Nicole Simone


Nicole Simone is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, writer, canine philanthropist, bonafide CEO, award-winning filmmaker, and all-around creative force. Despite nearly drowning in a surf accident, she describes her songs as cinematic surf pop. She keeps it dreamy. A spicy Pisces, she was born on an official hangover day, doesn’t eat fish (or other animals), and is unapologetically herself.Born in Toronto and raised under the So-Cal sun, Nicole is bi-coastal, second-generation Sicilian, an accomplished figure skater, and the founder of Redemption Paws, a dog rescue charity that has saved over 4,000 dogs and even changed Canadian federal law for animals. Yes, she’s a total powerhouse. She’s also an award-winning filmmaker best known for ON A LIST, a series exploring modern romance with a sharp eye and a tender heart. Her writing has appeared in Reader’s Digest, and her work and opinions have been featured in The New York Times, CBC, Globe & Mail, CBS News, and The Toronto Star.Read too much Kurt Vonnegut as a child. Swears with razor-sharp precision in French and Sicilian, and her hair is reminiscent of a Gustav Klimt painting knock off. A self-proclaimed Newmanologist, Simone knows far too much about the life of Paul Newman (and his salad dressing).Rumors aside, October is her favorite month, and she’s always in it to win it, whether that means saving dogs, creating art, or sending a perfectly odd letter. She’s a fervent believer in the weird and the wonderful—and gets absolutely exasperated talking in third person.

FAQ Why did you turn a man into a newt, and did it get better?From a young age, I’ve been accused of being a witch. Perhaps it’s the red hair and cold, black eyes, but this has always been my retort even though I love the subtext of it. The real thing is that Monty Python somehow became a very big part of my childhood. I have no idea who introduced me to it, but my friend and I used to run around the yard with fake coconuts.Are you Canadian?I am Canadian, but I’m also a second-generation Sicilian. I moved to Southern California as a child, then back to a suburb of Toronto, then back again. So I’m a real mishmash, and I’ve watched The Sopranos many, many times.Did you really save over 4,000 dogs, or are you just saying that?I’m just saying that. That’s a thing people just say, so I’m saying it too. I’m hopping on that train.But in reality, I started volunteering at a pound while my university went on its umpteenth strike. They let me be the special needs coordinator, and my job was to find homes or foster care for the unadoptable dogs otherwise, they would be euthanized. No pressure.The pound eventually closed and was absorbed into a larger shelter. Around that time, I started interviewing people about the good that dog rescue brings into their lives. Then, in 2017, a friend who had a rescue in Houston, Texas, was flooded out and asked me to take 10 dogs and rehome them. I thought, doable, having been around rescues so much. That trip went viral, and instead of 10 dogs, 40 showed up for transport so I incorporated Redemption Paws.Seven-plus years later, yes, thousands of dogs have found homes. But it’s been a community effort between the rescues in Texas and all the people (staff, volunteers, fosters, adopters, vets) in Canada. I simply keep the lights on and try to be the mast through any storms.Who are your favourite authors?Kurt Vonnegut, Dave Eggers, Nino Ricci, and Michael Ondaatje. I won’t let anyone ruin them for me.
Are you a feminist?
Yes, in the sense that I believe in equality and equity for women. I do not believe in misandry or chauvinism.Why do you know so much about Paul Newman?I think a big part of me aspires to be Paul Newman. Artist, philanthropist, race car driver. I never met him, I still haven’t seen Cool Hand Luke, and I may never. But Newman was a man who did a lot with a little a man of reinvention, ahead of his time, with great humility.Also, he made a fantastic salad. I love salads.What is lingerie modeling and why do you do it?It's exactly how it sounds, nothing more, nothing less. I do it because I can.Do you write your own music?I do. I’ve written many songs. I release new music all the time.Do you act?Only like a fool.Are you a witch?I prefer sorceress more dramatic, better branding. But if by witch you mean someone who drinks too much tea, hoards books, and occasionally manifests things with sheer willpower, then yes.What do you do for fun?Mostly, I stare at my dog and wonder what she’s thinking. Sometimes I read. Occasionally, I write things that make people question my mental stability.Have you ever met a man who wasn’t afraid of you?Not yet, but I remain optimistic.Why are you so obsessed with dogs?I actually am obsessed with horses, but I won’t allow myself to be around them because it would ruin my life (recovered horse girl). I love dogs not all dogs, admittedly, mostly just my dog but I respect all animals and believe they should be treated better by the world at large.What’s your favorite movie?Beginners, The Philadelphia Story, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Knight of Cups, and You Can’t Take It With You.What’s your skincare routine?Tretinoin, SPF, sleep, and the slow realization that no serum will make up for bad decisions.Are you rich?Sarcastically? Yes. Financially? Absolutely not.What do you want people to know about you?That I am neither as intimidating nor as composed as I appear. That I mean well. And that I am very, very funny in the right lighting.What do you hate?Slow walkers, close talkers, performative vulnerability, and fascism.What’s your guilty pleasure?Chocolate. I survive on chocolate.If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?I would be cozy. Somewhere very cozy.Why aren’t you married?Because I hate the idea of the government in my personal life.