Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Blessing.
Hi Nicole, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in the City of Lakes, Minneapolis, MN. After years working as an actor in Minneapolis doing theatre, indie films, commercial and voice work, I moved to LA with my husband, Fred, and our poodle. Growing up, I didn’t have a supportive family. Fred was the first person in my life to be encouraging about my acting career and relocating to LA. Since the move, I started narrating audiobooks. I’ve done both fiction and non-fiction, poetry, and even a book on treating eating disorders. It’s a lot more challenging than people realize. It takes a lot of stamina and practice to sustain voices and cohesive narration for an entire book.
I’ve started creating my own content. I’ve written and produced a series of skits and I’m currently working on a feature.
More recently, I started doing standup throughout the LA area. My style is observational humor with tales of lutefisk and frozen Midwestern sass. I’ve created my own show, Los Uff Das. Uff Da is everything and nothing all at once. We have a regular spot at Oeno Vino in Atwater Village the second Friday of every month at 7pm. Come for the comedy, stay for the delicious wine.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road. Life, unfortunately, rarely follows a linear path. I’ve had larger projects fall apart at the last minute, heard a lot of No’s, and, at times, questioned my own abilities. I’ve learned to focus more on the present. I can’t change the past but can concentrate more on what is possible now. One of the biggest struggles in creating your own content is finding like-minded people to collaborate. There are quite a few people in LA who only want to be doing something for the sake of doing something without investing time in their craft. Actors who don’t want to create, but just be instantly famous. Being from the Midwest, it’s ingrained in us that you don’t get anywhere by doing nothing. I’m grateful for the like-minded friends I’ve made since moving to LA.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an actor, model, and comedian. I’ve narrated 120 audiobooks, voiced over 200 commercials, e-Learning solutions, a YouTube channel and a non-fiction app. In voice work, I do a lot of character voices, specializing in young adult material. I narrated “Can Dreams Come True,” written by Krysten Lindsay Hager. It was named a finalist for YA/children’s audio book in an international book award competition. The Wishing Shelf Book Awards is UK based and the YA/children’s book categories are judged by UK primary and secondary schools.
In “Bob N Weave,” starring Nancy Bellany, I play a compassionate nurse. I met Nancy doing standup. She is an extraordinarily kind and talented woman, and I truly enjoy working with her. “Bob N Weave” is now available on Tubi, Amazon, and Peacock.
More recently, I’ve started developing my own content. I specialize in observational humor and am known for my sparkly shoes. I’ve developed a standup show, Los Uff Das, and am expanding venues.
I’m most proud of my determination and ability to persevere. I haven’t had an easy life. I’ve had to overcome both family and health issues. I’m definitely the type of person who does exactly what they say they are going to do without wavering, which is rare in our current world.
What makes you happy?
The short answer would be my poodle. She brings a lot of joy to my life. The longer answer would be the creative process. There is a lot of hate and unhappiness in the world at the moment. I try to find joy in projects that give people the opportunity for introspection.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nicoleblessing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenicoleblessing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.blessing.actor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleblessing/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicoleblessing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfHYLA7XmuSUYQ8mRuHnpdA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenicoleblessing
