DTH Mag Vol 5 - Flipbook - Page 22
Deeper Than Hair: Your journey has been both unique
and inspiring. Could you start by sharing how your
upbringing influenced your aspirations in the performing
arts?
Amber Riley: So I grew up in a kind of creative
household. My mom is a singer. My sister is an artist,
kind of creative in mental health. My dad is into tech,
but my aunts and cousins are all writers, dancers, and
musicians. I have always grown up around the arts and
music. I know a lot of people have stories that they had
to battle with their parents when they told them they
were going to be actors or singers, but it wasn't like
that for me. I've been saying I would do it since I was a
kid. And so my parents were like, we already know
where this is going.
That’s encouraging to hear. Like you said, not everyone
has that support system behind them.
My parents kept it real and said, 8Okay, well, you still
got to be able to eat, so in the in-between time, what
are you doing?.9 I went to cosmetology school, a
creative outlet, and did hair for a while. I'm just
grateful I had them, and they stuck with me. I don't
think I would have even gravitated toward where I am
in life had they not been as supportive as they were.
Breaking into the entertainment industry is notoriously
difficult. What initial challenges did you face, and how
did you navigate them, especially in maintaining
authenticity?
I learned quickly in this industry that you must create a
character for yourself. I learned that I couldn't give my
all to this industry and that this industry wasn't my all.
I think what protected me is your rejecting an idea you
have of me; you9re not rejecting me. Hollywood has an
idea of what a plus-sized Black woman is supposed to
be. I ran into stereotypes and was pigeonholed into a
certain character, which continues today. Even though
it9s my passion, the auditioning part is the job for me.
I think the lesson that I learned was rejection will
come, but it's necessary for me to understand this
industry is not the be-all and end-all for me.
Amber P.Riley
Photography: Aaron Lacy
Makeup: Drini Marie
Hair: Annagjid