Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicole Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nicole, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
The main thing my parents did right was believe in me. From the moment I have said that I wanted to be an actress they have been on my team. I know they didn’t always understand my drive to take on this career choice, especially since I originally said I wanted to be an OB-GYN, but they have done everything they can to help me reach my goal. One of the first things they did to help train me was never letting me win when I was a kid, and I can tell you that frustrated me to no end. I mean my friends parents always let them win, but my mom told me I don’t want you to have something you didn’t earn. If you work hard and get smarter then one day you will earn the right to win, and you will know you deserve it and nobody just gave it to you. Well that set off a spark within me and laid the foundation for my drive today. I made it my goal to beat my parents in our favorite games of Checkers, Connect 4, and Mastermind. Mom was right, the day I finally won was the best feeling ever, and as a bonus I learned to set goals, the art of practice and preparation, to never quit, and patience. All skills that are needed when in a business where you hear NO about 90% of the time.
My parents also made sure that I understood what I was getting into when I told them I wanted to be an actress by making sure I understood that this was a business and no longer a hobby. So I had to learn how to prepare myself financially since there is no retirement plan with this job. I took classes to learn who I should have on my team and what I needed to do to protect myself in this world.
They also do any and everything to make sure I have the best chance to succeed. If I need help driving to an audition because I’m exhausted they are there. When I need a reader or someone to help me learn lines they are right there with me. If I need help financially they make sure I’m covered, and that I don’t do anything like selling my plasma to try and pay bills. And when I am having a bad day from all the rejection they are right there reminding me why I started on this journey. Oh and the celebrations are the best, and usually involve ice cream.
I have no idea where I would be if it wasn’t for them, but I know I’m where I’m going because of them.
Nicole, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Now acting has always been in my blood, I just didn’t understand that it could be a career until much later. From the age of 5 when I told my Kindergarten teacher that I could do a poem and recited ‘The Negro Mother’ by Langston Hughes. Well that started my first mini tour of performing and I got my first taste and what my future would be. I wanted to join the Augusta Mini Theatre and every chance I got when I met the owner and his wife I would ask to be in it. Unfortunately I couldn’t join until I was in 3rd grade, but the day I could join my parents enrolled me. I eventually went on to a John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School where I further discover that acting was the only career for me. I earned my BFA in Musical Theatre with honors and headed out into world. Disney Word that is. That right I got to life out a little 3 years old me’s dream and worked at the Happiest Place on Earth. I worked my way through dancing in parades and shows and eventually ended up “In a galaxy far, far away . . . ” I’m not sure which was more fun, being a Jedi at Disney, a Double Dare Host at Nickelodeon, or a Wizard at Universal Studios. I will say that the Wizarding World did lead me across the Atlantic to work at Universal Studios Japan. After a year there I made my return home and began my tv and film journey. My latest films are True Freedom, A Very Merry New Year, and My Brother’s Keeper. All listed on my website nicolemwilliamsactor.com.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I love the way that we can use our art to help people by inspiring empathy. Sometimes it makes people laugh, and other times it can cause anger and pain. And those are the time that we help inspire people to do something, make a change. Other times we use our art to give a voice to the unheard. To help and heal those who are forgotten. I think when I wanted to be a doctor I mostly wanted to help people. I later on understood that I could be a healer of a different kind, maybe not of the body, but one of the mind and heart.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I have always wanted to travel and do either a show overseas or on a cruise ship. And let me tell you, I auditioned for everyone that came by my path. I would even have the rare occasion where I would get feedback as to why I didn’t book the job. And instead of letting years of no discourage me, I took it as an opportunity to get better. I took on a second and third job so that I could take classes to improving my acting, singing, and dancing and turned myself into a true triple threat. So instead of being dismissed in the first round of the audition, I would be one of the last ones standing. And it took 7 years total, but I eventually landed an overseas contract to Universal Studios Japan. I remember getting the email at like 2:00am telling me I had been offered a contract and I remembered that talk I had with my mother so many years ago when I wanted to win a simple game. I had put in the work and I had truly earned this. And it felt amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: nicolemwilliamsactor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmwactor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolemwilliamsactor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nmwactor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCIA3yVgA6_vbIrqBiBApGA
- Other: IMDB:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9184356/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Image Credits
Headshots: Val Tannuzzi