I am quite pleased to share the honor of welcoming Nikee Warren to the cast of Nick Belial’s crime/thriller To Avenge in the role of the Assistant District Attorney, Cynthia Cook. No stranger to the stage or television/film, Nikee is a delightful young woman with whom I spoke recently about her undeniable passions and engaging projects within the world of entertainment. The enthusiasm and capabilities she will be bringing to this film are profoundly invigorating, and it is my privilege to share her unique story with my readers today.

RH: Nikee, it is so great to be chatting with you today. Welcome to the cast of To Avenge. 

NW: It is a pleasure to be here, Ruth. I am honored that Nick Belial selected me to be a part of the cast. And by the way, I really enjoyed reading Kevin {D. Benton}’s interview. So much fun to read that one!

Thank you, Nikee. It always makes it easier when the person I am interviewing is familiar with my work, so I’m glad you enjoyed that one. How did you get started in the entertainment business? Am I right in saying that you started out in music?

Well, actually when I was a little girl, I sang with my father’s gospel band called the Tones of Heaven. And that’s where I got my singing pipes from. My father has a beautiful voice. He can go from tenor all the way up to falsetto soprano. I fell in love with his voice, and he taught me how to sing, how to hold notes, how to riff, how to breathe, how to take control of the notes.

I like singing, but what got my eye was the drums. I wanted to learn how to play the drums more than I wanted to sing. I pictured myself being like the next Sheila E, so I was just all about the drums when I was younger. When I was growing up, my parents got me pieces to this drum set. Every year, they got me another piece for the set until I finally got the entire set. So every day after school, I wouldn’t go out and spend time with my friends outside. I would be in the house beating on them drums. I had a keyboard, microphones…I had everything you could possibly name. I literally had a whole band in my bedroom.

The funny thing about my makeshift band is that I had all of the cords going into one outlet. I had extension cords on top of extension cords on top of extension cords going into one outlet. One day, while we were at church, some people came running in and told us that we needed to leave to get home. My mother wondered why, and they said because our house was on fire! Well, of course, the fire started in my room and burned the house down, and all my instruments went up in smoke. My poor parents. I begged them to replace everything, but they couldn’t afford to. So there was my musical Sheila E dream down the drain. As you can imagine, I cried my eyeballs out. But then I joined the church choir, and I’ve been singing ever since.

So how did you get started in acting?

When I became an adult, I left one church and went to another one, and they were putting on plays at this new church. I was interested in what these plays were, and so I watched what they were doing. The players were really good. They were holding auditions one day, and I was talking to one of the church members, saying that I thought I might want to try out. This church member directed me where to go, and I read the part and acted it out. And when I did that, they just loved it so much. I remember the pastor’s wife telling me that she thought I was so good, and she recommended I take lessons and get out there and see what I could make of it. And I’ve been on this acting journey ever since.

So what was your first professional job in the business?

I got cast in my first movie, Coleville, and I loved it. I’ve been full steam ahead ever since. I played the mother to this young man who actually grows up and turns out to be a killer after seeing his father brutally attacked and ultimately murdered.  The really awesome thing about this movie was that when we did our premiere–which was basically my first premiere ever–they had it up in a movie theater out in Philadelphia, and just seeing my face blasted all across the screen did something to me! I knew then that was what I wanted! I was like, “I’m not gonna stop until I have that every single time!” Just seeing yourself up on that screen and seeing the work that you have done is really amazing.

Some celebrities…I know Denzel Washington did an interview where he said he doesn’t like to watch himself. I don’t know how that’s possible because it’s just so amazing to see yourself up there!

I’ve heard that from other actors too. I think some actors are very critical of themselves on screen and it’s hard for them to watch their own works because only see everything that they should have done better.  I think it just depends on the artist. Now, a lot of your credits, I have not had the opportunity to see. But I do recognize some titles from other actors I’ve interviewed. It looks like you have worked on some things with Kevin. 

Yes, that’s correct. We have done several films together. But the really big thing we both having coming up is Jason’s Letter. That movie premieres on Starz September 22nd, which is also my birthday. I play one of the mothers of one of the children who is in detention. This movie has done really well. We had our huge premiere down in Dover, Delaware, and a lot of the celebrities in that movie came out to that premiere. Then we had another sneak peek party in North Philadelphia, and a lot of the celebrities came out for that one too. Claudia Jordan, Paul Anthony, and so many others. And now we have the final airing on Starz!

I’m thinking this is going to be a big deal for so many of you.

Absolutely! There are so many well-known actors in that film, and since a lot of actors from the Philadelphia area are involved in it, it’s a chance for us to get nationwide attention. What we’re doing for this film on September 22nd is that we’re having a huge watch party. I don’t know if Kevin mentioned to you, but he and I have a talk show. It’s a radio show called the Kevin & Nikee Show. By the grace of God, we have a very popular podcast. We are throwing a huge party on September 22nd, and we’re inviting everyone to come out and watch the movie with us. We have this place down on Delaware Avenue, and everyone is invited to come join us and watch the movie for free. Everyone is invited to come down and eat, celebrate, have fun, and eat some cake that will have MY name on it!

That is great news, Nikee! I was thinking what a great opportunity this film is for the regional actors who are in it. It’s not always easy to get exposure when you’re doing work in one area of the country and the rest of us can’t see your work as easily. And here’s this huge opportunity for people to see you all over the country and maybe the world. 

Oh yeah, and our radio show has been doing that for us for us for a while now. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but it’s hot like fire. The list of actors and celebrities that we have had on our show is incredible.  We’ve had Jaiden Kaine from Luke Cage. We’ve had Paul Anthony from the legendary group Full Force. We’ve had Malik Rose, a San Antonio Spurs champion. We’ve had Hawthorne James from the movie The Five Heartbeats. He and Robert Townsend are best friends, and Hawthorne James is in all of Robert Townsend’s movies. Kevin and I did a big movie out of New York called Keys, and I played the Sergeant in that movie and Kevin played a cop. Hawthorne played the chief. We had the honor of being in the movie with him, and then he came on our show. We are very happy with our show, and it’s seriously airing everywhere.

How long have you had this broadcast?

We started out on another broadcast, but we’ve been our own for just about a year now. It’s been a very successful year, and we had no idea that it was going to take off in the way that it has. Once everybody heard that we were branching out on our own, the love just came out from all over. We’ve even had Garry Cobb, who played with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s now a sports announcer on Fox 29 News here in Philadelphia. By the grace of God, our show has become one that everybody is constantly talking about.

I am so glad you told me about this because Kevin didn’t mention it. Such a great thing that you both are doing. So how did you meet Nick Belial? Was it on Delaware Shore or elsewhere?

Actually, I met Nick before Delaware Shore. He was the photographer for a zombie movie that Kevin and I were in called Decayed. We filmed that in Delaware, and Nick Belial was the photographer out on that set. I remember it was such a long day of filming. We had to be on set at seven P.M., and we didn’t get done till five A.M. the next morning. That’s where I met Nick. We sat in holding for a long time, and we played games like hangman and others. I was one of the guards responsible for shooting the zombies. So there was a zombie breakout in a cemetery, and my character was responsible for trying to keep the infected ones back so that no one else got infected. Later on, Nick and I met again on the set of Delaware Shore.

So how were you cast in To Avenge?

Well, I’m going to be honest. I didn’t actually audition. You know, you meet people in this business and you treat these people with kindness, you show that you’re there to work, you show your talent, and people remember. And Nick remembered me from before. And it seems he has been following all the work I’ve been doing, so he knew my work and what I was capable of. I don’t post everything I do on social media, but IMBD has all my work.

Nick has kept up with my various projects, and so he reached out to me and said that he needed me. And my response was, “Whatever you need.” When I asked if he needed me to audition, he said “no.” The way I figure it is if you do your job, people will see you doing your job and see that you’re reliable. I’m never late; I’m always on time. Kevin and I both are always to set on time and ready in our wardrobe. You never have to look for us or ask if we know our lines. We always know our lines. We are professionals, and we don’t give anyone any problems. They see the way you work, and they are like, “I need to work with her more often.” When I get on set, I always make it a point to greet everyone and laugh and joke with people, but when it’s time to go to work, it’s time to go to work. I’m serious; I’m ready to go. There is nothing better than getting offered a part as opposed to going through auditions. Not that auditions are horrible, but it’s a lot easier when you’re offered the part. I will never complain when I am offered a part that doesn’t require an audition.

So tell us a little about your role in To Avenge.

I play Cynthia Cook, the Assistant District Attorney. She is assigned to the high profile Danvers rape case. So a little about Cynthia–she’s a bit of an idealist. She believes that what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. As she works this case, she sees that this case is the opposite of what she believes. That bothers her, and she has a problem with that.

So you and Kevin’s character will be working together since he is also an assistant district attorney.

Yes, that is correct.

I can see why Nick would put you both together. I’m sure he’s been following your radio show as well as the projects you and Kevin have done together. 

Kevin and I work very well together. Just a little bit about Kevin and I. When we go out for auditions and different things together, from the chemistry we have on our radio show, when directors need a husband and a wife for their projects or the girlfriend-boyfriend characters or even two cops who are partners, they tend to call us. We just have this natural chemistry, and we feed off each other to bring the scene out. Directors really love that. Because why try to build that chemistry with two other people when we already have it?

Having talked with both you and Kevin separately, I can already see the chemistry between you two though I haven’t met you and watched you on-screen together. It’s easy to see how you two would play off each other. I would say that you two tend to have personalities that would complement each other rather well.

I think you’re right, Ruth. And thank you for saying that.

Have you had any really fun behind-the-scenes moments on your projects?

Well, yeah, about a month ago, I was cast to work in a horror film. They told me what time to be there and all that. When I walked on set, it was lunchtime. So I got my lunch, and I was told we’d be shooting in about an hour. So I got my lunch–they had an incredible spread of food–and once I got my water, up walks in my face Tony Todd from Candyman. I tell you, I froze; I couldn’t move. There was a line forming behind me. I was in the front, and he was walking towards me, smiling. In my head, I was like, “Move it, dummy. Move your feet!” But I couldn’t do it. He walked over to me and went, “What’s wrong with you?” He gave me a hug and went, “What’s goin’ on, girl?” All I kept saying was, “Candyman, Candyman.” He busted out laughing, and we ended up eating our lunch together. It was just so much fun!

What a cool story, Nikee. That’s one you’ll probably be telling the rest of your life. 

I mean, that was crazy, right? And this is what I love about acting. Not only taking a character and giving it life, but being able to act and be in the same film with actors I’ve watched on television while I was setting on my couch. Actors that I grew up watching, I’m standing beside them. Acting beside them…that’s bananas!

Besides what we have mentioned, is there anything else upcoming that you can mention?

Sure. I’m working on this feature film coming out of Delaware called If You’re Dirty, Take A Bath. It’s about a young pastor who has been given a church and then let it, as they say, “go down the drain.” So he and his family end up in a shelter.

I’m also working on another film called Mob Diaries out of New Jersey. It’s about mob stuff.

I’m also working on a pilot called Omega. I play Detective Reynolds in that.

We also wrapped on the movie Keys. That should be coming out next year.

It sounds, Nikee, like you’re very busy, which is great. So in addition to your acting, are you thinking of doing any writing or directing?

Yeah, I am thinking of writing. I like being in front of the camera as well as behind the camera. I’ve been doing some writing, and in this business, to really get somewhere and play the roles you want to play, you often have to write something for yourself. As actors, we usually are acting out someone else’s stories. But I want to be able to act out my own stories. Sometimes you have to write your own success. So be on the lookout. I am writing, and I hope to be able to make that happen soon. I’m just busy learning the different channels you have to go through when you want to do your own works. Trying to get them into distribution can be really difficult sometimes.

I understand you also won a film award this year. 

Yes, I did. Best Actress 2018 Spiral Music and Film Award. I am still taken aback by that. I was not expecting that award. When I won it, I was thanking God and my mother, who was all teary-eyed. It was just like winning an Oscar. I said, “If this is what it feels like, I’m going all the way to the Oscars.”

I like that attitude, Nikee! Why not? I’ll join your cheering section and see if we can make that happen. I want to tell you that your enthusiasm and attitude are just amazing. It’s so wonderful to sense your excitement while we’re chatting. It’s infectious. 

You know, once I got the acting bug from doing those plays, it’s like I don’t want to do anything else. From being cast in different films and stage plays and musical theater and seeing how the audience responds to what I’m doing on stage, that’s a feeling I don’t ever want to lose. I want to keep that feeling, so I’m on the train, and I’m not getting off. I believe in dreaming big. I don’t have anything to lose but everything to gain. I’m too far ahead to stop and turn around and say, “You know what? I can’t do this anymore.” I feel like I have no choice but to move forward. Backwards is not in my vocabulary.

There is nothing I relish more than conversing with someone who is passionate and exuberant about what they are doing in life, and Nikee takes enthusiasm to a whole new level. While I could not see her facial expressions while we were chatting, she is one of those demonstrative people whose body language almost comes through the phone lines. Not everyone has that sort of transparency and animation, and I appreciate the fact that she spoke eloquently and yet in her own, inimitable style. Nikee is another one of those people who believes in making things happen as opposed to letting things happen, and those are the sorts of people to whom I am consistently attracted. She unfailingly hones her craft, and no matter how seemingly insignificant the opportunity may appear at the outset, to Nikee, all opportunities are ones on which she capitalizes to the maximum. Those qualities are not always inherent in those of her generation, and it thrills me to the core to see that Nick Belial has again made such an incredible casting choice in Nikee Warren. While we await her phenomenal on-screen role in To Avenge, be sure that you check out Nikee’s links below–both her acting and radio show–and follow her where applicable, if you are so inclined. Additionally, I urge you to visit the links for the film To Avenge itself as you are bound to discover even more amazing cast members and information about what is purported to be one of the most innovative tales to be told in an independent film in recent years. Nick Belial has amassed such a stupendous cast of glittering stars, and I am immeasurably gratified to see that Nikee has now joined the ranks of virtual indie film stardom. Oh, and if you happen to have access to the Starz network (which sadly, I do not), be sure to check out Jason’s Letter on September 22nd (which is also this sweet lady’s birthday!).

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