Nicole Leier is a women who ranks amongst superhuman caliber. She is multifaceted in her work as an actor, director, and independent producer. The Canadian-born actress is most recently associated with her role alongside Nicolas Cage in the film “A Score to Settle.” She is a co-owner of a production company called Black Tree Pictures, credited with works such as “Black Chicks”, which she also stars in, and “Henry’s Glasses”, an exploration of the Japanese living in Canadian internment camps due to their enemy alien status during WWll. Nicole is also an ambassador for the Bite The Bullet Stories (BTBS), a community designed to highlight stories and further essential conversation about mental health, ending brutality and racial discrimination by law enforcement. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Nicole Leier.

Where are you based?
I am based in Los Angeles, but before Covid hit, I was in New York. And I am looking forward to spending some time in London soon for a few new projects I have coming up.

So... I guess you can say I’m international!

What was the defining moment that thrusted you into the entertainment industry?
I remember the exact moment I decided to make this my career. I was in high school and I was in the play, Oliver Twist, and as soon as we took our final bows, there was no turning back for me.

I wholeheartedly believe this career path chose me, I didn’t choose it. I feel called to tell stories for the people who can’t, stories that make the world a better place, stories that educate, and stories that help people in unique situations see themselves represented.

You act, direct, and produce! Why have you decided to put on so many hats over the years?
I believe, and always say, that I’m a producer out of necessity. Producing is extremely hard work and I have the utmost respect for the people who do it full-time. I have to produce projects if I want to tell stories that I believe need to be shared with the world. I will never stop creating and will always do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Acting and directing are very interchangeable for me and naturally go hand-in-hand. They are both outlets of my creativity. I don’t think I will ever be able to do just one. Both are extensions of who I am as a person and as an artist.

You are the co-owner of a production company called Black Tree Pictures. Can you tell us a little bit about this company?
We produce and create cinematic content and stories. We also have camera equipment for rent. As one of the owners of the production company, Black Tree Pictures, I am very proud of some of the projects that we have been able to create so far. We also have a new feature film in the works. You can check us out at www.blacktreepictures.com and on Instagram @blacktree_pictures.

With your company Black Tree Pictures, you recently executive produced and starred in a film called “Black Chicks”. Can you tell our readers a little bit about this film and what you and the team are hoping to do with the piece?
Our film unveils an important story, addressing huge issues in an understated yet emotional way, as racial stereotypes are brought to light and questioned.

”Black Chicks” is based on a play that Neil LaBute wrote, titled "Black Girls.” He adapted the play for the film and directed it. Neil LaBute is one of my favorite writers of all time and I am very honored that I was able to work with him on this project.

David Cubitt co-stars in this film with me and I am very proud of his brave work in Black Chicks. We wouldn’t have been able to make this project without him. We also had the amazing cinematographer Brendan Uegama on this one with us, as well.

Honestly, it was a total dream team!

It is my hope that "Black Chicks" might also eventually become a feature film.

“Black Chicks” discusses if a white man is racist for not being attracted to black women. What are your thoughts on sexual preferences excluding certain races? Do you think it is racist?
The term sexual preference largely overlaps with sexual orientation.

I will share this. We need to see people as individuals before we see them as a caricature of some race we supposedly “don’t date.” The specific exclusion of people from our dating pool based on race can only be described by one word. It’s racist to take every member of an ethnic group and neatly set them on the shelf, never to be considered as humans to be courted, dated, loved, fucked, married, whatever. We’re all human, we all deserve love.

You had a bit of a rough childhood. Can you tell us a little bit about it and how it has inspired you to help others?
I don’t share this so everyone can feel sorry for me. I share this to encourage people. In the words of Barack Obama, “it doesn’t matter where you start, it matters where you end up.”

My story is not a pretty story. I had an alcoholic father figure and turbulent home life that I am very thankful to have gotten myself out of. I made the very hard choice at a very young age to leave home and make a way for myself. I only just recently found my biological father, who happens to be Tanzanian, and it was such a powerful moment. Finally learning my ancestry was very important.

Knowing where I come from keeps me fueled. Knowing what the worst looks like keeps me moving forward. Your future is one thing you have complete control over.

You are an ambassador for the Bite The Bullet Stories (BTBS). Can you tell us a little bit about this organization, and what inspired you to join?
BITE THE BULLET Stories is a social justice initiative. We work in the community to amplify stories to create meaningful dialogs about mental health, ending excessive force and racial discrimination by law enforcement. We feature people 'biting the bullet' to share a personal story of struggle and how they overcame it.

I wanted to make sure that I was working continually and long-term for the movement with an organization so that my activist work would continue no matter what happened.

INSTAGRAM: bitethebulletstories

You recently shared your police brutality story with BTBS. Can you tell us a little bit about what happened to you?
I was leaving a wrap party for a feature film. A man driving a minivan type cab arrived and we were on our way. While en route, I asked the driver if he could make a stop at a nearby ATM. That is when things took a turn for the worst.

He became irate and accused me of trying to scam him. He pulled over, slammed on the brakes, and got out of the car to call another cab driver for backup. They came to my side of the cab, yanked the door open and proceeded to grab me by the shirt and shake me violently. I was alone and being assaulted by two men in the middle of the night.

I had to kick them away just to shut the door and lock myself inside. I felt safer in the cab because I knew there was a camera that would be documenting this. I warned him that I was calling the cops. He said the same.

The police arrived in force with two squad cars and a paddy wagon. I unlocked the door, thinking I was saved, but the police snatched me from the cab, wrenching on my breasts as they did, and threw me down on the ground. They didn’t even give me a chance to explain why I had called them in the first place. They apparently heard all they needed to hear, and saw what they needed to see, to cuff me, a 4’11” woman, and throw me in the back of the paddy wagon.

The entire ride I screamed for my life. ‘I called you for help! Look at the tape! I called you!’ My pleas fell on deaf ears.

I don’t know what made them change their minds, but eventually they uncuffed me, threw me and my belongings out on the ground in front of my house, and sped off.

I had never felt a rage so strong in my life. I never felt so helpless. My trust in law enforcement was broken. The next morning, two cops came to my house to apologize. But that was it. The tape disappeared and there was no other investigation. As they drove away, I realized I was lucky. I lived.

I shared this story to take a stand against police brutality and the injustices plaguing the world.

You are working with BTBS to help other black people share their stories. Can you tell us a little bit about this and why it is so important to you?
As someone who has personally experienced police brutality, I'm a dedicated activist for the purpose of change. I am absolutely passionate about helping others share their stories. BITE THE BULLET Stories has incredible experience with sharing bold, personal stories with the ability to do so in many forms. Sharing these stories is a huge part of how we can move forward and heal. It is an absolutely necessary part of how we will learn to start to do better and hopefully will help us see change in our world.

We know you have been out protesting in LA. Can you tell us a little bit about your experience with this?
To have to protest in the streets for basic human rights is extremely dehumanizing.

We hear rumor you have a “F**k The Police” playlist. Can you please share this with us or at least some of your favorite songs off it?
It’s actually called - F**k Tha Police. A few of my favorite songs on this playlist are:
N.W.A - F**K Tha police
Ice Cube - Arrest The President
Andrea Day - Rise Up
Beyoncé - Freedom

As time has gone on, it feels like the media is no longer interested in the BLM protests. How would you like to see the momentum continue? How can we make sure voices are still being heard and change is still happening?
VOTE - Educate - Share - Keep Posting - Listen - Learn.

Please VOTE!!!! We all have to vote and keep educating ourselves and helping each other rise up. We all have a part to play in the improvement of our world. Recycle and reduce waste, open our hearts, take care of ourself and others around us, and let’s all please be safe.

There has been an uptick in violent crimes in black and brown communities lately in some of the major cities. Why do you think we are seeing this, and how do we make sure we don’t lose our fight to defund the police?
An uptick in violent crimes in black and brown communities?? I don’t feel this is accurate.

I would say that we are seeing an uptick in police brutality. #stopkillingus

And proof that so many of the officers are not qualified or mentally stable enough for being police officers — they are supposed to be peace officers, yet so many work with gang mentality and abuse and confuse law enforcement with power.

Sadly, the trend of fatal police shootings worldwide only seems to be increasing.

The rate of fatal police shootings among Black Americans is much higher than that for any other ethnicity.

You have also spoken about the racism in the film and entertainment industry. Do you feel the film industry is learning from all this?
Things are changing. We still have a very long way to go, but we definitely have a start.

There have been monumental strides forward in our industry that we have all experienced in some form or fashion. The #OscarsSoWhite hashtag put a spotlight on the industry’s lack of diversity. The #MeToo movement put a spotlight on Hollywood’s abuse of power. The entertainment industry is finally being held accountable and making a real effort to close the gap on opportunities offered to historically marginalized groups.

The filmmakers of my last movie, A Score to Settle, changed the part from male to female for me and this gives me hope that things are moving in the right direction.

Do you think things will change?
I’m very hopeful that we will continue to solidify efforts to make lasting change in our industry and our world. It will take time and lots of hard work. But we will see change. We will not allow things to stay as they are. We will NOT be silenced.

How are you staying positive during these times?
I strongly believe our joy is our strength.

I’m exercising, meditating and working out as well as working on some incredible projects with incredible people.

What is your motto in life?
Luck does not exist, but hard-work will get you where you want to be.

To learn more about Nicole Leier, please follow her via the following platforms:
Twitter: @NicoleGLeier
Instagram: @NicoleGLeier
Facebook: NicoleG.Leier
IMBD: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0500133/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Actress Nicole Leier Takes Creating To Deeper Levels