Nicole Hays is an internationally acclaimed fine art bodypainter, producer, and entrepreneur living in Portugal. She was a final four contestant on the hit reality bodypainting competition show, “Skin Wars”, with hosts Ru Paul and Rebecca Romijn.
Nicole has produced and performed in multiple original works that have been commissioned by arts organizations, luxury vacation rentals, and theaters. Her circus arts series, “Lumiere”, featured an original music score (written by A.J. Vaughan), aerial artists, acrobats, and fire performers. Nicole was honored to have Kelly Clarkson attend one of her performances at Rosemary Beach and comment that it was her favorite part of her resort visit.
Nicole has also co-written and co-starred in original, touring works with her husband, A.J. Vaughan. Tank and Tilly’s “Clockwork Cabaret”, a steampunk-themed, vaudeville show, was the couple’s debut performance together in 2017. The pair went on to write and perform in Tank and Tilly’s “ScreamPunk Special’, RollerClowns, and Duos of the ‘70s: A Tribute to Sonny & Cher, Captain and Tennille, and Donny & Marie.
Nicole holds a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies (University of South Florida), a bachelor’s degree in theater performance with a minor in dance performance (University of South Florida), and also attended Miami, Florida’s art college, New World School of Art.
A.J. Vaughan is a musician, variety performer, actor, and sound engineer based in Portugal. He studied viola and voice performance at the University of South Florida before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Commercial Music from Florida State University (studying under Grammy award-winning sound engineer Chandler Bridges).
A.J. frequently performs solo viola/violin for weddings and private events. He specializes in modern covers, accompanied by tracks or his own live looping, but is well-versed in various styles of music including classical, jazz, country, rock, hip-hop, and more. In addition to his solo work on viola, electric violin, and voice, A.J. has shared a stage with artists including American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox, jazz violinist Christian Howes, country music singer Michael Ray, and hip-hop singer T-Pain. He has performed with groups including The Florida Orchestra, Bay Kings Band, and The Florida Bjorkestra, and has been a main-stage guest artist on Princess Cruise Lines.
A.J. performs partner acrobatics, vaudeville entertainment, clowning/miming, stiltwalking, singing telegrams, and more with Onírico Talento. He and his wife, Nicole Hays, have produced and starred in several original shows together, including Tank and Tilly’s Clockwork Cabaret, Tank and Tilly’s Screampunk Special, Lumiere: Finding the Light, Lumiere: Escape from Darkness, Acrobotic, The Roller Clowns, and Duos of the 70s: A Tribute to Sonny and Cher, Captain and Tennille, and Donny and Marie.
As an actor, A.J. has appeared in commercials, films, and live shows at venues ranging from local theaters to arena and cruise ship stages. He also has worked as a photography and bodypaint model.
As a sound engineer, A.J. works in both live (FOH, monitors) and studio (tracking, mixing, mastering) settings. Past clients include wedding bands, tribute bands, theme parks, theatre companies, and film producers.
