In Conversation With US Actress Marisol Nichols On Her TV Return In Riverdale

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You also had a reoccurring arc on the fan-favorite MTV scripted drama Teen Wolf as the elusive and trained assassin “Desert Wolf” and on NCIS as “ATF Special Agent Zoe Keates.” What are the key things that you look for while choosing a new role?

Ms. Marisol Nichols:

Great question. I judge mainly on interest level. Is this something that interests me, that I can get into, is it a challenge? For the Desert Wolf, what drew me was she was, to put it plainly, an evil woman. I had never played that before. I’ve done many characters who were strong, fierce and confident women but never on the wrong side and that interested me. Her sick desire to end her daughter’s life for power….I mean what kind of person wants that, desires and fights for that. She was blinded and driven by power and that was something I felt I could explore and sink my teeth into, no pun intended.

For NCIS, I liked her charisma. I like Keates’ personality, that she was sort of a tomboy growing up and working in a boys club, a male dominated field and she could hold her own amongst that. She was tough and was even cocky and flirty without losing her edge or her femininity and didn’t take shit from nobody…and I like that. Maybe I can relate. 😉

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You have been fighting for the rights of kids and women for over a decade as FOUNDER of FOUNDATION FOR A SLAVERY FREE WORLD and spokesperson for YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL, non-profit organizations that fight modern slavery and human trafficking. What goals do you wish to accomplish through these endeavor of yours?

Ms. Marisol Nichols:

It truly is impossible to give you a short answer. Human trafficking. Selling a human being to another for profit. I thought we ended slavery. It turns my stomach that millions more people are enslaved today than when Lincoln abolished slavery back in 1862 with the Emancipation Proclamation. And when it comes to selling children… I couldn’t learn of this, what goes on and sleep at night. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing or say, “That’s too bad” and go on with my day. It consumed me. So I formed my non-profit with the goal to end this, what I believe is one of the biggest Human Rights abuses of our time. It is my passion and fuels me…always. The good news, I found, is that there are many other organizations working towards the same thing. All working from different angles to attack this problem. Whether through lobbying and legislation, education, rehabilitation, technology to give law enforcement the tools they need, or simply raising awareness. Every one of the organizations I met with or work with have the same goal but not everyone has the same skill set. It’s an enormous heartbreaking issue and it takes all of these angles to make a dent in it.

I didn’t understand why there weren’t protests in the street against this. When you talk about children being sold for sex…why is there not enormous public outrage and a demand to end it? I realized that people don’t know, they just haven’t been aware of it. So one of the first things I did was try to handle that barrier. So I formed the Human Rights Hero Awards and I brought Hollywood and the media that goes along with it to the issue and the organizations that are on the front lines. I feel if I have been blessed with a career that puts me somewhat in the spotlight, then I have a responsibility to use it wisely. So many of the millions of people who are literally trapped in the trafficking world have no voice. I feel it is part of my responsibility, if I can in any way, to give them one. And to give the heroes who fight this, who risk their lives rescuing these kids.. a voice. And the heroes who rehabilitate and bring these kids back from the hell they were forced into and show them hope again…a voice.

The heroes who work alongside law enforcement to track down the traffickers, change the laws so it’s an actual reflection of what’s needed, form rescue hotlines that victims can reach out to….a voice. And a voice in Hollywood, so then that can hopefully reach a large number of people in the world. So I held red carpets and got my fellow friends to come who have great careers in the business and I knew the media would then follow and as a result…give these organizations, these heroes more attention and more of a voice and hopefully more support. I feel it’s working. Now other actors and industry people have partnered with these organizations and lent their support and their voice. It’s a work in progress and I’ve spent my own time and my own money with all of it, and I can tell you it was worth everything. But one person can only go so far and as I’m also on set and raising my 8yr old daughter…it’s been an interesting juggle keeping all of it afloat.

We have expanded now to not only the media events but to private briefings where we highlight one aspect of the issue and then bring influencers, law enforcement, fellow performers, and anyone else to hear from the front lines not only what’s going on but more importantly what they can do to help. We have highlighted such organizations as The National Center for Missing and Exploited Kids and Operation Underground Rescue.

Also, I found raising awareness just wasn’t enough for me. So, through the relationships that have been forged with law enforcement through all of this, I’ve gone undercover several times now. I’ve helped to gather evidence against traffickers. And I’ve used my acting skills to lure active pedophiles into the hands of law enforcement where they can no longer hurt another innocent.

Lastly, we are working on rehabilitation centers and beds where a rescued girl can sleep safely and get nutrition, education and real help. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and are continuing to accomplish and I welcome any and all support.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our readers?

Ms. Marisol Nichols:

As women, we live in a world where it’s important as women, to share information, support each other, and be as strong, healthy, and as informed and intelligent as we can be. Whether we are raising our children or having career or both. Both and all are noble endeavors and we deserve all the support we can get. Women fitness provides women with the latest health news to keep us healthy, fashion and tips, to make us feel and look our best, and of course fitness, to keep our bodies strong so we can continue to do what we do to the best of our ability. Thank you for all you do.

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