Sami Gayle Can No Longer Hide Her Secret, It’s Out in the Open
For almost a decade, Sami Gayle has played a significant role in the “Blue Bloods” series, portraying Nicky Reagan-Boyle, the daughter of Assistant District Attorney Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan). Over time, Nicky has transitioned from a bright teenager to an independent woman, navigating her own path within the Reagan family dynamic. In a 2020 interview with Glitter magazine, Gayle reflected on her experience playing Nicky, the valuable lessons she has learned from the show, and her personal journey as an actress.
Gayle vividly recalled a pivotal moment from her childhood that ignited her passion for performing. At the age of 3 or 4, while attending the Coconut Grove Art Show with her grandmother, she was captivated by a tap dancer named “Moving Melvin.” Inspired by his performance, she declared to her grandmother, “I can do that,” setting her sights on a career on Broadway. However, it wasn’t until she was 14 years old that she became fully immersed in acting.
Her breakthrough came with her role as Erica in the film “Detachment,” where she starred opposite Adrien Brody. Gayle explained that embodying Erica’s character allowed her to tap into the transformative power of acting, fostering empathy and understanding for experiences vastly different from her own. This realization solidified her determination to pursue acting as a profession, recognizing its potential to bring about meaningful change.
In her interview, Gayle offered words of encouragement to aspiring actors, emphasizing that anyone can achieve their dreams with perseverance and dedication. Reflecting on her own journey from a small suburb in Florida to Broadway at the age of 11, she emphasized the importance of taking risks and seizing opportunities.
Gayle also discussed the profound impact that portraying Nicky on “Blue Bloods” has had on her personal growth. Drawing parallels between herself and her character, she highlighted Nicky’s resilience and unwavering commitment to her beliefs, even in the face of adversity. Through Nicky’s journey, Gayle learned valuable lessons about self-advocacy and staying true to one’s convictions.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including her parents’ divorce, the loss of loved ones, and the pressures of navigating adulthood, Nicky emerges as a strong, independent woman who charters her own course in life. Gayle’s portrayal of Nicky has resonated deeply with audiences, solidifying her as one of the most beloved characters on “Blue Bloods.”
As Sami Gayle explained in her 2020 interview with Glitter, it wasn’t until she played the role of Erica in “Detachment,” opposite Adrien Brody, that she really felt like acting was the definitive path for her. The character she portrays in the film was very different from her own experiences, and in the process of her performance she discovered what she called the “power of acting.” “Erica had very different experiences from my own. But, stepping into her shoes and seeing the world through her eyes made me empathize with her experiences,” Gayle said. “It was then that I discovered the power of acting — to generate empathy and to effectuate change. Becoming Erica made me realize I was meant to be a professional empathizer, and I have tried to harness that ‘superpower’ to do good ever since.”
All in all, the aforementioned moment between Nicky and Henry was sweet and went a long way in building on their loving family dynamic. To make it even better, Cariou isn’t the only one who adores this scene. Sami Gayle loved filming it as well for a couple of reasons, as she explained in a 2020 video for the “Blue Bloods” YouTube channel. “Len Cariou, who plays Pop, is just one of the most talented, well-known, renowned Broadway actors. And I started my career on Broadway, and it was so special to be able to sing with him on screen,” Gayle said of the scene.
Given how well they work together, one can only hope that Len Cariou and Sami Gayle continue to share the screen as Henry and Nicky Reagan on “Blue Bloods” for years to come.
