Conversations with Nicole Alston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Alston.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Acting was my first love from a very young age. I loved to perform, to sing, to dance. Acting always made me feel like I was in my truest form. My mother was always supportive of my dreams as a performer. She took me to dance class nearly every night. She brought me to my first casting call for Disney. She was in the front row for every play and recital, cheering me on. She passed away when I was 14, and without her guidance, the dreams of becoming an actress seemed just out of reach. I swapped dance and theatre for sports and studies. I went to a small local college and got a degree in healthcare, which was about the furthest thing from a soul-fulfilling career for me. After a few years of mindlessly wandering through my daily life and career, I started finding myself again. I started creating. I was finding success in creative fields, sharing my life, talents, and passions with others. I had a moment of clarity when I realized the only way to find joy in my career was to pursue acting with everything I had. Within a month, I had headshots, a setup to audition, and was submitting myself for every casting call I could find. In just two months, I went to my first in-person callback. Little did I know, the dream that was always in the back of my mind wasn’t out of reach at all. I just needed to trust in myself and believe that I was allowed to follow my dreams.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In my first year and a half, so much has happened. Five rounds of headshots, countless acting classes, 7 agencies later, and some incredible on-set experiences, it has been the most fulfilling time in my life. However, the journey hasn’t been a rollercoaster that only goes up. I have shed some tears and had some doubts. In the slow moments, the moments in between auditions and bookings, it gets tough. This is a dream that I want to live in every day, and that is just not the reality of this career. For me, I think the first year proved to be the hardest. It really takes some time to find your footing. I’ve learned to settle into highs and lows. I appreciate the moments in between auditions and bookings. I take small steps every day to move forward in my career and to continue to learn and grow as an actress. I had to learn to trust in myself and believe that I am capable and deserving of the life that I am creating.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love film and TV. I love creatives, directors, producers, casting, screenwriters, and everyone involved. I love every part of the process. I feel so connected to people following their dreams and passions like I am. I play a part in the story. There is a need for performers to tell these stories and make the vision come to life the way everyone imagines. I want to be the girl for the job. I give everything I’ve got for every audition to make that a reality. I want casting, directors, and producers to be excited when they watch my tapes. I know they love finding the cast as much as I love being cast!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I am a believer in “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” There have been times when I’ve had little wins, a booking, signing with an agency, a connection became an opportunity, and it almost seemed too easy. Maybe it was luck? This is when I take a step back and think about the time, money, energy, heart and soul I have poured into my journey as an actress, and remember that no opportunity would have come without the actions that I took first. I sent the email, did the audition, and scheduled the meeting. I build every relationship, make every connection, and take every chance that comes my way. What happens after that? Call it luck or call it reward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm17938738/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niicccoleee

Image Credits
Benjamin Mcdonnel