In an industry where actors often wait for the right role to arrive, Nickey van Tooren is building her own. With her upcoming film A Tough Pill to Swallow, the Netherlands-born, Los Angeles-based actress steps firmly into her voice as a storyteller, writing, producing, and starring in a project that explores identity, internal conflict, and the fragile line between self-acceptance and self-denial.
The film centers on Skye, a closeted and internally conflicted young woman confronted with her first same-sex kiss with her best friend. What follows is a deeply personal and provocative journey, one that forces Skye to make an impossible choice between preserving a relationship or attempting to erase a part of herself.
For van Tooren, the project represents more than just another credit, it marks a defining creative milestone.
“I wanted to create something I could really sink my teeth into,” she explains. “A character that’s complex, flawed, and layered. Skye isn’t just defined by her sexuality, she’s navigating fear, identity, and the pressure of how she sees herself versus how the world might see her.”
That commitment to complexity is consistent with van Tooren’s broader artistic philosophy. Despite her naturally upbeat personality, she is drawn to emotionally challenging roles, using them as a way to stretch her range and deepen her craft. Her approach is methodical, grounded in research and world-building before performance even begins.
“I start with the world first,” she says. “I need to understand the environment, the context, the reality my character is living in. Only then do I build the character from the inside out.”
That same level of intention carried through the production of A Tough Pill to Swallow, which was filmed in Los Angeles across an intimate apartment setting and a local pharmacy. The project also holds personal significance, as van Tooren stars opposite her real-life partner, Marly Reece Feigin, who also directs the film.
The result is an undeniable on-screen chemistry that elevates the emotional stakes of the story.
“There’s a truth in our connection that you can’t fake,” she notes. “It allowed us to bring an authenticity to the relationship that’s central to the film.”
Like many independent productions, the journey was not without its challenges. Early setbacks with direction led to reshoots, ultimately reinforcing the importance of clear communication and creative alignment on set.
“It was a learning experience,” van Tooren reflects. “We realized how vital it is to have a director who can guide performances, especially in emotionally heavy scenes. Once we made that shift, everything changed.”
Even the physical aspects of the role tested her endurance, including working in a wig that, while essential to the character, proved far from comfortable.
“It definitely helped me step into Skye,” she laughs. “But it came with headaches, literally. Still, completely worth it.”
Despite the intensity of the subject matter, moments behind the scenes offered a lighter counterbalance. A day of filming at the pharmacy turned into an impromptu cast and crew gathering, with team members relaxing outside between takes, creating a sense of community that carried through the final stretch of production.
Now in its final phase of post-production, A Tough Pill to Swallow is preparing for its festival run, with plans to reach wider audiences following its premiere. For van Tooren, the goal is simple, yet deeply intentional.
“I want people to feel something,” she says. “To question, to reflect, and maybe to see parts of themselves in the story.”
As she continues to carve out her place in the industry, one thing is clear, Nickey van Tooren is not waiting for permission. She is creating the work, telling the stories, and shaping a career defined not by opportunity, but by authorship. And with A Tough Pill to Swallow, she’s only just getting started.
To find out more about Nickey van Tooran visit IMDb, Instagram, Facebook and her website https://nickeyvt.wixsite.com/nickeyvt
