Daily Inspiration: Meet Kirsten Nicholson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Nicholson

Hi Kirsten , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a kid, I was always labeled eccentric or awkward and those words always stuck with me .
Ive had many interest growing up that I picked up and put down, always searching for a label to put on myself.

My parents were never the wealthiest and often we’d have to borrow from other family members. This taught me to be very creative with whatever I had on hand. I could never pin down one thing I was good at besides this.

During my teen years I never felt understood. I wasn’t popular despite being in multiple after school activities, (Dance, mock trial) and my strained relationship with my parents/ stepparents molded me into this shy, insecure person.
The Kirsten who was always afraid of what everybody thought did what she thought everyone wanted her to do, go to college to be a teacher and be in a seemingly perfect relationship.

I was in college struggling with imposter syndrome and undiagnosed anxiety/PTSD. It didn’t help that my “perfect “ relationship wasn’t so perfect and my relationship with my parents/ stepparents still weighed heavily on me. I masked these emotions of feeling empty and lonely because it was what I was raised to do.
Talking about mental health was taboo in my household, and I simply believe it was because it was already a broken one. So there I was in college trying to cope with my emotions ( I even tried therapy) then right at spring break the pandemic happened.

The pandemic affected us all in different ways. For me it was the catalyst to the most difficult years of my life so far.
Becoming a single mom, estranged relationship with most family members, and homelessness.

There I was this broken person, trying to attend therapy for the sake of my child, seeking help and holding out my hand for someone and anyone. My desperateness got me involved with a lot of shady individuals who didn’t have me or my child’s interest at heart.

Creatively I kept going. I had one goal in mind throughout all this, to be known
To be famous.
I tried my hand at everything I was good at , fashion , editing, photography, teaching. But I felt like a jack of trades, master of none. Stumbling from skill to skill. What am I good at? it’s like it was looking me in the face but I couldn’t see it through this fog of post-partum depression, anxiety, homelessness, and just trying to stay afloat. Praying everyday for god to fix what’s broken.

Recently i reached out to a longtime friend and ex boyfriend I met when my now 3 year old was just a baby. Having no where to go I asked him for help, giving that I had no more family to turn to.
He was the only person I knew I could rely on. During this time of help I grew more fond of our time together. my daughter loved him, I loved him and he loved me.
Growing up in a homophobic household I never felt comfortable exploring that side of me but being in this relationship made me feel comfortable to be myself.
It pushed me to go to my first pride parade (2024), and attend as a drag king.
There I made a video of the performances and the parade. What I didn’t know was that this one courageous act made by me would kickstart my career.

A well known drag king ( buckwylde) asked me to attend their Event “sausage party” and make more “funky” videos.
After long man hours I finally made the infamous “sausage party “ videos.
This attracted many people to my page.
More so than the parade/ pride videos.
I felt fulfilled, finally I found my groove.

A couple sausage parties later I felt myself wanting to be more than just the videographer. I wanted to be on that stage performing.
It’s something I’ve always done as a kid but like I said before I never believed my in my abilities to put on a show despite me dreaming of it for years. Even now I have playlist and mood boards for music videos I’d envision in my head and choreography, set design, video direction, costuming, dating all the way back to highschool.
Wait a minute, I’m good at all of these so why not just call myself the ultimate jack of all trades. A creative director.

Through sausage party I met these two girls dressed in top hats and cute costumes. I asked to video them and they were like “ofc”! They offered me a seat at their table, and explained why they were there. They were looking for amateur acts for their “stand up and strip down” variety show. I reluctantly agreed to perform even though I had so much stored material, ideas, and choreography already I was still afraid to break out of that shell. Insecure Kirsten started to show her head but Ms.him
( my alter ego modeled from my grandmothers and great aunts ) told me to get my ass on that stage.

After performing around 4 times now , and with my new connections I feel confident in my title my brand and my name. Sometimes I go back and watch all the things I created out of pain, trauma, and appreciate Kirsten for holding it down . Now it’s time for Ms.him to create from love and support. my story continues, it’s not over but I’ve come a very long way to get here and I have everyone and no one to thank but god.
Thank you for featuring me
And adding another chapter to the story of my life .

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?
Being a survivor of child/ sexual abuse, definitely shaped my alter ego
Ms.him. She wears her battle scars like so what . She understands that hurt people hurt people and that it shouldn’t affect the way she dresses, or dim her confidence.
Homelessness taught me to get creative with money and that a rose could still grow through concrete.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
MS.him is most known for my creative visions and how I edit videos.
Those who know me as Kirsten know that I’m also great at turning a look. Which is gay for “ wearing outfits well”.
I started making videos during my time of homelessness and now I get asked to do it for drag performers and dancers.

As a kid I’ve always been able to look at what to another person, worthless or cheap, and see it as potential art.
When I was in college to become an educator I was always asked “ why aren’t you a fashion major” and till this day I’m not sure why either 😂

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Putting on fashion shows from outfits made out of Walmart bags

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms.him_?igsh=dXd6anJkbzVjZW43&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ms.him_?si=kwFLt3u0rYRIAQo5