Charlotte Nicdao

Charlotte Nicdao is a Filipino Australian actress and composer. Inspired and persuaded by her actor father Alfred Nicdao, Charlotte has been active in both acting and music from a young age. She attended the Victorian College of Arts, and has sung both pop and jazz. However, she true love is acting which she realized at 17 when she was cast in A gURLs wURLd(2008) as “Jackie.” Now she plays “Poppy” in Mythic Quest with Rob McElhenney which she describes as her “dream role.”

The role of Poppy has allowed you to represent your Asian heritage. What else makes this role so perfect for you?
The audition process for this role was so much fun, mainly because I really felt like I was given the freedom to bring my own take to the character beyond the brilliant stuff the team had put on the page. Part of why this job has been such a dream is because once we started filming the creators and the writers really built the characters around the ensemble they had cast, and so much of Poppy feels very uniquely like me!

Would you pursue music or start another band?
I started playing classical piano when I was four, and music will always hold a big piece of my heart. But the truth is I was never very good at it, and I’m nothing if not a narcissist who doesn’t want to do things unless I’m getting praised for it - so I think the chances of going back to music are slim.

How did you prepare for the role of Poppy?
I’ve had some fascinating chats with young women in game design who have provided great insight as to why people choose to be programmers and what draws them to the industry. I like the idea that Poppy has a creative spirit that has formed into a love of coding - or building things. Unfortunately because nobody else understands her creative spirit it often gets mistaken for pure, cold maths.

What can you tell us about the future of Mythic Quest?
The finale of season 3 is very satisfying, I think, when it comes to where Poppy and Ian’s relationship has been leading. This season has been very clever in dropping crumbs around what is going on with them and I think the audience is going to appreciate the way the show continues to build on (and tear down) their relationship.

Why do you have a passion for acting and how did you get into it?
I always loved being in school plays, and making amateur films when I was a kid - but I was very focused on becoming a musician. My dad is an actor, it was never his full time job when I was growing up but every time he got a gig and would go off to be a doctor or a villain for the day I got a little peek into what “being an actor” might look like. I truly never thought it would be MY job until I was in my twenties and realised how much I loved it!

What are some of your hobbies?
I love to cook! My idea of a perfect day is going to the market and picking up a bunch of fresh food, going home and spending the entire day making a feast - hopefully for people I love. Truly nothing makes me happier than throwing a dinner party (fans of the show won’t be able to hear me say those words without the hands!)

Left:
Lace top by Versace Jeans Couture at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Choker + Gloves by Stylist’s own
Crystal necklace by ben-amun
Top by Frame at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Earrings by Alexis Bittar
Ring by ash hoffman jewelry + Cube necklace by Libby Rak Jewellery at Flying Solo
Right:
White outfit by Elena Rudenko at Flying Solo
Shoes by SAINT LAURENT at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Turtleneck by Arianne Elmy
Gloves by Stylist Own
Necklace by Stylist Own
Rings by Maiko Suzuki Jewelry at The Confessional Showroom

What does a day in your life look like?
Part of why I love my job is that every day is totally different! For instance - today I woke up in New York (one of my favourite cities!) and had some granola for breakfast, came to a photoshoot (with you guys at Photobook!), then I’m headed to be a guest on Seth Meyers! A friend from Australia is in town and he and my husband and I are all going to grab a bowl of pasta at the end of the day. But this is a pretty exciting day for me! Often I just sit at home cuddling my Great Dane.

What is season 3 looking like?
This season Poppy is struggling with finally being the Queen of her own castle. She’s had this brilliant idea for a new game, and Ian is actually supporting her in bringing it into the world. The problem is, I’m not sure if she has the self-belief to stick the landing. I think that’s what makes her to relatable as a character - even when she’s on top of the world, she can’t stop freaking out that any moment she might topple.

Left:
White outfit by Elena Rudenko at Flying Solo
Shoes by SAINT LAURENT at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Turtleneck by Arianne Elmy
Gloves by Stylist Own
Necklace by Stylist Own
Rings by Maiko Suzuki Jewelry at The Confessional Showroom
Right:
Sweater by AKNVAS
Sheer top by Marie Saint Pierre 
Gloves by Stylist own
Bracelet by ben-amun
Large gold chain by ben-amun
Smaller gold chain & circle gold chain by IN CAUDA VENENUM at Flying Solo
Pants by Just Cavalli at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field

If acting had not worked out, where do you think you would be now?
If acting hadn’t worked out I might’ve had to make my peace with being a mediocre musician!

Social Media:
@charlottenicdao

Earrings by Alexis Bittar
Choker by Stylist own
Dress by Marie Saint Pierre 

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Michael Creagh
Talent: Charlotte Nicdao
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon
Hair: David von Cannon at A-Frame Agency
Makeup: Gita Bass at The Wall Group
Photography Assistant: Felicia Abban
Fashion Styling Interns: Sienna Ropert, Uno
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Karissa Fabi, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

SHOP THE LOOK: CHARLOTTE NICDAO

RELATED STORIES

EntertainmentAlison Hernon#actress, #Filipino, #music, #singer, #Mythic Quest, #Poppy, #Asian, #piano, #classical music, #cooking, #Great Dane