NICO GREETHAM

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NICO GREETHAM

RELEASED ON NETFLIX THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, ON DECEMBER 11, IS ONE OF THE STREAMING SERVICES MOST TALKED ABOUT RELEASES OF THE YEAR, THE PROM. THE FILM, WHICH INCLUDES A VARIETY OF SINGING AND DANCING, FEATURES AN ENSEMBLE CAST OF TALENTED ACTORS AND ACTRESSES, WHO SURELY UPLIFTED YOUR HOLIDAY CHEER IN 2020. WE HERE AT BELLO HAD THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH ACTOR NICO GREETHAM, TO DISCUSS HIS CHARACTER NICK BOOMER AND TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIS AMAZING UPBRINGING; AND LET'S BE HONEST, ISN'T HE SOMEONE WE ALL WISH WE COULD HAVE TAKEN AS A DATE TO OUR OWN PROM?

Your latest film, The Prom, is set to be released on Netflix this December 11 and is already creating quite a buzz amongst fans and critics alike - how did this opportunity present itself, and what was

shooting like for the film? The moment I saw the opportunity in my inbox from my manager I was jazzed! To have the chance to be a part of Ryan Murphy’s universe, (a universe I’ve been obsessed with for over a decade) was a dream in itself. On top of that, I get to sing, dance, and act for a film with such a beautiful and important message?! Where do I sign?

Can you share a little bit about your character Nick Boomer and his

role within the film? Nick Boomer is a product of his surroundings; the conservative town in the Midwest with close-minded views where the movie takes place. Being the popular high school jock with a religious background is all he knows, until he is introduced to the simple yet life altering concept of ‘inclusivity’. I always enjoy playing a role that challenges my personal moral compass and goes against what I believe in. By doing so, I am able to discover how to validate Nick’s repressed ideology. As an actor, getting in the mindset of people who don’t view life the way I do is very exciting to me!

The film also features an ensemble cast of seasoned veterans such as Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington, Nicole Kidman, James

Corden, and Andrew Rannells. What was it like acting alongside these individuals and was there any advice that they shared with

you when filming? Walking on set and having a cast chair next to other cast chairs that say “Meryl” and “Nicole” was a ‘pinch me’ moment every time. I never got used to it. Before getting to set though, we had a few rehearsals with the veterans and I’ll never forget the first day we all shared the space. They were all so kind and genuine, each one of them went out of their way to introduce themselves to every dancer and actor in the room. After that humbling moment, I knew it was going to be a safe, comfortable, and grounding experience filming with these talented people.

Did you always want to be in front of the camera? At what age did

Bello

you realize acting was something that you wanted to pursue?

I got bit by the acting bug the day I could speak full sentences. My family tells me that as a toddler I would point at the TV and say “I can do that!”, “I want to do that!”. At the age of twelve, I signed with a youth agent based out of Maryland and booked a few spots on local commercials and thought I had totally made it, haha! I was certain that I wanted to do it as my long term career, I was just anticipating the move out to LA. It wasn’t until 2016 that I fully got myself in gear to commit to the pursuit of my acting career and every day since feels like a dream.

You were also cast in the acclaimed Disney Broadway musical Newsies, acting as Jojo and Darcy - what would you say is the main difference from acting on stage versus acting in front of a camera? Do you prefer one

more than the other? I feel so much magic when I perform in any capacity, but there’s nothing quite like performing for a live audience. The relationship between you and the audience is so special and unique every performance and you get to feel their energy because they react in real time. There’s also the pressure of having only one chance to get it right on stage - which is an exciting layer too! With all that said, filming is unique in it’s way that you collaborate with the director, the crew, and your castmates to accomplish the best portrayal of the story you are trying to tell. Also, with the option of multiple takes, as a film actor, you can discover new ways to tell the same story each time! I’m currently infatuated with the filming process but the stage and I have not officially broken up! I’ll be back one day. ;)

How long have you been dancing for and what inspired you to first start expressing yourself via

dance? I started out as a gymnast, which ended with a pretty gnarly injury. Once I retired from gymnastics at the age of eight, I followed my older sister’s footsteps and began dancing. I was absolutely terrified.