Carbomb Betty Biography: The Real Story of Ann Colby, Burlesque Performer and Danielle Colby’s Sister
Carbomb Betty, whose real name is Ann Colby, is an American former burlesque performer, aerial acrobat, and a trained psychology and chiropractic student best known as the younger sister of Danielle Colby from the History Channel show American Pickers. She built her own quiet reputation in the Midwest performing arts scene before stepping away from the stage to focus on family. Today, she lives a peaceful life on a small farm in the Quad Cities area with her husband and children.
Quick Facts About Carbomb Betty
- Real Name: Ann Colby
- Stage Name: Carbomb Betty
- Date of Birth: December 3, 1975
- Age: 50 years old (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Davenport, Iowa, United States
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Religion: Christian
- Height: Approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)
- Mother: Sue Colby
- Sisters: Danielle Colby, Tara Colby Bebber
- Husband: John Nichols (married in 2020)
- Children: Five, including a son named Miles
- Profession: Former burlesque performer, aerial acrobat, chiropractic student
- Known For: Burlesque Le’ Moustache troupe, being Danielle Colby’s sister
- Current Residence: Rock Island, Illinois
Early Life and Family Background
Ann Colby was born on December 3, 1975, in Davenport, Iowa, a small but lively city along the Mississippi River. She grew up in a creative household with her mother, Sue Colby, who raised her along with her two sisters.
Her older sister, Danielle Colby, later became a household name through the History Channel reality series American Pickers. Her other sister, Tara Colby Bebber, has kept a much lower profile. The three sisters share a strong, close bond, and Ann often appears in family photos shared by Danielle online.
Although details about her father are not publicly known, family posts suggest her parents were married in May 1973. Ann sometimes shares warm tributes to her parents on special occasions, especially their wedding anniversary.
A Creative Midwestern Upbringing
Growing up in the Quad Cities region gave Ann exposure to a vibrant local arts scene. The area has long been a hub for vintage culture, vaudeville revivals, and small theater productions. This environment played a big role in shaping both her and her sister Danielle’s eventual paths into burlesque and performance art.
Education and Academic Journey
Ann completed her early schooling at Pleasant Valley High School in Iowa. She was a curious student who balanced academics with an early interest in dance and the arts.
After high school, she enrolled at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, where she majored in Psychology. Her decision to study human behavior reflected her thoughtful and observant nature.
Wanting to expand her knowledge of the human body, she later attended Palmer College of Chiropractic from 2013 to 2016. Palmer College is famously the birthplace of chiropractic medicine, founded right in Davenport in 1897. This rare combination of psychology and chiropractic studies makes her one of the more academically distinct figures in the Colby family circle.
The Birth of the Stage Name “Carbomb Betty”
Ann’s stage name, Carbomb Betty, was born during her years performing at the Capitol Theatre in Davenport, Iowa. The bold, playful name fit her energetic stage persona, which mixed humor, glamour, and athletic skill.
The “Betty” part nods to classic pin-up and retro Americana culture, a style her sister Danielle also celebrates. The “Carbomb” part captures the high-energy, explosive feel of her aerial acts. Together, the name became her signature identity inside the burlesque community.
Career as a Burlesque Performer and Aerial Acrobat
Carbomb Betty performed with Burlesque Le’ Moustache, the professional burlesque troupe founded by her sister Danielle Colby. The troupe operated out of the historic Capitol Theatre in Davenport and became one of the most respected burlesque acts in the Midwest.
Specialties: Aerial Silks, Fan Dancing, and Choreography
Within the troupe, Ann developed a reputation for two unique skills:
She practiced aerial acrobatics, performing on silks and hoops suspended above the stage. This required strength, flexibility, and fearless control, blending circus arts with classic burlesque.
She also performed fan dancing, a traditional burlesque art form using oversized feather fans. Her routines were known for their elegance and timing.
Beyond performing, she worked as a burlesque choreographer, shaping routines for other dancers in the troupe. This behind-the-scenes role highlighted her creative leadership.
Performances Across Iowa and Illinois
During her active years, Carbomb Betty performed across Iowa and Illinois, helping raise the profile of neo-burlesque in the American Midwest. While her sister Danielle pursued reality television, Ann remained close to the local stage scene, valuing live audience connection over media fame.
Personal Life: Marriage to John Nichols
Carbomb Betty married John Nichols in 2020, after a relationship of about a year. Their wedding marked a turning point in her life, as she began shifting her focus from the stage to home and family.
John Nichols is the CEO of Nichols Roofing, a family-run roofing company based in Clinton, Iowa. Before stepping into the business world, he worked as a hunting guide, which fits perfectly with the couple’s shared love for the outdoors.
Children and Family Life
The couple are raising five children together. Among them is a son named Miles, and another child named Debra Colby Felski, who is from Ann’s previous relationship. The family has not publicly clarified which children are biological and which are not, and the couple keeps those details private out of respect for the kids.
Life on the Farm
Ann and John live on a small farm in the Rock Island, Illinois area. The property is home to dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and horses. Ann often shares glimpses of farm life, animal care, and gardening on her personal social media. This rural, family-centered lifestyle is a clear contrast to her earlier years in the spotlight.
Life After the Stage: A Quieter Chapter
In recent years, Carbomb Betty has stepped back from public performance. She now describes herself more as a stay-at-home mother, focused on her children, her farm, and supporting her husband’s business.
She has also shown interest in charity work and community fundraising, often using her social media to spotlight causes she cares about. This shift mirrors a broader trend among performers who transition from stage life to community-focused pursuits as their families grow.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Carbomb Betty’s estimated net worth is around $300,000, based on figures reported by entertainment outlets. This wealth largely reflects her earlier earnings from burlesque performance and choreography, combined with her household income from her husband’s roofing company. She lives a modest, family-first lifestyle rather than a celebrity one.
Why Carbomb Betty Matters
What makes Ann Colby’s story special is not fame, but balance. She built a respected creative career, earned advanced academic credentials, and then chose family over the spotlight. Her life reflects the values of many Midwestern women: creativity, hard work, faith, and devotion to loved ones.
She also represents an important slice of American burlesque history, helping keep the Burlesque Le’ Moustache tradition alive in the Quad Cities, an area that played a quiet but real role in the modern neo-burlesque revival.
Conclusion: A Life Built on Family, Art, and Authenticity
The story of Carbomb Betty is a reminder that a meaningful life is not always measured by fame. From the stages of Davenport’s Capitol Theatre to a peaceful farm in Illinois, Ann Colby has lived on her own terms.
Her legacy combines art, education, family, and quiet strength. She proves that you can shine brightly on stage and still find your greatest happiness at home, surrounded by loved ones, animals, and the rhythms of everyday life. Her journey continues to inspire fans who admire her balance between creativity and family devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carbomb Betty
Who is Carbomb Betty?
Carbomb Betty is the stage name of Ann Colby, an American former burlesque performer and aerial acrobat. She is the younger sister of Danielle Colby from American Pickers.
What is Carbomb Betty’s real name and age?
Her real name is Ann Colby, and she was born on December 3, 1975, making her 50 years old in 2026.
Is Carbomb Betty married, and does she have children?
Yes. She married John Nichols, CEO of Nichols Roofing, in 2020. The couple is raising five children together on their farm in Illinois.
What did Carbomb Betty do for a living?
She was a burlesque performer, fan dancer, aerial acrobat, and choreographer with Burlesque Le’ Moustache at the Capitol Theatre in Davenport, Iowa. She also studied psychology and chiropractic medicine.
Where does Carbomb Betty live now?
She currently lives on a small farm in Rock Island, Illinois, with her husband, five children, and several animals, including horses, goats, and chickens.
Carbomb Betty’s journey shows that real success is built on love, family, and quiet strength. For more inspiring true stories like this, keep exploring Trucofax, your trusted home for honest celebrity biographies.
