The Secret Girl Nikki Exotika’s “Secret Girl” is an empowering coming-out club track. Nikki Exotika reveals herself as a proud transwoman and invites all to celebrate her fabulousness. “Secret Girl is a song I wrote for a guy I loved and who loved me but only conditionally,” says the artist from her home in New York City. “He couldn’t accept my living openly and honestly. I will not live my life in the closet – or stealth, as it is called in the trans community. I am not ashamed of my gender, and the man that chooses me had better be strong enough to love me in front of the whole world.” Nikki first realized she was a woman in a man’s body at five years old. She remembers sitting down to potty like a girl, putting on nail polish and makeup and dressing up in her mother’s clothes. She played with the neighbourhood girls and their dolls. Most particularly, she loved Barbie. Barbie was the image of female perfection to young Nikki. She would analyse the features on the doll: her beautiful almond cat shaped eyes, her silky blonde hair and tanned body. Barbie was everything the young boy hoped to become in real life… and with the help of plastic surgery, he has. Nikki estimates she has undergone at least twenty head-to-toe surgeries. “Once you have gone under the knife five times, the rest are a piece of cake,” she laughs. It hasn’t been all smooth sailing, though. Nikki says at least a third of the surgeries were to fix
mistakes. She also isn’t finished. “I’m a work in progress,” she says. “The tune-up surgeries can be exhausting but when I think about how amazing, new and improved I will look afterwards, it motivates me to keep going.” The Nikki Exotika persona first emerged in 2005 when Nikki, now a performer in underground New York clubs, realized she needed a stage name. “Everyone in the club scene called me Nikki but I wanted a name that was sexy and seductive. I remember thinking I own two exotic cats, I love exotic flowers, exotic scents, exotic islands, exotic men and hell, I am pretty exotic. Why not name myself Exotica? The spelling was a little too boring and normal so I changed the c to a k and Nikki Exotika was born.” Now she is preparing to release her debut album. “Secret Girl” is the third single from the yet to be titled album. Her first two releases, “Manwhore” and “Electric Touch”, are dance floor favourites in Europe. She defines her music as “MAGAGANEY”: Madonna, Gaga, and Britney all wrapped up into one. It’s an electro-pop dance music sound, with catchy lyrics that are provocative, inspirational, and a little on the dirty side. “Dance music has always played a large role in my life,” she explains. “When I hear it, it makes me happy inside and all I wanna do is dance.” She says her ultimate mission as a performer is to break into mainstream and receive
the recognition and acceptance she has so desperately sought her whole life. She’s working hard to achieve it; wowing fans with her choreography and flashing LED lighted costumes. “Gaga is known for her futuristic looks, Ke$ha for her glitter effects, Nicki Minaj for her colourful wigs, and Katy Perry for her colourful corsets. I want to be remembered for my rhinestones and lights.” Her five-year plan includes finding her very own Ken, launching a perfume line for men and women, a jewellery and sunglass line, and a giant pink mansion in Malibu.
www.nikki-exotika.com May 2012
Bent Magazine
39
By Manny Leiborwirtz
Nikki
Exotika first realized she was a woman in a man’s body at five years old. She remembers sitting down to potty like a girl, putting on nail polish and makeup and dressing up in her mother’s clothes. She played with the neighborhood girls and their dolls. Most particularly, she loved Barbie.
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing, though. Nikki says at least a third of the surgeries were to fix mistakes. She also isn’t finished. “I’m a work in progress,” she says. “The tune-up surgeries can be exhausting but when I think about how amazing, new and improved I will look afterwards, it motivates me to keep going.”
Barbie was the image of female perfection to young Nikki. She would analyze the features on the doll: her beautiful almond cat shaped eyes, her silky blonde hair and tanned body. Barbie was everything the young boy hoped to become in real life.
In the meantime, she has become an entertainment powerhouse, appearing in movies, ad campaigns, and even reality TV. Last year, Nikki appeared on the popular Style Network reality series, Jerseylicious.
And with the help of plastic surgery, he has. Nikki estimates she has undergone at least twenty head-to-toe surgeries. “Once you have gone under the knife five times, the rest are a piece of cake,” she laughs. Pg. 34
Now she is preparing to release her debut album. Defining her music as “MAGAGANEY” (Madonna, Gaga, and Britney all wrapped up into one), she presents an electro-pop dance music sound, with catchy lyrics that are provocative, inspirational, and a little on
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the dirty side. Her first two releases, “Manwhore” and “Electric Touch”, are dance floor favorites. Her next track, “Secret Girl”, is an empowering club track about loving yourself for who you are. It’s a coming-out song, with Nikki revealing herself as a proud trans-woman and inviting all to celebrate her fabulousness. “Secret Girl is a song I wrote for a guy I loved and who loved me but only conditionally,” said the artist from her home in New York. “He couldn’t accept my living openly and honestly. I will not live my life in the closet – or stealth, as it is called in the trans community. I am not ashamed of my gender, and the man that chooses me had better be strong enough to love me in front of the whole world.” Are you hiding secrets in your closet? Nikki Exotika: Of course, but to find out, you will have to buy my book.
Besides the obvious, what are some of the biggest secrets you have revealed in your life? Going to jail… and I’ve been open about my botched plastic surgery. Jail? What was that like? Three months of hell! Losing your freedom for something you didn’t do is the worst feeling ever. I could have fought the conviction, but I would have had to stay in jail longer, and I was looking at a three-year prison sentence! So I decided to take the plea deal and get out with five years probation and outpatient drug rehab. You’re also now forever branded a convicted felon. l know, I know. I’m such a bad girl. Was there any confusion on whether you should be placed in a men’s or women’s prison? There was! I got strip searched three times. It was the most horrible, humiliating, awkward, uncomfortable experience of my life. I felt like an insect being inspected under a microscope. They kept addressing me as “him” and even “it”. They didn’t want to believe I was a female. I asked, “Why am I being searched so many times?” They said they had to make sure I wasn’t a male. I was mortified! I chose to be put in protective custody because of my gender. Ultimately you went to a female prison, right? Yes, the women’s prison at Rikers (a notorious prison in New York). They say women’s prison is scarier than men’s. I did have one terrifying experience in my cell. Three girls circled me, taunting me with “Hey sexy”, “Hey Barbie”, and “Hey Blondie”. One said, “We heard you is a man.” I said I wasn’t. I walked away, took a shower and two minutes in, they pulled open the curtain and inspected my genitals. I was so scared. I
Pg. 36
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felt raped without being raped, if that makes sense. They said, “We just needed to see if you had a penis, ‘cause if you did, we wanted you to fuck us.” Was it all bad? I had to make the best of my time so I had some fun. After a week of getting to know the inmates, they become your sisters. Not only did I have them laughing at my jokes, 99% of the time, if there was any drama, I was involved. Oh, and I would do runway shows down the tier and have everyone going crazy. They would say, “Oh girl, you gonna be a star one day!” How has your experience behind bars shaped your life? I learned to be more responsible and to not surround myself with low life scumbags and drug dealers. My ex boyfriend was a dealer and the reason I ended up in the slammer. I learned to never take the rap for anyone, ever! Do you allow your time in prison to define you? Hell no, it was just a chapter in my life Pg. 38
that has closed. begun.
New chapters have
Including a singing career! Amen to that! How has living out and proud impacted your music? Living in my own skin, and loving myself for who I am, has allowed me to be myself. I’m not like every other female artist out there. I’m unique and isn’t that amazing? You can inspire other unique people. I hope my music is inspiring to my community and gives all little boys and girls born in the wrong body something to relate to. Do you still feel all secrets should be revealed? That depends on how many enemies you have. What are some secrets that people should keep to themselves? You have to be very careful who you trust with your secrets because I have
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trusted the wrong people in my life and they threatened to expose all my secrets at the wrong time. Has your family been supportive? My family…well…I would say its been a rollercoaster ride. We have our ups and downs, but at the end of the day, I’m confident they love me and that they support everything I do, most of the time. Where does Nikki Exotika go from here? I would like to say straight to the top (laughs). I would love to get into acting, maybe movies. I would love to be on a reality show and I hope to find an amazing guy that will love me unconditionally. I want to get married, have a family, buy a home, travel the world… and live everyday like it could be my last. To learn more, visit www.nikki-exotika. com.
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You Think You Can Dance? SoSo You Think You Can Dance? the dance top artists Florida for Winter Conference SomeSome of theof dance floor'sfloor's top artists invadeinvade SouthSouth Florida for Winter MusicMusic Conference
By: David By: David Ernst Ernst
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midnight as part of Aiden Solis Production's “MyGayRadio.com.” inter Music Conference to the Rise.” it wasn't until her inter Music Conference returnsreturns to Artists Artists on theonRise.” But it But wasn't until her Miami for its 27th season from unforgettable Grammys appearance (clad in a pink Miami for its 27th season from unforgettable Grammys appearance (clad in a pink March 16-25. Largely regarded as gown and a bizarre gun arm accessory) last March 16-25. Largely regarded as gown and a bizarre gun arm accessory) last monthmonth the pre-eminent platform on the global music that Gradiva Sasha Gradiva her music came the pre-eminent platform on the global music that Sasha and herand music came to the to the industry calendar for launching new dance music, attention of the American dance floor. Her latest industry calendar for launching new dance music, attention of the American dance floor. Her latest technology and trends, WMC delivers 10 non-stop electrifying romp, “I'm on Fire,” displays the technology and trends, WMC delivers 10 non-stop electrifying romp, “I'm on Fire,” displays the artist's artist's days of music programming in Miami Beach and innovative electro-pop that combines thoughtful days of music programming in Miami Beach and innovative electro-pop that combines thoughtful Miami with performances all over South Florida. lyrics with ultra-energized choreography, Miami with performances all over South Florida. lyrics with ultra-energized choreography, all of all of That's two full weekends of parties and events -an have become Gradiva's trademark. That's two full weekends of parties and events -- an which which have become Gradiva's trademark. Sasha Sasha additional five days more than last year's event! will be performing on Saturday, March 17 at 10 additional five days more than last year's event! will be performing on Saturday, March 17 at 10 Here are some of the top new dance talent that will p.m. at Bill's at 2209 Wilton Drive in Here are some of the top new dance talent that will p.m. at Bill's at 2209 Wilton Drive in WiltonWilton be showcased at Winter Music Conference 2012. Manors with Gayand Radio a.m. atatScore at Nikki Exotika be showcased at Winter Music Conference 2012. Manors with My GayMy Radio at 1and a.m.atat1 Score N727 i k kLincoln i E xin oRoad tMiami i k ain dMiami e f i n eBeach. s her music as 727 Lincoln Road Beach. "MAGAGANEY": Madonna, Gaga, and Britney all wrapped up into one. Her past releases, “Manwhore” and “Electric Touch,” remain gems of the dance floor for their electro-pop dance sound, with catchy lyrics that are provocative, inspirational, and a little on the dirty side. Her latest, “Secret Girl,” is a coming-out track, with Nikki Exotika revealing herself as a proud transwoman and inviting all to celebrate her fabulousness. Penned by the artist and produced by James Manno, it is a fun track that will have the manliest of men proclaiming themselves to be Faith Michaels Faith Michaels secret girls. For Nikki's offrom WMC Locals will recognize Faithschedule Michaels her Locals will recognize Faith Michaels from her pweekly e r f o drag r m ashow n c eatsAqua , v iNight s i t Club h e r insKey i t eWest, at weekly drag show at Aqua Night Club in Key West, Sasha Gradiva A1230745.sites.myregisteredsite.com/NIKKIEX foroutside those outside of Florida, she'sknown better known Sasha Gradiva but for but those of Florida, she's better One the most influential and respected OTIKA for her kinetic club anthems. Her latest, “Neva Eva One of theofmost influential and respected for her kinetic club anthems. Her latest, “Neva Eva European female artists of contemporary pop Eva” is an oh-no-she-didn't bitch track about European female artists of contemporary pop Eva” is an oh-no-she-didn't bitch track about living living music, Sasha Gradiva plays sold-out arenas abroad. onown yourterms. own terms. specifically music, Sasha Gradiva plays sold-out arenas abroad. life onlife your PennedPenned specifically for for MTV Russia even named her among their “Top 10 MTV Russia even named her among their “Top 10
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set against lively beats. Club boys w resist Emii's anthem celebrating 7? “Stilettos” has just the right kick to floor favorite. For her schedule o visit her web site at Emii.net
Taborah
With an arsenal of remixes from su Euro DJs like Paul Goodyear and Kenny Carpenter, Taborah's “My could shape up to be the smash spring. It's her third release with label, D1 Music. Last year, they Grammy-nominated percussi Figueroa on the remake of Rene dance classic, “Say I Love You.” was teamed with R&B maestro Da on the hands-in-the-air remake of and Whitehead disco classic, “Ain't Now.” If the third one is the cha should prepare for a real treat. performance schedule, visit D1Mu
Winter Music Conference Week 2 March 16 to 25. For more informa list of performers, visit W MARCH 15, 2012 – HOTSPOTS MAGAZINE conference.com
Emii
Winter Music Confe March 16 – 25
DJ Theresa
Nikki Exotika
Mya Simantov
THE LONGEST RUNNING GAY BAR IN MIAMI BEACH By: Scott Holland
I vividly remember coming down to vacation in South Beach 17 years ago, less than a year after I came out of the closet, and sitting at the Palace having breakfast with my good friend Jimmy. While eating I was thinking how wonderful it was to have a gay establishment right across from the beach. A wave of content and love of who I was took over my body. One can only imagine the tens of thousands of other stories people have about their experience(s) at The Palace, which recently celebrated their 24th anniversary. About 6 months ago they hired a new General Manager in Jerry Torres and it was a pleasure to sit down with him for this exclusive Hotspots Interview.
How does it feel to be the oldest gay bar in South Beach? We are all very proud of what we've accomplished over the past 24 years. As the
longest running gay bar in Miami Beach, The Palace has been here when South Beach was just getting its footing as one of the most fabulous gay destinations in the world and we've worked hard to continue to be the only place on Ocean Drive that the gay community can call home. It feels great! How has the Palace changed in the last 24 years? Like the gay community and South Beach itself, The Palace continues to evolve; however, we've always stayed true to what makes The Palace so unique. Our drag performances are still the heart and soul of what makes us so unique. That and our location. Over the years, we have only increased the quality of our programming and the quality of our food. With the exception of Tuesday, you can see amazing shows by our fabulous drag divas every night of the week.
What is your current line-up? We kick off our weeks with our weekly Monday night, RuPaul's Drag Race Viewing Party hosted by Season 4 contestant Latrice Royale. Wednesday nights, Noel Leon hosts a cabaret party called Elite Wednesdays. Thursday nights, Missy Mayakie Lepaige hosts Stiletto Nights. Friday nights, Latrice is back to the stage to hosts Drag Madness, and on Saturday nights we have Tiffany Fantasia hosting Drags Gone Wild. Sundays at The Palace are just huge. Our weekly Sunday brunch is always packed. Hosted by Noel Leon, the brunch includes some pretty outrageous shows, unlimited mimosas, and delicious food. Sunday afternoons at The Palace are unlike any other place in Miami Beach as we host our weekly Sunday T Dance. We have something big in the works for Tuesdays keep an eye out for it. What is your favorite thing about working at the Palace? My favorite thing about working at The Palace is our dedication to the community. Over the past few years, The Palace has supported the community by donating time, energy, and money to a number of organizations, including Miami Beach Gay Pride, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Care Resource, Equality Florida, SAVE Dade, and so many others. It is great to be a part
of something that is greater than yourself. What have you changed in your short Tenure? Since I became the General Manager of The Palace, it has really been about refining the already great formula here at The Palace. We have added Elite Wednesdays and RuPaul's Drag Race Viewing Mondays, not to mention amped up all of our regular weekly parties, as well as created bigger productions for our big events like White Party, Winter Party and Miami Beach Gay Pride. We are constantly looking for ways to provide our customers and regulars with something new and exiting! What are your plans for the future? I'm a very creative person and always have new ideas floating in my head. Palace gives me the opportunity to explore my ideas and create new ways to entertain our guests and make sure they have an exceptional experience. My plan from the beginning was to have shows seven days a week; we are already working on something for Tuesdays, which I think, will be a great addition to our weekly events. Renovation is in our plans for the end of the year. My goal is bigger productions for our special events with internationally known DJs and artists. The Palace seems to get more mainstream media attention than any other gay bar, why do you think that is? The Palace is one of those really unique places that appeal to so many types of people. Yes, we are and will always be a gay bar, but we offer something that a lot of people – gay and straight are looking for‌ A GREAT TIME!