LOCAL

Photos: Nina West

The Columbus Dispatch
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, takes a quick lunch before heading out the door for his Saturday night show, January 20, 2018. The luggage and bags to the right are filled with make-up, shoes, wigs and accessories used to transform, Andrew into Nina.
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, takes a quick lunch before heading out the door for his Saturday night show, January 20, 2018. The luggage and bags to the right are filled with make-up, shoes, wigs and accessories used to transform, Andrew into Nina.
The Columbus Dispatch
HighBall Halloween host Nina West
HighBall Halloween host Nina West
The Columbus Dispatch
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, starts the hours long transformation at Axis Nightclub, before his Saturday night show, January 20, 2018.
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, starts the hours long transformation at Axis Nightclub, before his Saturday night show, January 20, 2018.
The Columbus Dispatch
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, takes his make-up off after a morning brunch show, for a quick trip to the grocery store and a few errands before doing it all again that night, Saturday, January 20, 2018 Levitt has raised about $2 million for various causes and non-profit charities through his drag queen work and has a fund with the Columbus Foundation. He never planned it but Levitt as West has also become the face of the gay community in Central Ohio.
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, takes his make-up off after a morning brunch show, for a quick trip to the grocery store and a few errands before doing it all again that night, Saturday, January 20, 2018 Levitt has raised about $2 million for various causes and non-profit charities through his drag queen work and has a fund with the Columbus Foundation. He never planned it but Levitt as West has also become the face of the gay community in Central Ohio.
The Columbus Dispatch
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, starts the hours long transformation at Axis Nightclub, before his Saturday night show, January 20, 2018. He applies layers of foundation, powders, mascara, lip color, eyelashes, eyebrows, liquid liners and other products required to create just the right the look for tonight’s show. To some, the laborious process would be torture, but to Levitt, it’s an art form he has loved since he started doing drag near the end of his time in college. He dreamed of performing on Broadway, but the 9/11 terror attacks made him afraid to live in New York. Working drag shows in Columbus was his way to get on stage.
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, starts the hours long transformation at Axis Nightclub, before his Saturday night show, January 20, 2018. He applies layers of foundation, powders, mascara, lip color, eyelashes, eyebrows, liquid liners and other products required to create just the right the look for tonight’s show. To some, the laborious process would be torture, but to Levitt, it’s an art form he has loved since he started doing drag near the end of his time in college. He dreamed of performing on Broadway, but the 9/11 terror attacks made him afraid to live in New York. Working drag shows in Columbus was his way to get on stage.
The Columbus Dispatch
Levitt has raised about $2 million for various causes and non-profit charities through his drag queen work and has a fund with the Columbus Foundation. He never planned it but Levitt as West has also become the face of the gay community in Central Ohio. (Courtney Hergesheimer/ Dispatch)
Levitt has raised about $2 million for various causes and non-profit charities through his drag queen work and has a fund with the Columbus Foundation. He never planned it but Levitt as West has also become the face of the gay community in Central Ohio. (Courtney Hergesheimer/ Dispatch)
The Columbus Dispatch
Andrew Levitt, right, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, checks messages while he gets ready to host "So you think you can Drag", an amateur drag competition, Saturday night, January 20, 2018, at Axis Nightclub
Andrew Levitt, right, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, checks messages while he gets ready to host "So you think you can Drag", an amateur drag competition, Saturday night, January 20, 2018, at Axis Nightclub
The Columbus Dispatch
Andrew Levitt spends rare down time with his furry companions, Edgar and Felicity.
Andrew Levitt spends rare down time with his furry companions, Edgar and Felicity.
The Columbus Dispatch
Andrew Levitt waits outside Axis Nightclub, to be let in to start his hours long transformation to Nina
Andrew Levitt waits outside Axis Nightclub, to be let in to start his hours long transformation to Nina
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West's bag, pantyhose and wig hang up, ready for the show
Nina West's bag, pantyhose and wig hang up, ready for the show
The Columbus Dispatch
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, fixes his wig back stage while he hosts, "So you think you can Drag", an amateur drag competition, Saturday night, January 20, 2018, at Axis Nightclub The amateurs are in awe of Ninar. They all would like Nina to be their mentor, much the same as Nina’s close friend Chris has guided him throughout his career. Levitt encourages them to have fun, tells them to play nice with one another, and warns them that if they do drugs in the club, they will never again be part of one of his shows.
Andrew Levitt, who performs locally and nationally as drag queen Nina West, fixes his wig back stage while he hosts, "So you think you can Drag", an amateur drag competition, Saturday night, January 20, 2018, at Axis Nightclub The amateurs are in awe of Ninar. They all would like Nina to be their mentor, much the same as Nina’s close friend Chris has guided him throughout his career. Levitt encourages them to have fun, tells them to play nice with one another, and warns them that if they do drugs in the club, they will never again be part of one of his shows.
The Columbus Dispatch
Drag queen Nina West, on stage for his opening act while he hosts, "So you think you can Drag", an amateur drag competition, Saturday night, January 20, 2018, at Axis Nightclub
Drag queen Nina West, on stage for his opening act while he hosts, "So you think you can Drag", an amateur drag competition, Saturday night, January 20, 2018, at Axis Nightclub
The Columbus Dispatch
HighBall Halloween host Nina West, center, with two ghoulish companions [LAUREN ASHLEY]
HighBall Halloween host Nina West, center, with two ghoulish companions [LAUREN ASHLEY]
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West performs at Axis night club in the Short North. Shot June 14, 2013 for Alive cover story on Pride week and We Wear Pink fundraiser for BRAVO. (Meghan Ralston)
Nina West performs at Axis night club in the Short North. Shot June 14, 2013 for Alive cover story on Pride week and We Wear Pink fundraiser for BRAVO. (Meghan Ralston)
The Columbus Dispatch
"Once Upon a Nina." Nina West's newest theater show. Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
"Once Upon a Nina." Nina West's newest theater show. Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West and company before their set at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
Nina West and company before their set at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina interacts with the crowd during "Once Upon a Nina." Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
Nina interacts with the crowd during "Once Upon a Nina." Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina dressed in "Once Upon a Nina." Nina West's newest theater show. Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
Nina dressed in "Once Upon a Nina." Nina West's newest theater show. Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina dressed in "Once Upon a Nina." Nina West's newest theater show. Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
Nina dressed in "Once Upon a Nina." Nina West's newest theater show. Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina dressed in "Once Upon a Nina." Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
Nina dressed in "Once Upon a Nina." Shot on March 31, 2012. Photo by Alysia Burton.
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West and company at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
Nina West and company at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West and company at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
Nina West and company at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West and company at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
Nina West and company at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West and company at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
Nina West and company at High Ball 2013. Shot 10/25/13 for Alive. (Meghan Ralston)
The Columbus Dispatch
One of drag queen Nina West's dresses.(Jodi Miller/Alive)
One of drag queen Nina West's dresses.(Jodi Miller/Alive)
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West's jewelry.(Jodi Miller/Alive)
Nina West's jewelry.(Jodi Miller/Alive)
The Columbus Dispatch
One of drag queen Nina West's dresses.(Jodi Miller/Alive)
One of drag queen Nina West's dresses.(Jodi Miller/Alive)
The Columbus Dispatch
Columbus drag queen Nina West. (Jodi Miller/Alive) It wasn’t until late in high school that he told a friend he was gay. There was no internet access at the time, so they went to the nearby bookstore to learn more about what it meant to be gay. He denied to his mom that he was gay and thought of killing himself. “I was just alone,” Levitt said. “I knew I was gay, but I wasn’t ready to come out.”
Columbus drag queen Nina West. (Jodi Miller/Alive) It wasn’t until late in high school that he told a friend he was gay. There was no internet access at the time, so they went to the nearby bookstore to learn more about what it meant to be gay. He denied to his mom that he was gay and thought of killing himself. “I was just alone,” Levitt said. “I knew I was gay, but I wasn’t ready to come out.”
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West's make-up table at Junctionview Studios.(Jodi Miller/Alive)
Nina West's make-up table at Junctionview Studios.(Jodi Miller/Alive)
The Columbus Dispatch
Andrew Levitt, better known as the popular local drag performer Nina West, lives to make others laugh, but as a kid growing up in Greentown, a small northeast Ohio community of 3,000 people, some were laughing at him. He was first called an anti-gay slur at age 7 by some bullies while waiting for a school bus. He knew he was different from other kids in the Catholic school when he would use his mom’s nail polish to paint rocks and create voices for each of them, as his two older sisters cheered the performances. He first kissed a girl at a school dance in the eighth grade, but it felt uncomfortable and wrong to him.
Andrew Levitt, better known as the popular local drag performer Nina West, lives to make others laugh, but as a kid growing up in Greentown, a small northeast Ohio community of 3,000 people, some were laughing at him. He was first called an anti-gay slur at age 7 by some bullies while waiting for a school bus. He knew he was different from other kids in the Catholic school when he would use his mom’s nail polish to paint rocks and create voices for each of them, as his two older sisters cheered the performances. He first kissed a girl at a school dance in the eighth grade, but it felt uncomfortable and wrong to him.
The Columbus Dispatch
Experience Columbus held its annual luncheon Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Drag queen Nina West struts down the runway. (Columbus Dispatch photo by Fred Squillante)
Experience Columbus held its annual luncheon Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Drag queen Nina West struts down the runway. (Columbus Dispatch photo by Fred Squillante)
The Columbus Dispatch
Nina West welcomes participants prior to the 2018 Robert J. Fass AIDS Walk Central Ohio which started at McFerson Commons April 14, 2018.[Eric Albrecht/Dispatch]
Nina West welcomes participants prior to the 2018 Robert J. Fass AIDS Walk Central Ohio which started at McFerson Commons April 14, 2018.[Eric Albrecht/Dispatch]
Dispatch File Photo
Gabriella Compton-Zornes 3 looks over Nina West's outfit after having her photo taken with Nina prior to the 2018 Robert J. Fass AIDS Walk Central Ohio which started at McFerson Commons April 14, 2018. Gabriella was walking parents Jon and Shawn Compton-Zornes.[Eric Albrecht/Dispatch]
Gabriella Compton-Zornes 3 looks over Nina West's outfit after having her photo taken with Nina prior to the 2018 Robert J. Fass AIDS Walk Central Ohio which started at McFerson Commons April 14, 2018. Gabriella was walking parents Jon and Shawn Compton-Zornes.[Eric Albrecht/Dispatch]
The Columbus Dispatch