Nikki Deloach

Nikki DeLoach started acting when she was just a kid. She has been involved in performing as a whole; producing, acting and stage productions. She became interested in acting when she was in The Mickey Mouse Club. Since then she has had roles including Lacey Hamilton on the TV series Awkward, and Natalie on the Hallmark movie Truly, Madly, Sweetly.

In her new film, she plays the main character, Natalie who dreams of owning her own bakery one day. In the beginning, she owns her own cupcake food truck but is given a chance to see her dreams come true.

“Natalie is a dreamer and a baker. We meet her at a time in her life where she is starting over – after her boyfriend not only broke her heart but stole all of her recipes and told the world they were his. She meets Dylan Neal’s character when they inherit a bakery together through her mentor Bea, who just so happens to be his aunt. He wants to sell the bakery, while Natalie wants to preserve her mentor’s memory and also make her dream of owning a bakery come true,” DeLoach says. “It’s a story about not giving up on your dreams. It’s also a story about taking a leap of faith and learning to trust again. I think that’s something everyone can relate to. Also, this is one of the sweetest Hallmark movies I’ve done. There’s lots of comedy and Dylan and I truly are great partners. Doing this movie with him was pure joy.”

When she originally started performing she was involved in dancing, singing and acting. She started acting in commercials, stage performances and then landed a spot on The Mickey Mouse Club.

“It wasn’t until I did The Mickey Mouse Club, that I really took an interest in acting. MMC started to produce a teen drama called Emerald Cove, and I was asked to be a part of it. I absolutely loved it,” DeLoach says. “In terms of being a performer, I knew I wanted to do that at the age of 3. It seems young, but when you know you know. I first asked for dance lessons, then voice lessons, then acting. I couldn’t get enough. I absolutely love being a storyteller. It is one of the great joys of my life and that feeling has only grown over the years,” DeLoach says.

In addition to acting in this film, DeLoach signed a development deal with Hallmark to produce a Christmas film, Reunited at Christmas. She will also be playing the main character, Samantha who reconnects with her family for Christmas because of a tragedy.

“It’s about a family who hasn’t been together in years over the holidays. When the matriarch of the family, Nana Madaline, passes away, she leaves behind a dying wish which was that the whole family spend one last Christmas together, in her house, doing all the traditions they used to,” DeLoach says. “The family is reunited, but it’s quite the journey for them to get there. It’s a beautiful story with so much heart.”

DeLoach explained what it was like to produce and act in this film rather than just work one role. She was able to be involved in her passion for storytelling as a whole.

“It’s been fantastic. I love the entire process of bringing a story to life. From the original idea, to development, the script, casting, set design, costumes, music – all of it,” DeLoach says. “It’s the way I’ve always wanting to work in this business. I’m so grateful to Hallmark for saying yes to the project and for making it happen.”

Having done both television and film acting DeLoach has seen both sides of the spectrum. She says that she enjoys each of them but for different reasons.

“I love the consistency of being on a show. I love that you get to take a character in so many different directions. In a movie, you are telling one story. On a TV series, especially if it goes for several seasons, you have the opportunity to tell many stories,” DeLoach says. “With that being said, I love the balance that doing movies gives me in my personal life. I do a movie for a month and then I get to be home with my family until the next. And that is quite nice. There are pros in both and I’m so fortunate to be able to work in both worlds.”

In her free time, she is one of the founders and writers for the blog, ’What We Are’. She started the blog with her friend Jen Dede to help support and connect with other women. The blog highlights the stories of all kinds of women which can be seen @welcometowhatweare on Instagram and Twitter. She encourages those who want their story to be heard to reach out.

“My dear friend Jen Dede and I have been wanting to start “What We Are” for years. It really stemmed from a place of wanting to live a truly authentic life. To be real at every moment with where we are and who we are – which meant embracing the sometimes messy, scary, and truth. We believe that vulnerability is a superpower. And by being vulnerable and open, you can truly connect to others. Plus, we are so lucky to be surrounded by so many incredible women! Women are amazing! I mean, really. We do ALL the things! So, we really wanted to tell those stories,” DeLoach says. “No one knows what it’s like to be a woman like another woman. I look at the women around me in complete awe of their strength, grace, intellect, kindness, compassion, and fight. We have so much to give and the world can greatly benefit from our gifts. Things are absolutely changing for the better for women and I’m so thrilled that I get to be here to witness it…. We are so proud of all the women we are highlighting every month. If you have a story you would love to tell, please reach out to us.”

She also is the spokesperson for humanitarian organizations like The Alzheimer’s Association and Children’s Hospital of L.A. Children’s Hospital is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help children with their medical needs. The Alzheimer’s Association seeks to support both caregivers and people struggling with Alzheimer’s.

“Giving back is what it’s all about. I like to wake up every day and ask how can I serve humanity today,” DeLoach says. “If you are looking to get involved in a charity or give back, please check out The Alzheimer’s Association and/or a Children’s Hospital near you. Places like Children’s Hospital Los Angeles exist because of donations. They turn no child away. If you don’t have the money to donate but you have time, there are so many ways you can get involved. It all makes a huge difference.”

To see more of Nikki DeLoach you can tune into Truly, Madly, Sweetly on Hallmark. You can also watch her in December in Reunited at Christmas on the Hallmark Channel.