Local StoriesSeptember 21, 2022

Check Out Nadia Butterfield’s Story

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Butterfield.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am Nadia LaDaven Butterfield. After graduating from Thee Tennessee State University in May of 2019, I was in a horrific car accident four months later. I was falsely accused of a crime I did not commit. After my accident, I was taken to a police precinct rather than the emergency room. After hours of being held and questioned with zero concern to my physical health, I was then transported to the hospital. I soon was told that I had a fractured neck, a few broken bones in my hand and wrist and other physical injuries. While getting multiple tests and scans run, I was handcuffed to a medical bed for three days with no contact with anyone besides medical staff. My “room” was under watch 24/7 by two police officers at a time each day. After my three days at the hospital, I was then transported to the jail where I was held for two days, again with no contact with anyone besides one phone call to my parents.

Though my story is not glamorous, it changed my life. Among one of the many tests ran in the hospital was a CT Scan. The staff noticed there was a spot on my lung but assumed it was dried blood from the collision. After three months of being in a neck and back brace, I was told to come back and have a few more tests run. The result: a carcinoid tumor the size of a quarter and the diagnosis of Stage 2b Lung Cancer. I was informed that it needed to be removed. On July 21, 2021, I underwent a lobectomy and had 1/3 of my lung removed. I remained in ICU for another three days… again… alone… due to covid restrictions. My mom stayed on FaceTime with me the entire time, from dawn till dusk. I was released from the hospital and had a smooth recovery comfortably at home.

These experiences made me realize how valuable and short my life is. I graduated with a degree in psychology… but my true love was and still is the arts. I am a dancer, singer, model and actress. But I didn’t believe in myself fully to pursue my dreams until I reached my rock bottom. So after healing and being honest with myself, I began taking acting classes again, networking and collaborating with other creatives in Atlanta and surrounding areas. I am so blessed to say that I am a part of many amazing projects (some released and some underway) and I cannot wait to continue to blossom in my career. I want to show myself what I am made of. This is only the beginning for me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest challenge is always worrying about what others think of me. I have always compared myself to others as a child, not because I was insecure but I always wanted to improve… I always strived to do my very best, whether that be schoolwork, a dance recital or a talent show. With that dedication and determination, I thrived in anything that I put my mind to. The fear of being judged is still something that I struggle with daily. But one thing I have realized is that I am TRULY like no one else. I inspire people without even knowing it. I am authentic and vulnerable, and that is something a lot of my peers are afraid to do.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Amongst many other things, I am an actress and model. My main goal is to inspire others, especially black people, to be themselves no matter what. I want to broaden people’s perspectives and ways of thinking through art, whether that be photography, videography, film/television or dance.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
In my opinion, the essential qualities in my line of work are charisma, confidence and authenticity. The rest will follow and fall in place as and when it should.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photographer: Gregory Rooks Instagram: @ofcoursegreg

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