Today we’d like to introduce you to Aria Brooks.
Aria, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I heard I came out of the womb singing and dancing. Both of my parents are music educators, so I grew up surrounded by music and performing. At the age of six, I joined a local musical theatre company and I also began taking ballet and tap. I had the privilege of participating in a few musicals and recitals and loved the feeling of being on stage. By the time I turned ten, I was introduced to the world of on-camera acting and I fell in love with the process of auditioning, bringing characters to life and being on set. I was signed by a wonderful agency and began to book independent projects, as well as a few SAG projects that landed me on set with celebrities like Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it hasn’t been smooth. Casting for on-camera projects is all about “the look”, so initially, I thought that maybe my look wasn’t good enough when I didn’t book certain things. I started to become self-conscious about my skin tone because I was a lot darker than a lot of the girls who would book the job I auditioned for. But I have a GREAT support system with beautiful women of all shades and they wouldn’t allow me to doubt my beauty. I know now that my skin is just as much “the look” as anyone else and if the job is for me, God will bless me with it.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an all-around performer. Most people specialize in a few areas… I won’t limit myself to just a few things. I am an actress. I had the opportunity to work alongside Cynthia Erivo in the upcoming feature film, “Harriet”, scheduled to be released on November 1st. I’ll also be appearing in Dolly Parton’s Netflix series “Heartstrings”, also set to be released this fall. I am a singer/songwriter. I wrote and released my first two singles, “Truly Me” and “Time Off” by Ari B, available on all streaming platforms. I even had the opportunity to film my first music video, which was such a proud moment for me. I am a writer. I wrote my first children’s book in 2nd grade, which was officially published and now, I have started writing scripts. I’ve already completed my first feature film, so my goal is to cast and begin filming in the next year. I want to make it my mission to cast more minorities in my projects. I believe everyone should have that experience if it’s truly something they are passionate about.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success starts with a dream. If you are working to live your dream and doing something you are passionate about, you can be successful. Yes, there are lots of famous people who may be successful, but success shouldn’t be based on the amount of money you have, or how many followers are on your social media. The level of someone else’s success doesn’t define you. Beyoncé said “Take the pen and rewrite it” so YOU should create your own criteria for success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebrooksgirls.org
- Email: brooksgirls03@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/arib2006
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/arib2006/?ref=bookmarks
Image Credit:
Slingshots Atlanta
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