Woman with 400 Collectibles of Randall from “Monsters Inc.” Says Meeting Steve Buscemi ‘Was the Best Experience of My Life’ (Exclusive)
Woman with 400 Collectibles of Randall from “Monsters Inc.” Says Meeting Steve Buscemi ‘Was the Best Experience of My Life’ (Exclusive)
Meredith WilshereSun, October 11, 2026 at 8:29 PM UTC
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Nicky Sauseda and Steve Buscemi; Sauseda’s Randall collectionCredit: Nicky Sauseda -
Chicago native Nicky Sauseda has collected more than 400 items featuring Randall from Monsters, Inc.
Sauseda said her autism and love of Randall and Buscemi’s work have supported her mental health
Friends and followers helped fly Sauseda to New York for Buscemi’s IndieCollect event
Nicky Sauseda has loved Randall from Monsters, Inc. for as long as she can remember.
“I loved reptiles when I was a toddler, so Randall brought me a lot of comfort as a kid and even now as an adult,” Sauseda, 21, tells PEOPLE. “I still have my first-ever Randall figure that I’ve had since I was around that age too.”
The 2001 movie follows two monsters, Mike and Sulley, played by Billy Crystal and John Goodman, respectively, whose job is to scare children at Monsters Incorporated, but accidentally let a little girl into their world. Randall, played by Steve Buscemi, meanwhile, is the film’s main antagonist.
Despite Randall being the villain, Sauseda developed an affinity for the purple lizard, leading her to discover some of Buscemi’s other work, which she says “changed my life in the best way possible.”
The Chicago native started collecting Randall-related items in high school and now has over 400 collectibles, from posters to stuffed animals, toys and “other random products.”
Nicky Sauseda and Steve BuscemiCredit: Nicky Sauseda
“I have autism, so Steve Buscemi and Randall are my special interests, and collecting that has really helped me and my mental health, along with Steve Buscemi and his other filmography!” she shares. “People online call me ‘the Randall girl’ or ‘Randall’s biggest fan,’ so having titles like that is a huge honor.”
After years of finding comfort in the character, Sauseda’s dream came when she finally met the man behind the part.
After learning that Buscemi, 68, was “doing a private reception for a film screening in New York,” her friends and followers decided to team up.
“I’m in Chicago, so I didn’t think I’d be able to go. I was fortunate enough to be flown out to New York and have my ticket paid for by some of my followers and friends,” Sauseda shares. “People came together for this and it honestly had me super emotional.”
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Sauseda was able to meet and talk to the Sopranos star during the event, and tells PEOPLE, “It was probably the most magical and best experience of my life!”
“He was so sweet, and I showed him my collection. Honestly, he was surprised that so much merchandise of Randall was made,” she says. “He approved and absolutely loved my collection and dedication to him and Randall.”
During their conversation, Sauseda told Buscemi that she’s “actively working on projects and research to help first responders with their mental health” and is an active donor for Friends of Firefighters, where he serves as an advisory council member.
Nicky Sauseda and her Randall collectionCredit: Nicky Sauseda
“Overall, the interaction was absolutely perfect, and I printed out the photo of him and I together. It’s framed near my collection, and I have one on my desk,” she says.
“I’ll forever be supporting Steve in all he does as his number one fan. In the moment, it just felt like a dream and it was definitely one of the happiest feelings I’ve ever felt,” Sauseda adds.
Sauseda says she is “still on top of the world” and is “forever grateful” for the opportunity.
Recently, Sauseda shared a video meeting the actor on her TikTok account, and it went viral, amassing over 100,000 views.
She hopes to inspire people to “keep doing what you love and as long as you’re happy, that’s what matters!”
“Don’t let anyone try and ruin that for you,” Sauseda affirms.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
