Nico's first job, at 16, was as a welder and driving tractors on his grandfather's ranch.
Ten years later, Nico still has a multiple current gigs on his resume.
And drag is prominent.
"I have too many [funny] stories [to pick a favorite], but the one [that others] might tell is, I was drunk-talking to a trash can and ballroom dancing with it]," Nico said, laughing. "My first-ever paid drag gig was [at] this little dive gay bar that didn't have liquor, so I went next door to the punk bar to get shots."
Every Monday nowadays, Nico and Trannika Rex host Crash Landing at Berlin, with 20 amateur drag queens/club kids/bi queens/drag kings and more are competing in three rounds for a grand prize.
Most Saturdays, Nico is at Berlin for the Drag Matinee, hosted by Trannika Rex. On Sundays, Nico is at Smart Bar and on Thursdays, Nico hosts at Debonair Social Club for a new wave night.
"It's always hard to explain [my job] because I feel like I don't know what I'm doing half of the time," Nico said. "I guess I'm being decor for a party or an event. I make friends with everyone in the room and [am] the clown at an adult party.
"I used to hate drag shows when I first started going out in Orlando; I just didn't get them and I was bored. I've always worn makeup since I was 16 and when I started going out I was more androgynous. Then one day I saw [drag sensation] Detox and I was like, that's rad as hell, that's what kind of queen; I want to be just some acid trip beauty queen clown."
And Nico's career goal is, well, pretty straight forward: "take over the universe," he said, laughing.
The best part of his job is meeting people and the shots of liquor, he said. The worst part is, well, there is none, other than the stress factor.
"I've always wanted to be a makeup artist; drag come much later in life," Nico said.
Nico also this year worked at a Neverland ( NVRLND ) party, alongside Kim Chi, Shea Coulee and others. "It's great working with the Neverland crew; they make me feel like a superstar," he said.
THE STATS
o Age: 26
o Neighborhood: Boystown
o Hometown: Originally from Cocoa Beach, Florida; has lived in Chicago for about 18 months.
o Orientation: Queer
o Job title: Makeup artist at Sephora
o Dream vacation spot: "Anywhere, really; I love the adventure."
o Favorite drink: "Whiskey soda with bitters, or free drinks from cuties"
o Favorite TV shows: Battlestar Galactica and Sliders
o Favorite movies: Earth Girls Are Easy and Velvet Goldmine
o Little-known fact: "Sometimes I shower with a palm tree I brought here from Florida."