© (c) 2006 Sean Elliott Nichelle Nichols on the set of STAR TREK: OF GODS AND MEN

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Exclusive Interview: NICHELLE NICHOLS OPENS HAILING FREQUENCIES WITH iF MAGAZINE- PART 2

Actress talks about the four failed TREK series before the MOTION PICTURE, the fans and women who have inspired her.

By SEAN ELLIOTT, Senior Editor
Published 10/30/2006

STAR TREK OF GODS AND MEN, a new 40^th anniversary webisode is planning to be premiering online around Christmas time. This three part series is being put together as a gift to the loyal fans that have been looking for something to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of STAR TREK THE ORIGINAL SERIES. Each segment will be 30 minutes in length.

STAR TREK: OF GODS AND MEN stars Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig and Grace Lee Whitney (Uhura, Chekov and Rand of the original series) along with Alan Ruck (Captain John Harriman of the 7^th feature film, STAR TREK: GENERATIONS). Joining them are Garrett Wang (VOYAGER), Chase Masterson (DEEP SPACE NINE), Gary Graham and Crystal Allen (ENTERPRISE), JG Hertzler (DEEP SPACE NINE) and Tim Russ (VOYAGER), who will also direct. The same team that created the hit “Roddenberry on Patrol,” currently in release on DVD and also directed by Russ is producing the webisode.  For more information and a trailer check out:

http://www.startrekofgodsandmen.com/

iF MAGAZINE continues it’s interview coverage of this unique film event with part two of an interview with a pop culture icon. The TREK member in question is Nichelle Nichols otherwise known as Lt. Uhura on the original series and subsequent movies. Nichols is not only famous for being on STAR TREK, but also for being a landmark actor who opened new doors and created a fresh representation in Hollywood for African American performers everywhere.

 iF: After STAR TREK, you worked with NASA in recruiting?

NICHELLE NICHOLS: I was under contract with them. I had a company called Women In Motion and it was directed at science and math for inner city kids to get them interested in learning and to show them that not only was it a vital part of their life and future, but it could be fun.

iF: When you came back to do the MOTION PICTURE, had you been approached to do PHASE 2 the new TREK TV series?

NICHOLS: [Laughs] I was approached to do about four different versions. We all were. As a matter of fact, they contracted us for one, and then had to come back and undo that contract, for which they had to pay us off, and then start all over again. Until they finally decided to do a major motion picture and I think it was a good idea. Then that opened it up to a whole new brand of fans who may or may not have really been fans from the beginning of theTV series, people who knew of it and liked it, but then the film was able to do some much more. That brought us a whole new core of fandom.

iF: The producer, Sky Conway, said the OF GODS AND MEN was written to give resolution to characters that haven’t necessarily gotten it before. How did that work for you?

NICHOLS: For me show business is show business. You might have a series that you do a pilot and it doesn’t get on, or you do a series that you do a pilot and it does get on and you are out of there in a couple of weeks or some last a season. You go on. That’s the nature of the beast in the career that you have chosen. So, that didn’t bother me so much. I was surprised that it lasted three years, but it would have been lovely if it had lasted for the full five-year mission and then we could have had some kind of resolution. As it was, everybody went on to do the things they do. I come out of the world of musical theatre and recording, so it wasn’t difficult for me at all [to move on]. What was difficult was not seeing the gang, that nostalgia, but mostly Gene’s [Roddenberry] dream of what he created was going to pass into a memory. A few million people had different ideas. This is a vast universe and there is room enough for everyone. I did not have the series remorse that you can get when a show is cancelled, I was immediately busy and have stayed busy all these years. What happened with the fans that wouldn’t let STAR TREK die, it was so amazing.

iF: Do you have a favorite memory of STAR TREK over the years, it doesn’t have to be from a filming experience, but maybe something with a fan?

NICHOLS: To isolate one is too hard. My favorite thing about STAR TREK is the fans, because they consistently keep you honest. [Laughs] Fans tell me about things they remember, warm and wonderful things, things that you had a part in that you didn’t know about. So, I’m constantly getting a re-connect with what made the show really worthy and a worthwhile thing to be involved with. It was not a fluke and you see that mostly in the conventions, but also in traveling. In the airports and on the streets, and in the grocery store; people will stop me and tell me why STAR TREK or my performance or my being in it was so important to them. It never really ceases to amaze me because they have specific stories about something that made their life better. That’s pretty powerful stuff and it keeps you humble. It keeps you grounded that something you have done as a chosen profession has touched people in a positive good way.

iF: The nice thing about classic STAR TREK especially, is that so many people do look at you as heroes, and you set a standard and bar as far as hope for the future and Gene Roddenberry’s vision of hope for the future that remains unique.

NICHOLS: Exactly, I don’t think there’s any other show in the annals of Hollywood history that you can say that about, and there have been some really fine shows. I think it’s possibly because it takes place in the future and it came on at a time when this country was in turmoil and at a turning point as well where it could’ve gone in any direction. We’re talking about the Civil Rights movement, the Women’s Liberation movement, the uncertainty of the USSR and the US being superpowers that someone in a fit or snit might push a button and destroy the world! [Laughs] There was so much more, like the Flower Children who had opted out of the Vietnam War, and you have to remember all of those things were going on. A large number of people were apathetic about the future and only the strong fought on with faith and belief and sometimes fighting on without faith and belief. It would be like saying, “ I believe this is going to wonderful and I’m going to have to fight for this but it might not happen.” We had great leaders then, but they also were doing battle with the problems of the world, and I’m just looking at from the view of an American seeing problems from our point of view.  The rest of the world was going through much more probably and reaching for something to believe in.

iF: What is the most unique gift you have gotten from a fan?

NICHOLS: [Laughs] I have gotten all sorts of things form fans from playful things to serious things. Some things I have refused to accept, but some things come anonymously and you have no choice. Some of the most beautiful things I have received is jewelry, because they [fans] love the uniqueness of my jewelry and they always try to find something that is a little unique or has that special ness. They know that I collect jewelry from all over the world and design jewelry and they give me their love with a little token. I don’t mean necessarily expensive, though there have been some that were very expensive. I think possibly the most endearing gifts have been poems that I have received and the poems are usually about why and what they think of me and how it relates to their life.

iF: Moving beyond STAR TREK are you going to be doing some more recording or theatre?

NICHOLS: I’m going to be doing some more recording and some theatre and I have another film to do at the end of November. Then I hope to (hope to and I will) re-establish my one-woman show. It’s called REFLECTIONS, and it’s my reflections of the women who affected my life as I was growing up as an artist. So, I become twelve legendary women in ninety minutes. Some of those are Lena Horn, Eartha Kitt, Pearl Bailey, Mahahlia Jackson, Sarah Vaughn; I even do a bow to Ella [Fitzgerald] without even attempting to try to sound like her. [Laughs] I really do try to do honor to them. I had met Lena Horn as a kid, Josephine Baker, I am a friend of Eartha Kitt’s, and I grew up around the corner from Mahalia Jackson. Sarah Vaughn I have know, but I never got to meet Billie Holiday, but she always effected me.

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