Nicole Pacent is the object of a lot of people’s affection, and with good reason. As Aster on the massive hit of a web series Anyone But Me (ABM), she’s become the poster child for young, impulsive, risky lesbian love. But there’s so much more to her than the title of actress. She’s charming, beautiful, sharp as a knife, and she took some time away from her new LA lifestyle to talk to us about ABM and their fund-raising efforts, the emotional end to Season 2, and what she looks for in a mate…
Cherry Grrl (CG): Can tell me about the discovery of performance and where that came from?
Nicole Pacent (NP): Well, okay… It’s kind of an origin story. There are actually videos of me performing as a child, starting at age, like 3. I was seriously that kid organizing productions of The Little Mermaid and Star Wars at the playground. I was exposed to musical theater at such an early age that it was really natural. I saw “Little Red Riding Hood” at the Westport Country Playhouse and I remember that feeling of, “Hey, I can do this. I can be little red riding hood.” I did my first play at 15 – “Rumors” by Neil Simon. It was a lot of fun. I saw this whole new angle where I could take my career.
It’s one of those things that was always there. I don’t remember a time where it wasn’t at the forefront. When I see a play or a movie, (usually a play because theatre is so close to my heart), I always have the desire in me to either: think about how I could improve it when I see a bad play, or aspire to be that damn good when I’m inspired.
CG: Did you watch The L Word? What kind of effect did that have on you? How did you feel about the end?
NP: I absolutely watched The L Word, and I’ve seen every episode. It had a huge impact on me, and it influenced this community in so many ways. That show was the only thing we had… It’s still one of the only things we have. It was 
monumental, and I really feel like the last few seasons didn’t do it justice. In my opinion, the writers and directors had such a massive monopoly on the community toward the end that the outcome wasn’t as important. I think they knew they could veer far away from the truth for those characters and it wouldn’t matter.
I felt some kind of anger with myself toward the end, because I didn’t like the direction they were headed in, and I continued to watch! I really felt that they were creatively irresponsible, and for that last season to be a part of the legacy? It’s defeating and disheartening.
CG: How often are you surprised by the response to Anyone But Me? Did you know it was something special when you auditioned?
NP: I had hoped, but I didn’t know. You never really know. As an actor, you want to be a part of something that is special, and you want the work you’re in to be seen. But it was a new endeavor in a lot of ways, especially because the show was using the web as a new medium. I didn’t know about how big it was, even looking at ABM’s international following. It’s been a wonderful surprise. (continued on next page)
