butter over too much bread

“It comes as no surprise to me that Nicholas has been named one of EW’s Entertainers of the Year. Over the past two years, he’s continued to build an impressive career, with memorable and unique projects like Purple Hearts, Bottoms, The Idea of Youalongside Anne Hathaway, Mary & George with Julianne Moore, and, of course, the much-loved and highly anticipated Red, White & Royal Blue. Having had the privilege of sharing the screen with him in that project, I can say firsthand that his talent and dedication are evident in everything he does.

Behind every “overnight success” are years of hard work, and Nicholas’ journey, spanning more than a decade, is a testament to his perseverance and passion for his craft. 

The first time we met in person was at the first rehearsal for RWRB. Everyone graciously gave us space and time to chat and connect, allowing us to find our rhythm before diving into the work. Contrary to popular belief, we rarely get to choose our costars, and this project was no exception. That made this time together even more valuable, knowing we’d be spending the next three months filming, and then the following year promoting the movie. Little did we know, two years later, we’d also share the incredible experience of campaigning during Emmy season.

We both understood the gravity of the assignment — the responsibility to do justice to this beloved adaptation — and the weight that came with it. But beyond the professional expectations, we connected on a deeper, more personal level. I’m a Midwest boy now living in Los Angeles, and he was contemplating a move to L.A. full-time. We bonded over our shared love for travel, music, our passion for acting, and the surreal experience of watching our childhood dreams come true. In this job, you have to be emotionally vulnerable and willing to drop the masks quickly, diving into the authenticity. That’s exactly what we did. Sitting in that room, about to film a major movie, we had a quiet moment of recognition: “We’re in this together.” It was such a cool shared moment, one I’ll never forget.

Spending two days rolling around in cake with Nicholas, wearing medical gowns to eat in our Saville Row tuxes, and texting each other that we found even more frosting in our ears days later — really solidified our friendship. After that, I knew we’d be friends for a long time — whether he liked it or not, he wasn’t getting rid of me that easily. In London, he became our personal tour guide, often steering clear of our American tourist antics. Instead, he introduced us to his close-knit community of actors — the friends he’d grown up with in the industry — making London feel a little more familiar, almost like home. He’d hear me doing my vocal exercises in the morning, yell through the door to mock me, and then we’d end up performing hilariously awful duets outside our trailers. Rachel Hilson would always join in, adding her signature touch with some over-the-top interpretive dance moves. Those moments, filled with laughter and shared antics, made the experience so much richer.

What really stands out about Nicholas, aside from how ridiculously funny (and dashing) he is, is how locked in he gets the moment the director yells “action.” Some actors are asking at 5 a.m. what time lunch is, but with him, it’s like the weight of the normal world disappears, and he’s completely present in the scene, making really specific, thoughtful choices. He’s also the kind of scene partner who’s incredibly generous even when the camera isn’t on him. Set days can get long — 12 to 16 hours sometimes — and it’s easy for the energy to dip.

That’s when it helps to have a partner like Nicholas around keeping things light no matter how tired we were. Working with him made the tough days a lot easier and the good days even better.

I’ve seen every version of Nicholas now, his highs, his lows, and everything in between, and he’s seen mine. This industry is a rollercoaster, with extreme highs and crushing lows, but the real work happens between the work and on long phone calls reminding ourselves why we got into this in the first place: to tell meaningful stories that foster empathy, understanding, and a space where everyone feels seen and valued. As actors, there’s always this underlying fear of being misunderstood, whether it’s in your performance or the creative process. Getting to know the real Nicholas, beyond the work and the business, has been incredible. (Okay, I’m done calling him Nicholas, he’s “Nick” or “Nicky 2 Takes” to me.) He’s someone I genuinely enjoy spending time with, both on and off set, and we’ve built a brotherhood-like friendship, which is something extremely rare in this line of work.

I love watching my friends transform on screen, whether in television or film — I’m that fanboy (fanman?) for my friends. Watching Nick in The Idea of You and Mary & George this year, I felt like a proud brother. I was beaming because I know how much young me dreamed of moments like these and I know he’s feeling that same sense of awe, too. Seeing it all come true is surreal — the wildest dreams realized.

As I look ahead, I feel nothing but pride and excitement for Nick and the incredible journey he has ahead of him. He’s already achieved so much, but it’s clear this is just the beginning of an extraordinary career. Whether he’s stepping into the role of He-Man or taking on the next project that captures his imagination, I know he will continue to captivate audiences and elevate every story he is part of. Nick isn’t just a remarkable actor, he is the kind of person who brings out the best in everyone around him.

He’s talented, driven, and endlessly generous with his humor. Here’s to Nick and everything the future holds: more unforgettable roles, more laughter, and more moments that remind us why we love doing what we do. I’ll be in his corner, rooting him on, knowing the best is still to come.”

the floofy curls

the snuggly towel