Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanae Thomas.
Shanae, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey started in the South Bronx and I grew up with my mother, Great Grandmother, and father. Although my parents were no longer together, they had a great relationship as well as a great friendship. I never saw my parents together in a relationship but their love for me was greater than whatever happened in the dissolvement of their marriage.
My mom moved me to Atlanta, GA at the age of 10 to better my life and education but unfortunately, I was a headstrong, and “hard-headed” and rebellious so I got into a lot of trouble.
With the support of my family, the got me back on track and they never gave up on me. This included my father flying me to New York for holidays, birthdays and family reunions. He also visited me often.
After completing high school, I tried to go the traditional route and attended Georgia Perimeter College, however, my heart wasn’t in it because my passion for the arts was very strong so much to my parent’s dismay, I left college to pursue my dreams of acting, choreographing, dancing and singing.
At the age of 19, I auditioned for one of the largest talent agencies in the South ~ Bloc South and I was successful. I signed to Bloc and was apart of the family for four years. I worked with artists such as T Pain, Verse Simmons, Nicki Minaj, Rocko, Natasha Mosley, Migos and many more.
I also trained and worked with prominent choreographers like Kiki Ely, Codie Wiggins, Sean Bankhead, Jasmine Guy and many more.
After years of dancing and training, I received an opportunity to take yet another route in the world of reality t.v. In 2013, I was casted for Season 11 of The Bad Girls Club, life after that completely changed. After completing BGC, my life consisted of traveling the world which included branding opportunities, hostings, working on music with different producers and artists that I would have never imagined working with. I also released my own video title, “Do It Nae” in 2014. In addition, I released my own lipstick called “Rogue” under the Haavic Cosmetic Line ~ In the midst of pursuing music, I also pursued acting based here in Atlanta, GA such as The Originals, Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead, Satisfaction Season 2, Halt & Catch Fire, The Game Season 8, Ride Along 2, Being Mary Jane and Survivor’s Remorse. I also snagged my first lead role in a very successful Lesbian Web Series, as Zoe.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Although I do not regret any of the decisions that I’ve made, with the direction my career has gone in; it is very difficult to step out of the shadows of being on a reality show that portrayed me as confrontational and problematic.
I’ve had to work twice as hard to show people who I really am and to be taken seriously. I have matured and grown; I’m not that person that people saw on The Bad Girls Club.
Please tell us about MattieJune.
I don’t really like to put myself in a box and say I only do one thing. I am a triple threat but I also wear many hats and am working on many business entrepreneurial opportunities.
Right now, my main focus is a business that is named after my Great-grandmother and grandmother who both played such pivotal roles in my upbringing. I am honoring both of their legacies with “MattieJune” and my “motto” will be, “it takes more than one Queen to raise one.
In addition, I’m still looking for acting opportunities and waiting for Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels, Isa Rae, and Lena Waithe to call me.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start over, honestly the one thing I would’ve done differently is to believe in myself more.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Nae_Monique
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