Meet Nichole Kearns | Actor and Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nichole Kearns and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nichole, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
In everyday life, I wouldn’t consider myself a risk taker, but in this industry, adopting a bit of that mentality becomes a necessity. When the thought of taking a well worth risk makes me anxious or hesitant, I try to remind myself that I’m on a floating rock within an infinite universe with a limited lifespan. When put into perspective, suddenly many risks, don’t feel all that risky.

In one of my acting classes in college, my professors use to remind me that in both a scene and in life, if you aren’t uncomfortable, you aren’t doing it right. So if I’m not making the interesting choice in an audition, not learning new skills, or just avoiding anything that makes me fearful, I’m not growing and probably not advancing. I don’t see a lot of growth options without risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My love of acting started a child. My mom use to own an advertising company, and if a child was needed for a project, good chance that child was me. The first project I could remember participating in was some sort of PSA for the county of Santa Barbara about the dangers of abuse in the home. I played a child crying in a stairwell while my parents argued in the background. Sounds traumatic, but I loved ever second of it. The desire to tell a story has always drawn me to the craft.

I was a very anxious child, and am an anxious adult. Don’t get me wrong. This industry is anxiety inducing, but when I finally get to create, all that seems to fade away. Looking back, I’m almost confused how I got here. I insisted on participating in theatre growing up, despite my horror of live audiences. I got into modeling and signed with my first agency (Hello Gorgeous Models) despite my dread associated with being perceived. I moved to LA in defiance of my desire for security and stability. I guess my desire to create art supersedes my fears.

My dream is to be involved in projects that move other people, the way tv and film move me; to conquer aspects of themselves that might limit what they think they are capable of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve lived full-time in LA for about a year, but I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. I’m from San Luis Obispo, CA, so If I was roadtripping to LA with a friend heading south, the first stop would be to hop off the 101 and drive thru Malibu on a quiet morning. We would get a breakfast burrito to-go from Lily’s, and enjoy the morning at Las Flores Beach. I’m a sucker for flea markets, so we would hit up Silverlake or the Rose Bowl Flea market in the afternoon. Korean Bbq in Koreatown is always a win for dinner, especially with karaoke after. I’m a sucker for a craft cocktail at a rooftop bar, so I would end the night at Broken Shaker DT or Bar Lis in Hollywood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents deserve the most credit for giving me the support I needed to be where I am today. As an actor, I feel like you have to have an almost unrealistic hope and persistence driving you. It’s such a competitive industry that is not only about raw talent, but determination and sheer luck. My mom shares my dreamy, “can do anything” mentality that has helped me push forward. My dad is a bit more of a realist, but is ready back any venture I’ve decided to put my mind to. Between the two, I have a solid foundations when life gets shaky.

Film in general is a pillar in my story. There’s always a few films I’m just so in awe of or excited about that I remember why chasing this dream is worth while. I finally got around the watching Everything Everywhere All at Once, I was just in love with how, bizarre, fun, and touching it was. Sometimes I find myself getting taken out of the story playing out on screen by the excitement of imagining getting to be involved with such a project. My energy is renewed and I’m suddenly I’m ready and applying for every casting I can find. Then I remind myself to direct my attention back on the film.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholekearns

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEH2O6zIC1k&feature=youtu.be

Image Credits
1.Sunny @sunny_scapes 2. Sunny @sunny_scapes 3. Eden Strader 4. Gabe Rodriguez @stillincolor 5. Desi @ddesi 6. Lily Merriman @lilyjayphotos