BRITTANI NICHOLS
A clarity moment earlier this year put multi-hyphenate entertainer, Brittani Nichols, on the map. Originally from Chicago, Nichols has appeared onscreen on Emmy-nominated shows Transparent and A Black Lady Sketch Show; she produced, wrote, and starred in the feature film and Outfest darling Suicide Kale; and she’s currently a writer and producer on the critically acclaimed ABC sitcom Abbott Elecmentary. But at this year’s Writer’s Guild Awards, she gained fame not for a win but for who landed in her lap: Cate Blanchett. “We lost but I won. Thank you, Cate Blanchett for this great honor,” she posted on Instagram that night, to the envy of lesbians everywhere. Nichols is also an actor, comedian, producer, and writer. “While I certainly wish I was acting more, my favorite role is writer,” she says. “Doing multiple roles was at first a matter of necessity. But now when I’m occupying additional roles, it’s because I actively want to be doing them. It allows me to have more decision-making power and forces me to think through every aspect of creation while writing.” Actively creating for a weekly TV show adored by millions is a responsibility Nichols takes seriously—and the feedback has been rewarding. “A goal of mine is to encourage people to advocate for themselves, even in what feels like small ways or moments. So, when people tell me that they felt seen, or less alone, or inspired to fight for a better lived experience for themselves, that makes this feel well worth the effort.” Having achieved so much and acknowledging “what I want changes week to week,” Nichols keeps the vision for her future simple. “All I want to accomplish is to create work I’m proud of, in a way that I’m proud of.”
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