Photography by MLC PR
A Girl Is A Gun follows three women living in Los Angeles who goes missing, creating a wave of panic in the city. While the police suspect a serial killer is behind the disappearance, the three women have actually joined a secret guerrilla camp where they train to avenge the injustice of a misogynistic system that humiliates and exploits women. Nikki plays Santa Fe, one of the three women. The series premiere on Blackpills’ new app on October 16, 2017. Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzJxxuKbx94.
In addition, Nikki recently starred as Jessica in the Turkish comedy Ay Lav Yu Tuu with Steve Guttenberg. The film follows a couple, Ibrahim and Jessica, who learn that Ibrahim’s village in Turkey is struggling. They head back to Turkey to help out and introduce the townspeople to the modern ways of the western world. The film, which has been described as a mix between Borat and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Nikki also recently starred in Lifetime’s Open Marriage as Becca. To save their struggling marriage, Becca and her husband reluctantly agree to an open relationship with their friends, Mindy and Max. Though their passion is rekindled, they do not expect the jealousy, heartbreak, and betrayal that soon follows.
Nikki’s additional credits include CBS’s Two And A Half Men, CBS’s NCIS, The Bold And The Beautiful, The Wedding Ringer, The Bet and The Vigilante Diaries.
Nikki, originally from Orange County, California, moved to Los Angeles after she landed her own show on Sirius XM. An honors student throughout school, Nikki graduated from California State University of Fullerton cum laude. She loves working with children to increase their confidence, traveling, sports and animals.
We had an opportunity to chat with Nikki. Check out the interview below.
Thank you for granting the interview, Nikki! We would like to speak with you about your latest project “A Girl Is A Gun.” The powerful film was released at a time when women are being exploited.
A Girl Is a Gun couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. This show is all about women standing up for themselves and turning the exploitation around and fighting back. I love that AGIAG, shows women supporting each other and fighting together against the man or men in this instance who abuse their power. It’s really empowering! I loved working with each and every woman involved in this show. My character Santa Fe, faces something especially traumatic and she gets the chance to face her nightmare head-on. I admire that. I also really love the nostalgic look that this show has.
Tell us about your character, Santa Fe. Did you do any research to play her?
Santa Fe was a great character to play but also emotionally difficult to play. I had some real fears surface. My character was tormented and raped. Even though it was acting, after shooting that scene, I became very sensitive and very fearful, it’s a really hard subject to touch on. Although a very emotional role to play, one of my favorite parts of playing Santa Fe was her resilience. She experienced a horrible thing and she was able to channel that torment into motivation to fight back. Yes, I did do some research, which became very disturbing. I also re-watched the film The Accused starring Jodie Foster. Her performance in that film is heart-wrenching.
You recently started in a Turkish comedy with Steve Guttenberg called Ay Lav Yu Tuu. What was filming in Turkey like?
Filming in Turkey was a new experience that I fell in love with! I now have a new found love for Turkey and their language! Being able to shoot out of the US was a blessed experience. Turkey is beautiful and the landscape in itself was breathtaking. I have to say my favorite part was the people and how sweet they were. I admired their simple way of life. They were so generous and was so happy to share their culture with me. I remember this family being so excited to have the crew and talent in their part of town, that they gifted me with a bundle of grapes from their personal vine and a fully developed sunflower center full of sunflower seeds. And this little girl taught me how to properly crack and consume the sunflower seed. Who knew I was doing it wrong the whole time. So I would eat sunflower seeds in between shooting scenes. I also habitually loved the fact that we had a designated coffee/chai guy. In Turkey, they love their Turkish coffee and their Turkish Tea aka Chai so much, that the guy in charge of that section was kept quite busy. Turkey really was such a great and blossoming experience.
Also, you recently starred in Lifetime’s Open Marriage. You played Becca. This is another subject making the news. Several couples have admitted to having an open marriage. Was it a challenge to play Becca?
I like to always keep an open mind about things, so I feel I related to Becca in that sense. I admire her trying to make the marriage work. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out the way you might hope. Open Marriage was a fun project, it was my first lead. And for it to be a Lifetime movie, I mean that’s pretty cool since I am a huge fan of Lifetime movies! When I was filming this, I would tell people about the movie I was shooting and its subject, and I actually had a lot of people open up to me about similar situations for them. I never realized until making the film, that it was as common as it was.
Your CV lists several prolific roles throughout your career. Your skills as an actress have been applied to a variety of roles, such as talent has been used in a variety of positions. You’ve appeared on CBS’s Two And A Half Men, CBS’s NCIS, The Bold And The Beautiful, The Wedding Ringer, The Bet and The Vigilante Diaries. We bet you have some fond memories. Could you share one with us?
It has been a fun journey so far. I really love all the people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. One memory and experience that I am very fond of is when I shot Two And A Half Men. That show is shot in front of a live studio audience, which I had never experienced before. The rush I got from the audience’s energy, was an experience I’ve never had while acting before. It’s so different to be in front of a live audience. I loved feeling their support and encouragement. This is something I’d love to do again.
What’s next in your career?
I filmed a couple features projects this year, so I am excited to have those come out. One of them I got to film in Kentucky and the crew was amazing! Everyone a part of that project was quite special. It was also the first time I’ve ever worked with a female director and that alone was amazing.
The last project I was a part of was also with another female director, which I also enjoyed very much! It’s a great time for women and I am so happy to be apart of that movement with these two projects! This career is exciting and challenging and so I am always excited to just keep educating myself and looking forward to the future.
Connect with Nikki:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiLeighxo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missnikkileigh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLeighxo
Web: http://www.missnikkileigh.com
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5061226
Featured Image Credit: MLC PR.
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