Nikiva Dionne never anticipated a career in acting when she moved from Baltimore to Los Angeles in 2008. Initially relocating for a job, she soon found herself drawn into the world of commercials—a segment of the industry many aspiring actors might overlook, but one that Dionne has mastered. “It’s something I'm never going to stop doing,” she asserts. With a single day’s shoot yielding earnings between $60K and $90K, Dionne highlights the financial stability and swift payouts of commercial work: “Most of the time you're shooting for one day, their contracts are great, you get paid within 14 days. So it's a smart decision.”

Dionne’s resume extends beyond commercials to notable roles in acclaimed TV shows such as "Insecure," "S.W.A.T.," "Jane the Virgin," and "This Is Us." She explains that her ability to navigate the ebbs and flows of show business comes from continuous hustle—always auditioning, always taping, and consistently staying on casting directors' radars for upcoming projects.

As a Black woman in Hollywood, Dionne is acutely aware of the additional layers of challenge she faces. She acknowledges the progress made in industry representation and telling Black stories but remains vigilant about the required work. “I believe so much of this recent strike was to get rid of the diversity initiatives that were enacted as a result of the uprisings right on the heels of the pandemic. It seemed like we were really getting to a place making a space for diversity and inclusion, and now they're doing away with it. There’s so much more room for us to kick in some doors,” she comments on the industry’s fluctuating commitment to diversity.

Dionne continues to forge ahead, soon to appear in the Apple TV+ series "Lady in the Lake" alongside Natalie Portman, set in her hometown of Baltimore. She’ll portray a reporter for the historic Black newspaper, The Afro, marking her first professional return to Baltimore. Beyond her current projects, Dionne dreams of sitcom success, where she hopes to explore relational dynamics, a setting she believes offers a genuine reflection of the Black experience. “I can't wait to be the wife or girlfriend on a sitcom,” she shares. “I love relationships, and so much of who we are is our laughter. In every situation, we have the ability to create levity, and that probably gives the most authentic look into the Black experience, our laughter.”

Through strategic choices and a keen understanding of the industry's inner workings, Dionne exemplifies how resilience, innovation, and a deep understanding of one's roots are crucial for navigating and succeeding in Hollywood.