T.E.N. was given the opportunity to interview one of the sweetest and sexiest women to ever be on television, in a movie or in print and her name is Nikki Gray.
This interview was different than others in the past due to the fact that Nikki was extremely open and honest about everything, all the while maintaining a “We’re having fun vibe” with our conversation where everything just seemed to click and she has now become my new favorite! She has been featured in major magazines, was a model with a million dollar suitcase on Deal Or No Deal and has also been a spokesmodel for major companies including Monster Energy Drink and Toyo Tires.
She was recently cast in a starring role for the forthcoming movie “Exit 102” that was written by and is being directed and produced by Peter Dobson and also features a cast of actors that certainly guarantees it will be a hit. Nikki recently took some time out of her extremely busy schedule to share about her career, her love of music and having fun in life and dating a bass player of Motley sorts.
The Entertainment Nexus- Hi Nikki, how are you doing?
Nikki Gray- I’m good!
TEN- So tell me about this movie you’re starring in called: “Exit 102.”
NG- Robert Evans is the executive producer and Peter Dobson is the director. James Woods, Chazz Palminteri and Frank Vincent are starring in it. There are also a couple of other people yet to be named. They’re still working out the details. The movie is set in 1974 and it’s like a cool greaser/rocker/biker type of movie kinda like “West Side Story meets American Graffiti”…that kind of old school vibe. The director had seen my modeling pictures and he e-mailed me and told me about the movie… that I would be perfect for the part and he would like for me to try out. I was like; “Yeah, okay, right. I’ve never acted before.” I’ve never taken any acting classes and I kind of just laughed it off thinking that movie roles especially good ones like this were kinda unattainable. I wrote him back and told him that I had never done any acting or anything before. I kinda told him “I’m not sure.”
He wrote me back and told me that he really wanted me to try out so I had to go to my first movie role audition in front of the casting directors and in front of the video director. I had to yell at the director because I’m a bitchy girlfriend in the movie so I had to say things like; “Kick his fucking ass, Wolfie!” I was just screaming at him. It wasn’t that hard and actually was pretty funny. I had to pull out my bitch skills for the audition. I was so nervous but I think I was to the point to where I was just like: “Screw it. If I don’t get it whatever, if I do that will be amazing.” The director called me a couple hours later and told me that Robert Evans saw the video and I got the role. It was very, very exciting! I am very lucky to get that. I know a lot of girls that have been modeling and going to acting classes for hours a day and they still haven’t gotten a part.
TEN- And, you’ve actually auditioned for it. The part just wasn’t given to you.
NG- Yeah, 50 other girls tried out for the part. I think they just liked my look and he also had seen my Myspace and he saw how I was kind of into the older rock-and-roll and country music. I kind of have a “rocker girl vibe” which he liked. I don’t see the resemblance but he said that I reminded him of Sharon Tate. That was a good complement, I lucked out for sure.
TEN- So tell me more about your role.
NG- I’ll be in Asbury Park, New Jersey starting sometime in August for six weeks filming. I’m one of the main characters’ girlfriends. I’m in a lot of the movie and probably the only times I’m talking is when I’m yelling at someone. (Laughs) Basically, I’m just a bitch…which will be fun. I’m usually always just a “chill, nice person” but I can play a bitch. I’ve always wanted to have that kind of role like Heather Locklear. She was such a bitch on Melrose Place. I just find that cool.
TEN- It’s where you can step out of your element for a while.
NG- Yeah, and be just like a psycho, annoying, bitchy girlfriend that tells her boyfriend to kick someone’s ass! I’ve done that before in real life but…
TEN- What other types of roles would you like to do?
NG- You know what? It’s not about the money to me and this sounds weird but I would like to do something that’s gritty. You know… play something like a drug addict or someone that kills people. I love Angelina Jolie…obviously every girl loves her. I’m going to get into boxing and I’ve always been into gymnastics. I don’t know, I kinda like the “kick ass roles.” I’m a tiny girl but I can kick ass! But, I also have no problem playing the bimbo role. I think that’s fun. I have no problem being sexy. I’m not trying to be Julia Roberts…it’s not me. I don’t take myself to seriously at all. I’ll definitely do a bimbo role if I think it’s funny. I have no problem with that.
TEN- How did you become involved with modeling?
NG- It’s kind of embarrassing how I started. I think a lot of girls started this way. I started through Hawaiian Tropic and then I just met a couple people that were judges and they introduced me to other girls who introduced me to agents. As soon as I signed with an agency I started working. One of my first big jobs was with Monster Energy Drink. I was their spokes model and I did their posters, billboards and a whole bunch of stuff. That was really cool because they were really fun to work for. Basically when you work for them…it was a party. We do appearances and they would have a DJ and we could drink…it was fun! It was cool seeing the posters because I am from a small town. That was like a big deal to me.
TEN- What are some other companies that you have worked for?
NG- I was a Reef Girl. Are you familiar with Reef? It’s a pretty well known surf company and that was exciting for me too. I have always had a “bubble butt” and my guy friends in high school were like: “You have a “Reefbutt” and you should be a “Reef Girl!” because they are known for that. They have a lot of Brazilian models. It’s funny, I got hired as one of the Reef Girls and that was really cool.
I have also done a lot of catalog work. I have done Ellie Shoes, I have actually done Hustler Clothing catalog…not their magazine! Yeah, no nudes just the clothing. They actually have a nice clothing line. I have done a couple bikini lines and I have done FHM, Spanish Maxim, a billboard with Charlie Sheen. This was an interesting experience. That was probably the most fun on set that we had. That whole cast was so nice. The whole crew was so nice. That was a really fun day! I think they use it for ads also but I haven’t had a chance to see them yet. I was a Toyo Tires spokesmodel so I was flying all over the country going to the NHRA races and signing posters and that was very fun. I’m from a small country town; I’m not like a L.A. person at all so it was very, very cool to be able to go to Kentucky or some random place in Florida and talk to people and sign posters.
I also did Deal or No Deal for half of the first season. I took a girl’s spot while she was filming a movie. I tried out for this one part that was open because they have 26 girls and there was only one opening. I literally knew every girl that tried out for that. I would say 400 or 500 girls tried out for the one place and I got it. I was very, very surprised. I was very happy about that!
TEN- So, how cool was it to work with Howie?
NG- He was actually really nice. The first day that I got there he walked up to me, introduced himself and he was like; “Oh, you’re new!” He was very, very nice. Most of the girls were nice but there were a couple… (Laughs) I’ll just say the ones that were “super hot” were the nicest. (Laughs)
TEN- Did you ever have a big money suitcase?
NG- You know what? One time I actually made a guy cry. He called my number and I had the million dollars in my suitcase and that is bad because that means his money goes way down. When I opened it, he actually started to cry a little bit. I felt so bad. But, you would get so mad at people because they would be greedy and you would want them to win. It’s definitely not set up at all. We would want them to win. I remember one girl turned down $80,000. She wanted to start a business, she really needed the money and she ended up going home with $50. People probably think that modeling and all of that is easy but it’s actually really hard work. It was like standing up for six hours, smiling and your mouth starts to twitch from smiling so much. Your feet hurt. I remember one time we did a double episode…a two hour long special and we were over time for lunch break and I was one of the last girls standing and I swear we were also starting to sweat. (Laughs) We would have to stand up there for hours. I actually went by Nicole Gray on that show. I think there was a Vickie and I didn’t want to get mixed up with anyone and Nicole was kinda easier to say for Howie.
TEN- You’re also into all types of music.
NG- Yes, I’m mostly into Rock and Country. It’s funny I have my play list on my Myspace and I change my music according to my mood. I am very, very much into music. I like a lot of old stuff like Tom Petty, The Steve Miller band but AC/DC is my favorite. I like Led Zeppelin; Guns N Roses are probably my other favorite band. My favorite new band is Hinder and I saw that you interviewed them. That’s very cool! I met the lead singer once and he seemed like a really cool guy. I also like Buckcherry.
TEN- We actually got to meet Josh Todd when they were in Columbus for the Rock On The Range shows.
NG- I think he is so hot but he’s married. I recently saw them play with Avenged Sevenfold, Saving Abel and Papa Roach.
TEN- Avenged Sevenfold and Saving Abel played the Columbus Rock On The Range shows and Motley Crue headlined the second night.
NG- Yeah I know Motley Crue. (Laughs) I think Victoria (Talbot) told me that you were going to ask me about Nikki Sixx. (Laughs) I have no problems talking about that. It was a very fun time. Most of the guys that I have dated have had tattoos I like that rocker look. I think every boyfriend but one has had tattoos. I was introduced to Nikki through a mutual friend and then we started e-mailing and talking on the phone and I thought: “Ok, this guy’s gonna be cocky, he’s gonna be an asshole and I just wanna meet him and say hi.” But that wasn’t the case, we started talking everyday that he was on tour and I ended up flying out to meet him when they were on tour with Aerosmith. He would fly me out and that was really fun because I would get to go on the tour bus you know, VIP. We dated for about a year and he was a really nice guy. I would not have dated him at all if he wasn’t. It was a very fun experience and it is something that I will still remember when I am 80. I remember when I saw Steven Tyler I was star struck. I wasn’t star struck by any other person. I didn’t even talk to him. (Laughs) Nikki is like a little kid he likes to do pranks. One of the things I liked about dating him that was really cool was that I liked rock music and I got to sit wherever I wanted, I could go to the side of the stage, just being backstage before the show and hanging out with everyone was really cool. I remember one time after the show Nikki was next to me and some girl was trying to get his attention and he was kinda ignoring her with his arm around me. The girls like: “He only likes girls with big boobs” and his bodyguard looked at me and asked “Do you want us to kick her out?” I said “No, its okay” but they were like: “No, she’s out of here” and they grabbed her and through her out! I thought that was pretty funny because she was out of there for disrespecting me. I’m still friends with his bodyguard; he’s a really nice guy.
TEN- Do you still talk to Nikki?
NG- No, we actually stopped dating a couple of years ago. But it was fun. He was going for a divorce and I had just gone through a breakup and we just had fun.
TEN- Who do you like in country music?
NG- I love how you interviewed David Allan Coe and Hank III because they are under the radar for some people but I love them! I love Hank Williams Jr. My friend Ross manages him, Kid Rock and Dierks Bentley so I got to get to the Hank Williams Jr. CMT tribute concert and I had so much fun. I got to party with them. It was just so much fun; I remember that Gretchen Wilson was such a bitch. (Laughs) She didn’t like hot girls being around. Hank Williams Jr. is amazing. I love his attitude and what he stands for. “Country Boy Can Survive” is one my all-time favorite songs. Meeting him was like a dream.
TEN- Before I called you, I was talking to David Allan Coes’ fiancée Miss Kimberly Hastings.
NG- He’s like a legend. He’s amazing, that’s awesome! I have a dream list of people that I want to meet and he is one of them. Ted Nugent is definitely one of them. I like people that are true to themselves and they don’t give a fuck what Hollywood thinks. They don’t give a fuck what award shows think. Waylon Jennings is probably my favorite singer of all-time and he was so underrated but he played it like he wanted to play it. He played his own game, he did it how he wanted and stayed true to himself. He never got as big as he should have because I think he has the greatest voice. I mean Johnny Cash is more well-known than he is but to me…Waylon Jennings is amazing. He will always be my favorite singer.
TEN- David Allan Coe is the same way. He never got the recognition or the awards he deserves.
NG- He’s not worried about being “politically correct.” I don’t like people that worry about what people think. I’m kinda like that. I really don’t care what people think about me except my family and my really good friends. I’m a nice person but if people don’t like my sexy pictures or have a problem with me, then I don’t care…at all. I don’t know them so they can do what they want to do and I’ll do what I want to do. I don’t care. I do respect people that don’t just follow the crowd. I see things like Perez Hilton and all the celebrities that he talks shit about and they kiss his ass. I’m like: “You guys are so stupid!” I think it’s hilarious that
Will i am just punched him. (Laughs)
I’m actually in talks to shoot a pilot…a kind of reality show like; “Wild On” or “Jesse James Is A Dead Man” type of vibe. It will be where I am doing crazy stuff and one of my ideas that I wanted to set up would be going hunting with Ted Nugent or go shooting with Ted. Another idea is going to Daytona and go driving with a NASCAR driver. I want to gear towards country guys because I’m a guy’s girl. I know it’s annoying to other girls when a girl says that. Me and my best friend who also models, when we were growing up in our small little hick town… most of our friends were guys so we grew up just hanging out with the boys. I did a lot of sports growing up like soccer, track, gymnastics, dance and even karate. I love sports and I love going to sporting events. I have no problem getting dirty. I’m actually very “low maintenance.” I live high maintenance but I’m actually very low maintenance. I have to brag, I can get out of the house in full makeup and hair in like 15 minutes. (Laughs) That’s a good talent of mine.
TEN- How did you meet Victoria Talbot?
NG- We actually met through Kimberly Metz, a photographer that I had worked with. She is an amazing photographer. She does a lot of Maxim Magazine and she’s a very nice girl too. She knew that I wanted to take my career to the next level and she knew that I had a good head on my shoulders and I’m not into partying. I just want to get my career going. She had mentioned Victoria and I looked her up and it was like; “Oh my gosh! She’s done so much to help girls do the stuff that I want to do!” She’s done the Maxims, FHMs I mean within the first week of working with her she got me Maxim UK. She’s very connected with all of those magazines. I saw Joanna Krupa on there, who is a model that I love her style. Just seeing the girls that Victoria has worked with and I was like: “Wow!”
It’s funny; I kinda waited to contact her because actually to be honest, I was nervous because I wondered “What if she doesn’t want to work with me? I’m just starting out. I’m young and I’m not super established.” But, she ended up contacting me and told me that she wanted to work with me. We met in L.A. and we had a nice sushi dinner. I think we had like five things of sake. (Laughs) I think our bill was $500 or $600. We ate a lot of sushi. We just kinda hit it off. As a working relationship, she’s amazing. She’s a hustler. She has that in her blood and she knows how to get things done. She knows how to get girls out there. On a personal level, we hit it off. We have a lot of fun. I am definitely going to go visit her when I’m in New Jersey. She is very cool and I’m glad that I got hooked up with her!
This all came at a good time too because with the movie, magazines and stuff want to know about it, so this all came at a good time for publicity with this big movie coming out.
TEN- I know you’ve seen this question and you knew it was coming. Tell me something disturbing about yourself that you’ve never revealed before.
NG- (Laughs) I actually did look at your website and I thought of something because I didn’t want to say anything sexual. I think a girl should be a “Lady in the streets and a freak in the sheets” type of thing. (Laughs) So…I’m from a small hick town and I think I went through my “wild stage” in high school because now I am very mature for my age. I think once or twice a week I would go to Albertson’s or Food 4 Less or Rite Aid and steal like three bottles of alcohol like every week. I stole hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of alcohol. And, I told my mom this and now she is laughing. Obviously at the time she wouldn’t have laughed. I was the “bad girl.” My friends would be like: “Ok, who’s getting it?” and I would be like; “Whatever, I’ll go do it.” I think I kinda got an adrenaline rush from it. I even got to the point where at Rite Aid they had the little beeper things on so I would bring in a water bottle and I would open up the Bacardi or whatever and poured into my water bottle and then walked out of the store. (Laughs) I would wear a big jacket into Food 4 Less and my friend Cora would put in two bottles of wine and I would just walk out with this big jacket on. So, that’s very bad and I would never steal anymore.
TEN- Did you ever get busted?
NG- No, I never did! I guess I was really good at it! I guess I kind had a 007 type thing. I kinda knew exactly where every camera was and I would go to a certain spot. It’s funny, I knew that in one store they were onto me but they never caught me. They kept walking by…but never!
TEN- That made it that much more exciting I bet.
NG- Yeah, it’s funny I drank a lot more in high school. I mean that was all that there was to do in our town. There was a Kmart and that was the only thing there. We would have bonfires…I think country boys and girls know how to party. We would actually have some fun! My girlfriend and I were like 100 pounds each and we would finish a gallon of vodka in one weekend!
TEN- Is there anything else that you would like to add or say?
NG- I am definitely excited about the movie. I love your web site because I am very much into rock-and-roll and I love how you have the country rockers on there too. And, I’m just excited to do the interview with you. I also wanted to say thank you to Peter Dobson, the director who gave me this opportunity for the movie because this is definitely going to be an awesome thing! My career is just starting to take off so I’m very lucky for that.
TEN- Do you know when the movie is slated for a release?
NG- I’m not sure but I’m thinking it’ll probably be fall 2010 or maybe even summer 2010.
TEN- I’ll look forward to watching it.
NG- Great, and I’m gonna keep looking at your web site because I think it’s a cool web site. I’m glad Victoria told me about it.
TEN- I’m glad she sent you my way!
NG- Where are you located?
TEN- In Ohio.
NG- Well when, I come out there will have to get together and party and go to a rock show!
I really want to thank Nikki for the fun interview and to Victoria Talbot for once again making this interview happen.
For more information on Nikki, please visit www.myspace.com/nikkigray909 or www.nikkigray.com and for information on both Nikki and Victoria www.allabouthype.com and downhomehypeproductions.com
For exclusive photos of Nikki please visit the “Showing Love For T.E.N.” link