Mx. Nicky Endres is a non-binary transfeminine, genderqueer martial artist, and comic. Nicky has enjoyed a wide variety of roles in theatre, film, and television, including NCIS: Los Angeles, Pushing Daisies, Don't Trust the B in Apt. 23, Sullivan & Son; and most recently in The Dropout as Ana Arriola.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2abd745cfd792a157a566d/1598551481291-LE080PR3IHS1IFLBQX0Z/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kGimpnGS74lOCXEVScmdKfQUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8GRo6ASst2s6pLvNAu_PZdJblJnDTNjTASBy3WMly_ic7RFeFNz6WHDDme815vyzW9AukLhYm2lpbtr2HKmuE68/Nicky+Enders" alt="Nicky Enders" />

Nicky Enders

Jasmine D. Lowe: I wanted to get a better history of your background and where you grew up and what led you to become the superstar that you are today.

Nicky Endres: I love that you consider me a superstar. You know, I'm going to take that compliment and run with it. Thank you.

Jasmine: You're welcome.

Nicky: You know, we have to have big dreams, and we have to have faith in ourselves or, you know, dreams would never come true. And I think even on that path, if they come to just the little bit like that's much better than not even trying. You know what I'm going to take that compliment and the spirit that it was intended. And I thank you very much. So, where did I get started? Well, I am an adopted Asian American, non-binary, transfeminine person who was raised by white people in a cornfield full of white people in a little town in the Midwest. So the sitcom writes itself.

I tell you, we went to more dairy farms as field trips than like museums or anything. It was like every year, right after it rained or snowed. And it was like muddy and gross, horrible because that's all Wisconsin has to offer. It is beautiful, I mean, and actually geologically speaking, Wisconsin is kind of interesting, but I mean, like I'm being generous with my experience growing up there. It's not all bad. I wrote a lot about it, and I'm a standup special that I wrote with some friends and it's called Asian American Eyes, and it was three comics, 20 minutes sets each. We filmed it like days before the lockdown with Coronavirus. It's been like being edited this whole time during the pandemic. So, I've yet to see it, but I'm really proud of that.

We got into Crazy Woke Asians, which is a comedy festival here in LA, and I think it's in Santa Monica. They had to reschedule it from May, which is Asian Pacific Islander heritage month to September because of the Coronavirus, you know, fingers crossed, you know, we can still do it. So, there's a little shout out, what's it called? Promotion? Plug, plug. That's what I'm looking for. So, there's a plug. Anyway, my set was largely about growing up intersectionally queer and a person of color in an all-white cornfield in Wisconsin and sort of came into my identity despite there not being a lot of, or any really vocabulary or context around the trans or even greater queer experience.

Then I wrote this joke I'm actually quite proud of, which is kind of a story joke about how I didn't know what intersectional feminism was, but I learned it from my bullies because I tell this whole joke. But ultimately, the punchline was that I was saved from a queer-bashing by a racial stereotype because I'm Asian, and I studied martial arts. They immediately thought I was going to like going all Jackie Chan on them. And it was one of those weird intersectional moments where it's like, oh, I'm kind of grateful, but I'm also disgusted. And I feel like I won, but I still feel so unsafe.

Jasmine: [Holding back laughter] Um, that is an interesting way to learn about intersectionality.

Nicky: [Laughs]

Jasmine: So, now you're an actor. How did that come about? What led you on that path?

Nicky: I was always naturally drawn to acting and performance entertainment, I guess, in general. It's for me. I guess it's in my DNA, I identify as an artist more than anything. And I guess through luck, talent, and opportunity, I was able to just participate a lot in community theater. I studied theater in English in college, so, you know, lots of Shakespearian sort of things and really thinking back on it, it wasn't so much that I chose to become an actor as much as I chose the professional pathway for acting. Because I think even if I was, you know, working in an office somewhere, I'd be the office drama queen or something.

Jasmine: Yeah. I dig that. I wrote down One Day at a Time on my notes and nothing else because I watched that show that you're on and really enjoyed it. I'm really glad that you're a part of it. It's a remake, but it's different. It's more inclusive. It's about a Hispanic family. A Cuban-American family. How did you get to be on this amazing show? And what do you like most about being involved with the show?

Nicky: The whole culture of the creative team and just sort of the feeling of family, and it sounds silly, but I mean this in a very sweet way, it's like going to work, we're doing our part to make the world a better place. I mean, yes, it's a job we're artists, but I really feel like I'm part of a team that's putting material out there that is really aimed at just including people, exposing people to perspectives and experiences. They may not have direct access to their daily lives and packaging it all in a loving, hilarious, educational, but not preachy kind of traditional sitcom package. I feel so blessed cause I came out as trans in 2012, maybe. I'd already been working as a gay boy who is like going in for quote-unquote drag roles because that's before there was any understanding of trans experiences, and vocabulary from the casting point of view, they've improved a lot of that.

Jasmine: I heard you have some experience in graphic design. How did you become interested in it?

Nicky: I got into graphic design because of headshot retouching. I have always had an affinity for visual art, but I'd grown up using traditional media. I resisted moving into digital art and graphic design, but after my first few years out of school, on the path of being a professional actor, I quickly realized how expensive marketing materials can get, and so I learned Photoshop and Illustrator to make my own postcards and business cards, website graphics, and retouch my own headshots. So, I guess it was a case of talent meeting necessity. Fortunately for me, I ended up really liking it, and so I do graphic design work, too, to earn a living.

Jasmine:  I ask this of everyone, but what advice do you have for other young QPOC artists, especially trans+ folx, who want to get into the industry?

Nicky: Have courage! The entertainment industry is tough and ever-evolving. Success has a lot to do with persistence, not just talent. But if you love what you're creating and what you're putting out into the world, even the hardest times -- at least in the long run -- are worth it. Also, don't believe that it has to be so competitive. Especially when there are fewer and more covered seats at the proverbial table for folks from marginalized groups, it can sometimes seem like we have to fight over who gets the opportunity. I think we can abandon that starvation model -- there is such a diversity of Queer and Trans and gender-expansive artists. We have a lot to offer. Every time we get a seat, we make room for more of us; a win for one of us is a win for all of us. Just don't give up. You matter.

You can follow Nicky Endres and their work by visiting their website at nickyendres.com. You can also follow them on Instagram and Twitter @MxNickyE.

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