Nia Peeples - Cast Member of the Month

 

“Life is a moving, breathing thing. We have to be willing to constantly evolve. Perfection is constant transformation.”

Nia Peeples was born Virenia Gwendolyn Peeples on 10^th December 1961 making her star sign Sagittarius. Sagittarians’ have been described as the biggest travellers of all the zodiac signs. Their open mindedness and philosophical views motivate them to wander around the world in search of the meaning of life. Well this is certainly true of Nia, as she has spent the last few years on walk about around the World. A journey that has taken her from the beaches of Suva to the hills of Bosnia and Israel. 

“I stepped off the entertainment “wheel of fortune,” and went on walk about to listen to my heart, for I believe that there and only there can one discover her deepest desires born of love and truth...”

Born in Hollywood Nia was raised by her parents Elizabeth and Robert in West Covina, California.  Her family ancestry includes Filipino, Spanish, French and German on her Mother’s side and Scots-Irish, English, Native American and Italian on her Father’s side.

Nia started performing when she was a child as a hula dancer, then joined The Young Americans (a non-profit performing organization) during her senior year in high school, where she toured the World and most notably performed in Las Vegas with Liberace.

In 1984 she married Guy Ecker with whom she stayed with for 2 years until they divorced in 1986.

Also in 1984 Nia won the role of Nicole Chapman on “Fame”, which she played until 1987 in Seasons 4 to 6. Nia appeared in 52 episodes. When Nia decided to leave the show, the producers decided to kill off the character! How could they do it! 

When Nia decided to leave the show, the producers decided to kill off the character! How could they do it! Even the producers regretted their decision when they realized they couldn't bring Nia back for the final episode, even though Nia would be on set with the rest of the cast and her then fiancée Carlo Imperato.

After “Fame”, Nia carved out a fantastic career spanning over 30 years, in music, presenting and acting both on TV and in feature films. Nia is one of the first multi-racial performers to cross all performing genres and helped to lay the groundwork of bridging the gap between ethnic performers and leading roles in Hollywood.

Music wise Nia released two solo albums (“Nothin’ But Trouble” in 1988 and “Nia Peeples” in 1991); presented the U.S. version of Top of The Pops; was a V.J. on MTV, and had her own music TV show “Party Machine”.

Her acting career included guest starring on many U.S. TV shows as well as lead roles in “Walker Texas Ranger”, “Pretty Little Liars” and “The Young and the Restless”.  

These days Nia, who has two Children Christopher from her second marriage to Howard Hewitt (lead singer with Shalamar) and Sienna from her 3rd marriage to Lauro Chartrand, is passionate about empowering women and students.

Nia is a performance Teacher; a Keynote speaker, working closely with the My Saint My Hero organization and during her walk about she also became an author. Her first book titled “The Little Apple Tree” is an inspirational children’s story. She is currently in the middle of writing her second novel "Confessions of a Serial Monogamist - Journey through the Men I loved to the Me I Love”, for which she interviewed all her significant partners. With 4 ex husbands and an engagement to “Fame” co-star Carlo Imperato that sounds like one interesting read!

Nia currently lives in Topanga, California when she's not fasting at an ashram or studying quantum physics and sacred geometry.