Nicole Huff Gets Personal With ‘Who We Are [Deluxe]’

Art is a reflection of who we are at every stage of our lives. For multi-hyphenate Nicole Huff, music, in particular, is a space for deep introspection and evolution. The actress, singer, and dancer is inspired by the pop titans of the 2000s, and her music offers a unique blend of this introspection with a fun, get-up-and-dance vibe. Now, Nicole is revisiting her hit 2025 EP, Who We Are, with an expanded edition, titled Who We Are [Deluxe]. This version boasts new tracks and paints a vivid portrait of an artist in a constant state of growth.

Recently, Eulalie Magazine had the privilege of chatting with Nicole about Who We Are [Deluxe], what listeners can expect, her new songs, and more.

This interview is edited for length and clarity. 

Nicole Huff on Her Origin Story

Eulalie Magazine: What’s your origin story? How did you get involved in the arts?

Nicole Huff: I’ve been involved since I was super young. I loved movies and listening to my favorite music. I loved the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and Spice Girls.

Because I loved the arts so much, my parents enrolled me in many different art [forms], like figure skating, dancing, and singing lessons. I think someone, like a talent pageant judge, came up to my mom and was like, “I think you should enroll [her]. I think you should put her in modeling or acting. She’s got a lot of personality, and maybe she’d enjoy it.”

I booked the very first commercial I auditioned for. Ever since, it’s been fun to audition and land roles in commercials, modeling, print ads, [at] Netflix, and stuff like that. I started taking music seriously a couple years ago, but it was more so always for fun. It’s just been a passion of mine for a long time.

Then, after Degrassi: The Next Generation, when I was around 18, Roy Hamilton III scouted me out. He’s a producer who basically worked with artists I grew up listening to, like Britney, Michael Jackson, and NSYNC.

He was like, “We should work together. I love the covers you’re posting,” because I would post them on YouTube or Facebook. That’s how that happened. Then, when the time was right, we met up and worked together on music. It’s been something I’ve loved ever since and hope to continue to pursue, along with acting.

A Perpetually Resonant Musical Catalog

Eulalie Magazine: Let’s talk about Who We Are [Deluxe], the expanded version of your EP. What was the inspiration behind revisiting this album?

Nicole Huff: It was just a part of myself I felt like I still resonated with, and it was a message I wanted to get across to even more people. It’s got this pop, funky, cool dance feel to it — 2000s vibes. I still felt like I had something to say. I felt like it would be very special to do as a deluxe EP rather than just releasing them as singles. They still go together, and they’re still part of who I am. The songs fit the EP. They really tell that story, the message of the album.

Eulalie Magazine: What can listeners expect from “Who We Are”?

Nicole Huff: I think it’ll resonate with a lot of people. When I was writing the song, I really wanted to touch on female empowerment and life in general. I feel like lots of people are afraid to accept themselves for who they are, be confident in who they are, and not care about what they look like. Just to be themselves, whatever that means to that person.

One of my favorite lyrics is, “We won’t be afraid to come out of the dark.” I think we’ve all experienced being in a dark place and feeling stuck, and having trouble getting out of it, and [feeling] that there’s no way out. I want people to know that they should never give up. Accept yourself for who you are, and be proud of it.

Who We Are [Deluxe] and Its Tracks

Eulalie Magazine: What can you tease about the new tracks on your album?

Nicole Huff: There’s a music video actually coming out for “Who We Are,” which I’m also re-releasing as a single with “Who We Are II” as well, which is more of an Afrobeat. I also wanted to focus on the emotional aspect of the song.

I feel like the second one is really uplifting and very dancey. Then, we’ve got “Obsession,” which is a thrilling, haunting, darker but still dancey pop song, I would say. Yes, I like moody things, too. Depending on where I’m at, it makes me feel good.

“Drive” is actually one of my favorites on the EP right now. It’s a dance-pop song that a lot of my friends and family really like, so I’m excited to release that one. There’s a music video coming out for “Obsession” as well.

(I Got That) Boom Boom

Eulalie Magazine: You mentioned working with Roy Hamilton III, and you got to collaborate on a remix of “(I Got That) Boom Boom,” a track originally for Britney Spears. What was that experience like?

Nicole Huff: When I was asked to do a remix for it, I was super stoked. It was a huge honor because the producer made that song for Britney, [and] that exact producer wanted to make one for me.

I felt like I had an expectation to reach. At the end of the day, all I can do is admire her (Britney) and do it my own way while still keeping it respectful to the original track. There are cool vocal harmonies and runs in there that hopefully more people will connect [with] and love as much as I do.

Eulalie Magazine: Describe Who We Are [Deluxe] using three words.

Nicole Huff: Empowering. I know it’s overused, but I love that word. Flirty. Fun.

The Recording Process and Influences

Eulalie Magazine: What do you love most about the recording process?

Nicole Huff: I love everything about it. I love that I wrote everything from scratch. That was really cool to start from writing, and then have someone record the guitar over the vocals. Then, [to] put in a demo in the recording studio, and say, “Well, what other instruments and beats can we add on?” and be with the producer during those sessions.

I think my favorite part about it is actually recording the song, adding fun vocal tricks and harmonies, and figuring out what they are. It’s the vocal arrangement of it. Then, hearing the final thing, you feel proud of yourself because it all came together the way you hoped it would. Sometimes, even better than you hoped.

Eulalie Magazine: You touched on this before, but are there any artists who have really influenced your sound? What would you put in your personal music hall of fame?

Nicole Huff: Britney Spears is definitely one of them. I’m more of a performer than a stand-up [and sing] like Whitney Houston. I wish I had a voice like Christina Aguilera and Whitney, but I feel like the J-Lo, Paula Abdul, Britney type of style is very much what I’m inspired by. That’s my style of music.

Today, Ariana Grande is a good one. I love Mariah Carey’s voice. I love the layers, the amount of singing, and just how full her music is. The vocal runs. I also find that listening to that helps you learn how to sing, which is really cool. I listen to a lot of Demi Lovato, too, and I love the meaning behind her songs. Those are, I would say, some of my favorite female artists.

On the Horizon

Eulalie Magazine: Lastly, what else is on the horizon for you?

Nicole Huff: Nothing that I’m ready to announce specifically yet, but I am working on producing right now. I’m pitching a television show.

Eulalie Magazine: Congratulations!

Nicole Huff: Thank you. Hopefully, I can work on producing in the future. I’m definitely going to continue making music. I’ll be releasing more singles here and there, and maybe an album someday soon. I’m producing a short film, and hopefully one day a feature film that I’ll star in as well. We’ll see where everything goes.

I’m continuing to audition. I just got my O-1 visa for acting. I’m able to work in the States now. Hopefully, I can start auditioning in the States.

Who We Are [Deluxe] is now streaming wherever you get your music. Be sure to follow Nicole on Instagram (@nicolesamanthahuff) to keep up to date on what’s next for her.

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