Hollywood has a way of creating larger-than-life personalities. Nicole Forester isn't one of them.
An Emmy Award-nominated actress, Forester has built an impressive career in television and film, appearing in beloved shows including Guiding Light, Chicago Fire, Monk, Two and a Half Men, and the acclaimed political drama Boss, while sharing the screen with some of Hollywood's most respected actors. Then she made a choice that says just as much about her character as her career.
She chose Ann Arbor.
When we met for this photo shoot, I expected to meet a talented actress. And she absolutely is. Watching Forester in front of the camera was effortless. But what impressed me most happened between the photographs. She took the time to connect with every person on set. She asked thoughtful questions, listened carefully, sought out others' opinions, and created the kind of conversations that leave people feeling valued and seen. She was equally excited to showcase the style of Ann Arbor through three of the city's standout boutiques, Ayla & Co., Ferne Boutique, and Bivouac, because supporting the community she calls home matters to her.
Forester's story is about far more than a successful acting career. It's about building a meaningful life, finding balance, embracing timeless style, and choosing a community she loves. We sat down to talk about the career she built, the life she chose, and why Ann Arbor remains exactly where she wants to be.
You've built a successful career in television and film, but you chose to build your life in Ann Arbor. What made Ann Arbor the right place to call home?
I was born in Ann Arbor and grew up in Livonia. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 19 to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and I told my teachers that I wasn't aiming to be a movie star. My real goal was to do what I love to do, without sacrificing a healthy family life. I wanted to be an actress, but I didn't want to lose the freedom of going to the grocery store in sweats and without makeup and no one caring enough to take a photo of me or my potential future children. So after 17 years of working in TV and film in L.A. and New York, when my husband (who's from Petoskey) and I were expecting our first baby, it just felt right to move to Michigan to start our family near grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. And Ann Arbor has everything: the university (my husband, Paul Brown, is a U-M Regent), the cute downtown, the foodies, the artists, the entrepreneurs, the world-class athletes.... I could go on and on. Our now-teenagers are thriving here, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Most people assume you must live in Los Angeles or New York City to keep working consistently as an actor. You've proven otherwise. What has it taken to make that possible?
Spending 17 years in L.A. and New York establishing relationships and building my resume certainly helps. But the entertainment industry has also changed tremendously since I started. It used to be that you absolutely had to be in L.A or New York, because it was in those cities where all the casting happened. Most casting still happens there, but now, even if you live a block away from the casting director, they typically want you to digitally submit a self-tape before they even consider seeing you in person. Which means I can live in Michigan, send in my audition, then just travel to wherever the project happens to shoot. I've taped auditions from my basement that resulted in work in Chicago, Pittsburgh, as far as Budapest, Hungary!
Of all the roles you've played, is there one that has stayed with you? What made it so memorable?
Two favorites come to mind. I had a recurring role on a series for Starz, called Boss, which starred Kelsey Grammer. It was a very well-written, very dark political drama (we were nominated for a Golden Globe!), and I got to play Maggie Zajak, the wife of a philandering politician. In the beginning she seems innocuous enough, but by the end of the first season, it comes out that she's actually the brains behind her husband's gubernatorial campaign. A friend once told me that his fiancé was afraid to meet me because I was such a shark on Boss! The other role that has stayed with me is Cassie from Guiding Light. Soap fans are dedicated like no one else, and I'm probably recognized for that role more than any other.
You have an upcoming appearance in Season 2 of Dark Matter and are hoping to work with director Nancy Meyers later this year. What can audiences look forward to next?
Yes, please check out Dark Matter on AppleTV+! It's a sci-fi drama that stars Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly. This one is a "don't blink" role for me, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to spend a few days working with Joel and the director, Alik Sakharov. My episode is scheduled to be released on September 25. And yes, I currently have "a pin" in me for Nancy Meyers's feature film I'd shoot in L.A. at the end of August. I rarely get excited about a project before it's done and dusted, but my fingers are definitely crossed for this one! I mean, who wouldn't be excited about the chance to work with Nancy Meyers?!
Your children have grown up watching you pursue a creative career. What do you hope they've learned from seeing that example?
I hope they've learned that pursuing a creative career comes with pros and cons, just as any pursuit does. I hope they've seen how much I enjoy the upsides of it and how I handle the downsides. And I know they've seen that as much as I love working in TV and film, no role will ever be as important or meaningful for me as the role of mothering them.
This is our Style issue, and you've described your style as "understated elegance, yet practical." What does that phrase mean to you?
I guess I mean that I'm typically not one to make a big entrance or a bold statement with my wardrobe. I prefer to sneak in quietly and wear something appropriate to the occasion that makes me feel like a polished, elevated version of my introverted self. And by practical, I really mean it has to be comfortable. If I can't breathe in it, or the shoes hurt my feet, it's a no-go.
Your wardrobe mixes investment pieces with everyday basics. What's your philosophy on building a timeless wardrobe?
That mix of high and low is what makes fashion accessible and fun! Most of my investment pieces are gifts from the wardrobe departments of various TV shows and film sets I've worked on, and I put them together with a capsule of black, navy, gray, and oatmeal neutrals. Those classic colors seem to work forever.
Ok, a few quick fire questions: Flats or heels?
Heels!
Vintage or new?
Ninety percent new, 10 percent vintage.
Black or color?
Black.
Sneakers or boots? Boots
Favorite Ann Arbor boutique?
I can’t pick just one! My Ann Arbor go-to’s are Ferne, Bivouac, Ayla, and Sandy's.
One wardrobe staple you can't live without?
Jeans, jeans, and more jeans.
Favorite place to unwind in Ann Arbor?
Dixboro House.
What's the last show you couldn't stop watching?
Landman.
If your 19-year-old self, packing for Los Angeles, could see the life you've built today, what do you think she'd say?
Huh — so that's how things turned out! I sure got lucky!