After her standout role in Maria Mercedes, Nikki said she feels honored to be given a project with the Kapamilya network's major stars in Hawak Kamay. “Siyempre I feel very blessed and very privileged to have been given the chance to work again at hindi ganun kalayo yung agwat. Of course it's an honor to work with Iza (Calzado) and Papa P (Piolo Pascual) and of course the kids for this soap, talagang kinuha nila only the best. Siyempre napakalaking karangalan na makatrabaho ko sila. Yung role ko dito medyo malayo, malayong malayo sa dati. Magkaibang mundo talaga sila sa Maria Mercedes. Dito I play Piolo's girlfriend Meann, siya ay nagtrabaho sa cruise ship at nung mga panahon na medyo lost si Jin, hindi niya alam ang gagawin niya sa life niya, andun ako. So na-witness ko yun,” she explained.
Even though she is earning praises for her recent acting projects, Nikki said she is not gunning for an award. “Siyempre nakakataba ng puso kasi hindi ko naman talaga pinangarap yun, hindi ko naman siya talaga ginawang goal kasi nag-umpisa naman talaga ako bilang singer but para mapabilang at makatrabaho ko nga sila, sobrang malaking karangalan and I'm very, very happy to be given this chance to learn also from these great artists. Ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko, ini-enjoy ko lang siya. I'm just very passionate about it. If I happen to get recognition along the way bonus na lang yun. Hindi siya yung main goal. Ang main goal ko talaga is maibahagi ang kuwento ng marami nating mga kapamilya sa pamamagitan ng pag-arte,” she said.
Nikki also has another thing to be happy about lately. The singer-actress said she has definitely moved on from her breakup with Billy Crawford and has been steadily dating a non-showbiz guy. She said being busy in showbiz is not an excuse to invest time in a blossoming relationship. “Pag gusto, magagawan ng paraan yan (laughs). Pag gusto, mahahanapan ng oras. It's happening. I'm very happy with where I'm at. I try to keep it as private as I can but I'm enjoying myself. I'm okay. I'm very happy,” she admitted.
When asked if they are already a couple, Nikki said she will announce it when it is official. “Tsaka na natin pag-usapan yung mga ganyang bagay. Basta for now I'm dating and I'm happy. Okay I guess I'm exclusively dating if you will. But that's as far (laughs),” she added.