Poison Waters

Condensed Biography

Rose Empress XLIV Poison Waters, Portland, Oregon

A Community Leader synonymous with: Dedication, Passion, Humor, Joy and Positive Light!
Poison Waters is not just a personality, Poison Waters is an experience.

Since the age of 20, Poison Waters, a.k.a. Kevin Cook, has held numerous titles in Portland, Oregon, including Rosebud XIII, La Femme Magnifique International 1992-1993, Sterling Rose Princess XXV and Rose Empress XLIV of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court.

For two decades, she has entertained on countless stages, coordinated, participated in and hosted an endless docket of benefits, revues and shows for various local, regional and national charities.

During their reign as The Passion of the Rose, Rose Empress XLIV Poison Waters and Rose Emperor XXXVIII ShelleY lead the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court to raise more than $40,000.00 for various local charities. 

For her tireless contributions, Poison has been honored with the Ray C. Snively Award, The Oregon Bears Presidents Award, Entertainer of the Year, and the Red Ribbon Award from the Coalition for AIDS Awareness. 

An entertainer in high demand, Poison has hosted events such as Art for Life, AIDSWalk, Peacock in the Park, The Light a Fire Awards, the Q Center Halloween Spooktacular, Charitable Single’s Auctions at both Sak’s 5th Avenue and Nordstrom, the Project Runway Fashion show at Macy’s and the Subaru auto & fashion show in Portland’s Historic Union Station, to name a few. The American Heart Association, Ronald McDonald House, the Oregon Humane Society, Cascade AIDS Project, Make A Wish Foundation, SHARE Project, Camp Starlight, The Library Guild Foundation, Q Center, Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund and Basic Rights Oregon were just a sampling of the many local non profit groups that benefited from these exciting events.

In 2006, Poison happily joined the Executive level of Camp Starlight’s Planning Commission adding to her already full plate as board of director’s member of Cascade AIDS Project, Peacock Productions, Inc. and the LaFemme Magnifique Board of Governors.

The invitations to speak, appear, perform and host never stopped coming in 2007. Seattle Metropolitan magazine and Portland Monthly magazine both utilized Poison’s talents in their recent over the top fundraisers for the Make a Wish Foundation and shows for Oregon State University and The Human Dignity Coalition, the Queen City Cruise and The Children with AIDS Show rounded out the last few months of her 2007 calendar. In October of 2007, Poison became the first drag queen in the Western United States to be featured weekly on a mainstream radio show!

2008 proves to be another dynamic year in Poison’s history, marking 20 years of entertaining and community service; she is humbled and honored to have been selected as a Jose Honor Award recipient.

Poison Waters is the Executive Assistant to the Publisher of Portland Monthly, Portland Monthly Bride & Groom, Seattle Metropolitan, Seattle Metropolitan Bride& Groom and Portland Spaces Magazines. When she is not donating her time for a fundraiser or traveling the globe, she entertains at the legendary Darcelle XV Showplace.

Whatever the title, event, cause or venue, one thing remains the same: the instant bond between Poison Waters and her audience members. So, if the opportunity ever arises, come and see “the smile on the face of Portland”, Rose Empress XLIV Poison Waters. Perhaps you’ve heard of her?

Extended Biography

Poison Waters, a.k.a. Kevin Cook, is one of Portland, Oregon’s premier entertainers. At the age of 20, she won the title of Rosebud XIII, the oldest underage gay and lesbian title in the country. Since then, Poison has performed on every stage in town. The spotlight hungry Poison has participated in and hosted an endless docket of benefits, revues and shows for various local and regional charities.

In 1990, Poison Waters joined the cast of Darcelle XV, one of the most popular female impersonator revues in the western United States.  While keeping a very busy schedule at the popular tourist stop, Poison continued supporting the charities through a membership in the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court (ISRC). 

Poison won the prestigious title of La Femme Magnifique, the search to find the most beautiful and glamorous female impersonator in Portland, in 1992. This led to the annual Labor Day contest, La Femme Magnifique International, which found Poison Waters emerging victorious in the competition against others from around the country.

In 1994, Poison was crowned the Sterling Rose Princess XXV of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court (ISRC). Regional travels representing her city were the highlight of this reign. “Meeting & greeting” all different types of people and making each person feel warm and wonderful, has always been a strong talent and passion for Poison Waters.

Poison was the subject of portraits that became a part of the 1995 Oregon Biennium, shown at the Portland Art Museum in downtown Portland. This show highlights the work of the top 200 artists, sculptors and photographers in the state of Oregon, every two years.

In 1996, the high school Kevin graduated from was selected to be the subject of a nationally televised, two-hour, prime time special on NBC. Class Reunion was the name of the special produced by the team responsible for both MTV’s the Real World and Road Rules, Bunim & Murray. Obviously, Poison Waters appeared to be the most memorable part of that 10- year high school reunion!

In 1997, Portland Rose Festival’s Starlight Parade featured a float sponsored by KKRZ’s Z100. The popular local radio’s wacky morning show, The Morning Zoo, decided to make the float ”A Tribute to Drag Queens”, keeping with the festivals theme: Just for Fun! Poison was one of only four drag queens in the city chosen to participate. This regionally televised parade is the second largest illuminated parade in the United States, and the “crossover” exposure was a great opportunity. It also provided the straight community a chance to see a fun side of another lifestyle they might not otherwise have ever seen. 

For over a decade, Poison served as Mistress of Ceremonies of the 2nd largest GLBT gathering in the state; Peacock in the Park (the primary fund- raiser for the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund).  In 1999 she became a founding board member of Peacock Productions Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and ensuring the prosperous future of the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund.

A media darling since 1988, Poison Waters is constantly mentioned, if not featured in many of the local periodicals and newspapers. They’ve covered everything from her pageant success and fund raising efforts, to numerous appearances with Thomas Lauderdale’s Pink Martini.  As you can see, there’s not much that Poison Waters hasn’t done.

2001 was a big year for Poison Waters. In the spring she received rave reviews for her featured role in The Musical Theater Company's productions of; La Cage aux Folles and she was elected to a seat on the Esther's Pantry Board of Directors. Summer 2001 saw Poison commentating at the "Bridges of Pride" Pride Parade and volunteering for a week as camp counselor at Camp Starlight for children affected and/or infected by HIV/AIDS.

In the fall, she received a 2001 Red Ribbon Award from the Coalition for AIDS Education for her tireless contributions to AIDS organizations and on October 27, 2001, Poison Waters was elected to the position of the Sterling Rose Empress XLIV of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court. 

Together with her Emperor ShelleY, Poison reigned over the City of Roses as "The Passion of the Rose". Their Most Imperial Majesties worked to ignite the "passion" within the community. Their absolutely contagious message of "Positive and Perky" has inspired new growth within the Rose Court and continues to build bridges between the Rose Court and the many other organizations within the community.  During their reign, ShelleY and Poison helped lead the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court to raise more than $40,000.00 for various local charities.

On October 26, 2002 Poison Marie Waters stepped down as the reigning Empress of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court.  However, her pace has not slowed.  On New Years Eve 2002, Poison rejoined the cast of the world famous Darcelle XV & Company following a 10-year absence.  You can catch Poison every Friday and Saturday night at 8:30pm and 10:30pm.  The Darcelle XV Showplace is located at 208 NW 3rd., Portland, Oregon.
 
2003 found Poison featured, again, in various newspaper articles in the local press and on Valentine’s Day, she was the special “on the air” guest of popular radio station KNRK. Radio personalities Daria and Gustave had their hands full with Poison in the sound booth during the LIVE broadcast of their morning show!

She also kept busy booking herself for private parties and modeling for L’mu Salon, in the Pearl District.

This same year Poison was also featured in a television commercial for the Portland restaurant No Fish! Go Fish!. The creative advertising spots were aired at various times on the WB network. The commercials, two versions, were a product of Funland Pictures.

In February of 2004, Poison ended her three season run as the Hostess of the GALA (Gay & Lesbian Audience) Night for Portland Center Stage, it was a rewarding experience and she was a welcomed addition to the Portland Theater Community.  Two months later she also brought to an end, the "Church of the Poison Mind", her Sunday afternoon party that brought happiness and entertainment to the Community for 4 1/2 years at the Silverado.

In the Spring of 04, Poison was honored to be invited to Honolulu, Hawaii to MC the Island’s La Femme Magnifique Pageant. The connection was so great, she’s been back each year, enjoying the growing success of the pageant and cultivating friendships and working relationships.

Vancouver BC Canada launched a new GLBT travel show called Pink Planet, and booked Poison Waters as their official guide and ambassador to the City of Roses. The series pilot was a smashing success and featured Poison highlighting the various aspects of Portland’s Pride Festival, a concert cruise on the Portland Spirit and of course, a glimpse into the world famous Darcelle XV. Canadian television viewers had been an untapped market for Poison, until now!

The wicked stage called once again and Poison was cast in three productions, back to back. First, she played Miss Texas in the musical spoof on the Miss America Pageant, a hilarious comedy called PAGEANT: the musical. Every night judges selected from the audience chose the pageants winner, and it’s no surprise, Miss Texas was crowned the winner more times than any of the others. Although, the nights she lost were almost even more entertaining! Up next she was cast in the role of Tootie in the all male musical version of The Facts of Life! Sold out audiences enjoyed the roller skating, busty and sassy Tootie Ramsey, ala Poison Waters! Then she was asked to make a special appearance in the role of God in the play Faust. Us. (Version 2.0). The Willamette Week hailed “the prettiest Lord we’ve ever had”!

In 2005, two television appearances were on the menu for Poison. A mini version of The Dating Game was recreated on the popular morning show AM Northwest, and although Poison would host the actual event that was being promoted, Kevin stepped in and hosted the day time talk shows “tamer” game! Soon after, America’s Next Top Model, Portland edition chose Poison as one of the celebrity judges. The two day filmed event saw over 1200 ladies vying to become Portland’s Next Top Model, in the hopes of winning a spot at the national level. The result? An hour long special aired highlighting the reality contest….AND Poison Waters!

Aligning herself with Portland Monthly magazine, Poison hosted several of the publications popular events from a Single’s Auction at Sak’s 5th Avenue, to a Subaru car show and fashion show in Portland’s historic Union Station. The Ronald McDonald House and the Oregon Humane Society were just two of the many local non profit groups that benefited from these exciting events.

Cascade AIDS Project had Poison host both of their major events that year, Art for Life at Montgomery Park and AIDSWalk in Pioneer Square. There were also appearances at the Basic Right’s Oregon Dinner at the Oregon Convention Center, the NIKE Executive Team’s Holiday Party, the Light a Fire Awards at the Portland Art Museum and the Halloween Spooktacular for the Q Center.

In 2006 Poison hosted the launch party of Seattle Metropolitan magazine at the Paramount Theater in the Emerald City as well as the gala events for Portland Center Stage, The Library Guild Foundation, SHARE Project, The Lakewood Center Associates, the Oregon Humane Society and Cascade AIDS Project. This was the year Portland opened its Q Center (LGBT Community Center) and invited Poison to host its monthly bingo party. The Q center holds many events, but the bingo continues to be its most popular and most profitable.

In August, Poison Waters teamed up with FOX Q13 and Seattle Metropolitan to host their Singles Auction fundraiser for the non profit group On the Boards. The sold out event was held in the Nordstrom flagship store in Seattle, who for the first time ever, turned three of its floors into a nightclub for the evening.

While Poison continues to appear at the popular Darcelle XV showplace, she was honored to be asked to take over for Darcelle herself while the legendary performer took 3 months off for knee surgery. Poison also re-joined the board of directors for the Cascade AIDS Project and held her seat on the board of directors for Peacock Productions/ AME Scholarship Fund. The Oregonian ended the year nicely using Poison/Kevin as one of their shopping ambassadors, proving Portland shoppers valuable advice and insight to the current holiday shopping season!

Finally, in 2006, Poison happily joined the Executive level of Camp Starlight’s Planning Commission. Full time planning, fund raising and recruiting combined with overseeing policy and programming added a lot to Poison’s plate, but the HIV kids camp she first volunteered for in 2001 has a strong enough hold on her heart, the added duties are welcomed.

2007 has been another dynamic year in Poison’s history. This year marked 19 years of entertaining and community service. The invitations to speak, appear, perform and host never stop coming in. The regional publishing world has taken hold of Miss Waters to host many events! Seattle Metropolitan and Portland Monthly both utilized Poison’s talents in their over the top fundraisers for the Make a Wish Foundation, where thousands of dollars were raised in both markets for this amazing organization! Poison was lucky to work with Alaska Airlines and Verizon Wireless on these two fantastic events!  When the new publication Seattle Metropolitan Bride and Groom launched in 07, Poison was on hand and also for the newest title in Portland, Portland Spaces (the places we call home).

Poison again produced and starred in her unique show for both Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon and The Human Dignity Coalition in Bend, Oregon. These two popular fundraisers were both sold out and a definite highlight to Poison’s calendar! She also jumped at the chance to once again entertain the many people on board the Queen City Cruise in Seattle with the Tacky Tourist Clubs of America! The Children with AIDS Show in Tri Cities, Washington celebrated it’s 10^th Anniversary and invited Poison to appear and speak on behalf of Camp Starlight.

In the autumn of this year, Poison was brought on to make a weekly appearance on Portland’s most popular radio station, Movin 107.5 with DJ Stacey Lynn. Poison is the first drag queen in the Western United States to be featured weekly on a mainstream radio show! The phones light up when Poison speaks!

Looking ahead to 2008, Poison is very excited to celebrate her 20^th Anniversary as an entertainer and spokes person, and also the 10^th Anniversary of Camp Starlight! There are many organizations that will benefit from Poison’s time and talents in the coming year, and many, many audiences will enjoy her charm, wit and beauty! Maybe YOU will be there along the way?

Whatever the title, whatever the event, cause or venue, one thing remains the same: the instant bond between Poison Waters and her audience members. So, if the opportunity ever arises, come and see “the smile on the face of Portland”, Poison Waters. Perhaps you’ve heard of her?