Meet Nikki Rachel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Rachel.

Nikki, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m originally from South Florida, Fort Lauderdale. I developed a love for acting around the age of ten. I remember being around nine when I started modeling school as a hobby and it was something my parents allowed me to do on Saturdays for fun, but it was no guarantee to success or fame. It was one of those modeling scouts’ scams that got me to sign up at the mall that they pretty much told every kid they were qualified to join. I think around age ten I was one of those kids that dreamed to be on the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon. It wasn’t until I was 16 when I enrolled in my first legitimate acting class. I did school plays, but I also really started doing my research on acting coaches in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area and looking at their credentials. I started taking improv classes, scene study, cold reading and on-camera coaching. From the connections through my coaches, I was booked a local PSA commercial for beacontv at age 16. It didn’t really hit me until after it aired and my classmates told me they saw me on tv and that I looked great on camera. That gave me a lot of confidence. I also did theatre and chorus in high school and I was most known for being in the play The Wiz, which was a musical. I played a munchkin, kalidah, poppy’s girl and a flying monkey. This is how I discovered my strengths, acting range and drive. I played multiple roles which required lots of acting, choreography and singing. Constantly running backstage for numerous costume changes, making it back to the stage in time and being able to switch into different characters at a fast pace. That took a lot of energy and I had to do the same routine three days in a row because it was a three day show. I had it in me and I did it all with no complaints. Drama club was a sport for me. A lot of action.

Although acting was something I wanted to pursue professionally, my father wasn’t really supportive of me taking this seriously. He accepted it as just a hobby but he wanted me to me to follow the family tradition of becoming a nurse. My heart wasn’t in the medical field at all. I could only see myself in show biz. I also had a passion for fashion which I discovered when I would play dress up and model outfits when I was younger so I took fashion design and sewing classes from freshmen to senior year. I did go on to a fashion institute for college, but I did withdraw early due to my mother getting very ill and then later passing away. From then on, I realized college wasn’t for me and it was hard to focus because I was under too much stress to have my head on books and I needed to focus on networking and moving to a city where I can pursue my passions. I knew LA was the place I wanted to be. I had a friend who was a fashion photographer and would do photo shoots with signed models and he allowed me to be the stylist on his team while our other friends specialized in makeup, hair and assistance so it was nice to gain some of that experience.

Fast forward, I ended up moving to California at age 23 in 2017. It has been very challenging to get booked consistently because there is a lot of competition out here. I took up bartending and other side hustles to support myself while waiting to get work. So far, I got to be part of the Kanye West opera at the Hollywood Bowl in November 2019, and I shot a music video this year with an afro beat artist (Ayo Jay) that will drop soon. His new single just came out called “peace of mind” and I play the lead girl in the video. My part required a lot of acting and improv because I had the role of a jealous girlfriend. I’m currently signed with Wunder Agency LA and I was scouted through Instagram. I’m represented for commercial, tv and print. I also get paid partnerships with brands here and there on Instagram from fitness/health to fashion and I’m being considered for future short-film projects.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been very challenging. When you are young and new to LA you’re going to run into a lot of obstacles. Predatory powerful men in the industry you’re trying to get into that will try to take advantage of young women. You can’t be naïve. Rappers messaging you on Instagram for the wrong reasons. Hollywood can become a weird place and it’s so easy to get influenced by superficial people and then there’s opportunists so you never know who’s genuine or not. I see a lot of colorism in Hollywood. Sometimes I would get overlooked because I’m not light enough like your typical Alicia Keys. It can be difficult when you’re up against people already successful in their careers and people who have a more desired look than you. It can knock down your confidence. I’m 26 now and ready to move forward and go harder than ever.

Nikki Mixology – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m currently a certified bartender. I’ve been working freelance gigs while deciding to take a mixology course to really build my knowledge on liquor, how alcohol is made and really gaining confidence behind the bar. Bartending is not as easy as it looks especially if you’re in a high-volume environment. I just obtained certification during the covid-19 pandemic. Took my last few classes online, but before the lockdown I’ve been hands on playing around and mixing my favorite cocktails and the most popular cocktails. I would go to the school for training and get practice behind the bar on my free time. Now that I’m certified, I just made my business cards for my freelance gigs. These cards are to book me for parties and events in the LA areas. I’m proud to have gotten a certification and that sets me apart from other bartenders because although a certification is not required to become a bartender but it gives you an advantage from any basic bartender and you’re more trusted. There is a difference between someone who is just a drink pourer and someone who knows the history on different liquors and the best ways to up-sell as well as mix drinks. The excess knowledge really gives me the upper hand and more respect over any typical bartender that doesn’t have the knowledge. Nikki Mixology is the name of my bartending service. I also have an Instagram page for it where I will display all the drinks I make and people can book me through there and email as well. Instagram: @nikkimixology. For modeling and acting work, I can be booked directly or through [email protected].

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/okayynikki_
• Twitter: twitter.com/okayynikki
• Other: instagram.com/nikkimixology

Image Credit:
Lorenzo Belmonte

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