Gina and Nini

"*You are a force of nature-*"
"*Nini-*"
"*You have this energy about you that's so-*"
"*Off-putting?*"
"*Powerful. And I'd say any guy would be lucky to have you but that's not the point. The truth is, we're all lucky to know you.*"

## Nini and Gina

### Characters

Nini Salazar-Roberts
Gina Porter

## Information

### Portrayed by

Olivia Rodrigo
Sofia Wylie

### Rivals

Nini and RickyE.J. and Gina
Nini and E.J.
Jack and Gina
Ricky and Gina

**Gini** is the friendship pairing between **G**ina Porter and N**ini** Salazar-Roberts. They are portrayed by Sofia Wylie and Olivia Rodrigo

## History

### Season 1

Initially, Gina did not dislike Nini, but just saw her as an obstacle to get what she wants. They start out as rivals when they both try out for the role of Gabriella. Nini gets the part, and Gina scornfully congratulates her. Gina does what she can to get Nini out of the show, including choreographing a complex dance, convincing Ricky to continue doing the show, and asking EJ to homecoming. However, Nini makes it clear that she will not be a doormat for Gina when Nini starts to steal things from Gina, only to return them soon after. They agree to "stay in [their] lane and... stick to the status quo." At the Thanksgiving party, Nini is visibly jealous of Gina and Ricky's relationship. At the same party, they run into each other at the refrigerator where Gina opens up and tells she's been moving around for six consecutive years and the conversation, first awkward, dissolves into something more comfortable as they joke and giggle about swapping bodies. Gina tries to apologize for her earlier actions, but Nini cuts her to say that she agrees and that anything between them is all good. Just as Gina walks away, Nini stops her to ask her sleep over at Ashlyn's house. The two become tentative friends just as Gina is called to move once more. During opening night, Gina returns to cheer on her friends, but ends up going on as Taylor. After a shared scene, they walk off stage giggling, giddy with happiness. Nini asks Gina for advice, to which Gina responds by telling Nini to act like she's doing, and admits that it's what she does all the time, essentially telling her that any bad blood between them early in their relationship was really just an act. They share a hug when Gina reminds Nini that she's going to leave. During the curtain call, Nini offers Gina her hand and they take their bows together.

### Season 2

In Second Chances, Nini comforts Gina after her date gets cancelled, and their interaction hints at a closer relationship between the two in the next season. Gina asks Nini if she wants to take her songwriting level to the next level and tells her that there is someone she wants her to meet. She gives Nini her older brother Jamie Porter's phone number who is a famous music producer.

## Moments

### **Season 1**

#### The Read-Through

* Before their read-through, Nini and Gina are asked to hold hands as Miss Jenn sings.
* Gina cheekily offers her hand as to Nini yanks her hand out from Gina's as their teacher finishes singing and the latter peeks over as the former picks up her pink highlighter.
* Nini later looks over at Gina, who is grimacing at Miss Jenn's final high note.
* Gina begins trying to get Nini out of the show by encouraging Ricky to stay.
* Gina steals Nini's phone when she isn't looking and puts it in E.J. Caswell's backpack.

## Official Trademarks

### Clothes

**Dancing Shoes:** In The Wonderstudies, Nini steals Gina's dancing shoes.

### Food

**Root beer:** At the Thanksgiving party in the episode Thanksgiving, they both go to get root beer at the same time and strike up a conversation at the refrigerator. In The Transformation, Nini goes to get root beer after finding out about the chocolates.

### Events

**Opening Nights:** In Opening Night, Gina reassures Nini when she is worried about the Dean of YAC being there. They share a hug. In Second Chances, Nini reassures Gina about EJ calling off their date on opening night and Gina gives her the phone number of her brother, a music producer.

## Similarities and Differences

### Similarities

* They both wanted the part of Gabriella in HSM
* They both liked/like Ricky and EJ
* Neither of them have a dad

### Differences

* Nini has loving and supportive friends and a loving and supportive boyfriend and family but wants to be more confident
* While Gina has confidence and wants loving and supportive friends and a loving and supportive boyfriend and family
* Nini also wants to move away from Salt Lake and go to the Youth Actors Conservatory while Gina just wants to stay in Salt Lake
* Gina has issues with people leaving her in relationships while Nini has issues with people trapping her in relationships
* Gina's love language is gifts while Nini's is words of encouragement