With critically acclaimed projects like Giants and The Breaks, 2017 is definitely the year of superstars and one talented woman to be on the lookout for is Nicolette Ellis. Originally from Maryland, Ellis is an actress/writer who’s been in numerous projects from web series to commercials. Her resume includes the 2017 Cadillac commercial, Disillusion, and her self-written film Stiletto Dreams. Ellis also stars as Robyn in Situationships and Brooke in Makeup and Breakup the Series. Recently, Situationships was announced as an official selection for the inaugural Black Web Fest while Makeup and Breakup the Series won the award for Best Web Series.
Check out my interview with Nicolette Ellis where she discusses her roles in Makeup and Breakup the Series & Situationships, her upcoming web series Mistake, what’s next for her, and more below.
1-How did you first get into acting?
I got into acting back in 10th grade of high school in Maryland. I needed something to fill in my schedule at school so I thought “why not theater class?” and I fell in love with it right then and there. So I decided to come to NYC for school after I graduated, I attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and decided to stay and continue to create in NYC.
2-You star as Robyn in the web series Situationships. How did this role come about?
YES! Situationships is awesome. I couldn’t thank the creator, Cylla Senii, enough for casting me in the first web series I’ve ever been a part of! I actually auditioned for the role of Melody, and as soon as I was done they said “Thank you so much.” Then someone said “Maybe she should read for Robyn” and after that, I was given a few minutes to review the script and create this character Robyn. After that…the rest was history!
3-You also star as Brooke in web series Makeup and Breakup the Series. How did you become involved with this project?
Wow, Makeup and Breakup has changed my life is such a beautiful way. I really thank the creator, Eric Dickens, for trusting me so much with such a dynamic character as Brooke. He actually reached out to me through email, and asked me to portray Brooke…my schedule was so crazy at the time, but he was willing to still work with it and here we are!
4-Recently, Makeup and Breakup the Series won Best Web Series while Situationships became an official selection, both at the first ever Black Web Fest. What was your first reaction when you found out?
I was so shocked! I actually received a text about it, and couldn’t believe it at first. I went on the Black Web Fest page, checked it out, and it was true! I’m so thankful and proud of both cast/crew a part of each project for striving so hard for us to take this industry by storm!
5-Besides web series and films, you’ve been in commercials and plays. Which project has been your favorite to film? Why?
I think my favorite to film has been commercials. It trains this third ear you have to have when working on such a set that has SO much going on at once. You literally have to be alert every second until there’s a “cut!” So it helps me with other projects as well, from plays to films, to stay alert even when its downtime, always have to be ready.
6- What can fans expect from your upcoming web series Mistake?
Mistake is going to be something I believe the web series world is missing as a whole! Trust me, I love romantic comedies/dramas, but I feel like it’s time for a thriller! It is a family drama that explores the complexities of love, alcoholism, mental health, and more. Mistake has a lot of twists and turns that I can’t wait for the world to experience with us.
7-What can you tell us about your character Maddie?
Maddie is a very hard learner. I feel like she’s always doing things for others and never for herself, almost like a people pleaser but yet knows what she’s doing is wrong. She aims to be great but I feel like she gets in her own way.
8-What is your dream role?
My dream role is to probably be Kerry Washington’s sister in a movie of some sort. That’s like my dream to work with her one day in my career—completely claiming that.
9-What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into acting and/or writing?
I believe the best advice I could give someone for acting and writing is to trust your instinct. Do not second guess yourself, because if you put your mind to it, anything is possible. You put the work in, everything will fall into place. Also, don’t be afraid to create your own content because that’s where it all starts.
10-What is NEXT for Nicolette Ellis?
Well, get ready for season one of Mistake in April. Also, getting ready to film Season two of Situationships and Makeup to Break Up web series! Finally, some short films and web series I’m in will be shown in some festivals that I will announce on my website soon for everyone to check out!
Check out the official trailer for Mistake below.
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