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Nick, it’s a pleasure to catch up. You’ve built a career that bridges both music and acting—what first drew you to each discipline, and how did your early experiences in one shape your approach to the other?
The pleasure is mine! Music started early for me—I was already hooked as a toddler, and by my teens, I knew I wanted to be a musician. Acting came later, through the music projects I was involved in, which gradually pulled me in front of the camera. The two crafts really feed each other—without a doubt, I’m a better actor because of music, and vice versa
Was there a defining moment when you realized you wanted to pursue acting and music professionally, rather than as parallel passions?
At 14, my school took me to a university fair. I already knew I wanted a life in the arts, but dreaming about it and actually pursuing it are very different things! So, I remember having a crossroads moment in the middle of that hall, asking myself: ‘Am I actually going to do this?’ Then I made a split-second decision: ‘F it. Let’s do it.’ I never looked back!
The entertainment industries can be notoriously complex to navigate. What were some of the steepest learning curves for you in understanding how film, TV, and music really work behind the scenes?
How much time do you have?! For starters, music and film work very differently. Music leaves more room for spontaneity, while film is about precision and preparation. When you’ve got 150 people on the clock and an expensive location, you can’t just ‘make it up as you go.’ Learning how to move between those two worlds has been key for me.
You’ve worked in front of the camera, behind the scenes in post-production sound, and as a musician and composer. How has seeing the industry from so many angles influenced the way you approach your roles as an actor?
I’d say as an actor, seeing the industry from both sides has helped me understand my job better , and where it fits in the overall process. Filmmaking isn’t about actors having private cathartic experiences—it’s about giving the director and editor the pieces they need to tell the story. At the same time, being a performer has helped me behind the camera, because it reminds me not to get lost in the technical side of things. Ultimately, we’re here to create something that moves people.
Looking back, what have been the most significant challenges or setbacks in your career so far, and how have they shaped your outlook—both creatively and personally?
This may sound like a trivial thing, but I’m a chronic overthinker. That can be an advantage at times, but it’s also an easy way to get in your own way as a performer. I think the best work comes from balancing instinct with calculation— I’m still working on that, haha.
You’ve played a wide range of characters, including the complex role of Michael Jackson in Broke and Famous. How do you choose your projects and what draws you to a particular role, especially when it involves portraying real-life figures or morally ambiguous characters?
Well, when playing ‘morally ambiguous’ characters, you can’t frame them that way. It’s not your job to judge—you have to understand their motivations and relate them to your own experiences. With Michael Jackson, the challenge was finding an authentic way in, not just doing an impersonation, while still living up to the expectations people have going in. He was such an iconic figure!
Adulthood marks a major step forward for you, both in terms of visibility and creative challenge. What drew you to this film and your character, and how did you prepare for such a darkly comic, morally complex story?
Working with Alex Winter, Josh Gad, and Kaya Scodelario was way too good to pass up. The script was hilarious and a total page-turner. The challenge with Diego was that he’s the grounded, level-headed one in the middle of chaos. He’s not privy to all the madness… but I was! So navigating that contrast was really fun.
With a background in live-looping and experimental music, how do your musical instincts inform your acting performances, and vice versa?
I think there’s a real synergy between the two. Acting taught me the importance of connecting with an audience, instead of getting lost in my own world. Music, on the other hand, has taught me precision, which helps me find the rhythm and cadence of certain scenes. So each really does make me better at the other.
You’ve experienced both the highs of critical recognition and the grind of constant work across different genres and platforms. What moments stand out as the most rewarding—and the most difficult—on your journey so far?
Winning the ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ MARTY Award was special—it’s always nice to be recognized. But honestly, the most rewarding part is finishing a project and watching it come to life. On the flip side, the hardest moments were the early days of the grind, when I was making no money and no one was paying attention. At that point, you’d better love the doing, not the recognition, or you won’t last!
As someone who’s worked with a diverse range of collaborators, from touring musicians to film directors like James McAvoy and Alex Winter, what have you learned about creative partnership and maintaining your own voice within collaborative projects?
I think collaboration is about balance—trusting your instincts while also recognizing your blind spots and the strengths of others. Watching people like Alex Winter and James McAvoy was a masterclass: they both have a clear vision but also know how to bring out the best in everyone around them.
Your upcoming project, Watch Me, explores the hidden skeletons behind public personas. What fascinates you about these kinds of psychologically layered characters, and how do you prepare to embody them authentically?
With projects like Watch Me, you always end up learning something about yourself—whether you like what you learn or not! I love exploring multifaceted characters because that’s really who we are as humans. Those are the stories that resonate most, because people can see themselves in them.
You’ve spoken about using storytelling to foster empathy and bridge divides. In a world that often feels polarized, what responsibility do you feel as an artist, and how do you hope your work—whether on screen, on stage, or in the studio—contributes to a broader cultural conversation?
I think as artists we have a responsibility to bring a certain level of honesty into what we do. And honesty comes with humility, which I think is lacking in public discourse right now. Everyone assumes their perspective is 100% correct, but we all have a limited point of view. We should listen more—even to those we disagree with—because that’s how we grow…thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
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