Nikki DeLoach – Truly, Madly, Sweetly

By starrymag | September 22, 2018

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are some of the themes and undertones of the film Truly, Madly, Sweetly?

 

A) Some of the themes of Truly, Madly, Sweetly are learning to trust again, taking a leap of faith, and never giving up on love or your dreams.

 

Q) Truly, Madly, Sweetly isn’t your average meet cute movie, what do you think that it is about food that tends to bring and bond people together?

 

A) Food makes people feel things. Whether it’s a dish that you grew up on or certain foods that you eat when you celebrate, there is an emotional component to food. Also, food usually makes people happy and gives them that warm and fuzzy feeling. I think that’s why people love watching movies that involve food.

 

Q) The hallmark of Hallmark movies is the great balance of heart and humor as well as love and lessons. How does this film stay consistent with that?

 

A) Absolutely. It truly is a romantic comedy, blending the heart and humor in such a fun way.

 

Q) Dylan Neal plays your love interest in the film, what did you enjoy the most about getting to work opposite of him?

 

A) I loved working with Dylan. He is prepared, present, and very funny. I don’t know that he gets to exercise his comedy chops often, but he does in this movie and he is terrific. Dylan is such a great partner. I can’t wait to do more with him.

 

Q) Was there any specific scene that you found challenging to film and why?

 

A) Well, I am not a baker. So, for me, the most difficult part of the movie was when I had to bake on camera. I probably needed a good month of lessons, but there wasn’t any time. Maybe I will get a head start for Part 2.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the film that will draw viewers in?

 

A) I think the viewers will love the themes of this movies. Everyone can relate to finding the courage to take a leap of faith – whether that’s in love or career. Also, I believe that most people have experienced betrayal in their lives and have had to learn to trust again, which is something that Natalie has to do. Plus, this movie is truly so sweet and so much fun to watch. It was really one of my favorite on-set experiences and I think that comes through on screen.

 

Q) We have seen you take on these dramatic diverse roles that really test and showcase your range. They have this incredible balance of vulnerability, complexity, and are innately compelling. How does this extend with Truly, Madly, Sweetly and what draws you into or connects you with these characters?

 

A) I love challenging myself as an actor. I know that if it scares me, I should probably say yes.  The thing I loved about Truly, Madly, Sweetly is getting to play in the romantic comedy world. I grew up on these. Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts – I watched these ladies fall in and out of love growing up. And to this day, I will choose to watch a romantic comedy over anything else. The problem is there are not enough of them. This movie is a true romantic comedy, and it was such a joy to play in this world.

 

Q) With an extensive career we have seen your characters push boundaries and turn their pain into power. What is it about these fierce but flawed driven females that we relate to and need to see more of?

 

A) This is such an excellent question. Thank you for asking. In life, I am a big believer in turning your pain into purpose. So, I love to see stories that portray that. We are all human beings who make human mistakes, who are often not the best versions of ourselves, who often get our hearts broken, who often experience tremendous pain. And I think it is extremely important to show it all. Not just women who are perfect, not just the ones who are getting everything right. It’s not real and it portrays a false sense of who we are. It’s also super limiting. As women, we are all the things. We are vulnerable, fierce, flawed and funny. We need to see that in the stories that we tell about women.

 

Q) How does the setting of the film play a role in the movie?

 

A) This movie is set in Fall. Metaphorically speaking, a lot of Natalie’s past falls away in this movie. Personally, I love this time of year. It’s not too hot, not too cold. It’s just right.

 

Q) Your character Natalie runs a cupcake food truck, did this make you sick of sweets or crave them even more?

 

A) I actually don’t really eat sugar!  I have never eaten it, even as a kid. I was the kid who never ate her own birthday cake. I have a bad reaction to processed sugar. With that being said, in my last pregnancy, I couldn’t get enough of a certain type of fresh baked cookie from Bristol Farms in LA. I would stop there every week and get a dozen and eat them all myself. It was kind of nice to be able to eat sweets and not have a terrible reaction to them.

 

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching Truly, Madly, Sweetly?

 

A) I hope it makes them really happy. I hope it makes them feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. I hope they can leave their troubles behind for two hours and allow a smile to spread across their faces.

 

Q) Besides your current Hallmark movie that airs on Saturday, what can you tell us about the holiday movie that you have been developing called Reunited at Christmas?

 

A) We are almost done filming Reunited at Christmas!  It has been such a fun experience bringing this movie to life. 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. The family is reunited, but it’s quite the journey for them to get there. It’s a beautiful story with so much heart.

 

Q) Why is it important for you to not just star in these projects, but also be a part of them from the ground up between both developing and producing; especially as a female in the industry?

 

A) I have always called myself a storyteller. Even when I was a little kid playing pretend, I would write out a script and give all my friends their role. I would direct it. I would pretend to shoot it with a camera. I was always interested in every aspect of bringing a story to life. It truly fulfills me on a level that just being an actor could never do. I love starting with a seed of an idea and seeing what can be built. I also love teamwork and collaboration. I am thrilled with how many women are now moving into positions of power, such as writer, producer, director. We need to be the ones telling our stories.