Check out our interview with actress Nikki Duval who is set to return as Rosie Phillips in the final season of Workin’ Moms set to stream on Netflix this April 26th.
Nikki plays Rosie Philips, Kate Foster’s (Catherine Reitman) quirky left-hand woman, who first started working with Kate at the old public relations firm together, then joining her when she decided to branch out on her own and start her own company.
Season 7 picks up where Season 6 left off, with the women confronting demons from their past in order to move forward into their future. Motherhood, relationships and career choices all will be put to the test as they come to terms with who they once were and where each is headed.
Follow Nikki @nikkiduval
Hi Nikki, please tell us a little about you?
I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Just a simple prairie girl with big dreams and following her passion of becoming an actor. I started my career as an actor in the theatre. Trained in Montreal at The National Theatre School of Canada and then moved to Toronto to pursue my career further. From there, I was thrown into the world of TV and film. I love all forms of art, love exploring, finding beauty in all places. And I have a tiny pup named Rosie (yes I named her in honour of my character from Workin’ Moms upon the season finale) whom I love dearly. She is also a ginger. A mini me.
Describe yourself in 3 words
Sentimental Needy Honest
How did you get started into acting?
I started in theatre at an early age. I would say Middle school. Maybe around 12 or 13. I remember I loved drama class and decided to enroll myself to perform a dramatic monologue at the school talent show. I had never performed in front of a crowd before that. And I don’t know what inspired me to do so, as I was quite an insecure teen. But I remember it being the first time of truly allowing myself to be seen in front of people, rather than my instinct to hide myself. I was brave, I was vulnerable and I felt successful. It was the first time I knew I had a purpose and place in this world. I had confidence in myself.
How has this changed your life?
It changed my life by giving me that purpose. I had agency. I had drive. As I said before, I was a very insecure child. Acting gave me the confidence to be myself in front of people. Maybe because I got to hide behind a character. But I was also revealing my inner life to the audience. It was very satisfying to be seen in that way.
What is the best and most challenging part of being an actress?
I would say that it is very hard to be vulnerable around people constantly. Even in comedy, you have to be vulnerable. I would argue, more so than when doing drama. You have to fail in front of people over and over again until you make the best choice. It’s a part of the process. And you have to also receive criticism while being your most vulnerable. So you have to have tough skin while revealing your heart. It’s not easy. And can be detrimental at times. But I do it for a reason. I love it. So it’s also the best part. Being able to be so open publicly is a very beautiful thing.
How do you prepare for a role?
I read the script as many times as possible before I start to work on the text. I try to be so familiar with it, that by the time I learn the lines, It’s already in me. In my subconscious. Then I learn the lines and will play with what makes me laugh, or what touches my heart the most, when I speak them out loud. I explore many different possible ways in which I connect to the text. Then when I am with my scene partner on the day of shooting, I have all of that exploration as my inner world. But the main focus is on what my scene partner is giving me in the moment. And I try to just be there with them. And see what happens.
Tell us about the final season of Netflix’s “Workin’ Moms” and about your role as Rosie Phillips?
Well, at the end of Season 6, Rosie becomes partner at Kate Foster PR. Which is a huge journey for her. I actually remember reading that in the script and getting quite sentimental remembering her growth throughout the series. She started as just a little assistant to Kate. I definitely felt proud of her. It also reflected my own personal growth as an actor throughout the 6 years. Workin’ Moms was one of the first shows I ever booked as a young actor. I felt proud of myself too. So for Season 7, we see her in a new light. She now has agency. She has more confidence than she has ever had. And proves herself to be a vital part of this company. That being said, she’s still a little funny, quirky, weirdo. But it’s what we love about her!
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I love doing comedy. I love to make people laugh. It’s so fun and exciting and truly selfish because it makes me feel good when I hear those chuckles!!! I also would love to do more raw, dramedies. Representing flawed, real people and showing the messiness of humans.
If you weren’t acting, what would you be up to right now?
Truly I have no idea. Maybe a seamstress, or building costumes in the theatre. I love historical costumes. I studied costume making a bit in University. It brought me a lot of joy.
Can you name 3 actors/actresses you would love to work with?
Dominique Fishback
Melissa McCarthy
Bella Ramsey
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
To invoke change in people. Whether it be to make them feel happy, content, pleased, joy, confusion, grief, empathy, anger. To make them question life. To entertain people.
What’s your advice for the newer actors?
Keep going. Push yourself. And know that it’s okay to make mistakes and to be bad. If you are truly an artist, then this is what you are meant to be doing. And part of being an artist is to take risks and create garbage, but keep going. It’s not easy. Just accept it and keep going. And be open to change so you can grow as an actor. Never stop growing. Even seasoned actors have room for growth. Never stop. Keep going.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
The greatest lesson that I have learned is that you have to act like you have a seat at the table. It’s easy to feel like an imposter in this business. To feel like you don’t belong here. You aren’t good enough. But that’s all bullsh*t. Every single person is just as insecure as you are. We are all equal in that regard. And you deserve to be here. You are uniquely you, and no one can offer what you can. So own it and fake it till you make it, because if you act like you are special, people will believe that you are. If you act like you are garbage, people will believe that you are. Take risks and advocate for what you want out of this business. And if people make you feel inferior, ignore them. They aren’t good people. They don’t deserve your energy.
How would your best friend describe you?
I have amazingly supportive friends. They would definitely say that I am very loyal, supportive, beautiful, a good person, talented, funny, charming. But also very insecure and needy and wish that I saw myself through their eyes. I love my friends endlessly.
If you were a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“A Guide To Hiding Your Inner Neediness Through Comedy” I think it’s self explanatory.
What’s next for Nikki Duval in 2023?
I am about to film a Netflix Christmas Movie titled “Meet Me Next Christmas” starring Christina Milian and The Pentatonix. It’s filled with good laughs and Christmas Joy!
What is your own definition of happiness?
I think happiness comes from within. Happiness is finding acceptance and peace with every part of yourself. It’s something I struggle with. Loving myself. And I know many others do as well. But I work towards that happiness in my life every day. My favourite phrase to tell my friends when they say something bad about themselves is “don’t talk about my friend like that” I think we are our own worst critics. Which is so sad. So I try to remember my own advice I give my dear friends.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
So so many people! That’s a tough question. But sometimes I feel like it’s better to not meet your idols. Part of the allure in idolizing someone is that half of their existence lives in our imagination. It’s truly an unfair pedestal we put these people on. We are all only human after all and have many flaws. The other half lives in the history they make or the art they create, which we have full access to. That being said: would love to meet Leonardo DiCaprio, but only if I was still 13 years old when I had my walls covered with his teen beat magazine posters. I was obsessed.
Best advice ever given?
There are two things I always go back to, through my years as an actor.
One: My “clown” teacher, in theatre school, Adam Lazarus, had a phrase that flowers only grow out of shit. I don’t know if that’s verbatim, but the sentiment is that you are the seed and you have to live in the shit before you can grow into a flower. In other words: Art only exists in failure. It’s a part of the process. So don’t be afraid of failing. Embrace it. Make mistakes. Push yourself. Be messy. Be bad. Only then will you find what’s good. It’s quite freeing and I always go back to this when I feel afraid to take risks.
And Two: The incredible Judith Light once said to me after I asked her what she “does” when approaching a role. She answered: “Don’t do. Just be.” And that’s what I strive for every time I perform.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I hope to be still in the game. 5 years can fly by in an instant. So I hope to still be doing what I have been doing and ideally growing with every passing project I work on. I love to push myself as an actor. Growth is key for longevity in this business.
Favorite song? Why?
Right now I have Too Well by Renee Rapp on repeat. It’s very on brand for me and my repetitive patterns with problematic relationships.
What do you think of Social Media?
Definitely a love/hate. I do love that you can post your best moments and share your most proud, most beloved, most fun memories with people from across the world. I also love how these memories are stamped in time. I am a very sentimental person, truly sometimes I tear up just looking through my grid. Treasured moments in my life! That being said, I do feel that social media has a side effect of disconnection from reality. It gives us unlimited access to everyone, yet also it’s such a solitary space. I sit at home alone and scroll on my phone for too many hours a day, when I could be out connecting with people in real life. It’s an oxymoron for sure.
Where can we follow you?
@nikkiduval on Instagram
Book: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Quote: My best friend is the king of finding perfect quotes: One that he introduced to me is “Paradise has never been about places. It exists in moments. In connection. In flashes across time” by Victoria Erickson
Movie: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
TV Series: Succession and Swarm
Favorite Food: Israeli
Travel Destination: Mexico City!! (I came back from there yesterday. Obsessed. My heart is still there lol)
Sports Team: Zero. The least sporty person on the planet! But shout out to the Winnipeg Jets, because A my hometown and B my brother was a professional hockey player 🙂
Photo Credit: Kristina Ruddick @kristinaruddick
