In a world that’s always moving forward, it can be hard to reflect and revisit old work. The dance is over. The next song plays. For singer, actress, and dancer Nicole Huff, looking back is a chance for reinvention. In her latest project, Nicole revisits her debut pop EP—which she says she wrote “at a time when [she] was really questioning [her] identity, not just as an artist, but as a person”—to explore her personal growth.
Who We Are [Deluxe] invites listeners to grow and change. We talked to Nicole about her choice to return to her debut project and what the songs mean to her now.
Showstopper Magazine Online: Dancing, singing, and acting are all part of who you are. How do you decide what to tap into when you’re working on a new project?
Nicole Huff: For me, everything begins with the story and the emotion behind it. Whether I’m acting, singing, or dancing, I’m always trying to express something real. Sometimes the story calls for music, sometimes it calls for movement, and sometimes it calls for fully stepping into a character. Because I’ve spent so much of my life training and performing in all three disciplines, they naturally blend together. To me, they’re simply different languages I use to tell the same truth.
SMO: What defines those shifts? How do you discover and stay true to your own stylistic choices?
Nicole: I think it comes down to self-awareness and trusting your instincts. As artists, we’re constantly evolving, but the key is staying grounded in who you are at your core. For me, that means storytelling, emotion, and a sense of cinematic glamour. I try not to chase trends. I focus on creating work that feels authentic to my voice and my experiences. When something feels honest, that’s when I know I’m making the right creative choice.
SMO: What led to the decision to expand on your Who We Are EP?
Nicole: The original EP captured a very specific moment in my life. It was a period of self-reflection and rediscovery. But as time went on, I realized the journey wasn’t finished. I had more to say and more layers of that story to explore. Expanding the project into Who We Are [Deluxe] allowed me to revisit those themes with more clarity, more confidence, and a deeper understanding of myself as an artist.
SMO: Who We Are [Deluxe] is really your journey as an artist. What elements of that journey are most important to this album? How do “We” fit in?
Nicole: The heart of this album is identity and a bit of nostalgia. It’s about learning who you are and giving yourself permission to embrace that fully. The “we” represents the shared experience between me and the listeners. We’re all navigating our own journeys. We are all learning, growing, questioning ourselves, and ultimately finding our strength. This project is very personal, but it’s also meant to connect with anyone who has ever been on that path of self-discovery and wants to feel empowered and inspired.
SMO: How would you describe Who We Are [Deluxe] in three words?
Nicole: Nostalgic. Vulnerable. Cinematic.
SMO: Have you danced to Who We Are [Deluxe] yet?
Nicole: Of course. Dance has always been a huge part of how I experience music. When I hear a rhythm or melody that moves me, my body naturally wants to dance. Some of the songs on the deluxe version definitely have that energy where you just want to get up and move. I love bringing that into my work.
SMO: You have strong R&B influences. Why do you think you gravitate toward that genre and its particular style?
Nicole: R&B has always resonated with me because of how expressive and emotionally rich it is. The genre really allows you to explore vulnerability, strength, sensuality, and storytelling simultaneously. Growing up, I was drawn to artists who blended pop with R&B influences, and that sound shaped my musical identity. It’s a style that feels very natural to me.
SMO: What is the relationship between “Who We Are” and “Who We Are II”?
Nicole: “Who We Are II” feels like a continuation of the conversation that started with the original song. The first track is about discovering your identity and standing confidently in it. The second revisits that idea with more energy and from a place of growth. Almost like looking back at yourself with more perspective and strength and feeling inspired about the future. To me, it’s the evolution of that same message.
SMO: You are a classically trained singer, pianist, and violinist. Did you contribute to any of the instrumentation on this album?
Nicole: My classical training plays a big role in how I approach music. It influences the melodies I write, the way I structure songs, and how I think about emotion in a piece. Even when I’m not directly playing an instrument on the final track, that background shapes the creative process and the musical decisions I make. However, I worked with a professional music producer, pianist, violinist, and cellist.
SMO: With other projects in the works, including your work at the NSH Arts & French Learning Centre for Kids and a TV series, does Who We Are [Deluxe] represent a new chapter for you?
Nicole: It absolutely does. This project represents growth for me both creatively and personally. At the same time, I love exploring different creative spaces. That could be acting, music, or helping inspire young performers. For me, it’s all connected. Art is about expression, connection, and storytelling, and truth, so I’m excited to continue evolving in all of those areas.