Today we’d like to introduce you to Latifah Bizzell.
Latifah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story really started when I was a kid. I always knew I was different. While other kids were outside, my sisters and I would create entire worlds through pretend play, we’d start a story and act it out improv-style for hours. I felt most alive when I was imagining something bigger. Still, I was often told to “get my head out of the clouds” and be more like my sister, the straight A student who did as she was told. But that just wasn’t me.
My first introduction to the industry was auditioning for America’s Next Top Model. My mom would send me on the Greyhound to Houston to stay with my uncle. The first year I was told that I was “too short,” but that didn’t stop me. Each year I’d return with what they said I was missing. I went as far as getting a new ID and adjust my height. I just knew I belonged in this industry but I eventually I got tired of hearing no year after year and that’s when I gave up. That following year is when they introduced the shorter models and I was sick to my stomach.
In 2015, I moved to Atlanta and booked my first role as core background on Hidden Figures. That experience was life changing. It was the first time I felt like my soul was at peace, like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I even had a conversation with Taraji P. Henson that gave me the courage to take a huge leap of faith and that’s when I moved to L.A. I had never been and didn’t know a soul. I went with about 5grand in my pocket and the determination to make things shake.
L.A. was beautiful, but it was tough. It exposed a lot, who really supported me and who didn’t. But it also brought me my best friend and helped shape me in ways I’ll always be grateful for.
In 2019, my world shifted in the worst way, I lost my mother. She was my biggest cheerleader and I wanted nothing more than to show her that I could be good at something. After she passed gave up on acting completely just walked away. I packed up my Ford Fiesta and I drove back to Atlanta. On that long ride is when I heard a sermon from Sarah Jake’s, the message said God is not saying no he was saying not right now. She went on saying that you left the place god placed you to go where you thought you should be.
Life has a way of guiding you back to where it is you belong. September 9, 2024 I was laid off from the job I thought I’d retire from, it felt like a sign. My “Oprah moment,” as I like to call it. God said I got to comfortable and that lead me back to my love. This time was different, I wasn’t just doing it to make my mom proud, I was doing it because I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. Suddenly I was getting auditions, attending showcases, and receiving positive feedback. My big “Ahh Haa” moment came when I attended an actor’s mixer, and heard the motto “Don’t wait, create”. Something about that hit my spirit hard. I’ve always been a storyteller, since I was little, but now, I wasn’t just dreaming stories, I was dreaming full films. They were so vivid, I’d wake up and write them out in full. That’s how it started.
My first film was an idea from a friend. We shot it on three iPhones. I ended up directing, even though i had no clue what a director was supposed to do, it came naturally. That was my first time editing as well and let me tell you, it ain’t for the weak!!! The way I saw the scenes, it all just flowed. It wasn’t perfect, we had no clue what we were doing, but that film lit a fire in me.
From there, I wrote and directed my first short film called Merry Ditch-Mas. I cast the actors, built a full crew, and we shot it in two long days. Everyone kept asking, “Where does this take place? Because it doesn’t snow in Atlanta.” And wouldn’t you know, it snowed. Just enough to make it the perfect Christmas film. That’s when I knew, my belief in God and the universe is real. I ask, and it is given. That’s the only explanation I have for how things are aligning.
Now I’m on my second film, Bear with Me. We are blessed with some of the most amazing actors and set to shoot May16-18th.
Over the years I have written 30+ scripts ideas and still adding. I am still in love with acting and continue to be part of other people’s projects, but I’ve refused to wait for anyone to “discover” me. Instead, I’m creating opportunities, not just to showcase my acting, but to tell stories through my writing and directing as well. I never want to be an artist with only one skill or a short shelf life. I want the best, and I’m committed to giving my actors and my team the best in return. I’m building something meaningful, something that will stand long after I’m gone.
Through it all, my mother is with me. Out making sure her baby has everything she needs, and she hasn’t failed me yet. Everything I do is to honor her.
Rest in Peace “Renee Campbell- ReCamProductions”. 5/2/69-5/29/19
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?
Definitely not a smooth road. My childhood was tough, and I used my imagination to escape. I used to cry and ask God why my life felt so hard, and my mama would always say, “God gives His strongest soldiers the hardest battles.” I didn’t get it then, but I do now. Everything I went through built me and gave me a deeper purpose and a lifetime of stories that help others know they’re not alone.
Anxiety was another struggle. I used to walk into industry mixers and shrink in the corner, afraid someone would ask what I’d done. I realized my anxiety came from not being prepared for the rooms I wanted to be in. Once I completed my first film, something clicked. I had something to show, something that backed up who I said I was. That changed everything.
These are just a few of the struggles that shaped me, pushed me to create, and reminded me that even when the road is hard, what’s waiting on the other side is worth every step.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a multifaceted creator, a writer, director, and actress. I’ve always been driven by a need to make an impact through the stories I tell. I specialize in creating authentic, heartfelt narratives that dive deep into real emotions and complex experiences. My work isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about connection, building understanding, and giving people stories they can relate to, especially those who are often overlooked or misunderstood.
What I’m most proud of is my journey of creation and ownership. I’ve taken the leap to tell my own stories, not just as an actress but as a filmmaker. I’m proud to have made something from nothing, crafting films that capture real human moments, and doing it all with passion and purpose. What sets me apart is my commitment to pushing boundaries and my refusal to wait for permission. I believe in creating opportunities, not just waiting for them to come.
I’m not about following the typical paths in the industry, I’m carving out my own, grounded in authenticity and a relentless drive to showcase the stories that matter. My hope is that everyone will see themselves in one or more of the characters I create, finding something in my work that resonates deeply with their own lives.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Atlanta is the creative energy that flows through the city. There’s an undeniable spirit of innovation here, where artists and entrepreneurs are constantly pushing boundaries and supporting one another. The diversity of people, cultures, and ideas makes Atlanta feel like a hub for growth and opportunity, and it’s a place where you really feel the power of community. I also love how the city embraces both tradition and change, creating a space where both history and the future coexist.
What I like least, however, is the traffic!!! There is always that one slow driver at the front refusing to get over to the lane that was designed for them!!! But honestly, even with that, the energy of Atlanta makes it all worth it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: LatifahBizzell (Personal) ReCamProductions (Business)
- Facebook: LatifahBizzell
- Youtube: UCqfqkR-NPKiEh13ELqP3yKA
Image Credits
Kinasa Rivers of KrivProductions
DeAndrea Renee Photographer
