Celebrities●0 min read●
Meet Nikki Rodriguez: The Girl Who Made The Walter Boys Crazy!
Meet Nikki Rodriguez: Netflix’s next big young adult star! From playing a South Central gang member’s tough teenage girlfriend to becoming the tender sweetheart of two high school brothers in Colorado, Rodriguez is killing it!
Yes, we are talking about Nikki Rodriguez – the girl who bagged the much-coveted role of Jackie Howard in My Life With the Walter Boys, a new young adult drama series based on Ali Novak’s novel of the same name. She also made a brief appearance in the Gen Z comedy series On My Block’s final season.
For Rodriguez, it does seem like finding something in common with her work. In fact, she told Vanity Fair in this context, “I would say there’s a little bit of both characters in my own personality. I really try to highlight the characteristics of each that I align with.”
That sounds about right, and we want to know so much more about this woman. Stay tuned to read more about Netflix’s new YA star!
Nikki Rodriguez And My Life With The Walter Boys!
Nikki Rodriguez is under the spotlight now – Netflix dropped My Life With The Boys, and we are crushing over the pop culture famous love triangle with two brother plotline (thanks, Wattpad!).
In this coming-of-age tale, adapted by Melanie Halsall (executive producer), Rodriguez plays Jackie Howard, an ambitious, sophisticated 15-year-old high schooler from Manhattan.
The story begins when Jackie loses her family to a tragic car accident. As a result, Jackie moves to Silver Falls to live with her mother’s best friend and her family (the Walters).
Interestingly, Rodriguez is able to make a meaningful connection with Jackie. Moreover, when asked about her connection to Jackie, she told Vanity Fair, “I’ve been on my own from a young age, and I suppose that’s probably what really drew me to Jackie. I didn’t grow up in a typical family dynamic…. [and] I know exactly what it feels like…having to juggle all these challenges of growing up and how hard that can be. I really had to learn how to be strong and independent early on and not rely on anybody, and that’s a lot like Jackie.”
Growing Up:
The petite 22-year-old actor happens to be an only child. Raised by her German British mother, Rodriguez grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before moving to Las Angeles after school to study acting after going through a trail run. At the time, Rodriguez’s Mexican dad accompanied her, and she was only 15 years old.
In the very first episode, the typically stoic Jackie confides in Tara (A.K.A Ashley Holliday Tavares), her guidance counselor in her new school, “My family died…and nobody knows what to say to you when that happens.”
The grieving 10th grader has arrived in Silver Falls to live with her mom’s college bestie, Dr. Katherine Walter (A.K.A Sarah Rafferty).
However, Katherine’s life in the county is very different – she lives with her ten children and husband, Geroge (A.K.A Marc Blucas), on a ranch in rural Colorado. Hence, Jackie has to navigate a whole new life – her complex feelings and involvement with two brothers on the ranch only add to the drama!
Complications And The Two Walter Brothers:
The charismatic and broody Cole (A.K.A Noah LaLonde) is the town’s girl magnet and a former football star. Of course, he has a ‘tragic’ backstory, too – he has a leg injury that ended his quarterback career for good.
So, that’s boy number one for Jackie before she meets boy number two, Cole’s one-year-younger brother, the sweet, geeky Alex (A.K.A Ashby Gentry). Now, Alex is a typical geek who loves video games and books, and because the story is set in rural Colorado, horses! Of course, he falls for Jackie almost immediately.
Rodriguez delivers a winning performance! After all, she is a grieving teenager in the middle of a love triangle. Moreover, her new high school does not offer enough number of AP classes. Furthermore, Rodriguez’s performance was aided by how similar she is to Jackie IRL. In reality, even Rodriguez has an overachiever, Type A vibe.
Jackie Howard spends the ten episodes inside a house filled with teen angst and raging hormones. Moreover, each boy pulls a grand romantic gesture for her. While Cole ends up rebuilding Jakie’s broken teapot, Alex takes her to his version of the Manhattanhenge.
There are also existing issues between the two brothers over past issues. So, the question is whether Rodriguez is on Team Cole or Team Alex. (I can’t help but think about Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad in The Summer I Turned Pretty)!
Of course, she follows the true love triangle rule and takes neither side. Instead, she says, “It’s so selfish to say, but I’m gonna say Team Jackie at the end of the day.”
So, Is Nikki Rodriguez Single?
Nikki Rodriguez is currently single, at least as per her accounts on social media platforms. But we are going to keep our ears and eyes open. What if we come across any details about the actor’s love life?
Gossipment Wishes Nikki Rodriguez The Best!
While Nikki Rodriguez is popularly known for playing the role of Vero on the final and fourth season of another Netflix show, On My Block, she has starred in several short films titled Father And Roadkill, Bunny Run, and shows like Speechless as well as Adam Ruins Everything.
After the news of the casting broke, the young actor took to Instagram to share her excitement. Her post said, “I mean it when I say this is an absolute DREAM come true. THANK YOU to everyone who made this a possibility. I love this show, and I’m so grateful I got to make it with the best people. I can not wait for y’all to see this one.”
Additionally, Melanie Halsall, the show’s creator, said in a statement, “I am beyond thrilled that My Life with the Walter Boys has been renewed for a second season. We have been overwhelmed by the love and support that the audience has given the show and can’t wait to dive back into the world of Silver Falls and the lives of these characters.”
