Today we’d like to introduce you to Kadeshia Samuels.
Hi Coolie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Kadeshia Samuels people know me as Coolie. I am 28 years old, born and raised in Bronx New York. Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been into entertainment. I was always the one in my family putting on at-home talent shows in my aunt’s basement or performing with my cousins and sisters at my grandma’s house. Entertainment wasn’t the only thing running through my blood as a young girl. I was very athletic as well. I ran track and field for five years and did competitive cheerleading for seven years. I had some great accomplishments with track and field, I ran at Madison Square Garden as well as qualifying for the Junior Olympics in North Carolina. Track and Field was amazing but Cheer held a very special place in my heart. Cheerleading challenged me mentally and physically but pushed me to be a strong individual in the sport and as a person. My high school cheer coaches Eddie and Monica Martin play a major role in my life, they were more than coaches; they were cheer parents.
After high school, I got pregnant with my daughter Miàmour and was no longer able to cheer in college. I was attending movie and tv auditions in Manhattan but could not give it my undivided attention because all I could focus on was my child. I knew my cheer days were over but I was ready to tackle the entertainment world. My mother “Sister Charmaine” was a huge Jamaican artist. She paved the way for a lot of Jamaican artists such as Lady Saw & Spice. After the passing of my mother and my love for the entertainment business, I felt determined to continue my mother’s legacy while building my own. I started modeling and creating amazing pictures with HallOfFameStudios. My photographer Dwight encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and tackle my inner beauty. Our work together made magazine covers and have gotten acknowledged by major celebrities. Modeling was something I started doing for fun but became a part of my career.
I felt like I needed more so I started attending Next Stop NY acting school. My acting coach Mr. Gary saw how talented I am and since then I have accomplished so much. I auditioned for multiple shows one of them being power. I am on a show called Mr and Mrs smith episode 4, I’ve worked alongside Ursalita and Childish Gambino, I’ve wrapped 2 out of the 3 short films that I am in, I’ve attended the VMAs and met Nicki Minaj, I went viral and made the shade room with King Brandon, I’ve creatively directed multiple contents and have gotten recognized by the producers as well as major celebrities and more. I’ve always stood out no matter where I was. Whether it was the cheer Matt, the track, an audition room, or tv/ movie set, I always give off star quality. This is just the beginning, I know I’m destined for greatness.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
They say god gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers and they never lied. Being 18 and pregnant was a challenge I faced but would never regret. At the time I never pictured myself becoming a mother. I felt like I disappointed my family because I didn’t do it the “right way”. I was scared because I knew I wasn’t ready financially or mentally, and I was afraid I wouldn’t know how to be a mom. Throughout my motherhood journey, I’ve learned there is no right or wrong way to be a mom but it does take a village. With the support of my family especially my aunt Jacinth and uncle Mike, I am able to be a mother and still pursue my dreams. Becoming Miàmour’s mother was one of the hardest challenges I’ve faced but the biggest blessing I’ve received. She turned me into a woman. I knew I was no longer living for myself but for her. I wanted to give her a life I didn’t have. Because of my daughter, I’ve checked off a goal off my bucket list which was becoming a first-time home owner. She pushes me to be a better me so I can be the best mother to her. My daughter taught me strength, maturity, patience and love I never thought I could feel.
When everything was heading in the right direction, my world came crashing down. I went from celebrating my daughter’s birthday on January 4th to asking god to give me the strength on January 5th, 2021. The passing of my mother is the hardest obstacle I’ve faced and still facing. I am my mother’s only child. Everything I did she would brag about it. It was always about her “one coolie daughter”, she was my biggest cheerleader in all aspects of my life. I could tell her anything no matter how bad it was and she would never make me feel less of myself. No matter what the situation was she walked around with a smile on her face. Charmaine was a funny, kind-hearted, talented, free-spirited, amazing beautiful soul. To know her is to love her. She could light up a room with just her energy. She was an angel before actually becoming one. My mother taught me resilience and strength. No matter how hard life gets, you keep going. Charmaine had a heart of gold. I know I will always be blessed because of my mother. Charmaine is my guardian angel. Sip Sister Charmaine you will forever live through me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a hard-working woman working two 9-5s as well as perusing my career. I specialize in creativity. Ideas pop into my head daily, if there was enough time in the day I would do them all at once lol. I’m known for my creative photoshoots and timeless re-enactments from tv and films. It’s something about the classics that get me excited. I like to think outside of the box, I don’t go for what’s trending. I like to tackle what’s not being talked about and make it a topic. That’s what you call a star. My consistency and dedication to perfecting my craft is what I’m most proud of. I can see the growth and there’s so much more to be done, I’m just getting started. People are often scared to bet on their self, but not me! I’m going to bet on me every time. That’s what separates me from others, my courage. I am never scared to do what the next person might be scared to do.
What does success mean to you?
Hard work and dedication create success. I am a self-improvement junky. Every time you see me I want to be doing better than the last time you saw me, and that is how I describe success. I describe success as determination. Determined to learn, grow, and take the steps necessary to accomplish your goal. No matter how small the win, everything that you do to accomplish that goal is a success. Success is ME and I will be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/KadeshiaSamuels
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmzOxb9hBSK/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits
@hallofamestudios @thellyshotya @wavyyphotography
