Meet Naiah Nikole, a vivacious vlogger, devoted mother, and self-proclaimed former "wild stealthy trans nightlife entertainer" who swapped late-night escapades for early morning mindfulness. At 32, Naiah embarked on a transformative journey, shedding 22 pounds and delving into the realms of ultra-endurance, wellness, nutrition, mindfulness, psychology, relationships, leadership, and spirituality. Her mission? To empower transsexual women to claim their rightful place in society and humanize their experiences. Now 36 and residing in the dazzling city of Las Vegas, Nevada, Naiah is not only a dedicated "girl mom" to the delightful Emma G but also a beacon of inspiration on YouTube and in the podcasting world. Drawing from over a decade of personal transition experience, she shares candid insights on topics ranging from the intricacies of gender dysphoria to the nuances of transgender dating.
In addition to her online endeavors, Naiah has ventured into the world of real estate, assisting clients in finding their dream homes in Las Vegas. Whether she's discussing the financial intricacies of a $70,000 male-to-female transition or sharing heartfelt stories about coming out to her mother, Naiah's content is as diverse as it is enlightening. So, if you're seeking a blend of humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom, look no further than Naiah Nikole, a woman who's not just navigating life but dancing through it with unapologetic authenticity.
Monika: Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview, especially with a little one keeping you on your toes! Becoming a parent is a life-changing adventure. How are you juggling all the joys (and occasional chaos) of motherhood? Have you mastered the art of multitasking, or is coffee your new best friend?
Naiah: First off, I want to thank you for your interest in me and my story. I am very happy to have been chosen as one of your features. The joy of being a first-time mom for me has been a rollercoaster of emotions and new experiences. I have the best husband who, in the first month of our parenthood journey, was very, very involved and we had already planned how our parenting styles would work when our baby arrived. For us, splitting 12-hour shifts in the beginning to allow for each other to still have independence to do other things, like work, personal care, etc., was a lifesaver.
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| "The joy of being a first-time mom for me has been a rollercoaster of emotions and new experiences." |
Monika: Motherhood is a beautiful journey, but it’s also a big decision. Was becoming a mother always part of your dream, or was there a particular moment when you thought, ‘Yes, this is the right path for me’?
Naiah: When I was very young, around 6 or 7, I would dream of being a bride and a mother. As a little boy, I never worked out the details of how that would happen, but that was what I wanted to be when I grew up.
Monika: Every mother dives into parenting books, blogs, and expert advice before the baby arrives, thinking they’ll be fully prepared, only to discover that real-life motherhood loves to throw unexpected surprises! Was there anything that completely caught you off guard, something no guidebook warned you about?
Naiah: We are in the YouTube era, and everything you can think of, you can learn by watching YouTube. So we dove straight into sending each other YouTube videos, and then the algorithm picked up our search history and started suggesting content related to babies. It was quite entertaining and fun to watch each other grow into different people. I grew up taking care of two younger sisters, so I felt like I already had experience, but I never realized how hard it is to try to live your entire life around two-hour windows. If you're a parent, you know what I'm talking about.
Our daughter Emma is now over 3 months old, and finally, she is sleeping longer, allowing us to have more free time to spend together. I didn’t realize how much a baby can take away from your relationship with your partner. That was the biggest surprise. We promised each other that we would prioritize our relationship, and still, it was very hard before the 3-month mark to have intimacy and just time to spend together. I truly wasn’t prepared for that.
Monika: You’ve called yourself a ‘wild, stealthy trans nightlife entertainer’, which sounds like the perfect mix of mystery and excitement! How did your journey into the world of entertainment begin?
Naiah: I started go-go dancing in Sacramento back when I turned 21. I also performed in a couple of drag shows, ultimately exploring the trans entertainment world in San Francisco by ending up go-go/strip dancing at a trans club in the city.
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| "I started go-go dancing in Sacramento back when I turned 21." |
Monika: The nightlife scene is all about glamour, energy, and a bit of chaos. What’s the most unforgettable moment you’ve had while performing?
Naiah: My ultimate claim to my entertainment career was becoming the very first openly trans bottle girl in Las Vegas, over at Drai's Nightclub. My most unforgettable moment was honestly my whole time being there. Every night was full of fun memories, celebrities… My job was to make sure everyone had the best time of their lives. Some people save money to come spend one night there, and it was my job to make sure they had that amazing experience. Speaking of money, probably the most memorable moment was when I was tipped thousands of dollars after a concert night. That was pretty wild.
Monika: The entertainment world can be fierce, but the presence of trans performers is growing stronger than ever. How high is the demand for trans entertainers in the nightlife scene? Is it possible to turn this passion into a sustainable career?
Naiah: Another one of my achievements, if you want to call it that, was becoming a very successful stripper. I’m not ashamed to say it, because it was, and still is, a career path that is very lucrative. I know that with hard work and focus, you can make a lot of money doing whatever you want. Being trans should not stop you from reaching for your dreams and becoming whatever you want to become.
Monika: Every entertainer reaches a crossroads at some point, a moment of wondering whether to keep shining under the stage lights or step away. Some leave due to burnout, while others save up enough to complete their transition and start a new chapter. What was your turning point?
Naiah: I was a stripper/exotic dancer for over 7 years, and what took me away and shifted my focus to something more “stable” (Drai's Nightclub) was COVID. During the pandemic, the strip clubs all closed, and it made me reflect on things. I had always wanted to become a “bottle girl” in Vegas, but being openly trans, I didn’t think that was something I could get hired for, because it’s already an extremely competitive, sought-after career, pursued by tons of extremely beautiful females. But I didn’t have anything to lose, and that was the perfect recipe for taking a risk and just applying and going full force toward getting that job.
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| "I grew up, I molded myself into who I needed to be in order to end up where I am today." |
Monika: You’re living the kind of dream many trans women aspire to, looking like a million dollars, having a handsome partner, embracing motherhood, transitioning from entertainer to a stay at home wife, and thriving as a woman. But I imagine that along the way, there were moments when success didn’t seem so straightforward. Can you share some of the tougher times you faced, when it wasn’t clear that the path ahead would lead to where you are now?
Naiah: It truly is a dream come true, but here’s a little secret: I always aspired to have this life, and as I grew up, I molded myself into who I needed to be in order to end up where I am today. My ultimate goal was to have a husband and be a mom. I always pictured that I would meet a man who would say, “You don’t need a job,“ and I imagined what I needed to be in order to deserve that life. I was always careful not to post myself naked online or build an online persona that would drive away someone who would want to make me their wife.
Many people don’t know this, but I was homeless and staying with family and friends from the age of 17 to 20. You might see me and think, “Yeah, she’s always been beautiful,“ and she probably had the world handed to her. I can promise you that’s far from the truth. I’ve had a very rough time, but that’s what helped me build a strong foundation for who I am as a person.
I think when you come from poverty or a very tragic childhood or young adulthood, you have a choice: become a victim, or become a victor. I have never, and will never, be a victim of the things that happened to me. So if you’re trans and think you’ve been handed a bad hand… put on your poker face, play the game, and give yourself the best chance. Believe that you can win and do the work. The most important thing is: do what it takes to succeed. That’s either going to mean making the money to buy your way in, or doing the work to earn the recognition. But remember to NEVER be a victim.
Monika: Transitioning is not just a personal journey; it also reshapes our relationships, especially with those who support us. Have you noticed a shift in how people treat you since your transition?
Naiah: I think when you first transition, you’re unsure of it all, and so is everyone else. What have you done? Are you doing it right? Those questions will always come up, and I know I still have those doubts sometimes. But I made sure to cherish the people who supported me. I never forced my transness on anyone, I gave everyone their space to grieve, in a way, the loss of a brother, a son, a guy friend, a boyfriend. I noticed that everyone around me started to truly recognize me once I began to recognize myself and own who I am.
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| "I never forced my transness on anyone." |
Monika: Choosing a name is such a deeply personal decision, one that can hold layers of significance and meaning. How did you come to choose the name Naiah? Does it carry a special resonance for you, perhaps representing a part of your journey or embodying a particular feeling or aspiration?
Naiah: Haha… omg, my name was actually given to me by a drag queen in Las Vegas at the Backdoor club. I honestly don’t remember who it was. Before that, I used to go by “Alexis,” and that drag queen was like, “Girl, Alexis is a fat girl’s name.” I want to be clear, I don’t support body shaming, and I’m only repeating her exact words for transparency. Then she gave me the name Naiah, including the spelling, and I immediately fell in love with it.
I’ve always loved Nicole Scherzinger, and people used to say I resembled her, so I added Nicole with a “k”… and that’s how I became Naiah Nikole.
Monika: Many of us feel the pressure to “pass” as women, and even after surgeries, society keeps judging us. How do you personally deal with the outside world’s expectations?
Naiah: I think that passing should be a goal in a transsexual's journey. If you’re not interested in passing at any basic level, then what are you transitioning from? I think in 2025, it’s hard to define what a “trans” person is anymore, and for that reason, I’ve taken back the term “transsexual.” A transsexual should pass and focus on integrating into society. I’ve always been an advocate of this integration, I made it my goal to pass. But even after I passed, I still had my “transness” haunting me. I think that even after all the surgeries, passing, and everything else, if you don’t own your identity as a transsexual woman, then you’ll always be chasing something you can never fully become.
Monika: What are your thoughts on the current situation for transgender women in your country?
Naiah: I think there are two types of trans women… transsexuals who want to pass and integrate, and the rest who just don’t care. There are a lot of blurred lines, and that’s what creates the issues when people try to understand the trans community. I think in order to pass protections for all of us, we need to understand and respect boundaries. Not everyone understands what or who we are. If we can’t even agree on basic definitions for terms like transsexual, transgender, or whatever else is out there nowadays, we won’t ever achieve global recognition or protections.
END OF PART 1
All photos: courtesy of Naiah Nikole. One image by Derique Henche.
© 2025 - Monika Kowalska
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