Your upcoming release Who We Are Deluxe revisits and expands your original EP. What shifted inside you personally or artistically that made you feel this project needed to be revisited now?
I’ve grown into a deeper confidence in my voice. The songs were always honest, but I understand them differently now. Revisiting this project felt right because I finally feel aligned with what I’m saying and how I’m saying it. It’s such a special EP to me, and I wasn’t ready to let it go. The new songs still belong to that chapter of my life, they just reflect it from a place of greater clarity.
This album grew out of a period of self reflection. How did that inward process change the way you hear or understand the songs from your original EP today?
I hear them now with more clarity and compassion. Back then, even though I’ve always had an ear for music, I was pushing forward while still figuring things out and experimenting with different sounds because I was new to the process. Creating the next three songs felt so much smoother and I had the experience to guide me. I was able to continue the EP with real intention and fully step into the confidence that was always there.
Working with Roy Hamilton III places you in a lineage of pop history that includes some iconic artists. What did that collaboration unlock for you creatively that you had not accessed before?
It challenged me to stop playing it safe and to become more confident, decisive, and comfortable owning my choices and perspective. I stopped questioning my taste and started leading with it. I was fortunate to have the space to do that. Roy trusted me fully with the vocals. Creatively, it unlocked a new level of confidence, presence, and a deeper connection to my own energy.
You and Roy reimagined a track that was originally connected to Britney Spears. What did it feel like to step into that legacy while still making the song entirely your own?
It was both exciting and empowering. When Roy asked me to record the remix, I knew I had to honour her and the song and to treat it as both a responsibility and an opportunity to express my own interpretation. Britney represents confidence and freedom, and stepping into that space pushed me to rise to the moment. We respected the history, but the goal was always to let my personality and perspective shine through so the song felt authentic and current. It’s such a huge compliment when people tell me how hard it is to cover Britney Spears and that I truly did it justice.
The new tracks explore themes of self discovery, emotional tension, and momentum. Which of those themes feels most present in your life right now, beyond the music itself?
Momentum. I feel like I’m moving forward with intention rather than hesitation. There’s still discovery along the way, but now it’s paired with trust. That balance between ambition and self-belief feels especially present in my life right now.
Who We Are II suggests a continuation rather than a conclusion. In what ways do you feel like you are still becoming, rather than arriving, as an artist?
I’m still expanding. I don’t see growth as a finish line. I see it as an evolution. Each project helps me understand myself more deeply and step more fully into my confidence. Who We Are II reflects that forward momentum. The Afrobeats influences blend modern pop and dance elements with rhythmic grooves that feel vibrant and full of energy.
You have spent years telling stories through acting, dance, and theatre. How did that background shape the way you approach storytelling in your music?
Storytelling has been part of my life since I was a child. It’s taught me how to connect emotionally and physically, whether I’m writing, recording, or even sitting in on the mixing process and offering my input. When I sing, I want people to feel the emotion, not just hear it. My background in acting and dance allows me to bring confidence, soul, and depth into my music.
Having worked across film, television, and music, do you feel that each medium asks something different of your vulnerability, or do they ultimately meet in the same emotional place?
They meet in the same emotional truth, but music is the most personal for me. Acting allows for transformation. I step into someone else and think about how they would speak, move, and see the world. Music, on the other hand, asks me to stand fully as myself. That level of vulnerability feels incredibly powerful.
Looking back at roles like Gloria Chin and your recent work in film, how has your sense of identity evolved as your career has expanded into music more fully?
Those roles helped shape my discipline and perspective. Every character I’ve played has a distinct voice, but they’re all brought to life by tapping into parts of myself. In many ways, I’m doing something similar with music but music is where my identity feels most direct and personal. I truly love acting and music equally. I’ve done scenes that felt deeply vulnerable and connected, and I cherish that feeling — the rush and fulfillment after finishing a powerful scene. It’s the same with music. When I listen back to a recording or sing a song filled with emotion, there’s this incredible sense of release and pride. It’s made me fall more and more in love with what I do.
As listeners experience Who We Are Deluxe for the first time, what do you hope they understand about who Nicole Huff is now, both as an artist and as a person?
I hope they feel someone who’s confident, bold, and fully herself. Who We Are Deluxe is playful, edgy, honest, and unafraid. It’s me owning my story, my energy, and my voice. Songs like “Who We Are” carry such a strong and beautiful message. I hope they leave people feeling inspired and empowered. More than anything, I want listeners to feel the emotion, the strength, and the spark behind every song.
