We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nihara Nichelle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nihara below.
Nihara, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Where do I get my resilience from? Well, I’d have to say my mother. I’m sure a lot of people have that same answer, but if you knew my mother’s story, you’d understand why I say it.
My mother dealt with domestic violence for a number of years, but is no way a victim. She, for all intents and purposes, is the poster child of SURVIVAL. In 1999, she went totally blind from the after effects of such violence, and kept it moving stronger than ever. Over the course of 25 years, my mother has created a chapter so dynamic, that I have yet to meet anyone who holds a candle to her, her resilience, and her determination.
Yes, I’m biased, but you would be too if you were witness to her incredible journey. She went back to school and became a massage therapist, and at night, a jazz singer. Then, she decided to go even further, obtaining 3 masters degrees, during which time she wrote and directed several short plays, taught and directed a theatre program and braille to young blind children, and has published yet another book of poetry. Her current book is part of a series, and the first of three within the series I believe is due out later this year.
She is fearless, she is funny, she is phenomenal, she is a genius (intellectually and artistically), she is absolutely beautiful inside and out, and I am honored and privileged to call her my Mommy. I know she is one of my biggest cheerleaders, but I am hands down hers for sure.
Some years ago, she told me she wanted to go skydiving. I sat there dumbfounded and thought, “If my BLIND senior citizen mother is not afraid, I have no business being afraid either”. It took me several years from that point however to not be afraid, but I did actually do it on my birthday a couple of years ago, with my husband reluctantly and begrudgingly in tow.
My mother definitely has more courage than I’ll ever have in this life. Not to say that I’m a scaredy cat by any means, but that drive within her is like watching a dragon soar over the horizon. I now have more courage to step out of my comfort zone to get me closer to my dreams and desires. And because of her strength and strong will, I know not to suffer fools. No matter where I go in my life and career, I will always be in awe of her. Our bond and friendship fills me and feeds my soul, and one of my purposes in life is to continue to uplift her and keep her legacy going through my words, through her works, and through our descendants. I thrive because she thrives. I move because of the way she’s moved. I create and express my art because her life is art. I, Nihara Nichelle, am the proud daughter of Lise Tillman-Wilson.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Long story short, I’m a performer. I’m an actor, singer, writer, voiceover artist, and comedian. I’ve been performing since I was five, and it’s the only real job I’ve ever really loved….especially since I get paid pretty handsomely for it :-D.
Like a lot of performers, I started out in school, church, and community centers, and eventually made my way to professional stages Off-Broadway, cabarets, comedy clubs, indie films, commercials and TV.
There’s nothing like expressing the artform of theatre, or telling an incredible story through TV and film. To me, it’s like “play”, and my castmates are my “playmates”. When we’re really vibing with each other and make a real connection with our characters and the story, it’s like being in a whole other world – a shared adventure if you will – and everyone, including the audience, are on this wonderful journey together.
I like the genre of drama, because I can be an intense dramatic actor (if the story calls for it), but my wheelhouse and sweet spot is in comedy. Any chance I get to be silly, and I’m like a kid in a candy store. I love making people laugh, whether it’s on stage or in conversation. That could be why I love improv so much.
My most recent gig was on Law & Order: Organized Crime (there’s a running gag that every NY actor becomes “official” once they’ve been on any of the shows within the Dick Wolf universe lol), and my co-star in the scene was Christopher Meloni. Talk about a person with incredible range! I LOVE it when he does comedy, and when I went in to shoot our scene, I knew I could be most relaxed being my witty self. Even though our scene was very serious, our banter was awesome!
Having great camaraderie and collaboration is key in this business. There’s a reason why “teamwork makes the dream work”. I love it when whomever I’m working with has the same goal in mind of “let’s a have a great time”, “let’s tell a great story”, and “let’s knock our audience’s socks off”.
If I get to do this the rest of my life, and I have all the people I like and love next to me, I’ll be the happiest person in the world.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Determination, commitment, and open-mindedness. There’s the saying “Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans”, so I’m all about making outlines of what I want to achieve and manifest of my future. And when it comes to manifestation, speak it, write it, see it, and embody it. Also, dream big. Like ridiculously big. So big that it makes you laugh. Feel it in your heart and in your bones. You’re not meant to have all the answers or all the instructions starting out. All you need is one tiny step and the will. And even though it may be easier said than done, no matter what, do not give up on yourself or your dreams. What is meant for you will not pass you, and everything happens in its own time, not necessarily your time. Which means, stop putting restrictions on yourself including self-imposed deadlines. Just be committed to your dreams and your wellbeing. And go with the flow: things aren’t always gonna go the way you think they should or look the way you think they should. There’s never a straight line to our lives or our dreams. Just enjoy the ride, and I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised along the way.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The long and the short of it, my family and my reps. It’s highly recommended and incredibly crucial to have a strong support system as an artist. My family, especially my mother and husband, have supported me in the amateur and lean years, as well as during these abundant years. My reps have been honest, open, and candid with me all during this journey. Whenever I wanted to try something new, they’ve all been there to support me emotionally, practically and/or professionally. I’ve taken classes, gotten coaching, updated my marketing materials, maintained my self-care and wellness all to make sure I’m my best self in any and everything that I do. I wouldn’t be anywhere without this incredible group of people in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.niharanichelle.com
- Instagram: @niharan
- Facebook: @niharanichelle
- Twitter: @niharanichelle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA5448F81E388E5F8
- Other: www.imdb.com/name/nm2623403/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
www.vimeo.com/niharanichelle
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM81NU4Ch
Image Credits
Clinton Brandhagen Ted Ely Lauren Toub-Griffiths
