Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana Anise.
Hi Ayana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Well to start, I was born in Boston, MA, and then right after I was born I moved to Atlanta, GA until the age of five. I then moved back to Boston with my mother and siblings and lived there until I went to college. I decided to attend Loyola University Maryland for one year. I did not like my experience there and ended up transferring to Louisiana State University (LSU). Growing up, I played a few sports such as football, basketball, and tennis. So when I went to college, I wanted to still be around athletics however that may have looked. As a result, I had the opportunity to manage the LSU Women’s Basketball team while majoring in Sports Management – Business Administration. Being a part of LSU Women’s Basketball Program, I was given the opportunity to assist Alumni’s who were either getting ready for the WNBA or going Overseas to play. If that wasn’t going on, I was making sure practice and games ran smoothly. By the time I reached my senior year, I really started assisting the Director of Operations of the team and doing whatever I could to make her job as easy as possible. During that time, I really learned how to work in a fast pace environment and adjust quickly when things went left. I was truly grateful for my experience at LSU and the exposure I had, especially when a lot of people wanted the opportunity to be where I was but didn’t get it. However, at the end of my college experience I was burnt out and started reflecting on whether or not I wanted to pursue this as a career. The answer was no, but the tools I gained during that experience I still use to this day.
After graduating from LSU, I decided to join the Air Force Reserve and later transferred over to the Air National Guard. I joined the military because I wanted to know how to run a successful business. Reason being in the military, you take anyone off the street and in three months, they tend to look completely different than how they started. The way they taught and ran things was very interesting to me so I wanted to learn first hand. In the military, right when you get to basic training, you’re stripped of how you appear to be on a daily basis and your left with just your character and your ability to play your part. They stressed so much on paying attention to details and the importance of the little things because it’s the little things that go a long way. Your also forced to get to know the person on your right and your left because at some point your life may be left in their hands. But through the process, I truly learned how not to judge a book by its cover. I learned how to truly get to know someone, and I believe being blinded by their outside appearance (because everybody looked the same) helped me get to know them from within. There is this saying that may sound very cliche’ but really sticks with me: “Look at me and what do you see? At first, you see something that you thought could never be. You take one look and think you know the whole story about who I can be. However, read each page and learn the bits and pieces that truly define me.” I believe my experience in the military has also played a part in how I move in life now.
While severing in the military, I also worked at a Cancer Institution. Towards the end of 2019 and all 2020, I became very depressed and felt stuck in life. By November of 2020, I started asking God for a change. I didn’t feel I should go back into the sports world and didn’t thinking pursuing the military as a full-time career for 20-30 years was right. I soon started remembering how for the past year or so, I was really thinking about movies/tv shows and the process as an actor it took to create that film and/or television show. Never growing up did I think I could be an actor – AT ALL! I used to watch a lot of movies with family but I never saw myself being on screen until December 2020. Early December of 2020, I took a leave from work until February 2021 to help my mother take care of my uncle with ALS. While doing so, I started to do a lot of research on acting and understanding the industry. January 20, 2021 my uncle passed away and I realized that life’s too short not to take risks and really figure out what brings you joy, especially after living through a pandemic as well. I begin to really take acting serious, whether it was finding classes I could take, asking friends from college who work in the industry about the industry, figuring out who were the casting directors that I needed to be familiar, etc. I really felt like God was telling me to pursue acting, so I went full force. Instead of going back to work, I got ready to move to Atlanta, GA and I’ve been here since March 24, 2021. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been able to network a lot. I’ve meet many great actors that you see on television and film today, who have also told me that I have what it takes to make it. I told myself that before 2021 was over that I wanted an agent that was right for me, and I got one in October 2021. I’ve really just been trying to do my part and allow God to take care of the rest. I feel that my past experiences has helped me tremendously with acting and navigating the industry.
Overall, I can honestly say that the vision for myself is really becoming clearer and I’m excited to see what God has planned for me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, honestly I question myself and what I’m doing at least once or twice a week. In this industry you consistently hear NOs, I feel like for every 1,000 no’s, you get one yes. Very often, I feel I’m not good enough and what I am doing makes no sense. There were times throughout the week where I was only getting around 3 hours of sleep, at most 5. And just life in general is not a walk in the park. But, I think being around people from all walks of life and listening to their stories has really helped me through difficult times. After listening to his/her story, I either walk away telling myself: “Girl, your problem is not that serious, GET IT TOGETHER!!” OR “Dang, God if they can get through that, then I can get through THIS!” OR I tell myself that your not just living for yourself, that your fighting to be the best version of yourself which will soon help, inspire or save some else, and believe it or not that really helps me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Both being a manager at LSU and serving in the military, I think I really learned the meaning of serving others. And as an actor, you give of yourself so much for the purpose of serving others. Whether that’s to tell a story that needs to be heard in society, or being the voice for the voiceless, as an actor to do the job well, you have to be okay with being selfless and give of yourself. Now, this doesn’t mean you sell your soul and get rid of your core values, please know who you are and be comfortable with who you are, despite what others may think. But understand the roles that you choose to take, you remove your day to day self out of the picture, and you do your very best to serve your character without judgment and become their voice. Overall, I’ve been trusting this process and perfecting my craft.
Some of what I believe sets me apart is my drive. I understand the meaning of hard work and although it may be hard at times, it’s the process that gets you to the journey and helps you appreciate it when you get there. Another, some people may hate being around others that are better than them but I love it! I’m like a sponge, what I soak in, is what eventually I’ll give out, so I try to surround myself around people who are going to make me better. I actually pray to God often that he sends me people and friends that are smarter than me and when they come into my life that I honor them well! I never want to dishonor or mishandle what’s being poured into me. I believe being dyslexic also is what sets me apart. Growing up in Boston, very often, I either had to go to school early, stay back late, or come in on weekends and work with either the tutors or teachers at school in order to not fall behind and/or get ahead. I used to hate that during the time but looking back, I now realize that season was teaching me discipline, perseverance, and finding a way no matter what. And most importantly, having faith in God. I understand that as long as I keep him at the center of everything and I do my part with the work, I know that he’ll make me stand out in places where I’m supposed to be seen.
With that being said, I’m proud of myself for taking a chance on me. It’s hard to do something that terrifies you through the process. But someone once said, “If your dreams don’t scare you, then your not dreaming big enough!”
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I listen to a lot of interviews on YouTube with great actors such as Voila Davis, Taraji P. Henson, and Denzel Washington. I noticed there is a lot of gems dropped in interviews that people miss and I try to receive. I listened to audiobooks such as Audition by Michael Shurtleff, Save the Cat by Blake Snyder, Women Evolve by Sarah Jakes Roberts, Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success by Steve Harvey, Bamboozled by Jesus, Destiny Daily Readings by T. D. Jakes. I also listen to Jemele Hill’s podcast Unbothered, which keeps me inspired and I just personality love the conversations being shared there.
I also work on my mental and physical health. I see a therapist very often, which helps to process childhood traumas or just life! And for the physical part, I train at Effect Fitness with bootcamp, weight lifting with Shayon Green, and when my Thursday evenings aren’t busy, twerk class with Lola Staxx (and NO, I do not know how to twerk, but I still enjoy the class lol). Training there has really helped me push myself to another level. Now, going in, very often I question why I decide to show up, especially when Shayon Green comes up with insane workouts, but after the workouts are over, I’m very grateful! I learn that even when things look challenging, it’s still attainable to achieve.
Contact Info:
- Email: ayanaanise@gmail.com
- Instagram: @iamayanaanise
