We recently connected with Nia Renée and have shared our conversation below.

Nia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew when I was eleven years old. I was obsessed with all things dystopian, especially The Hunger Games series. I fell in love with the books and movies. Then, I read a biography on Jennifer Lawrence and I thought to myself, “I want to be just like her when I grow up.” I saw similarities in her and myself; like our fiery energy, quick witted humor, or even both having cheerleading experience haha. I’m really picky with the movies and TV shows I watch, if the actors can’t bring me into the world and if I don’t believe the acting, I honestly can’t finish the film. But in The Hunger Games, I was so entranced the entire time. There were so many detailed and nuanced choices. I felt the casting was so perfect. I knew I wanted to be a part of an actor’s world of playing pretend, as I had played pretend with my sisters so many times in my childhood haha.
During my first speaking role on set, I simply knew that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. No doubt about it. To be totally “in” a whole another life, time, and personality is so magical. The connections you feel with your other cast mates are unmatched as well. I didn’t always believe actors in interviews when they said the cast was like family haha. But after meeting some of my closest friends from the industry, whether that be on set or in acting classes, I definitely believe them. Artist friendships are so cherishing and intimate.
I absolutely know that there is no other career I’m more perfect for than being an actor.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an actor, wholeheartedly! I absolutely become so into the worlds which are given through scripts & sets for the characters I play. I will spend all day writing a backstory for my character and getting into what their life is like. I make playlists containing music I feel they’d listen to or music that fits their vibe. I especially do that when I play villians or really dark characters because it helps me tap into that energy. I have played everything from a comedic, quirky genderfluid person to a dark, evil queen in a dystopian world. But I’d say, right now my future focus is on Rom Coms or villian roles; which give two very different vibes but that is what I love about it haha.

Acting really is just energy and play to me. My acting teacher says that no matter which character I play, I always have fun with it haha. I love just creating and representing life; every moment of messiness, laughter, sorrow, relationships, growth, connection, etc. Before a scene, there’d be times where my co-star and I would simply look into each other’s eyes a couple minutes before the scene would start. We wouldn’t speak, just maintain eye contact. It’d build such true connection that really helped our work. Acting is such an intimate craft. It’s so rewarding to let go and see how it goes, you could say haha, once you get on set because you truly don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s so exciting.

Acting is a craft I simply thrive in. When I’m in a scene, I pick up on every little nuance of change in expression or words or body language. It’s the very seldom environment where I feel completely focused and honed in. It’s an absolutely beautiful process that I have fallen in love with.
Right now, I’m based in Los Angeles but my next goal is to move to London, additionally being based in New York City and LA (flying out when I’m needed). Acting is what I’ll do for the rest of my life and I’m so incredibly excited to see where my acting journey takes me next.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I lived in my hometown my entire life until, let’s just say some personal things happened, and I wasn’t able to live there anymore because of certain circumstances. It was the best thing that happened to me because I finally started creating a life that was genuine and fulfilling to myself, at a young age too. I took a break from college and became a nomad, solo traveling the U.S. for a year. I learned how to become my own best friend, gain problem solving skills that truly only traveling by yourself could teach you haha, and how to build a community (even if it was for the short term).
I totally changed after that happened in my life. I fell in love with a charming town called Charleston in South Carolina and lived there twice within my nomading days. I’ve traveled to almost 4/5ths of the U.S. and have seen the geographical and architectural transformations from one side of the country to the other. I made amazing friends, gained confidence, and four months into traveling, I got into the acting industry which of course, was absolutely life changing.
My wanderlust truly had only begun at that time. I finally did a backpacking trip through the UK and northern Europe which I had wanted to do for as long as I could remember. Best of all, it was better than I could have ever imagined. I truly started to create my dream life and I will always be so grateful for that.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Absolutely! Throughout my career, I’ve had many people ask me how to get into the industry; so many that I literally created a document I’d share with people when I got asked that question haha.

I’d say the most important book to read for starting-out actors is:
The Actor’s Life: a Survival Guide by Jenna Fischer
It truly has all the answers for people who are just getting into the industry.

For writers, actors, or film industry crew, I’d recommend:
Conquering Hollywood: The Screenwriter’s Blueprint for Career Success by Gary W. Goldstein.
A while ago, I was invited into Gary’s coaching program and he is an amazing, genuine person! He’s definitely a person I admire in this industry!

Auditionprola on Instagram! She worked in casting for years and I’ve learned so much from her content! She is also a wonderful coach! I took her class a couple years ago and learned so much!

I’m very picky with taking acting classes haha but Sam Stiglitz (auditionprola) & Don Bloomfield are the only two coaches/ teachers I’ve ever recommended to people! They’re absolutely amazing!!

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/niareneeofficial & linktr.ee/nias.traveltips
• Instagram: niareneeofficial

Image Credits
Headshot: Diana K photos (Diana Khachatryan) gettyimages: Jon Kopaloff