Biography

Poison Waters is not just a personality. Poison is an experience!! Whether dressed as Poison Waters or her alter ego Kevin Cook, they are both captivating and one of a kind!

For just over three decades Poison has been having tons of FUN entertaining from countless stages throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. She has been very busy coordinating, participating in and hosting an endless docket of benefits, revues and shows for various local, regional and national non-profit as well as for profit organizations. She has been recognized and rewarded for her community service, raising awareness, and providing entertainment to such charities as Cascade AIDS Project, Dress for Success Oregon, Make a Wish Foundation, Hemophilia Foundation of Oregon, Human Dignity Coalition, Oregon Humane Society and the American Heart Association. Poison has received the Ray C. Snively Humanitarian Award, The Assistance League of Greater Portland’s National Operation School Bell Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Court System, a Hero of  HIV Award and the Red Ribbon Award from the Coalition for AIDS Awareness just to name a few. The invitations for bookings never stop!

Highlights have been appearances with Pink Martini, repeat segments on AM Northwest, opening for Storm Large at her Holiday Ordeal, Drag Queen Storytelling at Multnomah County Libraries, and in 2023 will celebrate her 14th anniversary recurring role in Oregon Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker and is in her 3rd year teaching an online course on Portland’s Drag History with Portland Community College. Poison is honored to have been the Grand Marshal of the Portland Rose Festival’s 2023 CareOregon Starlight Parade and the Pride Northwest’s Portland Pride Parade! Hundreds of thousands have enjoyed her wit, charm and beauty! When she is not enjoying her time hosting events and fundraisers or traveling the globe, she is the co-hostess at the legendary Darcelle XV Showplace where she has been wildly popular for 33 years. In July 2023, Poison was a co producer of Drag-a-Thon, the Guinness World Record breaking longest running drag show at 48 hours, 11 minutes and 30 seconds, raising over $300,000.00 for The Trevor Project!

2023 also marked the 23rd year volunteering with summer camps for children whose lives have been affected by HIV. Poison, as Kevin is the Camp Director for Cascade AIDS Projects’ Camp KC (Kids Connection). During the Covid 19 global pandemic, Poison went virtual, bringing her Drag Queen Bingo, Drag Queen Storytime and event hosting to thousands of new fans all over the world.

Whatever the title, event, cause or venue, one thing remains the same: the important bond between Poison Waters and her audience. She remains, “the smile on the face of Portland.” www.poisonwaters.com