their respect, and the Black Lives Matter movement, well they continue to tread water.

I’m proud to say that I’ve followed this vision and aligned myself with other like-minded visionaries (who saw the relevance and importance of acknowledging these women of UNSUNG courage and conviction). Discrimination and ignorance usually go hand and hand. Although The X’Treme Nailz community is seeing

X’Treme Nailz International’s 27

Game Changing X’Treme Nailz Divas in the USA

a slight reduction in trials and tribulations, disdain and ambivalence (they still occasionally hear that old heckled mantra, “HEY, HOW YOU WIPE YOUR ASS WITH THOSE LONG NAILS?”

Despite it all, they’re now at the “BIG TABLE” . Today, every genre has an X’treme Nailz representative…..stage, screen, music and television. So remember, for every Cardi B there’s Cynthia Erivo. For every Theresa Caputo there’s Rihanna. For every Kylie Jenner there’s Fergie. For every Megan Thee Stallion there’s Lena Cole, and for all of the celebrity Nail Technicians, there’s Maria Ortiz!

So for this collector’s edition of X’Treme Nailz International, we pay homage to 27 X’Treme Nailz Divas and Designers who have helped to change the nail game in America. It was their audacity and tenacity that redesigned the face of fashion and design. They’ve brought long nails from the underground to the forefront, from taboo to absolute necessity. These women are our pioneers and saviors, representing ALL ethnicities and cultures with varied backgrounds and expertise. Black, Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian and Mixed-raced, the X’Treme Nail Divas’ contributions to the 6 billion dollar nail salon industry is immeasurable. That paradigm shift in fashion, entertainment, culture, media and acceptance that we now experience is because they chose to step outside of the social norms and ‘DARED 2 BE DIFFERENT’!

X’treme Nailz International proudly presents our 27 Game Changing X’Treme Nailz Divas!

Ana Otano

“New York City is the legendary birthplace for some of the most dynamic and controversial X’treme Nail Queens in the USA. Ana is a Straight Outta Brooklyn native and one of the first X-Nailz Divas we befriended. This relationship spans almost twenty years and has witnessed Ana survive numerous tragedies in her life (including heart attacks, the passing of her mother, cancer scares and temporary unemployment). Ana is a pioneer of the X-Nailz within the Hispanic culture. With courage and dignity she made her appearances known on many of the early social media publications & nail sites (which then were predominantly focused on white females). Today, Ana is still representing her community, her culture and her beautiful 90 degree angled claws”

Anika Grey

Like so many of our X’treme Nailz Divas, Michigan native Anika Grey, is blessed with that perfect IG model physique.

“Madame Thunder” as her fans affectionately call her is surprisingly, a proud mother of eight children.

As a Virgo with an acute eye for fashion, we are looking forward to seeing her on a “New York Fashion Week” runway in the near future.

LuSonda Young

“This Illinois native is not only an X-Nailz fingernail diva but she’s also an X-Nail Toenail Phenom. Her Toenails turn heads and challenge all social morays. This busy horticulturist works for Chi-town Blossom, a leading licensed hemp processing food & manufacturing company. LuSundas X-Nailz have been described as Left-Hand Curving Right and Right-Hand Curving Left. But her toenails are something else! Her small toenails curve and cling to her sandals like a canary on an olive branch. But those big toenails protrude like two colored torpedoes waiting to be fired. Amazingly it all comes together as a beautiful & unique X-Nailz smorgasbord”

Autumn Springs

This Maryland native has been a mainstay within the X-Nailz community for well over thirty years now. She’s not only one of our plussize cuties but she sports some of the most spectacular claws on the East Coast. Autumn has an imagination that just won’t quit. Her “Nailz Game” can’t be denied (just look at how she expresses her moods and feelings through various colors and design choices). There’s a newly discovered language of Nailz communication out there, which Autumn seems to have mastered. I can’t wait until she shares these secrets with all her adoring fans’

Carole Gray

Before she was known as the first Internationally Fly Fashion Nailz Magazine’s brand ambassador, Ms. Gray was a well-known, sought after R&B vocalist. But a near fatal car accident temporarily cut her singing career short. However, like the proverbial Phoenix, she rose again. Carole decided to reinvent herself, which led to her becoming one of the top celebrity interviewers in Hollywood. And yes Carole is still singing in and around L.A.

Cordelia Goldeeloc Adams

Cordelia Goldeeloc Adams is the CEO of Our House Wears in Gary, Indiana. This ex-postal employee has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University. A true entrepreneurial spirit, Ms. Adams is a licensed nail technician, MUA, singer and designer of custom waist beads. Although she’s extremely tall and statuesque, the first thing you notice is her 7-9 inch colorful stalactite talons. They immediately appear malleable and very strong. I seriously doubt if she’s ever broken any of them. Lastly Cordelia is super active in her community and is regularly seen at various functions and cultural activities in and around Gary.

She is enigmatic, immensely talented and hails from San Antonio. Diane January is another beautiful X-Nailz icon from the state of Texas. As a profession she’s both a voice recognition editor and home contractor. This true Pisces is also the mother of one daughter. However, her claim to fame are her gummy-wormed 6 ½-7 inch squares which are always meticulously sculptured and perfectly designed. Is it me or do her claws always appear to be painted by some impressionists like Michelangelo, George Seurat or Picasso? I was just wondering.

“This Durham, NC native is the X-Nailz version of a Swiss Army Knife because she is an accomplished singer, artist, creative writer and executive assistant. This former Real Nailz Queen is still aspiring to return to the studio and elucidate her musical gifts”

EDITH GRAHAM

Texas is another hotbed for some of the hottest X-treme Divas in the country (i.e. Lena Cole, Edith Graham, LaJuana Barton, Coya Luvv Clark and Sandra Edwards). So it’s only fitting that Senior Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, LaWona Adams grace that list as well. The diminutive Texan is as tireless in her devotion to Christ, as she is in her crusade for sickle-cell awareness. Her geometrically correct claws are halfmoon shaped and wickedly lengthy

Emma Briggs is a prime example of our X-treme Nailz Divas shattering stereotypes. This Camden, Arkansas native (same hometown as comedian Luenell) is a Sr. Security Officer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Wow, can you imagine getting arrested by a beautiful female officer with 5-inch Claw Nails? I sure can!

Here’s where the combination of fashion, style, swagger, and presentation create a quiet storm. LaRue Drummond is a member of the legendary East Coast Big Three (Ana Otano, Maria Ortiz and LaRue). LaRue and her 10 inch speckled, ornamented and multicolored tentacles check all those boxes. This New Jersey native great-grandmother is the architect of fly nails and heels fashion. No one rocks the ‘kicks’ like LaRue ! She’s a true SHOE HORSE. LaRue is definitely not your grandmother’s grandmother. Always runway ready, LaRue is never in the public eye, looking less than stunning! LaRue Drummond is absolutely the standard by which the 50 & Fly population emulates.

In 2015 she revisited her selection to one of the most famous museums for oddities and pop culture memorabilia in America (Ripleys Believe It or Not). This was Laurens second time reflecting on her place in immortality. By doing that Lauren demonstrated to the ignorant that her Gothic style and X’treme Nailz can occupy the same space. Today, Lauren continues to turn heads with her classic “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark” claws.

Leah Nailz is not just a brand name, but the symbol of some old fashioned hard work and blue collar grit. Leah is The CEO/Owner of Nailz by Leah and Activity Director at House of Herbs in ChiTown. This 56 years young Pisces is a 70’s throwback from head to toe. Leah’s claws reflect that classic natural old school look. Her thumb nails alone memorize you and dare you to turn away from them. Leah’s swag reminds one of Minnie Riperton and Heather Headley. That’s why when you meet her, an Xtreme Nailz version of Erykah Badu comes to mind. Eclectic, Timeless and Xtremely Talented

Lena Cole

The undisputed OG of X’treme Nailz is Lena Cole from Dallas, Texas. Not only is she the Brand Ambassador for both Ambi’ance Uncut and X’treme Nailz International magazines, but Lena is an accomplished nail designer and fashion icon. Currently Lena is working on a screenplay, where she will star in her very own reality series’.

Lonnet Spencer

The unofficial X-treme Nailz Queen of Vegas is Lonnet Spencer. If you’re talking tats, then you’re talking Lonnet. If you’re interested in some affordable for-us-by-us retail items, Lonnet’s your girl. If you’re interested in some “slap-yo-momma” seafood...yep, Lonnet has your back! She’s been turning heads on the strip for some twenty plus years now. Not just because of her business acumen, but because of those magnificent halfmoon sickles of hers. You can tell by her color choices that as a child, Crayola Crayons were her best friend. So, the next time you’re on the Las Vegas strip, grab a good old fashioned soul food plate at REDDS KITCHEN, and check out Lonnet’s “Bad Ass Nailz”.

“Mel Nubia is the artist formerly known as Melody Wilson. Among her major accomplishments is receiving her Doctorate in Psychology. Mel Nubia has a stunning set of curvy claws that most women would die for. In 2013, Mel started a registry to unite all the Long Nail Divas from around the U.S. Not only has she been a lifelong advocate against domestic violence and women’s rights, but also champions long nail advocacy, education and enlightenment”

“This New Jersey native is a former nursing assistant and a single mother of one son. Melissa is best known for her multicolored medusa braids, nose piercings and wickedly curved talons. In the early 2000’s Melissa revolutionized the polychromatic nail colors that are so common in hip-hop culture today. When you see Megan the Stallion and Cardi B’s nail colors just know, Melissa did it first”

“In 2012 I attended a church service in Rancho Cucamonga, CA where I was fortunate to be seated next to a lovely woman with awesome nails. After introducing myself we had breakfast and talked about living in Southern California, family, careers, church and of course, X-treme Nailz. I learned Na’imah Luckett was a proud mother of four (two boys and two girls) and she loved her family time. Though she’s extremely shy, Na’imah was easy to talk to. Naimah has only three passions: church, family and her nails. They are long and slightly curvy. She said her longest nail is 4 ½ inches. Her favorite colors are pinks and pastels although she occasionally rocks bright reds on Valentine’s Day and holidays. Growing her nails came easy for her. As a teenager, and although she played sports, she rarely broke any of them. At first glance it’s apparent that she’s been blessed with naturally hard nails. Living in the Inland Empire means that everyone knows everyone, so she quickly adapted to the notoriety her X-treme claws created. Today she’s still active in her children’s (and grandchildren’s) scholastic and athletic careers. Na’imah still attends the same church and she’s still passionate about her Nails”.

Nora Molina

The ‘World of Nails Entertainment’ website boasts some of today’s most celebrated X-Nailz divas. They literally hail from all around the globe. However none are more intriguing than Nora Molina. The Ponce, Puerto Rico native is all fire and ice. Her Flowing platinum locks remind me of the super-shero, Storm from the X-Men comic books (although her magnificent talons are more Wolverine-like). A true Leo, Nora is obsessed with keeping her talons beautifully colored and interesting to look at. Puerto Rico is definitely in-da-house

Maria Ortiz is the reigning “Queen of Claws” in Northeast America. Because of Maria the term “Nail Tech” became obsolete and replaced with the concept of “Nail Artist and Innovator”. To her valued customers Maria’s nail salon is their haven, utopia, spar and safe house.

“Rose Santiago is the real Puerto Rican princess. She has been sporting those 6 inch claws well over thirty years now. A successful business woman in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Rose was once a computer programmer for the Bank of Pakistan. Although society considers her a senior citizen, Rose is anything but! Today, her claim to fame is writing her own checks, traveling the world and being fly”.

Season Nixon

“When you think about the term “good things come in small packages”, Season Nixon is X’treme Nailz’s Tinker Bell. Her talons resemble a long and curvy box of skittles. She’s both flamboyant and sassy with a flair for fashion. We’re looking for big things coming from her in 2022”.

To say that Siam Lawrence is the face of Xtreme Nailz is an understatement. The CEO of Queen of Faces, MUA is everything most of our Xtreme Nailz Divas represent glamor, excitement, controversy, fashion and swag!

This Brooklyn native is a naturally beautiful woman who has mastered the art of cosmetics & claws. Her signature claws bend at different angles, some slightly. However, those thumbs bend 60 degrees with impunity! Siam has been into makeup and nails since the 7th grade, so I don’t see her slowing down any time soon.”

Tyger Recchia

“Even in Sydney Australia there are amazing X-Nail Diva stories to be told. One of the more colorful characters in those stories is Tygerr Reccha. A psychology major, president of the Court Reporting Student Association, member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and rock band member has been in the spotlight for those colorful daggers- of- delight for some time now. When she’s on stage singing, she loves flashing them to the crowd, and they in turn, enjoy looking at them”

“This Indiana Hoosier now resides in Alexandria, Virginia. A shy but ambitious X-Nailz diva, Tonya has managed to carve out a successful career in the federal government, just outside of Washington, DC. And like her male counterparts, she attends formal functions, professional networking events and fundraisers, where her nails always turn heads and spark conversations. Tonya has mastered the long, full, curvy, squared tip style that only looks good on the right size hands. She generally stays away from multicolored gimmicks preferring to do straight uniformed hues (lemons, pinks, reds and green). Always in designer dresses and flaunting Tina Turner-ish legs, Tonya is always campaign ready”

When you meet this X-Nailz Diva you’re immediately mesmerized by both her naturally gray eyes and those truculent talons. Her nails always seem to be functioning independently of their owner. Especially the thumbs that uniquely curve almost into a half moon. Her claw nail affect and warm colors always seem to blend in with her penetrating eyes. Vernadette is married and the mother of three children. Although now retired, Ms. V has a long history of customer service and management in Delaware. Lastly, if you’re ever fortunate enough to make her acquaintance, just think about that MTV 80’s hit song, “Bette Davis Eyes”’.

Melinda Nail Fanatic

“Now, before you start stereotyping, hear me out! How many nail artists do you know that can boast of skills in painting, designing, motivational speaking (Law of Attraction coach), tarot reading and is a Certified Master Nail Artist? I’ll wait! Well, I know of only one person who fits that description, Melinda Nail Fanatic. And yes, she is Asian (straight outta Vietnam), but she’s got the American hustle game on lock! Based in Las Vegas, her salon is a virtual renaissance museum where she performs some of the most risqué nail styles and shapes you’ll ever see. Looking for something different? Melinda has the Predator Claws, Duck Feet, 90-degree angled squares and Slasher Stilettos. With an endless array of entertainers, athletes and foreign businessmen for clientele, she is booked solid for two months or more. I think it’s pretty fly to have a tarot card reading, receive a ‘sick’ tattoo and have your nails done, all at the same joint.”

The O.G. of X-Nailz Lena Cole

let’s finally put to rest a long standing rumor and get the some fact checking started.

Let’s go back to 1979 when a young Texan woman decided to make public, her unique form of artistic expression (that would later change the way western culture viewed fingernails forever). That same women would go against the grain and ignore the Nay Sayers. Instead of shunning negativity & scrutiny, she basked in it! Brandishing her X’treme Digits with pride, not prejudice.

While most would have succumb to the social morays and cultural unrest (of that time) this chic persevered.

Oh Did I mention that this former English Major was also drop dead gorgeous? Some claim her body was sculptured by the Greek Gods.

Anyway this was a time when women (blacks in particular) were subject to lots of discrimination, prejudice, stereotype, and abuse). But this woman “Dared 2 Be Different.

Her name you ask? Allow me to introduce Ms. Lena Cole.

Lena Cole is X’treme Nailz Internationals Brand Ambassador and a Fashion Nailz Pioneer. Simply put Lena Cole, is the original gangster of the X’treme Nailz culture.

Lena Cole arvanguard approach landed her several TV shows and personal appearances (in the pre-reality TV era) Lena was the first to do the Geraldo Rivera show. She was the first X’treme Nailz Diva asked to appear on the Howard Stern show. And she changed how people viewed X’treme Nailz with her guest appearances on the Sally Jessie Rafael show.

Although there are some charlatans who claim (they are the first to rock the long claws) Lena Cole is the only one that can document that SHE changed the X’treme Nailz Game! Her unapologetic approach to her personal expression of self is unprecedented.

Lena Cole has inspired thousands of women (and men) to “ignore the taboos”. It was Lena Cole’s Claw-audacity that paved the way for future Nailz Divas Grace Jones, FloJo, Gail Devers, Coko, Fergie, Gwen Stefani, RIHANNA, KeKe Palmer, Zendaya, Kaylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Cardi-B and Meagan thee Stallion.

Lastly for those of you who need some context, in the early 80’s there were only two (2) African American women who were identified by their Long Nails. Vocalist Glodean White from Barry Whites “The Love Unlimited Orchestra” and Lena Cole (Mic Drop).

Currently Lena Cole is writing her autobiography and developing an X’treme Nailz Reality show.

This confirms Lena Cole as the O.G. of X’treme Nailz.