Niecy Nash
“Claws” star Niecy Nash explained why up and coming actors have to figure out whether acting is a calling or just a hobby for them. Pictured: Nash arrives on the red carpet for the 68th Los Angeles Emmy Awards on July 25, 2016. Getty Images/Angela Weiss

“Claws” star Niecy Nash has some valuable advice for young actors who dream of making it big in Hollywood.

In a recent interview with Salon, Nash said that up-and-coming actors have to first figure out whether or not they want to pursue acting fulltime.

“The one thing that I think that I’d say is that you have to know the difference between a hobby and the call on your life, because those are two totally different things and you will approach it in a different way,” Nash said. “‘Yeah, I think being an actor would be kind of cool,’ is very different from ‘I know that this is part of my destiny,’ which means that I have to be in a prepared place, which means I have to study my craft, which means I have to be vigilant about how I go about bringing this thing to fruition.”

“Know what it is first,” the Primetime Emmy-nominated actress said. “And then, once you know which side of the lane you’re on, you’ll better know how to navigate the space.”

Nash, who manages to live the Hollywood dream while being a mom to three children, added that young actors also need to learn how to help their fellow dreamers. “Don’t be selfish. If you find out about a casting, or you find out about an audition, share that information with other people who you know are out there trying to do the same thing,” Nash said. “Because I find, for me, the more I give in this business, the more I get. It comes back; there’s a reciprocity in it that just can’t be explained. It just is.”

Newcomer Evan Daigle, who starred alongside Nash on “Claws,” revealed to The Advocate last July that the actress sort of became a mentor to him while filming the TNT series. “She was very mentoring toward me throughout the entire process, so that’s been really nice,” Daigle said of Nash, who plays Desna on the show.

Daigle, who portrays Uncle Daddy’s (Dean Norris) boyfriend, Toby, on the Eliot Laurence-created series, went on to share that Nash gave him pointers about relocating to Los Angeles to explore more acting opportunities. “After I shot the last episode, she sat me down and asked me what my next move was,” Daigle said. “She gave me some valuable advice about moving out here and how to start my career here. She’s a great person. She definitely has that Mama Bear aspect that her character has.”

“Claws” ended its 10-episode Season 1 last month. The series, which has already been renewed for Season 2, will return to TNT sometime next year.

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