Today we’d like to introduce you to Nova Simcoe.
Hi Nova, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started off as a makeup artist working with other creatives in fashion. My first break was with my close friend Itzel Abrego, who at the time was running a fashion haus called Jinxedaposed. They invited me to join them during fashion week in Houston. I helped with as much as I could including doing makeup. From there, they took me to New York fashion week, which really opened my eyes to the possibilities my career could take. A few years after that, I started working as an artist for MAC cosmetics where I was able to take my career to new heights. I’ve worked with talent such as Brooke Candy, Kembra Pfahler and Peaches Christ, where I appeared in a segment of her performance at Fantastic Fest, as seen in the Documentary “Scream Queen” on Netflix. From this point, I started to venture into the world of drag and other performance styles. Still working with Itzel who is now a drag king named Papi Churro. I helped with their makeup for shows and learned about costuming and production. Today I’m a fully realized burlesque performer named Esteè Slaughter, I’m a founding member of Austin’s only all trans and nonbinary cabaret. Bizarre Stripper Burlesque. We hold bi-monthly themed cabarets at Elysium and will be enjoying two years going strong this November. I’ve most recently appeared at ACL as a part of the best of Austin drag the first time ACL has ever included a drag entertainment segment. Presented by Louisianna Purchase season 3 of The Boulet Brothers Dragula.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to success in a never ending tumultuous experience, I think most successful people will tell you nothing ever comes easy. Through my journey, I also began my transition, this I feel has opened and closed many doors. However, I don’t pay attention to those that don’t wish to offer me a moment to shine. It’s honestly their loss, as a trans woman living in Texas I’m often put in situations where I have to educate people (unwillingly at that, as in it’s not my duty to teach my experience to anyone). I thought that working as a makeup artist, I wouldn’t have to explain anything to anyone about my personal life however I was wrong. Regardless of the support I had from co-workers and friends there’s always going to be that moment where I get misgendered or called slurs by strangers or people close to me including work colleagues family and strangers. At the end of the day, it’s going to be an ongoing struggle for most trans and non-binary people, but the most important thing is no matter what you have to keep reaching and climbing to new heights and pay them haters no mind strive to be better and inspire those that are rooting for you.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an artist, I take on a multitude of creative ventures, including prop design, costuming, hair and makeup, jewelry design, mixing music, and networking. All things I’ve learned as a performer and will continue to do as long as I can. I wouldn’t say I’m really known for anything I’ve listed in particular more or less than my makeup artistry. As long as I’ve been a part of the Austin nightlife scene, I’ve always been a go to for all things Makeup and Beauty. I don’t like to think of it as I do one thing better or in a way to make me stand out more than others, I just do things that I like or want to learn.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m very active on my Instagram @esteeslaughter, my makeup portfolio can be seen on Instagram under @novapaigeartistry.
I also like to make content on my TikTok. I film projects like Rhine stoning before and after, pasties, special fx makeup, and makeup tutorials. also listed as Esteeslaughter
All makeup and performing bookings should be sent to my Email Esteeslaughter90@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Email: Esteeslaughter90@gmail.com
- Instagram: Esteeslaughter
- Other: Tiktok Esteeslaughter
Image Credits:
acl photo @aclfestival
