INTRO BY KAT VISTI
INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY
PHOTO BY RYAN WEST
Niki Koss plays Alexis Glenn in Freeform's Famous In Love. Niki recently finished filming "Warning Shot" alongside David Spade and James Earl Jones and "Trafficked" alongside Ashely Judd. Niki also co-created and directed a digital series entitled "Royals" which one two awards at the Laughlin International Film Festival. She's also written and directed a number of short films. Outside of acting, writing, and producing, Niki is an advocate for animal rescue, giving back to the environment, homelessness and female empowerment, and works often with PATH Partners. We sat down for an interview with Niki to learn more about her acting career and her future projects!
When was the moment that you realized you wanted to be an actress?
"I’ve pretty much known my whole life I wanted to be an actress. When I was three years old I asked my mom if I could get an agent, but that didn't end up happening until way later in my life."
You currently star as Alexis in “Famous In Love” – can you tell us a little about your character?
"Alexis Glenn is a force to be reckoned with. She's a famous actress that has most recently gone from 'America's Sweetheart' to reality star wild child. She's obsessed with her career and is always doing whatever she has to to keep it afloat and stay relevant."
Do you feel that you relate to Alexis in any ways?
"Alexis and I share the same dedication toward our careers and are both really hard workers. We also both love a good glass of red wine on the couch and some matching silky PJs."
What’s your favorite memory from working on the set?
"My favorite memory is definitely shooting the 'Backsplash' flashback scene."
Aside from acting, you also like to direct. When did you become interested in directing?
"A couple years into my acting career I decided to take on directing as well. It'd always been one of my greatest passions and the moment I started I couldn't believe it'd taken me that long to do it. I was addicted from that point on."
Of all the projects you have done, whether it be acting or directing, which one would you say has stuck with you the most?
"It would definitely have to be 'Famous in Love'. That’s my family, and to develop such a strong ownership of a character over a long period of time is incredibly fulfilling creatively."
When you aren’t acting or directing what can we find you doing?
"Writing, producing, or binge watching movies! I can't get away from this industry no matter how hard I try. It’s a curse!"
Are there any other projects we can expect from you in the near future?
"I'm going to be directing a short film this month that I'm really excited about called 'Then & Now'. It's a social commentary on how society has begun to rely so heavily on social media to make crucial judgements and decisions."