Nicole Houston Reed, a talented actress and screenwriter, was born in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California. Her family background is as diverse as her career, with a mix of Ashkenazi Jewish, German, British Isles, and one eighth Italian ancestry. Her parents, Cheryl Houston, a skilled hairdresser and beautician, and Seth Reed, a set designer, divorced when Nicole was just two years old, and she was raised by her mother. The actress has two brothers and attended Alexander Hamilton High School, but eventually dropped out and was home-schooled.
As she entered her teenage years, Nicole faced a difficult period in her life, which led her to move out of home at the tender age of 14. Despite these challenges, she continued to pursue her passion for writing and began working on scripts with Catherine Hardwicke, who was dating her father at the time. Their collaboration resulted in the critically acclaimed film Thirteen (2003),which was based on Nicole's own writing from her early teens.
Nicole's breakout role as Evie in Thirteen earned her widespread recognition, and she went on to appear in various TV shows and films, including the popular series The O.C. (2003). She reunited with Catherine Hardwicke in 2008 for the role of Rosalie in the blockbuster film Twilight (2008),which marked the beginning of her successful career in the franchise. Nicole reprised her role in the subsequent films, including The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009),The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010),The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011),and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012).
In her personal life, Nicole is married to actor and model Ian Somerhalder, with whom she shares a strong bond. Her remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to a successful career in Hollywood is a testament to her perseverance and dedication to her craft.