Nicole Houston Reed (born May 17, 1988)[1] is an American actress. She is known for her portrayal of Rosalie Hale in The Twilight Saga (2008–2012). Reed became known in 2003, after the release of the film Thirteen, directed by Catherine Hardwicke, for which she was credited with Hardwicke as a co-writer of the screenplay, and in which she played a lead role. The film earned her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance, as well as several nominations.

Nikki Reed
Reed in 2016
Born
Nicole Houston Reed

(1988-05-17) May 17, 1988 (age 36)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2002–present
Spouses
  • (m. 2011; div. 2015)
  • (m. 2015)
Children2

Early life

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Nicole Houston Reed was born in West Los Angeles, California, to Cheryl Houston, a beautician, and to Seth Reed, a production designer. She has an older brother, Nathan August Reed, and a younger half-brother, Joey Reed. Her mother is a Christian of mostly English descent as well as Irish, Scottish, German and some Italian whereas her father is Jewish.[2] Reed was raised without religion[3] and has identified as Jewish.[4][5] She grew up around some Jewish practices, as her brother had a Bar Mitzvah.[6]

Reed has said in numerous interviews that her early home life was "complicated". Her parents divorced when Reed was two, after her mother found her father in bed with another man. She was raised by her mother.[7] In 2002, when Reed was 14 years old, she moved out of her mother's house and began living on her own, mainly in apartments in the Los Angeles area.[8] After Thirteen's success, Reed returned to Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, but dropped out again after a year. She said that "mothers who were sneaking into the school at lunchtime to confront and harass her about the film" were the reason for her departure.[7] She earned a high school diploma through homeschooling.[7]

Career

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Reed at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con

Catherine Hardwicke, an ex-girlfriend of her father's and friend of her mother's,[9] invited her to work on a script with her when Reed said she was interested in acting. They finished the script for the semi-autobiographical film Thirteen in six days. Producers asked Reed to play a role in the film because they had trouble casting it, as it was an "uncomfortable" role for most young actresses.[7]

The film, also starring Evan Rachel Wood, was released in 2003 to positive reviews, gaining Reed some recognition in Hollywood as both a screenwriter and an actress. Following this, Reed was invited to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and serve as host on a number of award shows, including the Young Hollywood Awards (2003) and the Independent Spirit Awards Nomination Show, followed by the West Independent Spirits Awards, both in 2004. Reed has repeatedly been cast as sexually advanced, precocious teenagers, including her character in Lords of Dogtown (2005), also directed by Hardwicke. In early 2006, she appeared on the series The O.C., playing Sadie, a new love interest for the character Ryan Atwood. Reed appeared on The O.C. at the same time as future Twilight co-stars Cam Gigandet and Jackson Rathbone.[10]

Reed said that her early decision to avoid acting in television series or in mainstream cinema was naïve. She had thought at the time they were not right for her, but had since gained valuable experience in them.[11] She had a lead role in Mini's First Time, which received a limited release in the United States on July 14, 2006. Reed played a teenager who, through seduction, involves her stepfather in a plot to murder her mother. Reed has noted that her character does not "understand the weight of consequence". She said she had enjoyed playing someone who she describes as "crass" and having a "trucker's mouth".[12] Reed's character has sex scenes. As Reed was 16 at the time and legally unable to film such scenes in an explicit way, she was filmed from the back to hide her face.[7] On February 12, 2008, it was announced that Reed would portray Rosalie Hale in the film adaption of Twilight, the first book of a popular four-novel series. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, it became an international success.[citation needed]

In 2010, Jason Mewes said that he was doing a movie called K-11 with Reed and Kristen Stewart, also of Twilight.[13] The film, directed by Stewart's mother, takes place in a dorm of the Los Angeles County Jail. It was to feature both Stewart and Reed as female characters.[14][15] Later that year, Reed said that she was no longer part of the project.[16] In July 2010, Reed joined the cast of the lady assassin action-drama Catch .44, alongside Bruce Willis, Forest Whitaker and Malin Akerman.[17] In November 2010, it was announced that Reed would star with Hayden Panettiere in the film Downers Grove, a movie adaptation of Michael Hornburg's novel.[18] The screenplay was written by Bret Easton Ellis, the novelist who wrote The Rules of Attraction and American Psycho.[19]

In December 2011, it was announced that Reed joined the cast of Pawn, an indie crime thriller directed by David A. Armstrong. The film also stars Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta, Common, Michael Chiklis, Sean Faris, Stephen Lang, Marton Csokas and Jessica Szohr.[20] In July 2013, Reed joined the cast of the independent sports comedy Balls Out, alongside Jake Lacy, Kate McKinnon, Beck Bennett and Jay Pharoah. The film is about a group of college friends who get together in their final year to play a game of intramural football.[21] In 2019 she appeared in an episode of the Hulu original TV show Dollface.

Other work

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Reed recorded a song, "Now That I've Found You", with her then-husband Paul McDonald, which debuted on Ryan Seacrest's radio show on November 15, 2011.[22] The couple released their first EP, The Best Part, on October 29, 2012.[23] Their song "All I've Ever Needed" is on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 soundtrack.[24]

In January 2013, Reed filmed Hanson's 2013 music video for their single, "Get the Girl Back",[25] also with McDonald. The video was released in April 2013. Other well-known figures in the video include Kat Dennings, Drake Bell, Drew Seeley, Amy Paffrath, and Alex Beh.

Reed wrote a script set in New Zealand between the 1960s and the 1980s. She has said she feels more versatile than her typecasting in roles of "sexy bad girls". She has sometimes been told by producers that she is too "sexy" for a particular part.[7] In November 2009, Reed directed a music video for her friend Sage while in London. Reed stated that they didn't have much time, or money, but she takes great pride in it.[26][27]

In 2017, Reed and friend Morgan Bogle set up a sustainable jewelry brand BaYou With Love. The company works with Dell turning recycled technology into jewelry.[28]

Personal life

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Reed met Paul McDonald, a singer-songwriter and former American Idol contestant, on the red carpet at the premiere of Red Riding Hood in March 2011. This moment was broadcast on an American Idol episode as part of a segment that showed the contestants attending the premiere.[29] The couple began dating,[30] and moved in together not long after.[31] They confirmed their engagement in June 2011,[32] and married on October 16, 2011, in Malibu, California.[33] In March 2014, Reed and McDonald announced that they had separated after living apart for the previous six months due to "work obligations".[34] Reed filed for divorce in May 2014, and the divorce was finalized on January 2, 2015.[35]

Reed began dating actor Ian Somerhalder in mid-2014.[36] They confirmed their engagement in February 2015,[37] and married on April 26, 2015, in Malibu, California.[38] On May 4, 2017, the couple announced via Instagram that Reed was pregnant with their first child.[39] They had a daughter on July 25, 2017.[40] On January 9, 2023, they announced that they are expecting their second child.[41][42] On June 25, 2023, Reed announced the birth of her second child on her official TikTok account. On June 29, 2023, she revealed that the child is a boy.[43]

Reed is close friends with her Twilight co-star Jackson Rathbone[44][45] and Spy Kids actress Alexa Vega, who was her matron of honor at her first wedding.[46]

Activism

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Reed teamed up with Staples and Do Something for their third Annual School Supply Drive in the summer of 2011. She is also an animal rights advocate. She volunteers at animal shelters in her free time and she designed a limited edition collar and leash for Gilt to benefit ASPCA. On October 22, 2014, she was honored with the ASPCA Compassion Award for her contributions to animal welfare.[47]

Reed endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders for President in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[48]

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
2003 Thirteen Evie Zamora Also co-writer
2005 Man of God Zane Berg
Lords of Dogtown Kathy Alva
American Gun Tally
2006 Mini's First Time Minerva "Mini" Drogues
2007 Cherry Crush Shay Bettencourt
2008 Twilight Rosalie Hale
Familiar Strangers Allison
2009 The Twilight Saga: New Moon Rosalie Hale
Last Day of Summer Stefanie Also executive producer
2010 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Rosalie Hale
Chain Letter Jessie Campbell
Privileged Lauren Carrington
2011 Catch .44 Kara
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Rosalie Hale
2012 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
2013 Empire State Lizzette
Pawn Amanda
Enter the Dangerous Mind Wendy
2014 Balls Out Meredith Downs
In Your Eyes Donna
Murder of a Cat Greta
2015 About Scout Georgie
2016 Jack Goes Home Crystal Also co-producer
A Sunday Horse Debi Walden
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2006 The O.C. Sadie Campbell 6 episodes
Justice Molly Larusa 1 episode
2015–2016 Sleepy Hollow Betsy Ross 15 episodes
2019 Dollface Bronwyn 1 episode
V-Wars Rachel 5 episodes
Music videos
Year Title Artist Notes
2005 Just Feel Better Santana feat. Steven Tyler
2010 No Rose Petals & Bubblebaths Sabrina
2012 Now That I've Found You Nikki Reed and Paul McDonald Also director
All I've Ever Needed Nikki Reed and Paul McDonald
2013 Get the Girl Back Hanson
2015 Til It Happens to You Lady Gaga
2016 In Too Deep The Sweeplings Also director
Where's the Love? The Black Eyed Peas featuring The World

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Notes Result
2003 Nantucket Film Festival – Screenplay Award Best Feature Screenplay Thirteen Shared with Catherine Hardwicke Won
Young Hollywood Awards One to Watch – Female Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards Best Original Screenplay Shared with Catherine Hardwicke Nominated
2004 Independent Spirit Award Best First Screenplay Nominated
Best Debut Performance Won
Prism Award Best Performance in a Theatrical Feature Film Nominated
Satellite Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Shared with Evan Rachel Wood Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Shared with Catherine Hardwicke Nominated
2008 Method Fest Independent Film Festival Award Best Ensemble Familiar Strangers Shared with Cast Won
2009 Teen Choice Award Choice Fresh Face – Female Twilight Nominated
Scream Award Best Ensemble Shared with Cast Nominated
2010 Young Hollywood Awards Superstar in the Making The Twilight Saga: New Moon Won
Teen Choice Award Most Fanatic Fans Shared with Cast Won
2011 Choice Favorite Vampire The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Nominated
2012 Scene Stealer Female The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Nikki Reed – Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  2. ^ Berrin, Danielle (July 2, 2010). "Top ten Jewish things about The Twilight Saga's 'Eclipse'". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  3. ^ "Nikki Reed: What Nikki did next". The Independent. London. May 7, 2004. My dad's Jewish and my mum is Christian so I grew up with no religion. Just whatever religion I wanted
  4. ^ Nikki Reed and Evan Rachel Wood both mentioned that they are Jewish on the Thirteen DVD commentary, between the 10:00 and 11:00 minute mark.
  5. ^ "Celebrity Jews". Jewish News Weekly. Retrieved May 3, 2006.
  6. ^ "13 – AND COUNTING; From bimah to bemoaning just about everything...why this overnight change in kids?". the Jewish Exponent. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Mini Mayhem". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2006. ()
  8. ^ "Nikki Reed: What Nikki did next", The Independent (UK), May 7, 2014.
  9. ^ Forrest, Emma (October 17, 2003). "Hurts so good". The Daily telegraph. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  10. ^ "TWIZ TV l Complete Episode Transcript l". Twiztv.com. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  11. ^ "Mini: Nikki & Nick". nikkireedfan.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  12. ^ Indie Top News: "Reed and Guthe on 'Mini's First Time'", Coming Soon Archived December 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Jason Mewes Interview with Big O and Dukes, WJFK 106.7 FM Archived July 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Larry Carroll (November 21, 2008). "'Twilight' Stars Kristen Stewart & Nikki Reed To Reunite, Play Men In Prison Film 'K-11'". MTV. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
  15. ^ Sheila Roberts. "Kristen Stewart Interview, Twilight". Movies Online. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
  16. ^ "Broadcast Yourself". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  17. ^ "Reed and Woll Join Catch .44". Empireonline.com. December 5, 2006. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  18. ^ Bierly, Mandi (November 8, 2010). "Hayden Panettiere and Nikki Reed to star in 'Downers Grove' adaptation". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  19. ^ "Downers Grove". IMDb. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  20. ^ "Nikki Reed, Sean Faris Join Michael Chiklis' 'Pawn'". The Hollywood Reporter. December 1, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  21. ^ Sneider, Jeff (July 24, 2013). "'Twilight' Star Nikki Reed Leads Cast of Football Comedy 'Intramural'". The Wrap. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  22. ^ Allin, Olivia (November 14, 2011). "Nikki Reed and Paul McDonald debut song, 'Now That I Found You'". ontheredcarpet.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  23. ^ "Nikki Reed, Paul McDonald Give It Their Best On New EP". MTV.com. November 5, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  24. ^ McDaniel, Matt (October 4, 2012). "Exclusive: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 2′ soundtrack song list revealed". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  25. ^ "Entertainment News, Photos and Videos – HuffPost Entertainment". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  26. ^ "Edie Sedgwick music video is here!". iamnikkireed.com. July 28, 2010. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  27. ^ "Nikki Reed Directs Music Video—Is Twilight Tell-All Next?". EOnline.com. July 29, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  28. ^ Tracy, Brianne (December 7, 2018). "All About Nikki Reed's Sustainable Jewelry Collection — Which Features Seed-Grown Diamonds". People. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  29. ^ "Nikki Reed Dating American Idol's Paul McDonald?". People. March 8, 2011. Archived from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  30. ^ "Paul McDonald: Nikki Reed Is 'Pumped' About American Idol Elimination". People. April 15, 2011. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  31. ^ "Nikki Reed on Paul McDonald: 'I Love Him'". People. May 18, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  32. ^ "Twilight's Nikki Reed Engaged: "He's the One!"". June 5, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  33. ^ "Nikki Reed and Paul McDonald Married". Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  34. ^ Jordan, Julie; Dyball, Rennie (March 29, 2014). "Nikki Reed and Paul McDonald to Divorce". People. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  35. ^ Smirke, Richard (January 2, 2015). "Nikki Reed and 'American Idol' Alum Paul McDonald Finalize Divorce". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  36. ^ Jordan, Julie (January 23, 2015). "Nikki Reed Says She and Ian Somerhalder 'Have Such an Amazing Future Ahead of Us'". People. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  37. ^ Nelson, Jeff (February 20, 2015). "Nikki Reed on Her Huge Engagement Ring: 'I Look at It Every Day and I Say, Wow'". People. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  38. ^ Ehrich Dowd, Kathy (April 27, 2015). "Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed Are Married!". People. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  39. ^ Stone, Natalie (May 4, 2017). "Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed Expecting First Child". People. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  40. ^ Fisher, Kendall (August 10, 2017). "Nikki Reed Gives Birth To Baby Girl With Ian Somehalder". E!. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  41. ^ Somerhalder, Ian (January 9, 2023). "iansomerhalder on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  42. ^ Andaloro, Angela (January 9, 2023). "Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed Reveal They're Expecting Second Baby After 'Years of Dreaming'". People. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  43. ^ Andaloro, Angela (June 29, 2023). "Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder Welcome Second Baby in Home Water Birth: 'This Sweet Boy'". People. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  44. ^ Depp, Elizabeth (June 5, 2011). "Exclusive Interview with Jackson Rathbone from Twilight". About.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  45. ^ Jackson Rathbone [@JacksonRathbone] (September 13, 2012). "Lil' Monroe VI with his Godmother" (Tweet). Retrieved September 13, 2012 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ PenaVega, Alexa [@alexavega] (October 7, 2011). "What would be the ultimate wedding gift for the lovely @NikkiReed_I_Am? As the Maid of Honor I am supposed to blow the doors off... right?" (Tweet). Retrieved February 23, 2020 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ "Nikki Reed Helps Do Something.org". News. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  48. ^ Celebrities Endorsing Bernie Sanders in 2016
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