Life & Work with Eriya Hobbs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eriya Hobbs.

Hi Eriya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Since I could remember, I’ve always been an entertainer or an influencer of some sort. Whether it be singing in front of the church on Sunday or running track on Saturdays or pageants and fashion shows or even influencing my friends to be the best version of themselves, I’ve always been in front of people and I enjoyed it. Seeing people be moved by what I was doing gave me joy and a sense of purpose. Originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas my career started pretty early as a model/actress with pageants. At an early age, I felt like I had some sense of purpose but coming from Arkansas especially Pine Bluff being a model or an actress was few, far and between. I felt like God called me to do the impossible but the bluff only produces gems for a reason.  Nonetheless, my mother nourished the dream as best as she could with the opportunities and resources provided to us. So the quest to “becoming” began at the young age of 12. I signed my first contract with an agency in Arkansas and at that time casting agents weren’t looking for little big forehead black girls that needed braces. So although I did get some work it was discouraging watching other kids get casted for roles I knew I was great for. I ended up getting more work as a freelancer than I did being signed so moving forward me and my “momager” came up with a plan to solely promote me and my brand independently. At the time, it sounded like a good idea but only for Arkansas. I wanted to be bigger; we just didn’t know how to make that happen. So disappointment did set in and during this time, I got so many no’s it was embarrassing. It seemed like every agency and every casting director wasn’t feeling me. Not knowing that, that was actually apart of the process.

I’d gotten a lot older, I felt like I had a little more control over my own career and where I thought it should go which was not where it was going so I stopped doing everything completely. It wasn’t until I was in college studying political science pre-law staring two F’s in the face that I’d realized that God was calling me to something greater. So following my heart I went and changed my major to theater (Didn’t know it was a failing department at the time) and things seemed to begin to make a turnaround. During my career at The Illustrious University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff I experienced a lot of hardship that probably should’ve stopped me. I’d lost my grandfather, the state was trying to decide on whether or not they wanted to continue with the major, and I was diagnosed with PCOS/Endometriosis and had to undergo an emergency surgery. Instead of giving up , I ended up turning all of that frustration and pain into a Cheropoem called “The Oil” not knowing that it would be the last play the University would see from the theater program moving forward. The Oil was the thing that influenced and began my writing career and honestly made me fall back in love with acting and modeling again. The Oil takes you on a journey through my life and the three steps it takes to produce oil (Shaking, beating and pressing). In the play, I talk about rejection, disappointment, love and loss and it has been my most prized work of art thus far. I plan to rewrite and put it on again one day in the future.

After college, the dream was to move to Atlanta and solely be an artist, but covid had other plans and I was forced to get a job and be an adult. I would be lying if I said I was still hopeful because I wasn’t. During this period real life happened and I went into a major depression that lasted for about two years. I felt like I wasn’t living but only existing and I knew that God had better. However, now looking back on it I believe that it was just  God preparing me for all the things that I’d asked for. Although I was working a job to pay my bills, I was presented with major opportunities. I was fortunate enough to work with some of the greatest designers and creatives like Korto Momolou, Shonda Stroud Ali-Shamaa, Tpolly Designs, Richie Clark, The Bridal Cottage, Good Vibes Boutique And Dj Bruce Bruce the CEO of Krystal Klear Entertainment. I’d been featured in over 50 runway shows and I had created a buzz that the little black model from back in the day who swept so many brands off their feet was back and ready to work but again it was only in Arkansas but it still wasnt fulfilling and again I  was left disappointed because I felt like I’d hit my ceiling in the Arkansas market, and something in me was saying that it was time to go!

It wasn’t until October of 2021 that I believed God was really dealing with me personally. I was getting comfortable, I had goals that I wanted to reach by 25 and because my dreams weren’t working out, I thought maybe I should just focus on living a regular life. Continue working my job that I wasn’t really happy at, dating and home shopping because I felt like that was next for me and this was all that God had for me in this life. Boy was I wrong. I remember sitting at my desk crying and God telling me to write the vision and make it plain. I dried my face, closed my computer and began to write the vision. The first thing on my list was to quit my job and move to Atlanta. I didn’t have a plan or an idea of how I would do either thing but that was what God showed me so I wrote it down and taped it to my desk. November came and I ended up getting a call about a school in Georgia wanting to interview me. So I took the interview not really thinking I’d get the position. I ended up getting confirmation that I indeed got the position a week before Thanksgiving and that I needed to start January 5th. I was shocked and I wanted to call them back and tell them I was just playing. I would be taking less money, and I didn’t really know how I’d get there but the third thing on my list was that God would fund this idea because it was his idea. So jokingly I told my best friend I got the job and that I was moving and she said when are we leaving? Within a month’s time, the money came, we packed up the apartment and we moved to Atlanta.

Since being here, I believe that God has been revealing purpose to me. I’m currently working to rebrand myself in a more positive light because I don’t believe that I was only here to model and act but to inspire young women who are going through their journey of singleness through travel, film and lifestyle. I believe that I have a message to share and I’m currently seeking the correct platform to do it own. Moving forward my brand will promote a soft lifestyle while doing the work of the kingdom in a nontraditional way. Now that I’ve been here, my wants have changed and my need to inspire the generation of women after me is my soul mission.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to becoming Eriya J. has been extremely bumpy, especially because I had other intentions for what I thought my life should look like. Honestly, after my grandfather died and I was diagnosed with PCOS I’d really given up on the dream completely. I believe that God had dealt me a bad hand of cards and this was what I was forced to play with. Which was only the trick of the enemy.  I know what’s on the inside of me, I just got a faith issue that needs to be checked. Moving to Atlanta and adjusting has been an adjustment in itself. Some days, I’m super motivated, I’m writing, I’m working on my purpose and I’m happy. Then some days I’m doubting myself, I don’t think anyone is seeing my work or is even motivated by the things that I have to say but I keep moving forward because I’m aware of the calling on my life and that what’s on the inside of me has to come out.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I believe that the main lessons that I’ve had to learn are: 1. I’m too big to be put in a box and that I’ve been given multiple gifts for a reason. 2. Everything worth having requires patiences which I’m learning everyday. So because of that, I’ve created the Eriya J. Experience where I support young women of color in harnessing the power of their singleness through Film, Travel and Lifestyle. I want to be a light to young women especially women of color going through a season of finding themselves well before they find a mate and what serving this season looks like. On my YouTube channel you’ll find helpful resources that should inspire the woman you’re becoming from teaching you how to cook to having difficult conversations and feeling seen. Things that set me apart from others would be my delivery and the fact that It’s all Christian based with a different approach. It is never my goal to preach to women but be a light in a season that feels so lonely and dark. I want to be looked at as a big sister or mentor instead of a pastor. Eventually the Eriya J. Experience will venture off into film as I am currently looking to collab with different female writers, actors and cinematographers to produce relatable short films that inspire everyone going through similar situations. Also hosting conferences and panel discussions for women looking to jumpstart their careers in the entertainment field. It is my goal to just be a PA system for Heaven and bring as many people to Christ, all while helping them identify purpose without them feeling pressured, convicted or alone.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People looking to join the tribe can follow me on Instagram at @iameriyaj. If you’re looking to book me or just looking for a great blog to read please do so at www.eriyajexperience.com where I’ll drop launch dates as well.

Pricing:

• Film Writing ($150 & Up)
• Play Writing ($350 & Up)
• Brand Ambassador (250/monthly)

Contact Info:

• Email: eriyahobbs@gmail.com
• Website: www.eriyajexperience.com
• Instagram: @iameriyaj
• Facebook: Eriya D. Hobbs
• Twitter: @iameriyaj
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYUoMAQmfXovwK9fkbGT6iw

Image Credits
Photo Credits : R. K. Warren (@r.k.warren) Clothing: Richie Clark (@richieclark)