Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisha Ward.
Alisha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Before acting, I focused on modeling. I always wanted to be a model ever since I was a little girl. I would never miss an episode of ANTM. I would always model for my family members in the living room at my grandmother’s house with a white t-shirt hanging on my head like hair. I remember my first time walking in front of judges was in my hometown Lagrange, Georgia. There was an auditioning process being held in the mall and I wore this cute cheetah outfit. I ended up making the cut, but we weren’t able to afford the journey that came with it.
Once I got to college, I started really focusing on modeling. I joined a group called Models & Business. I started getting myself out there more by doing photo shoots and going to Go-sees. In 2017 I went to New York for the first time and it was for fashion week, with the help of a manager at the time, I walked in my first big runway show. I walked for Patricia Ayala and Adonis King. In 2018 I went to LA and NY for fashion week. I eventually started doing music videos. I was cast to be in Derez De’shon’s Fed Up music video, where I played a girlfriend and witnessed my boyfriend being killed. A friend one day recommended that I should try acting in 2017 and I started doing background work and taking acting classes at Nick Conti’s Professional Acting Studio.
My first time being on set was on Tales for BET and I was booked as a receptionist. I’m pretty sure I was there for more than 12 hours and I enjoyed every bit of it. That same day I thought to myself I don’t want to be background, I want to be the person in front of the camera. My first time seeing myself on TV was as a background worker on Dynasty and I was a bottle girl. The second time was for Star on Fox and I popped up on the screen right after the commercial and I just started screaming. I started thinking to myself, I know I can be first team. Today I’ve accomplished much more than I could have ever imagined and its all because of God and the people he placed in my life. In February, I went to LA again, but it was to shoot a series called Forbidden Fruit. I got the opportunity to do my first voice over for a Sag-Aftra project. I’m excited for everyone to see the journey and blessing God has placed on my path.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The journey of acting and modeling has not been easy. Before I went to New York for fashion week for the first time, I was told that I didn’t fit the requirements to be in fashion week. My mother always told me that I can do anything that I put my mind to, so I didn’t allow that to stop me even if it did hurt to hear it. My first time going to LA, I went to hopefully be signed by an agency, but that wasn’t in God’s plan. I went to a major agency and I knew I didn’t fit the requirements, but nothing was going to stop me from at least trying. I walked in the building with the highest heels on with my head held high. There were a line of girls who much taller than me. There was a lady who walked out of the office and pointed to paper on the wall. The lady proceeded to say that if a person didn’t fit the requirements, they could go ahead and leave. I looked at the paper and the first thing I looked at was the height requirement, I didn’t fit it.
When it was my turn to walk in the office, I served a walk and had my head held high. She looked through my portfolio and loved it, but then she made to my height information. She handed me my portfolio and told me I didn’t meet the height requirements. At that moment, I was hurt, but it still showed me I had so much potential just by the moment before she knew my height. I remember I was on set one day and I was told by another actress that I was only there because I was just another pretty face to look at. There are plenty of other times that defiantly made my journey difficult, but I know it was only to prepare me for greater. I know no matter what happens on my journey, PHILLIPPIANS 4:13. I know what is for me will always be for me as long as I allow God to lead. There is not a person, place, or thing that can stop what he has for me, but me.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am always first a woman of GOD. I’m an actress, model, entrepreneur, and a born hard worker.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I use to have my whole life planned out, I’m so serious! I wrote down everything I wanted to do at a specific age. I eventually learned putting times and dates only creates stress. I was told if you want God to laugh, just tell him your plans. I want everything he wants for me on his timing and not my own. I will constantly prepare for what is to come. Although I don’t put dates on goals, I do have things I’m having faith in God and putting work in for.
Contact Info:
Image Credit:
Hassan Richardson
Derick Hines
Lorenzo Hart
DeMorris Marable
Karen Cockerham
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