Nikki DeLoach on Childhood Stardom, Hallmark Movies, and Philanthropy

Early Life and Career Beginnings

• 💡 Nikki DeLoach discovered her passion for entertainment at age three, inspired by classic films like "Singing in the Rain" and "The Sound of Music."
• 🎭 Initially a tomboy, she participated in pageants for their talent segments, which led to an opportunity in New York and eventually auditions for The Mickey Mouse Club.
• 🎤 DeLoach joined the girl group Innocence at 17, leaving acting for a chance in the music business, which included opening for Britney Spears and NSYNC.

Acting Career and Hallmark

• 🎬 DeLoach landed the role of Lacy Hamilton on Awkward after passing on the audition multiple times, viewing it as a significant career opportunity.
• ✍️ She produced and starred in Hallmark's "Taking the Reigns," developing it with her writing partner, Megan McNei, marking a significant milestone in her producing career.
• 💖 DeLoach's return to Hallmark is driven by the fans, appreciating the personal connection and the opportunity to bring comfort and joy through storytelling, especially during the holidays.

Philanthropic Work and Advocacy

• 🏥 DeLoach is deeply involved with Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), serving as co-chair for their 125th-anniversary fundraising initiative, emphasizing the hospital's mission to create hope and healthier futures for all children.
• 🎗️ She is a spokesperson for the Alzheimer's Association, advocating for research and awareness, especially after her father's diagnosis with dementia.
• 🤝 She co-founded Mind What Matters, an organization providing financial and educational support to caregivers, highlighting the importance of asking for help and self-care.

Personal Reflections and Values

• 🌟 DeLoach's earliest memory is a profound spiritual experience at age three, feeling the presence of God and a wash of love.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Her greatest non-negotiable and what she can't live without are her children, prioritizing family above all else.
• 🛁 A guilty pleasure she admits to is eating dinner in the bathtub while watching "The Housewives."
• 🩺 DeLoach has a unique talent for reading blood work, a skill developed through her extensive philanthropic work and caregiving for her son's medical needs.

'A Grand Ole Opry Christmas' and CHLA Collaboration

• 🎶 Filming "A Grand Ole Opry Christmas" was a miraculous experience, fulfilling a lifelong dream and honoring her father's love for country music and the Grand Ole Opry.
• 💖 The Benny bracelet, a collaboration with Rain Jewelry, was created to support CHLA, named after her son Bennett, and is the first initiative of her "Small Business Big Heart" platform.
• 🏥 She stresses the critical need for donations to children's hospitals like CHLA, especially with current healthcare challenges, to ensure all children receive life-saving care.