Nico Nicolas, after ‘airhead’ roles, hopes to play a hero

Nico Nicolas

While he admits that entering show biz initially felt like a game, actor-singer Nico Nicolas, who recently appeared in the film, “Ang Sikreto ng Piso,” says that being a performer requires a lot of hard work—and that maturity comes naturally, as a result.

“I was young when I got into show biz. Back then, everything just felt like an outdoor game I completely enjoyed,” Nico tells the Inquirer. “That was when I didn’t know the difficulty and exhaustion of being in such an industry. Now, I am under a lot of pressure as I experience challenges. Nonetheless, I still find joy in everything I do because I love my job.”

Another thing that comes naturally, the 20-year-old from Tondo adds, is performing, which he seriously pursued as a career when he was a teen. “I was 15 years old when I realized that. Acting is truly my first love,” says Nico, who sang at the Inquirer’s Indie Bravo! event last December.

“When I started, I watched my grandpa and mom sing. They were the ones who taught me the fundamentals,” adds the former Pinoy Boyband Superstar contestant, whose mother is a vendor in Divisoria.

Joining the reality competition in 2016 was a significant turning point that helped restart his career: “Getting the nerves is inevitable, but I had fun, regardless. I learned as much as I was pressured. I was able to build new friendships and gain more supporters. Many opportunities, such as concerts and out-of-town shows, came my way after the competition.”

Music-wise, there are things to keep in mind, he discloses: “I need to be updated with new song releases. There are always vocal exercises. On the days of concerts, we are not allowed to eat sweets and drink cold beverages.”

Nico, whose acting credits include parts in films “My Rebound Girl” and “Walwal,” considers “immense discipline and undivided focus” as crucial to acting. He relates, “I felt most challenged when I studied the Chubbuck Technique from ‘The Power of the Actor’ book (by Ivana Chubbuck) because it deals with acting based on ‘self-experience.’”

As for his “Ang Sikreto ng Piso” experience, he relates, “I played the teen brother of Ariel Rivera’s character. Most of the time, I’m assigned the role of a bully or an airhead. I finally landed a role that fit my personality off-camera—cheerful and loving.”

Is the actor willing to essay more “adult” roles—those that involve nudity or profanity? “Right now, I’m not yet ready to do such roles,” he admits. But, he acknowledges that they aren’t an impossibility.

“As a professional, I know I’m going to have to be involved in something like that someday. When that time comes, I’m going to be prepared and open-minded,” he explains.

Like most singers, he hopes to record his own songs for an album eventually. And he has other aspirations, he shares: “It has always been my dream to play Captain Barbell. I’d also love to perform in concerts together with other local and international singers.”