Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Nikki Hahn

The wait is over. Hollywood triple threat Nikki Hahn has dropped her debut single, and it’s already stuck in our heads. Best known for her dynamic performance as Gina Tuscadero on ABC’s American Housewife, Nikki has effortlessly made the transition over to music. Pop Culturalist caught up with her to chat about the release of “In My Head.”

PC: You’re an actress, singer, and model. How did you discover your passion for the arts? Is there one that you naturally gravitate towards?
Nikki: It came in phases. Naturally, I gravitated toward acting and storytelling. I always wanted to play roles at home. I started singing a little later, around six or seven years old. I used to sing musical theater—Disney songs were my favorite. It wasn’t until I was ten that I received my first audition where I had to sing a pop song. So I started listening to the radio to find a song I liked, and I ended up loving Demi Lovato’s song “Give Your Heart a Break.” That song ended up being the first pop song I sang. I gravitated toward both acting and music. I couldn’t choose.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Nikki: Honestly, just my ambition. I’m a workaholic, and I’m used to working hard to accomplish what I want.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Nikki: Definitely my Jimmy Kimmel skit with Tom Hanks. It went viral on YouTube overnight, at a time when you didn’t hear the word “viral” as often. The newspapers were calling, Oprah Winfrey featured it on her show, and I had no idea because I was like eight. I didn’t know how much exposure that would give me; I just wanted to do the skit because I wanted to work with Tom Hanks and I wanted to experience wearing one of those beautiful glitter dresses.

PC: You have a new single out. Tell us about “In My Head” and what inspired the song.
Nikki: What inspired the song was just really normal teenage situations and the kind of boy drama my friends and I talk about.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for you?
Nikki: I will be graduating high school this June, and I’ll be eighteen in November. I’m excited to finally focus on my career entirely.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Nikki: Riverdale and Gossip Girl. I just met K.J. Apa and Charles Melton at the premiere of I Still Believe, and they were some of the sweetest actors I’ve met.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Nikki: Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I also just recently met Zachary Gordon. He’s super cool.

PC: Favorite book?
Nikki: The Star Wars: Return of the Jedi novelization

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Nikki: Mean Girls on Broadway. I got to go backstage and meet the original cast two years ago in New York.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Nikki: Green Day. The American Idiot album is my favorite.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Nikki: I think Hailee Steinfeld would do a great job. She’s one of my doppelgangers.

To keep up with Nikki, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “In My Head” today.