Benjamin: We have been friends on social media for a while, but we have never really connected like this. This is our chance to catch up, get to know each other a little more, and let everyone learn about who you are. Tell us about yourself, Nicole.
Nicole Vegas: I go by Nicole Butler Vegas. Nicole Vegas for showbiz, but Nicole Butler is my legal name. I jumped into showbiz five years ago back in 2021. Before that, the short version: I used to be a police officer here in North Las Vegas, I am a military veteran, I worked for the post office, and I did a lot of nonprofit work before deciding to step into acting to connect with more people.
Nicole Vegas: My first gig was through Julie Goldman for The Cleaning Lady pilot. They bumped me with my first Taft-Hartley on set. It was a 12-hour shoot, freezing cold outside on top of Drai's Nightclub. I did not know anything about showbiz when I started! At first they had me as background, but then they bumped me up. You have to learn your marks and your eye line fast. It is a real learning curve when you jump straight into the deep end.
Benjamin: Looking at all your history, you mentioned serving in the military. Which branch did you serve in?
Nicole Vegas: I was in the Air Force and deployed to Prince Sultan Air Force Base. I was there for four months as an M60 specialist. I used to think I was pretty tough running around with my M60 on top of my Humvee!
Benjamin: First of all, thank you for your service! That is an incredible background. What made you want to transition from that world straight into show business?
Nicole Vegas: It was a drastic flip, for sure! It is completely different from anything else I have done. I used to do a lot of volunteering with nonprofits like The Shade Tree, The Just One Project, Gift 61, Three Square, and Helping Hands. I love community connection, helping people, and meeting fellow helpers. I realized that by entering showbiz, I could build a larger platform to reach and help even more people.
Benjamin: Building a personal brand takes a lot of work. How did the stage name Nicole Vegas come about?
Nicole Vegas: I had "Nicole Vegas" on my Facebook profile, and people just naturally started calling me that. When I joined SAG, I registered "Nicole Vegas" on my SAG card as my performer name. When I produce, I use Nicole Butler, so combining them as Nicole Butler Vegas makes it easy for everyone to recognize.
Benjamin: What advice do you have for people navigating the film industry and keeping track of real credits?
Nicole Vegas: Always verify credentials. You have to look people up and see if they have completed feature films with legitimate distribution. You can see my verified credits directly on my Official IMDb Profile. Be careful who you commit to, and make sure you do your homework before signing on to projects.
Benjamin: How long have you lived here in Las Vegas, and what is your favorite local spot?
Nicole Vegas: I have been in Vegas for about 20 years, originally moving out here from Buffalo, New York by way of Pennsylvania. My absolute favorite restaurant is Osaka Japanese Bistro! I have been going there for 20 years, and my go-to order is their Roppongi Sushi Roll.
Benjamin: What projects are you working on right now?
Nicole Vegas: I have been doing a lot of horror films lately! We recently wrapped production on a feature called Lost Media, where a clone of my character takes over her talk show. I am also working alongside Noel G from Fast and the Furious and Training Day in A Widow's Oath.
Benjamin: What does living the goodlife in Las Vegas mean to you?
Nicole Vegas: To me, living the goodlife is all about strong community connections. It is about lifting people up, staying active in local service, and building lasting relationships across our city.