Daily Inspiration: Meet Neal Reddy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Neal Reddy.

Hi Neal, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started in Atlanta doing graphic design for the music Industry. It was a wild time. I worked with some incredible artists like the Zac Brown Band. Things changed and my focus went towards working with more corporate clients. It was good steady work, but not exciting. Then one day I started doing stand up comedy on the side. It gave me an outlet for my creativity. Eventually, I found myself lucky enough to be a part of reality show called Queer Eye. That is the moment everything changed. The show gave me the reset I needed and the confidence to dream again. I had always wanted to be a writer and actor. But I lived a safe, fear-based life. I was talking to my Mom the morning after we finished Queer Eye. She knew I had always dreamt of something bigger, but she also knew about how scared I was to try. I remember her telling me, “Whatever it is. Whatever you want to do. Now is the time. Just go for it baby.” And so I did.

My story is one that is filled with more wrong turns than right ones. More failures than successes. And that’s ok because every one of those turns led me to be where I am today, doing what I truly love and am passionate about.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are always struggles. The best stories have potholes, not smooth asphalt. My default brain space is not the best. It’s how I came prewired. And I wouldn’t call it a struggle. I think it was a struggle for a long time. I judged myself. Hated myself for how my head worked. I couldn’t understand why brain seemed to broken all the time. But after years of therapy and work, I’m in a better place. I know now that I was never broken, just different. Yes, I have just as many hard days as good days. My baseline skews towards the dark. But becoming ok with not being ok has made everything ok. (If that makes sense)

As far as true struggle goes… there’s only one thing. Navigating this world without my Mom in it. She passed away 3 years ago. She was and will always be my favorite person. She made this world bearable. Her love was boundless and she made me feel infinite. She was the rarest person. She treated everyone she met from the cashier at the grocery store to her own family with the same level of kindness and empathy.

So, naturally navigating life and working through that grief has been a struggle. So much so, that nothing bad I experienced before her passing feels like a struggle now.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an actor and writer. As far as career achievements, I’ve had some. And every time I start to beat myself up for not being farther along, I tell myself… “No matter what happens, even if things ended right now in your career, you still made it further than most.” I say that not in a “I’m better than most” kind of way, but just as a way to remind me to go easy on myself and be proud of what I have been able to achieve instead of thinking about what I haven’t achieved yet.

I’m most proud of my first short film, ‘Barely Breathing.” I wrote it and was able to get the lead role because I was sleeping with the writer. I had never made anything before and never would have been able to make it without my team: Derek Evans (director) and Jamie Flanagan & Alina Lia (Producers). We self funded this short film and from just hard work and a dream were able to make something I am so proud of. We’ve won 15 awards and have screened at some of the most prestigious film festivals on the planet. Not bad for a group of rag tag pirates that never worked together before. The achievement I’m most proud of in this industry is not one I did on my own. And that is the best part about creating and art. It takes a village to make something. And I’m so proud my team believed in me enough to do it with me.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I owe everything to my Mom and Dad, family and friends who have shown me kindness along the way. Yes, of course there have been those who gave me business opportunities. I’m grateful. But nothing I achieve in the industry is possible without the love and support of those who know me personally.

As far as mentor in the industry, I don’t have a mentor, but I do have a friend who has always been there to help me. He’s very well known. I met him over 10 years ago and he’s been the single biggest reason I have stayed in this really tough industry. He has never given me a job, never introduced me to a producer, nothing like that. I’ve never asked him to help me with connections or my career. What he has done is continued to treat me the same despite our careers being light years apart. He celebrates my victories. I remember getting my first speaking part. It was 2 words in a TV show. He called me and celebrated as if I had won the Oscar. He’s talked me out of quitting so many times. If I text him, he responds within minutes. He checks in regularly. He was one of the few people that called me when he saw my short film. Most people just texted me “good job.” This industry can feel so cold and hard sometimes and I’ll take a genuine friend who responds no matter how busy they are over someone who has good connections any day.

Last but not least, my dog, Forever. She’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but she’s perfect for me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @neallovesyou

Image Credits
Red Jacket
Purple Suit
Dog Tux

all courtesy of Darrell Snedeger of Collective Energy Photography