Nicole Barrett, Dallas radio and TV host, cigar company CEO and former Miss Black Texas, dies at 46

Talk show host, businesswoman and former Miss Black Texas Nicole Barrett died of an aneurysm on August 10, aged 46.

Barrett, a popular media personality, reported for Elite News in Dallas and hosted “The Nicole Barrett Show” on KLIF-AM (570).

Barrett’s attention to detail and in-depth interviews brought the show to televsion on KTXD-TV (Channel 47) in 2014. She interviewed many icons, including actors Diahann Carroll, Larry Hagman and Debbie Reynolds.

Her latest achievement was to become the first black woman to own a cigar company called Kinky Friedman Cigars. The Texas singer and former gubernatorial candidate remained the face of the brand while Barrett launched a new line of products as CEO.

“She was a triple threat … loving, tough, and funny rolled into one,” a close friend, Dallas event planner Steve Kemble, told Dallas CultureMap.

As a social justice advocate, Barrett was passionate about politics and not afraid of hot topics. In 2016 she caused a sensation in the 2016 US presidential election.

“In [February] In 2016 I sat in the front row at a press conference for then Republican candidate Donald Trump, “she told Voyage Dallas in 2018. From (formerly KKK Grand Wizard) David Duke? ‘ Mr. Trump replied, “I refuse.” That question was repeated on CNN and would lead the election news cycle through election day. “

KLIF radio show host Nicole Barrett (second from right in yellow top) posed during a press conference at the Fort Worth Convention Center in downtown Fort Worth, Friday, February 26, 2016. She was the first to notify Trump of the endorsement. Trump is campaigning in Texas ahead of next week’s Super Tuesday election.(Tom Fox / employee photographer)

Barrett, who served on the board of directors of the Dallas Theater Guild, fell in love with acting for the first time in her acting class at North Mesquite High School, according to her obituary. She received an acting scholarship from the College of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she appeared in many plays.

Back in Dallas, she was named Miss Black Texas in 2002 and appeared in episodes of Big Rich Texas that aired on the Style Network from 2011 to 2012. Modern Luxury magazine named her one of its Fresh Faces of Fashion in 2013.

Paige Hardison (from left), Priya Rathod, Nicole Barrett and Yvonne Crumb were photographed during the Fresh Faces of Fashion raffle party at the Candleroom in Dallas, Texas on February 22, 2013.(Jason Janik / Featured Article / 20005095A)

Her commitment to charity was evident in the many events planned, including lunch with Reynolds, a concert gala with singer Shirley Jones, and most recently Friedman’s Birthday Bash.

“Nicole Barrett inspired so many, loved so much, and lived so loudly that no one will ever forget her,” Kemble told CultureMap.

She is survived by her mother, Linda Barrett, and a host of family members and friends. A celebration of life was held at the Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas on August 21 at 11 a.m., with a burial in Restland Memorial Park.

This story was published with information from Texas Metro News as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and TMN. The partnership aims to increase coverage of Dallas’ colored communities, particularly in southern Dallas.

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