Nikky Athan was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with Mr. Nikky.
Nikky Athan As Cover Story Interview Feature – TheCelebrity.Online March 2023 Edition
How do you introduce yourself?
Nikky Athan: My name is Nikky Athan and I am an actor based in London but I am coming from Greece. Growing up in Greece, I started out with leading roles on stage. I’m passionate about storytelling and bringing characters to life. After gaining experience in Greece, I decided to expand my career internationally and moved to U.K. I’m excited to continue pursuing my passion for acting and storytelling on new and exciting projects. As the legendary Meryl Streep once said, “Acting is not about being famous, it’s about exploring the human soul.” So, I decided to take my passion for exploring the human soul from stage to the screen.
How was the transition from your childhood into adulthood/teenage and what good and bad things do you remember?
Nikky Athan: The transition from my childhood into adulthood/teenage was a challenging time for me, as I faced some difficult circumstances. Losing my dad at a young age was a particularly tough experience to go through. It forced me to grow up faster than other kids my age, and I had to take on more responsibilities, such as taking care of my sister when my mom was at work. However, despite the challenges, I’m grateful for the support of my family who was always there for me, especially my sister who is my favorite person in the world.
Even when things were tough, I had people who loved and supported me, and that helped me to keep going, as the saying goes, “Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.” and my friends have been there for me through thick and thin. And of course, there’s always that one question that friends ask: “Don’t forget me when you’re famous!” Well, I can honestly say that I could never forget the people who have helped me to become the man I am today. My family and friends are the reason for my success, and I’m grateful for their love and support. So, to all of them, I say thank you. You’ve helped me to achieve my dreams, and I could never forget the people who made it all possible.
Struggle – What hardships have you faced during your life?
Nikky Athan:
Let me tell you, breaking into the film industry is no joke, especially when you’re in Greece where it’s almost nonexistent. The reason I moved to the UK was that I was accepted into a University in London, and they offered me a scholarship of 50%. It was like winning the lottery, except with fewer confetti cannons and more student loan paperwork. But, I still didn’t have enough money to pay for the rest of my tuition fees.
So, I had to be resourceful and do whatever I could to create a career for myself. So, I made the bold decision to move to the UK, a country where I didn’t know anyone and where English wasn’t my mother tongue. Talk about a true fish out of water story. I had to work as a waiter in Greece to save money for the move, which meant I spent most of my time carrying plates instead of chasing my acting dreams.
Unfortunately, the money I saved wasn’t enough, and after a month living in a hostel with 12 other people, I found myself in a bit of a pickle. It was like a real-life episode of Friends, except with way less coffee and way more snoring. Anyway, I had no money to rent a room or stay in a hostel longer, so I had to get creative. I spent three days in the tube as a homeless person, which was like a twisted version of the movie “The Terminal”. And let’s just say, I wasn’t exactly living my best life. But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. One day, a kind-hearted Greek guy that I barely knew from Greece saw me in the tube and took pity on me. He showed me how to survive in London and how to find my way, which was a real lifesaver.
Who knew that a guy I met 5 years ago in Greece could end up being such a hero? Despite the challenges, these struggles have taught me the value of perseverance and resilience. And, let’s be real, it’s made for a pretty great story.
What things people usually do not know about you?
Nikky Athan: I’m a pretty open book, so there isn’t much that people don’t know about me. I don’t have anything to hide or be ashamed of. However, there is one thing that most people don’t know about me, and that is that I’m secretly a karaoke superstar. When I hit the karaoke stage, I transform into a whole different person. I may not be the best singer, but I put on a show like no other.
I’ve been known to belt out some classic power ballads like “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “I Will Always Love You” like nobody’s business. And let’s just say, I’m not afraid to get a little bit extra with the choreography. So, the next time you see me out and about, don’t be surprised if I’m rocking a microphone and belting out some epic tunes. Just remember, you heard it here first!
What make you unique from your competitors in the industry and life?
Nikky Athan: One thing that makes me unique from my competitors in the industry and in life is my Greek diversity background. There is not much representation of Greek actors in the Film industry, and I believe that this is something that needs to change. My cultural background gives me a unique perspective and allows me to bring something different to the roles I play. Additionally, my life experiences have given me a unique perspective that I bring to my work.
Growing up in Greece, losing my father at a young age, moving to the UK as an adult with no friends or family – all of these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today. And, I believe that they have given me a depth of understanding and empathy that I bring to my roles. Overall, I believe that my Greek diversity background and my life experiences set me apart from my competitors in the industry and in life. I’m excited to continue sharing my unique perspective with the world and to bring more representation of Greek actors to the Film industry.
What are the major Upcoming Events & Unforgettable Moments or products/services that you want to promote/inform our readers about?
Nikky Athan: One of the major unforgettable moments in my career so far has been being awarded a scholarship to attend the National Film and Television School (NFTS) for a course in acting for screen. This was a huge honor for me, and it’s an experience that I will always cherish. Another unforgettable moment was when I had the opportunity to be featured in the movie “Luther the Fallen Sun,” starring Idris Elba which will be on Netflix from 10th of March. It was incredible to work alongside such a talented actor and to be a part of such an amazing production. I also had the opportunity to work in a Hollywood production with Robert De Niro, Jamie Foxx, and Scott Eastwood.
It was an unforgettable experience to work with such legendary actors, and it’s something that I will always remember. As of upcoming projects, I’m thrilled to announce that I have been signed for a feature film that is currently in development by Gabriel Athanasiou a very talented director with many awards under his belt. I have been given a main part, and I’m excited to be a part of this incredible project. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal too much about it at the moment, but I can say that it’s going to be an amazing film that I’m proud to be a part of. Also, I short film called “What a shitty day” which I have leading role and a music video by Underhill West “I look at the times” are in the post- production at the moment, so stay tuned. Overall, I’m grateful for all of the unforgettable moments that I’ve had in my career so far, and I’m excited for what’s to come in the future.
What expert advice would you like to share?
Nikky Athan: If there’s one piece of advice I could offer to readers about the professional and social fields of life, it would be to never give up on your dreams. Yes, it may sound cheesy, but let me explain. My journey to becoming an actor has been full of challenges, but I never gave up. I moved to a new country, faced rejection after rejection, and even spent three days homeless in the tube. But, I kept pushing forward, and eventually, my hard work paid off.
So, my advice is this: don’t let setbacks or challenges discourage you. Keep striving towards your goals, and don’t be afraid to take risks or step outside of your comfort zone. And, always remember to surround yourself with people who support and uplift you.If you want to make it big in the professional and social fields of life, there’s one thing you need to remember: never stop learning. That’s right, keep training, keep reading, and keep asking questions. And, let’s be real, who doesn’t love learning new things? It’s like binge-watching a new series on Netflix – you just can’t get enough. But, it’s not just about learning. You also need to create strong relationships with these people. As they say, your net worth is your network.
So, make sure you’re building powerful connections with others. And, let’s not forget, building relationships is a lot like dating. You want to find someone who shares your values and interests, and who won’t ghost you after the first meeting. You are able to do everything you have in your mind as Muhammad Ali said “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it — then I can achieve it.” And, if all else fails, remember to never take yourself too seriously. Life is too short to be serious all the time, so don’t be afraid to laugh, have fun, and enjoy the journey. As they say, laughter is the best medicine, and I can attest to that.So, keep chasing your dreams, surround yourself with positivity, and don’t forget to laugh along the way. And who knows, maybe one day, you’ll be in a Hollywood production with Robert De Niro or you will be featured in a movie with Idris Elba. The sky’s the limit!
Tariq Riaz is the owner, writer and editor in chief of TheCelebrity.Online – Read more on our About Us page.
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