Today we’d like to introduce you to Jahnessa Vasquez.
Hi Jahnessa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story started in Honolulu, Hawaii where I was originally born. Being an army brat, I moved around a lot when I was younger. Hawaii, California, Texas, and ultimately, Atlanta, GA. The one place that truly shaped me into the person I am today, a storyteller.
If you ask anyone to describe me, they would probably call me a hurricane of passion, determination and love. They would tell you that even though these pieces of me aren’t mutually exclusive to each other, they’re most visible when I do the one thing I love the most– create. I started acting at 10 years old–shortly before moving to Atlanta. I’ve always had a way of becoming the center of the party and made a stage anywhere I was.
Atlanta brought out many creative outlets for me, from acting to modeling to eventually entrepreneurship. Soon enough, I wanted to take my act on the road. After graduating high school, I enrolled into the New York Film Academy’s Bachelor’s program for theatre and film. Not knowing a soul, I decided to drive cross-country and go to their sunny Los Angeles-based sector to complete my degree instead of spending my time in the cold New York streets. NYFA’s community of actors, filmmakers and professors, from all different walks of life, changed me in more ways than one but ultimately made me a better artist. I’ll be forever grateful of the lessons, the long back-to-back rehearsals and the resources are given to hone every one of my talents and skills.
After graduating with my Bachelor’s degree, I did what any determined, eager, young actress would do- stay and chase those dreams! It wasn’t an easy decision to make, knowing I would be away from my family and friends back home but I knew there was more out there for me. From auditions to callbacks to filming varies different projects and even working behind the scenes on a few productions, it’s been quite a journey to get me to get me where I am now but I am only scratching the surface of what I can become.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes, if any actor or creative says it’s been a smooth road to success, they haven’t been down any roads at all. Being multi-cultural and multiracial, I have not always fit into the boxes or labels people would like but that didn’t stop me from trying to break the molds. To show myself and others that, someone that looks like me or may have a similar story like mine can make their dreams come true.
Being different than the norm wasn’t the only challenge I’ve faced on this journey of mine. When I was 15 years old, I was diagnosed with a moderate to severe cased of Crohn’s disease. It is an autoimmune disease that creates inflammation throughout the digestive system and I am one of the 1.3% of Americans living with it. That alone really pushes me to fight for my dreams. I could have taken an easier route or a different career path but I wanted people to know that just because you have a life-threatening invisible illness doesn’t mean you have to stop your life.
Even though it hasn’t always been peaches and cream, I wouldn’t change anything about my journey. Not one part of it. Every high and low I’ve had, has changed me as a person and has given me the life experience to become a great actress and more evolved creatively.
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?
I am an actress, model and entrepreneur. I am more known for my work ethic and my desire to make everyone around the best they can be. I’ll be on a television screen soon enough but until then I’ll be working on things that will make the little girl in me the proudest she can be. The latest thing I have had the honor to create with help of my partners at Scent Craft- is my very own perfume name, JAH. I wanted to create a fragrance for women so that every woman can feel beautiful, powerful and sexy. It is a fragrance that can be used all day for a fearless staple scent or at night for a soft, alluring fragrance to take you anywhere you might go.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next few years, I hope the industry shifts to become more inclusive to telling real stories that are going on. Being more open to seeing stories about black and brown people and their communities without the negative experiences attached to them. Having representation in the television and film industry matters to the viewers watching at home or in the theatre. It becomes more meaningful when people can watch a show, movie or play and relate to every character on it instead of one or two token ones.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.JahnessaVasquez.com
- Instagram: @Jahforever_
- Other: For perfume- https://bit.ly/3v1HhbN
Image Credits:
Jeremy David, Brenda Gomez, Oliver Grano, Frank Brown
