We recently had the chance to connect with Queen JuicEy Shake Shamerra. P. Saunders and have shared our conversation below.
Shamerra. P. , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
In my youth as a missionary, I sang in the choir, performed in school plays, and attended Zapp’s music school, yet I was still afraid of my own God-given talents. I remember singing gospel with my family in nursing homes and on street corners, cringing at the awkward sound of my voice. Each note seemed scattered, as if saying, “I’m here, but you can’t hear me yet,” and I would promise, “One day I will listen.”
Now, preparing for a photoshoot with my family, I remind myself, “It’s now or never. This is my right now.” My big, squeaky childhood voice startled everyone, but the real struggle was losing courage until I could hardly speak. Having the gift without the strength to use it was like a battery without an alternator. But sound was always meant to move, and so was I.
What once terrified me became the very thing that shaped me. My calling gave me grit. Today, I stand as a Commercial Actor with PMTM Agency, Runway Model for Assorted Chocolates Entertainment LLC, modeling designer brands for designers like Big Steppa, Deur_naiu, and Nate the Great. Featured in magazines including Canvas Rebel and Voyage ATL. As an artist Queen JuicEy Shake, a recording artist, songwriter, and host of The QJS Show with producer Rdot.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! Believe it or not. I use to weigh 262 lbs. and lost 137 lbs naturally. No gym nor surgery. Being a Registered Trademark juice inventor of 52 states, Creating juices, shakes and sauces our family brand name Number 4 Fresh Blend. Irish @ 6, 199, 462 was more than a thing. For me and those in my shoes it has changed lives. Losing my weight gave me the courage to really become a model, singer, songwriter and now an actress.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Honestly love has shaped me. The first time I truly fell in love is 2015 when I was facing an eviction, an electric shut off, a gas shut off and on top of that I was pregnant with my last baby. There go I. Broken down in the therapist office. I remember as if it was yesterday. Too! There were candles on, and just to think the last thing I wanted was candles. However, the very best thing I had was those candles. Crying, hysterically. Snot bubbling out my nose, Head throbbing and all I feel is baby girl kicking and I’m just losing it up here. It showed me that there’s fight in me and I’m not willing to negotiate that by giving up even when it gets difficult. I Love anyway and remind myself often to do more when giving the opportunity. And just like that day in Mrs. Price office candles taught me to Love again. Be cool like wax that once burned from a candle. Be calm after lighting one and if caught in the wrong hands, burn and destroy everything. Years later her name means “I love you my dearest child.” First name is Native American and her middle is Irish. She saved the little ounce of love that started to fade in the wind as the candle light turns into smoke.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Wow! Suffering taught me so much. For about a good portion of my life. It was all I knew. Being afraid of success was truly a thing for me. As a matter of fact. That was an absolute fear. It stopped me often too. In quiet elevators, on my way up to the welfare to work programs. In the grocery store lines, as my card declined with children who’s ready to eat. NOW! Suffering felt like it would never let up. As that monkey on my back. It GREW legs and enlarge daily. Suffering taught me how to go with less and show up every time as if I had oodles of it. It taught me that if I don’t know how to appreciate the little things, then there’s no way the BIG things will even matter. Suffering taught me just how expensive time really is, versus time is money. Success teaches me now.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
Fads are forgettable. Having foundational shifts are hard to miss, because your body feels everything. Even the skin is ready to touch and agree or disagree. Fads do what everyone is already doing. The same things. To feel the shift presently as it’s happening is uniquely diabolical. Sweat under the arm pits to the legs are cold. Shifts happen in sets.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
No matter how good it is or hard it was. It still needs to get done and be completed. For it’s a blueprint not a pie eating contest. Unless the legacy called for bakers in a pie eating contest. If there’s nothing written to prove the existence. When we all go there will be nothing left. Except words from a 1000 years ago. Legacy is nothing an agreeable person actually chooses unless GOD and their ancestors choose them wisely. Legacy is a gift that keeps on giving even when the days, weeks, years and decades out grow themselves. Legacy will always be that. Legendary. Nothing or no one will change that. Legacy is set in stone. Not even Thor can remove that sword.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://number4.studio
- Instagram: TheQJSShow
- Facebook: TheQJSShow
- Youtube: TheQJSShow
- Soundcloud: Queen JuicEy Shake
- Other: Back stage Queen JuicEy Shake
Image Credits
R. Bridges Photography
The Photoman 25
