In today’s society we are drawn to the influences of entertainment, fashion, and media and often share the dream of wanting to be a part of them in some way. We may find ourselves saying, “I can dance like that” when you come across a unique form of choreography being seen on a video or live performance; “I can sing like that too” when a song captures your inner creativity, “I can be model like her/him or I can write just as well as anyone”. These types of aspirations can sometimes be overlooked and hold their place in your archive of “dreams”. But aren’t dreams meant to be followed”? You can’t follow a dream without executing the determination of hard work. In this I have had the pleasure to meet and speak with Ms. Jazmia Élan, last name pronounced (E-lawn). Jazmia is a true example of what it takes to manifest your own destiny & transform your dreams into reality. Jazmia Élan is a native of Atlanta, Georgia who has been successful at harnessing all of her talents illustrating them through the Arts of Dance, Acting, Modeling, & Writing. Jazmia is a true artist of her crafts and is an inspiration to us all. Jazmia is a person of great valor inspiring others to harness their own talents by sharing her personal experiences, may it be through her teachings of dance, film accolades, and causes for activism. TMN took some time to talk with the multitalented Jazmia Élan to reveal where she is from, her goals, inspirations, & outlook on life. This it what she had to share:
By Vladimir E. Singer
TMN: Hello, Ms. Jazmia Élan. We’re going to start this interview with giving the readers a little feedback on where you’re from & Who is Jazmia Élan?
Jazmia: Right, I’m from Decatur, Georgia and I was raised in the Decatur/Atlanta area. I’m an only child and was raised in a single parent home, so I definitely understand the struggles and turmoil’s that come with that situation. I’m 21; I’m basically a young woman that is confident in who she is. I’m a lover and very optimistic person. I enjoy studying about astrology, spirituality and learning about different cultures. I’m definitely involved in the elevation of the African American people, “that really speaks to me”. My friends and family mean a lot to me, I’m a person that can live fully and believes that life should be a masterpiece; it’s all about positive energy.
TMN: That’s great Jazmia. You are one multitalented individual! What has inspired you to start such a wide campaign of your talents in aspiring to be an actress, model, dancer, & writer?
Jazmia: Well, Dance is my first artistic language. I began speaking it at age 5, and then I won Cotillion in 2nd grade. When I got to middle school I got involved in the musical theater program. Acting, singing and dancing, it became my life. My mother enrolled me in acting classes and I did the “Urban Nutcracker”. I would find the Creative Loafing magazine, and would highlight auditions and would have my mom take me to them. My first role in a play outside of school was the Queen in "Alice and Wonderland" and "the Tornado" in a production of "The Wiz", which I wasn’t able to do unfortunately. At the age of 15 I was scouted at Perimeter Mall as a model, a model scout found me and started that way at the Atlanta Conference Center. I started doing shoots, fashion shows and short promotional gigs. I went to North Atlanta high school where they had a major performing arts program, and I was a dance major. We had to do a musical to get our grade. I got my first print ad for Coca-Cola as well as being a model for Eurotard Dance Catalog before I graduated. My paper was chosen for me to speak at my baccalaureate and then everything took off after graduating. I did musicals and theatre with Debbie Allen's "Brothers of the Knight" and Kenny Leon's "Black Nativity" and Disney in France, and then I got my first small role as a Diva in “Big Mommas House 3”. I danced with Beyonce on Oprah, the Billboard Awards, as well with Rabhi Raw which speaks to my love for independent artist and freedom. My campaign is just a combination of my artistic experiences that inspired me to make it so broad.
TMN: “That’s beautiful, awesome”. As some people may know you have had the opportunity to be casted in the movie “For Colored Girls”, tell us a little bit about your experience with acting in the movie Colored Girls? And being that you are involved in the industries of entertainment, fashion and media, tell us what you feel are some ups and downs of being involved with these industries?
Jazmia: For Colored Girls was an amazing experience! It was an amazing experience being on the set with all of those women I really had to hold my breath, just take it all in and try not to be a groupie (giggles). Breathtaking experiences like that you just have to sit back and take it all in. Anika Noni Rose was lovely and the scene was a pretty humorous scene so it wasn’t that hard to get involved in. Hearing what she was talking about in that particular scene, and For Colored Girls is a very historical piece on Broadway I hadn’t had the chance to see it but being able to be a part of that legacy in the dance scene even for that brief moment with Anika was very special! As far as of the ups & downs of the industry, the up is the beauty of it all. You get to travel, do photo shoots, spread your message, and inspire people to giveback; you get to continuously be in a creative free space and get to live how you want. The downside is the price you pay for all the glamour of the industry, it isn’t for the thin-skinned, it’s very shady, it’s very bureaucratic, and it can have a really mean spirit. You just have to have to be strong.
TMN: “Very informative, that’s great”. In understanding that everything changes with time, these various industries have often been seen to appeal to genres of people and the current era. In this I feel that often fads, lifestyles and cultures are influenced by them. What kind of projects do you prefer to take on, what is your muse?
Jazmia: My muse, I love old Hollywood. I love Audrey Hepburn Judy Garland, and as an African American woman I love the Harlem renaissances that bread the likes of people like Josephine Baker, and Lena Horne. It was about art, freedom, liberation, sexuality, and of course in the 70’s when we had our revolutionaries like Bob, Angela Davis, and then we had the 80’s and 90’s where we had Tupac, Prince and Outkast, who were giving you music that uplifted consciousness and humanity as well as the burgeoning of the supermodel era that happened around that time. I am drawn to all things elevating consciousness and glamour, so people can keep having something to study. That’s what I really love. Those eras and people that I mentioned, the things within the eras and time periods that happened around that time are definitely muses for me.
TMN: “That’s brilliant; I love your choice in icons by the way”. (Chuckles from Jazmia) Some people are afraid to follow their passion in life, what advice do you have about perseverance and staying resilient?
Jazmia: My advice about perseverance and resilience is pretty simple. Develop both of them because you are nothing without it regardless of anything you choose to do. You know you only live once so you got to chase your dreams, I mean you want your legacy to be that of someone that “did it”, that conquered that fear so I’m very passionate about that, don’t be a “scaredy cat”!
TMN: (Laughing out Loud) “I like that, I really like that”! Being a young black successful, hardworking women you may agree that the female youth of today often are seen walking their own paths. Within the job fields of acting, modeling, dancing and writing you may immediately inherit the title of celebrity and the responsibility that you potentially may have an influence on your fans/followers. What message would you like to share with the female youth of today and what values do you strive to live by?
To be continued…..
(Stay tuned for Part 2 of the interview coming in February. Hear about Jazmia’s message to today’s female youth, her Family’s contribution, people she would like to work with, and continued aspirations. )