An Interview With Actress, Author and Co-Host of ‘That Radio Show’ Nicola Charles
“Create your own groove, your own space, be authentic and see where that gets you” -wise words from the beautiful and talented Nicola Charles, who played Sarah on one Australia’s longest running soaps ‘Neighbours’ (and also happened to be one of my favorite characters). Fast forward to 2019, Nicola Charles is now the new co-host of That Radio Show in Melbourne alongside Peter and Eddie, which she loves -and she also talks about how becoming a mother to 3 kids has changed her. Here is what she had to say:
Hi Nicola, it’s lovely to meet you. First of all, lets talk about your life after playing the role of Sarah on Neighbours -and is there any possibility of a return?
Life was okay after Neighbours and I enjoyed returning to the UK but within a couple of years, I regretted resigning from the show and missed playing Sarah. The character has been left open to return.
You are also a mother of 3 children, how has this changed you?
Being a Mum forced responsibility onto me which was tough, because I didn’t see much of it growing up in an abusive household -so I had little to base things on and it got much harder when I realized the fathers were not going to step up financially. I love who my kids are as people and yes I’m extremely proud of them.
You are now the host of That Radio Show in Melbourne, how did this come about and how are you liking it?
Hosting That Radio Show was unexpected. I was asked to fill in for two weeks while the original host (reality TV star Sarah Roza) went to Queensland for the Logie Awards and some press. After the 2nd show, the producer approached me and said they wanted to offer me the co-host position permanently. The best part of my week is doing the show with Peter and Eddie.
As a female also in the entertainment industry myself who faces obstacles, what has been one of your biggest challenges?
My biggest challenge as a female in the entertainment industry, believe it or not has been other females. I realize that comment makes me sound like I am betraying the sisterhood and don’t get my wrong, I know some awesome females in this business, but I have also seen the dark side of women through my television work. I have seen hatred based on pure jealousy from some women who perpetuated for years and years, that turned into active bullying and defamation. I have the emails given to me by industry professionals who received them from females who were actively trying to damage my career. Females who had no reason to take that route. It never ends and it’s one of the toughest things I deal with -knowing which females I can truly trust. So yeah, sadly, other women are the greatest challenge.
You are also an author with your own publishing company, tell us about that:
I am one half of Shield-Maiden Publishing, the other half being Author and Editor Sally-Anne Ward. We are a Boutique Publishing House in Melbourne, seeking as much socially conscious material as possible. It’s the best business I’ve ever worked in. It is creative as all hell and I work hours that are about as flexible as it’s possible to get -3 to 6 am being my busiest time of day for writing, editing and reading submissions.
What has been one of the biggest achievements of your career so far?
I would like to think radio is my biggest career achievement so far. I was given the briefing to be entertaining and light, and I think I’ve achieved that -perhaps a bit more silliness than they’d expected but that’s a British thing. I see my future in radio now and not television.
What have you learned the most about being in the entertainment industry?
Mostly I have learned to feel the fear, but to do it anyway. It is important to accept work you are not sure you can do and then sink or swim. Art and creativity are hard to fabricate -it either exists or it does not and you won’t know it exists within you, until you try it.
In the future, what type of role/project would you love to do if you had the chance?
My future dream job would be a breakfast radio host in Melbourne.
What is your best piece of advice to aspiring artists?
My best piece of advice to aspiring artists is to stop looking at what everyone else is doing. Luckily I am too selfish to focus on others and it has served me well. I can’t tell you the amount of times others have tried to compare my life, achievements or lack thereof following Neighbours to other cast members -but I am simply not interested. My spirituality helps me with that. I am fate driven and I was not put here to be anyone other than Nicola. If you look to those you see as successful for clues to success you will never make it because their thing has already been done. Their moment in time was theirs. Create your own groove, your own space, be authentic, and see where that gets you.
Catch Nicola Charles on That Radio Show Sunday’s from 8 am
on 1377 AM sen+ and download the app below. You can also follow Nicola on instagram at:
