Charlotte resident Nic Booher is a multi-talented creative individual whose fabulous alter ego, Vanna Vanity, brings personality, energy and plenty of smiles to stages and dance floors alike. Whether co-hosting Qnotes’ monthly podcast “The Q by QnotesCarolinas,” commanding the room from a DJ booth or captivating an audience with drag performance, Booher has carved out a space where reporting, music, performance and self-expression seamlessly collide.
Born and raised in a small Virginia town, Booher’s journey eventually brought him to Charlotte, where his creativity and larger-than-life persona have made an impression that extends well beyond the spotlight. In this interview, we step behind the music, makeup and magic to meet the person behind Vanna Vanity — and explore a creative journey whose ripple effect promises to resonate for years to come.
L’Monique King: Where are you from?
Nic Booher: A town with no stop lights. I was raised on a peanut farm in a town of about 140 people in Capron, Virginia.
LMK: How long have you lived in Charlotte?
NB: I’ve lived in Charlotte for 14 years. I live in the Northlake area, and I enjoy it. My husband and I bought a house here and have lived here for almost eight years now. I moved here to go to college and ended up staying. I went to Johnson and Wales for hospitality. I didn’t finish, but I did two semesters there and studied event planning and hospitality.
LMK: So you’re married?
NB: Yes, I am married and am in an unconventional relationship though — we have a partner. We call it a triple. [giggles]
LMK: How long were you married before you added a partner?
NB: We were married for two years but had been together for 10.
LMK: Whose idea was it to add a partner to your relationship?
NB: The idea of adding a partner kinda just happened; it was very organic. It started as a friendship with feelings that seemed deeper than just friends. Before we met Eric [our partner] it wasn’t something we even imagined happening. But with Eric it felt natural, just worked, and we all agreed to give it a try. That was almost five years ago, and we’re still going strong.
LMK: How did you get into drag?
NB: I’ve always loved drag from way back before “RuPaul’s Drag Race” started. I’ve always admired it, but after going to school for events I decided to get my cosmetology licence doing hair and makeup. Before I finished my husband and I started a business — The Vanity House. My husband Christopher moved here from California. He’s a makeup artist and has done hair for local and celebrity entertainers. He is super supportive of me and has believed in me from the get go. His believing in my dream has helped catapult me to where I am now. He’s very integrated into my business and is very caring in making sure I’m always well put together. The inspiration came during a road trip where I had gone to a drag brunch in California. It was like a party and a place you could be yourself and be accepted. Just seeing all the love and acceptance was something I’d never experienced before, and I wanted to bring that back to Charlotte. I had a background in doing events which complimented my background in cosmetology, so I mixed them all together and The Vanity House was born. It’s a drag event company. We’ve been in business for nine years and host the longest running drag brunch in Charlotte. It’s my full-time job; it’s what I do. It’s not a hobby. I’ve been a bartender and server but have been doing this full-time now for six years.
LMK: We’ve heard that you DJ in drag. How did that come about?
NB: When I was in high school my parents were pushing me to go to college, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I did have a love for music, always have. So I initially went to college for music but didn’t want to become a music teacher, so I put music on pause and focused on events. Then the pandemic happened [with everyone sheltering at home]. While we were sitting here all those months trying to figure out what to do with life, I was learning to DJ. I bought the equipment and taught myself how to DJ.
As soon as we came out of the pandemic I started getting bookings as a DJ, and I did it completely in drag, which set me apart from people. I did a residency with Bar Argon, DJing for them every weekend for two years, and now I host drag shows there every Friday night. [Taking the skills beyond Charlotte,] I started traveling and even DJed on Groove Cruise, a music festival that’s held on a cruise ship. I was the first drag queen to do that.
LMK: What challenges come with being a drag performer in this day and age?
NB: There are a lot of challenges. “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap,” as Dolly, my biggest inspiration, has always said. And with the economy the way it is, things are getting more and more expensive. Then, there’s the challenge of the political climate that we’re navigating. There are safety challenges. I just had a brunch that had to be canceled because of death threats. The venue and the organizers were threatened by email.
LMK: So why do it?
NB: Honestly, my answer [quoting Dolly Parton], “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.” I feel like there are so many people out there who need a smile, and I feel like if I have a platform to be able to make that difference in someone’s life, I want to be able to do it. When we’re in a climate like ours it’s nice to be able to relax, take your mind off the crazy and enjoy a nice evening.
LMK: What are your concerns about the current political climate?
NB: I have concerns for all of my trans brothers and sisters. I’m watching friends go through a lot and worry about myself as a gay man and where my husband and my marriage may be — what rights can be taken away and what our government may do with gay marriage.
LMK: In all your performances, what has been your worst drag show?
NB: Oh, my goodness! [laughter] There was a show where I completely lost my body. You have to make your body different [as a Drag Queen], and I had left all of my “body” at home: the couch cushions for stuffing my hips, the bra, all of it. So I was there with my boy body looking like a linebacker. I was a football player in high school, there’s no getting around it, and I’ve learned how to soften that for drag.The performance was on point — all the “Vanity House” shows are — no matter what’s going on in the back of the house. That show was something I hated, but the audience never knew, and they had a great time. My second worst show was an outdoor show. It was so hot that my lashes were falling off while I was performing and dancing. Dripping with sweat, I tried to reapply them, but it was so hot the glue wouldn’t stick, and so I performed the rest of the show in shades. And when people started asking, “Why are you wearing sunglasses?” I told them, “Because my future’s so bright.”
LMK: Of your many talents you are also co-host of “The Q by QNotesCarolinas” podcast. What’s that been like for you?
“NB: I absolutely love co-hosting “The Q.” As a younger person I always wanted to host my own TV show. As a kid I’d pretend to host my own talk show. Co-hosting “The Q” has given me my Diane Sawyer moment. It’s also allowed me to connect with some amazing people. I had a chance to interview Lolita Chanel, a fellow drag queen and the owner of LOC Productions. We got to touch on Hispanic Heritage Month and all the amazing work her company is doing with the Carolina Migrant Network. I learned a lot and loved seeing people I work with giving back. It’s inspiring. The Carolina Migrant Network is doing a lot of work [in response to] ICE in the Carolinas — helping people and their families who have been affected by ICE. It made the interview very special.
LMK: With such a full life, what do you do to chill?
NB: I listen to music and spend time with my two puppies.
LMK: What just annoys you to no end?
NB: [Without hesitation] People chewing with their mouth open.
LMK: What do you see yourself doing 15 years from now?
NB: I’d like to still be doing something in the drag world, definitely something with music, but I’d also love to be traveling more, seeing the world as Vanna, doing some more stuff.
LMK: What advice would Vanna give to LGBTQ youth?
NB: I meet a lot of people who are trying to figure out who they are, where they belong and where they fit in this world. Many times they are going through tough times with their families, and I know it sounds cliché to say “it’s going to get better,” but it will. We go through seasons in our lives, and some seasons have more sunshine than others.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
