Exclusive Interview with NICOLE HUFF

Nicole Huff is an actress, singer, and dancer widely known for her roles as Olivia Kaplan on NETFLIX’s hit feature film LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE starring Mila Kunis and as Paige Aquino on NETFLIX’s TINY PRETTY THINGS. She was also a cast member in Canada’s longest running TV series as Gloria Chin on CTV’s Degrassi. Nicole began her career in the entertainment industry at the young age of six. Nicole’s passion and dedication for the arts grew over the years as she trained in numerous styles of dance such as ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, acro, lyrical, musical theatre, contemporary and hip hop. She won Miss All Canadian Overall Winner, Best in Talent, and Best in Public Speaking, to name a few. She achieved her Black belt in Karate and has received numerous awards and scholarships for acting, dancing, singing, piano, violin and figure skating. Nicole was also a child model at age six for Ford Kids Models. Today she is a beauty, fashion, commerical and print model represented by ICON Model Management. To date, Nicole has appeared on over thirty television and voice-over commercials and has starred in a number of film and television productions. Nicole has been widely recognized for her acting career winning several awards and accolades in LA, Vancouver and Toronto. Nicole is the founder and Artistic Director of the NSH Arts & French Learning Centre For Kids. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?

NICOLE HUFF: I remember playing Molly in the musical Annie. I realized I loved performing and singing so much. I did a lot of theatre as a kid and that made my love for music and performing grow so much. Performing and singing became about communicating emotions, connecting with others and enjoying being in the moment. This love for performing I had laid the foundation for everything. I learned to take risks and see music as a lifelong passion.

2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?

NICOLE HUFF: I was enrolled in so many activities growing up like piano, many styles of dance, vocal, figure skating, karate, soccer and violin. While piano and violin were more structured, and I learned classical techniques, my dance, figure skating and vocal training allowed me to explore creativity more freely, developing a strong sense of rhythm and emotional expression. All these art forms changed the way I approached music. My method became about telling a story through movement and sound.

3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘NICOLE HUFF’?

NICOLE HUFF: Some of the biggest influences in my early musical life were artists like JLo, Britney, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato. I admired their ability to tell stories through music, their energy in the music, the quality of their voice tones and how they connect with fans. As for my name, I’ve always wanted to keep it authentic and personal. Using my name, Nicole Huff felt right because it’s me. There’s no alter ego. It’s just my music and my story that I hope to share with everyone.

4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?

NICOLE HUFF: I’ve always had an ear for blending genres, finding ways to infuse different elements into my music, whether it’s the cinematic quality of a pop ballad or the groove of a soul track. My sound is a fusion of fun energy, sincerity and experimentation. It’s emotionally raw at times as well. It’s soulful, melodic, vulnerable, but also dynamic and empowering. My music often carries a balance between introspection and celebration, and there’s a sense of storytelling that pulls you in, whether you’re vibing to a catchy chorus or connecting with the production or depth of the lyrics.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as R&B?

NICOLE HUFF:

Just the repetition of listening to my favourite artists vocal styles and them doing adlibs and cool runs helped me learn them. I started listening to a lot of R&B style music when I was in my later teens and so listening to this for years and years is very similar to practicing them years and years in your head. Overtime, I’ve focused on shaping my own sound and making sure I’m making my own adlibs and runs and not copying other artists that I’ve been inspired by. I’ve grown to think my sound is completely my own now.

6. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

NICOLE HUFF: For me, music is first and foremost about connection. While I’m not necessarily writing songs to make political statements, I do think music has the power to influence culture and bring people together. My focus is on personal narrative, expression, storytelling and sharing experiences that people can relate to. I want my songs to make listeners feel something, whether it’s peace, empowerment, joy, love or just a moment of escape. I want my music to be meaningful in many ways.

7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?

NICOLE HUFF: I’m still pretty new in my music career, so there’s a lot I’m looking forward to experiencing. Seeing my billboard at Yonge and Dundas was surreal, and getting such positive reviews for my songs has been amazing. I’ve loved every moment so far. I’m excited for the next steps. Performing at a concert or my own concert, connecting with a big audience, and eventually working with a label. The fulfillment comes both from what I’ve already achieved and from the dreams I’m still chasing.

8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process?

And how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?

NICOLE HUFF: My process always starts with a feeling or inspiration. If something inspires me, I’ll build a melody around it and let the lyrics follow. The most important thing is keeping it real, because if I don’t feel it, I don’t believe anyone else will. And I love collaborating, because fresh energy and a different voice can really take the song to another level. I cowrote my songs with Jonah Cappa and when Roy Hamilton III added his production, my songs became magic to me. When I would hear something in the music that it didn’t have yet (the idea of adding piano, cello and violin), the instrumentalists really made the song sound even better than what I was hearing.

9. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?

NICOLE HUFF: I would say one of the biggest challenges was during COVID. It was a difficult time for a lot of people and it felt like a lot of things were on pause. Studios were closed which was difficult. My passion didn’t stop and that time really taught me resilience and finding new ways to get creative as an artist.

10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.

NICOLE HUFF: Honestly, attending the Luckiest Girl Alive premiere was such a proud moment. Being part of a Netflix project that reached such a large audience felt like a dream. And now with my latest release, I’m just as excited to keep growing with my acting career and musically.