What is the best thing that I love about my work?

The best thing I love about my work is how it allows me to turn art into motion and emotion. I began my journey as a model, working with icons like Kanye West, Dapper Dan, and Marc Jacobs, learning early that movement and presence could tell a story without words. Fashion became my foundation, but acting was always my calling. I trained through theatre programs at the New York Public Library and spent the last decade bringing complex characters to life on screen. Acting taught me empathy, discipline, and transformation. Now, as a screenwriter, I’ve discovered an even deeper freedom: creating worlds from scratch and giving voice to untold Caribbean stories. My work blends history with imagination. It’s not just performance anymore — it’s preservation, healing, and legacy. And I love that I get to tell these stories.

What is my idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is being on set. Creating art, finding the perfect cinematic shot, and watching everything align like magic brings me peace. It feels like golden hour on a Caribbean beach — soft, warm, and unforgettable. Happiness is also that quiet moment before “action,” where everything in the world feels aligned. It’s the rare feeling of purpose meeting passion.

What is my greatest fear?

I’ve never been someone who runs from fear; I face it head-on. I once feared heights, so I jumped out of an aircraft. The greatest fear I ever had was losing my mother — and when she passed away suddenly at 23, everything else became small in comparison. Now fear feels like surviving a car crash: you’re just grateful to still be alive. I’ve learned that fear isn’t the enemy — wasting time is.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I can be too hard on myself — and occasionally on others. I’m learning to give myself more grace. As a young adult, I wish I had been gentler in certain moments. I carried a seriousness that didn’t leave room for softness. Now I’m learning balance, presence, and compassion.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

I admire Charlize Theron for her emotional depth and Halle Berry for her iconic, romanticized career. My mentors, like actor Tobias Truvillion and Grammy-winning poet J. Ivy, inspire my artistic discipline. Creatives like Issa Rae, Jordan Peele, Ryan Coogler, Spike Lee, Keke Palmer, and Viola Davis reshape culture through their work. My NYFA professors Patrice DeGraff Arenas and Peter Baloff helped shape me as both an actor and a writer. I admire artists who merge purpose with storytelling.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

The inconsistency of pay and opportunity can be disheartening. Artists sometimes wait months or years between meaningful work. And with AI reshaping the industry, the future feels uncertain for many performers. I wish the industry valued artists more consistently and protected their contributions as technology evolves.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I was happiest in my early 20s shooting an indie film in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It was 2015 — small budget, big dreams. We shared food, ideas, and hope. There’s a magic to being young in New York, creating art for the love of it. That experience shaped me forever.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I would soften the way I internalize things. I’m deeply sensitive, which makes me a strong artist, but it also makes me overthink. I take things personally and sometimes turn a small moment into a larger emotional mountain. I’m learning to breathe, trust, and release

What is my greatest achievement in work?

As a model, walking in Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 3 at Madison Square Garden was unforgettable. As an actor, my greatest achievement is my persistence — staying committed through every season of my career. I’m still working toward becoming an Academy Award–winning actor, producer, and writer. And that vision guides everything I do.

Where would I most like to live?

In 2019, I moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and lived there nearly six years before returning home to Jamaica. I’ve lived in New York most of my life, but Jamaica feels like exactly where I need to be to write my screenplay Child of the Maroon Hills. For now, my homeland is my creative sanctuary.

What is my most treasured possession?

Photographs of my mother — they hold memories, love, and the pieces of her I carry forward.

What is my most marked characteristic?

My most marked characteristic is resilience. No matter what I face — loss, transition, or reinvention — I always rise. I adapt with purpose and keep moving forward, grounded in my roots.

What is my most inspirational location in my city?

The river on my family’s land. It’s peaceful, ancestral, and spiritually grounding. It reminds me of where I come from and why I create.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city?

I love home-cooked meals, but when I go out, Kingston street food is my absolute favorite — flavorful, alive, and authentically Jamaican.

What books influenced my life and how?

Survival Strategies for Africans in America shaped my mental and emotional resilience. Hatchet taught me the power of adapting and surviving when you feel alone. And the Harry Potter series gave me imagination and escape as a child — reminding me that magic often lives inside ordinary people.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day?

“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

My mother — because the way I imagine her, remember her, and carry her feels mythic and timeless. Spiritually, I also look to Queen Nanny of the Maroons — a symbol of strength, leadership, and ancestral fire.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My real-life heroes are my family and my close creative circle. They’ve supported me through grief, growth, and reinvention. Jason, especially, has been my anchor — patient, steady, and encouraging. My heroes are the people who remind me of my strength when I forget it.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Black Panther. It reshaped global storytelling and proved that African and Caribbean-inspired cinema can be powerful, spiritual, and regal.

What role do stories play in my life and work?

Storytelling is the heartbeat of everything I do. From modeling to acting to writing, I’ve always been drawn to narratives about identity, legacy, and resilience. My work rewrites stories that were once silenced, honoring Maroon warriors and modern Caribbean women. Every role and script reflects a story living inside me.

What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean to me?

It means taking ownership of my journey — the wins, heartbreaks, and healing. I don’t wait for permission anymore. I am both the author and the protagonist of my life. Every chapter is intentional.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My family and my creative circle. Jason has been my grounding force, always supporting my path. They celebrate both my breakthroughs and my quiet persistence.

Which people or companies would I like to work with?

Jordan Peele
Ryan Coogler
Issa Rae
Barry Jenkins
Melina Matsoukas
Netflix
A24
Fenty
Apple TV+
Amazon Studios

These creators and companies merge art with purpose and value culturally rooted storytelling.

What project am I looking forward to work on?

My screenplay Child of the Maroon Hills. It is my heart project A story rooted in Jamaican heritage, ancestral memory, and feminine resilience. I’m ready to bring it to the world

Where can you see me or my work

My work can be seen across platforms such as Showtime, FOX, HBO Max, Netflix. I have performed at thank you Miami 305 live. You can also follow my creative and work on Instagram at @therealnikkinick.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

It means purpose is lifelong. Passion isn’t a season it’s a calling. Even in rest, it’s still alive, guiding the next chapter.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?

Anice’ by Angel
Alexius Diana
Ativa Bogle
Alexis Cunningham
Francesca Fancy Mars

These individuals represent powerful, culturally relevant voices worth celebrating.

How can you contact me?

Email: ms.nicholetteneilson@gmail.com
Instagram: @Therealnikkinick
Location: Kingston, Jamaica