Nicholas Nelson

Nicholas Nelson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nicholas Nelson (6 February, 1927- March 23, 1959), born and lived in New York, was a performing artist cross dresser, known commonly by the name Nikki Nells. When it was revealed that he was in fact male, his career and psychological stability suffered a blow, and he was diagnosed with clinical depression. His whereabouts where unknown for several months, until he committed suicide and his body was recognized.

                               Contents 

1 Early life and family

2 Career

3 Nicholas revealed

4 Death

5 Debate

6 See also

7 References

8 External links

Early life and family

Nicholas is the child of Mary Cleveland, and Josh Nelson. He was raised in a wealthy family, with an aristocratic status. Nicholas was known to have conflict with his father from a very young age, due to religious factors. It is said that Josh demanded that Nicholas leave the household, without helping him economically in any way, but Mary refused to allow this. The reason for this argument still remains unknown, but is rumored to be because of Nicholas’s homosexuality, though it has not been proven that he had carnal relations with any man. Nicholas had a sister, Amy Nelson, who he moved to live with after he turned 18. Nicholas’s education was received by home schooling, by the means of a private tutor.

Career

Nicholas began his career as Nikki, when he auditioned for the job of performing at a bar as a female entertainer, singing and dancing, in 1952. His status remained secret, until several years later. He immediately became a star, and was hired by the director Jim Bresby, to play the leading role in his film Daisy Diamond. The film was a hit, and Nikki’s popularity increased dramatically. Other films he soon starred in where Loved By Lucy, A Millionare Mistress, and Around My Little Finger. Strangely though, due to misleading contracts, Nicholas never received the money he was promised, and was struggling financially. Even though Nicholas ended his life after only 6 years of acting as his  profession, he managed to become one of the most appreciated film stars.

Nicholas revealed

On November 3, 1958, an anonymous letter was sent to Robert Remming, editor of the New York Times newspaper, regarding Nicholas’s true sexual status. Out of drag photos, and his real name and personal information where soon on the first page of the newspaper all over town. The identity of the sender is thought to be Josh Nelson, for he seemed to have grown to believe that what Nicholas was doing was ethically and morally incorrect. The fact that Nicholas’s sister Amy could have sent the letter, in order to receive a hefty amount of money from the newspaper is also considered.

 Death

On November 4, 1958, Nicholas made his way to work as usual, to practice for his performance at night, for in order to earn a living he never stopped performing on stage, even when he was an onscreen actor. When he reached the bar, the manager immediately fired Nicholas, showing him the newspaper article that was the talk of the town.  Nicholas left immediately, was seen entering a taxi, and was considered missing until the night of his death. A neighbor reported to the police that she heard a gunshot at approximately 6 A.M, on March 23, 1959. The police investigated the apartment block that the gunshot was heard in, and found Nicholas dead inside one of the apartments, fallen in front of a large mirror in the bathroom. A single bullet was found lodged deep into his brain, and his head was so severely defaced from the impact that he would have remained unidentified if it wasn’t for the golden locket he never took off, which was considered Nikki’s trademark. A large closed casket funeral was held, where hundreds of fans made an appearance, including the infamous Marilyn Monroe.

Debate

Today, experts debate over the reasons for Nicholas’s behavior and sexual preferences. Many say that he was not in fact a homosexual, and that his choice of adopting cross dressing was clearly a rebellious act against the conservative and suppressing society he was raised in. Under the character of Nikki though, Nicholas was often seen flirting with men, but as Nicholas he seemed to be asexual. Anthropologist Desmond Morris released an article regarding this issue in 2000, stating that Nicholas was in fact heterosexual. This decision was made by an in depth analysis of Nicholas’s body language in his films, especially emphasizing the intimate scenes with males. He states that, “Nicholas seems to have never had homosexual ideologies, but simply an overwhelming love and fascination for the opposite sex, the female, leading him to try and live as one himself”. Until now though, there has not been proof that Nicholas has ever had any kind of relationship with any male, or female.   

See also

• Josh Nelson
• Nikki Nells filmography
• New York Times
• Desmond Morris

References

• Morris, Desmond (2000). An Autobiographical Study of Nikki Nells
• Fertin, George (1990). Nicholas Nelson.
• Deer, Sara (2002). The Man Behind the Woman.
• Richie, Lee (2004). Nicholas Nelson. www.richlee.com/nikki
• Walters, Henry (1994). Nikki Nells.
• Reed, Jane (2007). Nicholas Nelson and Nikki Nells. www.famousdrags.com/nicholas
• Jade, Martin (1996). The Girl, Nicholas. 

External links

• Nikki Nells Official Website
• www.nicholasnelson.com
• New York Times, November 4, 1958