We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Nicole Dickerson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica Nicole below.

Jessica Nicole , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

I actually made a lot of mistakes in my journey to becoming an actor, but I will say the best thing I did, and would NEVER change, is starting. People will have different opinions on what’s right and wrong, but you need to what feels best for you.

Some of the mistakes I made that I wish someone told me, is firstly you don’t need to go to college. I wanted to move from Hawaii to the big scary city of LA, so I applied to colleges and spent 4 years collecting new experiences and A LOT of debt. If you want to go to college I HIGHLY recommend starting at community college or only going if you have a scholarships. As an actor the biggest thing to avoid is debt. The likelihood of making money off of acting within the first year is slim. Also, the first few years while you find your footing, you’ll be investing way more money than what you will be making. But, we love acting so we continue down this crazy road. Protect yourself and avoid debt.

The next mistake I made was auditioning before taking the time to really study (and practice) how to act. When you start your acting career, it can be as simple as getting a Backstage account and self submitting. Even though that’s perfectly normal to learn as you go, I started booking more after studying the Meisner Technique. Also, when self submitting it can feel endingless, with no response and as actor we tend to blame ourselves. After studying a technique you’ll build the confidence you need to dominate the audition room, whether you book the part or not. Acting has more to do with consistent good work than one amazing audition out of a hundred.

Lastly, and this is the most important step, you need to believe in yourself. I definitely have an overly positivity outlook of my career, maybe to the point of delusion, but that is what gets you through rough days. You need to enjoy what you do and believe you can do it or else you will burn out within a few months. It’s going to be a longgg journey, so make sure to have fun, take care on yourself inside and out, and pretty please try to avoid debt ;)

Jessica Nicole , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For people who don’t know me I’m an actor, but I’m also a YouTube, writer and artist. I like to say I’m a storyteller, because that’s the through line in all these passions I hold dear. The art of storytelling.

I knew I wanted to be an actor since I was a young girl watching Disney Channel. I kept having this feeling of “I can do that too.” My love for sitcoms and rom-coms really blossomed in my youth, but quickly into young adulthood it felt impossible. I should pick a reasonable job and support my family, right? The thought kept popping up about how much I wanted to try this crazy thing. It felt like I couldn’t do it because I was dyslexic and in my naive mind I believed I was too dumb to do it. Until I booked my first small role as a featured extra of Jurassic World, Teen girl number three, laughing at Nick Robinson while riding the gyrosphere, it suddenly felt possible. I was scared to face my fears but I decided to tackle one of my biggest insecurities by starting a YouTube channel.

While in college I started a Booktube channel to keep me accountable and I discovered my love for reading. Audiobooks are a huge reason why I’m an avid reader! I went from having never finished a book to challenging myself to read 12 books in a year. Now I read roughly 100 books a year. Besides the fun community I’ve made online, I have also developed this very important skill you need as an actor. Something you might not know about acting is how much reading you need to do. Not only do you have to read but you need to act, believe in every word you say. As a person with dyslexia was immensely difficult when I wasn’t confident at all that I was reading anything correctly.

I remember one time in a play rehearsal, I had to read out a script to the everyone in the crew and I read so SO slowly. The text was small, the lights were bright and I didn’t have the time to proof read before hand. That moment was probably one of the most embarrassing but rewarding moments I’ve ever had. I did it! Yes, I missed up and took forever to read a 10 page scene, but I DID IT. Every time the followed I slowly got better and better. Continuing to face uncomfortable moments because I love storytelling. You have to love what you do or else the reward won’t be worth the risk.

I have since worked on a few Shakesquearen plays, my favorite being LMU’s Pericles! I’ve also worked on a few powerful short films, booking commercials that pay big bucks, and landing a supporting character in a new tv show Turning Teddy. I wouldn’t be where I am today without facing my fears. I still have MANY fears and I know I have a lot to still learn, but now that makes me excited for what’s to come next.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

My journey as an actor has been a hard one, I’m not going to lie. I’m Cuban, Black, Dyslexic, Diabetic and Queer. So many people have told me too give up. My own body basically told me to give up. So many hardships have been felt because of this big dream I wanted to explore.

I had to learn that everyone in the industry AND outside of it will have opinions, but it doesn’t mean they’re right. Take everything with a grain of salt.

I went into acting thinking someone will tell me that I am bad or good so I can determine whether it’s worth my time. And boy did people share their opinions. The biggest take away is that art is subjective. I’ve run into many many people who tell me I don’t have the “it” factor, but I no longer waver. I learned to keep learning, keep trying, keep failing and keep going. If I had listened to any of those people I wouldn’t have to success I do now. You have to love what you do and believe you can do it! I know I’ll spend my life developing and that will make me happy. Perfection isn’t real. Yes, there is always the possibility of doing better. What I choose to focus on is doing my best everyday. Continuing to show up for myself because I love it and I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.

No one will take that joy away from me. Not even myself.

During my years in college I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. No one in my family had it so it was a huge shock. I was 21 and just starting this terrifying journey of acting. It felt like my body gave up on me. I had been facing my fears of reading and finally gaining a small ounce of courage and my body betrayed me. Almost like a sign from the universe that this is too hard. I definitely was focused on purely surviving, getting health insurance for the first time ever, and trying to act normally in my acting classes ironically. My world was falling apart. This is one of many moments were I called into question whether I should keep going. Life is going to hit you with some shit and you need to decide if the journey still makes you happy. For me acting was the only thing I had left that brought me joy, so I kept going.

Joy is the one guiding force in my life and I try to connect with that everyday, so I don’t lose myself in this crazy world.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal in life would be to support my family. They have been the back bone for my career and I want to ease the struggles that every family faces. But my journey is hopefully bigger than that. I will star in a sitcom or rom-com some day and I will use my career to fund good things in the world. As of late I have been really passionate about having affordable housing in big cities like Los Angeles. It saddens me how many families and individuals are pushed out of their homes because the cost of living triples and wages aren’t livable.

I can only hope to do some good until then I’ll continue to spread positivity through my work and online presence to empower people to follow their dreams. To live a life filled with joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm7415969?ref_=hm_nv_usr_profile
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficial_jnd/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOfficial_JND
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JessicaNicoleDickerson

Image Credits
1st Image is a Budweiser Summer Campaign Production photos of “Perciles” Production photos of “Not Another Fairytale” Production photos of “Game night”