If Maila Nurmi had never created her alter ego, Vampira, I wouldn't know how to act, dress or put on make-up. As the Misfits sang: “Two inch nails, micro waist, with a pale white feline face, inclination eyebrows to there.” Nor would it have been as cool to be into all the weird, spooky, horror show stuff that I’ve loved since childhood. We all need role models, and without mine, I would have been a much, much less empowered ghoul.

10 Things Vampira Taught Me

1. Black is for EVERY DAY.

2. The lower the neckline, the closer to...Satan.

3. Waists are for cinching-in.

4. Let your eyebrows do the talking.

5. Keep your delivery dead-panned and your humor bone-dry.

6. Blondes DO NOT have more fun.

7. Don’t be afraid to show your claws and fangs.

8. Never leave home without black mascara and liner.

9. The undead are sexy.

10. Camp is (way) COOL.

R.I.P. Ms. Nurmi and thanks for everything. Let’s listen to the boys sing your praises one more time.