Meet Nicole Cinaglia

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

Hi Nicole, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
This question is personal and unique to every person, I think. For me? I look at giving up in a much bigger and broader sense. Giving up means dead. I haven’t always felt this way. It’s a more recent insight into my life. When I decided to take my shot and make Acting a living in 2009, I knew it would be a struggle but I could never have predicted all I endured.

I’ve been acting since the womb. Mom always called me her little Sarah Bernhardt. I pretended every mirror was the camera and I was it’s main focus. I recited Jello commercials and pretended I was on “Are You Afraid of The Dark.” I did musicals from the time I was in the first grade and was in a play a year, sometimes 2, until I graduated Highschool in 2004.

I knew I wanted to Act and went on to pursue it in college. Pushing 40 now, looking back, and wondering if I could tell my younger self anything, would I? Like, “Get a degree in something practical, get a business degree, something where you can have a good job and make money out of school,” but then I wouldn’t be me, and I wouldn’t be where I am today. And sometimes I wished I had made that choice, I’d have some sort of financial security and income now, but then maybe I never would have gotten to pursue my dreams, or maybe I would have found a way to do both? All I know is, we can’t go back, we can’t wish things different, or change them, and if we want a different life, do it. Easier said than done, I know. Especially with the state our economy is in. And I wasn’t always this cynical…that’s come with time. Haha.

Anyways, follow your dreams, DREAMERS! You’ll be led to whatever is for you, good or bad. And remember, you can’t have the good without the bad, and can’t have the bad without the good. That’s life. I fly by the seat of my pants, I’ve always been that way. Try and enjoy the ride and stay present.

I didn’t make any productions in College. I wanted to give up. A professor talked me out of it and I was cast in a thesis film my senior year, giving me my first taste of film acting.

The industry is a wild place, and I’ve had a lot of hard lessons. After college, when I was replaced in my first big part in a feature because the writer wanted his girlfriend in the role, I wanted to give up. I did, for a short time. But I met someone on that set, and he cast me in his first feature, ‘You’ll Know My Name,’ and it gave me back my spark! The man was, Joe Raffa, and he’s one in a million. We went to work on many, many projects together and I get to call him my best friend.

By 2012, I was moving to LA to pursue my career. I was met with every high and low you can imagine. In my first year, I was jumped my second week in. I was propositioned by older Men higher up in the industry. I was told to lose weight, wear makeup, change my eyebrows, color my hair, and dress up everywhere I went. To drop everything if I got a call even if it was in the middle of the night to go to a party someone famous might be at. I didn’t of course, because that’s not me as you’ll come to find out. I’ve carved my own path and do it with as much grace as I can muster given circumstances, and dignity. I was rejected ALOT. I’ve been bullied, let down, and disappointed time and time again, but still…I never gave up.

I lost my Mom in 2017. Things got really dark after that. Eventually, I started writing and making my own projects with friends to give us the opportunities we weren’t getting. And my Mom’s death was the fuel. I kept going.

Almost 12 years in LA, what a whirlwind in and of itself! I gained tons of experience, got to play some really awesome roles, met a lot of great people, got to dabble in writing, producing, and directing and kicked out my own projects including my short film, ‘Drift,” and feature, ‘Porcelain,” (both out now…my shameless plug).

Mostly I was spoon fed a lot of growth and learning lessons and was able to find my self love and respect. And I would never regret anything that’s led me to that. No matter how hard it got.

In 2020 I had a cyst pop which led to a Fibroid Diagnosis. Which brought me back East in 2023 for better health care options and my support system, my family and close friends. The career was put on hold to take care of my health. I felt like I was forced to give up my dreams. I was so angry for so long. But I could always go back, right? I can work from anywhere, right? And I was selling my feature, so I still had a foot in the industry. It wasn’t gone completely.

In May of 2023 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. In October, I was met with an undiagnosed illness I still battle today. Where did that all leave me? To keep going. Accepting where I am right in this moment, to bloom where I’ve been planted and take it one day at a time. Giving up isn’t an option, because giving up means I’m dead. Did I tell you that I make really dark projects? haha…Anyways, for me? How do I know? I just listened to my body and what it was telling me. And went where I was led. And it wasn’t at all perfect, it’s been a lot of hard and dark days, where I questioned everything. And still, I keep going.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an actress! I’ve done a lot of horror. I am a writer, producer, and director. I’ve been both in front and behind the camera, and have sat through two editing processes. I’m in love with every aspect of making a film and appreciate it so much more after wearing many hats. I like to make art with strong messages geared towards mental health awareness. I am an advocate for women’s health issues. I’m proud of my latest projects Drift and Porcelain and are excited that they both were released into the world recently. I got to where I am professionally by hard work, dedication, and not giving up in the face of adversity. A lot of it was difficult, but it’s brought me growth and clarity. I’ve learned that life is hard and a lot of it is suffering, and everyone’s going through something. I’ve learned compassion and humility. I’ve learned to accept what is and be present through the journey. I’ve learned that tides change, and nothing is guaranteed. I want the world to know that no one is going to hand you your dreams, you have to go after it and create opportunities for yourself, try and stay positive, be curious, don’t take any of it personally, stand up for yourself, and love yourself. These are things you’re never done learning. It’s an ongoing process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well we’d definitely shoot over to Santa Monica, CA for brunch on Main or Ocean. From there, we’d walk the promenade and Pier and take in the sights and shops. I’d drive through Beverly Hills on the way home so they can see the sign and Rodeo Drive. Maybe we’d pull off to grab a coffee. For dinner we’d go Italian! I’m obsessed with Osteria La Buca. After, definitely drinks and some live music. I love being out and about and there’s so many cool interesting spots to explore. We’d try and squeeze a lot into a week. I love showing people the star walk in Hollywood. Speakeasy’s. Pretty restaurants. There’s always tons to do. We’d definitely have to do a hike, maybe one with a waterfall! I just saw there’s a new Treehouse Cafe in Topanga! It’s on my list!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Mom, I miss you every single second of every single day, you are my heart. Dad, my rock, thank you for everything you do and for taking care of me this past year especially. Annamarie for cooking and giving me a safe haven. Michael and Matt, what are siblings for, huh? Amanda and Anderson for putting up with them! My entire family. Joe Raffa I literally couldn’t function without you. Jackie, my sister. Denise and Carol, my partners in Wine. My nephews Giuliano and Santino, you are my sunshine. Kendra, thank you for taking a chance on me and extending your kindness and grace way beyond a contract. Alicia for your support and gifting me acting classes because your heart is Ginormous. Uncle Grant, my confidant. Uncle Vincent, Aunt Carol, Susie, and Billy for taking me in when I needed to rest. Dr. Siegel, my guide. Kunal, your wisdom. Chuck, for your countless check ins. Pat, your awful movie recommendations. The Fries Family for always rooting for me! DBCC, for giving me a home away from home. Jared, your endless support and introduction to ShoutLA! The community at Bayberry for embracing me. To everyone who shared and supported Drift and Porcelain and my career, thank you. To everyone who reached out during my Cancer Treatment. This past year has not been easy. And I appreciate every single one of you and love you dearly. You kept me alive.

Website: www.nicolecinaglia.com

Instagram: @nicolecinaglia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolecinaglia/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKbBjSLj-9J9fG4A3Dky4QA

Other: www.imdb.me/nec