We were lucky to catch up with Niketa Calame-Harris recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Niketa , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My mother used to tell the story of me as a little 5-year-old girl in tap and ballet getting ready for my first recital. She had a photographer come over to take pictures for the program and family. I was sitting there giving them nothing, sitting quietly as if I was a shy little one, which was not true at all. Right when they were about to give up, my mom placed a microphone in my hand and I came to life. I still have the pictures to this day. From that point on my mom dedicated the rest of her days to making sure that my love for entertainment became a reality and I have been pursuing that dream ever since.
They say when you are living in your purpose you could do that thing all day every day without pay. They say its that thing that gives you life gives you joy even in the challenging times of pursuing it. I have been living in my purpose for a very long time so the challenge now is, what next and what other aspect of my talents can I use and uplift people higher than myself?
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been a Screen Actors Guild member since 1993. Received my must-join letter by landing the role of Chirs Rock’s little sister in CB4 and the original voice of Young Nala in Disney’s 32nd animated feature film The Lion King. Dedicating my life to being in front of the camera for so many years has taught me many things that serve in my work behind the camera.
I created In Motion and NiketaCH Photograpy in the early 2000s both servicing upcoming artists. I strive to help creative-minded people cultivate their full potential through acting and career coaching so they shine on stage and in life. Photography has always been a passion of mine and it made sense to shoot actors, influencers, artists, and small business owners to capture the self they wanted to project out to the world to make an impact in their business life.
Currently, my husband and I just closed an art exhibit The Harris Collective: Repurposed Military Garments and Photography honoring Veterans that was running in the month of June in Carson, California. Combining fashion with portrait photography was an impactful journey for us as artists and every audience member who came to engage with the exhibit. It is gaining momentum and we have people in Brooklyn NY, San Fransisco, and Florida so far interested in us touring what we have going on which is a blessing and testament to the whole we are filling in the space.
Sometimes people ask why don’t you just put your energy into one thing. I think being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was a freshman in college made my outlook on life shift. From that moment on I said I am going to do ALL that I want to do NOW. I’m not going to wait for the perfect moment to start on a project or wait to “arrive” to engage with new audiences. At the end of the day, I can say I have lived a very full life and I am only 42 so we are just starting this new chapter which includes being a wife and mom.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Embrace a Growth Mindset would definitely be one skill that has not only served me but has made me adaptable to many changes, challenges, and triumphs in my life and career. You are never too old to start and you are never too accomplished to learn something new. Recognize that improvement in any art form is a continuous process. Embrace the idea that you can always learn and grow. Be open to feedback and criticism, and view challenges as opportunities for growth.
This sound like a no-brainer but treat other people the way you want to be treated. I heard a saying once that this business is a little town with a big mouth. One time a casting director told me that she liked coming into the lobby area of auditions to see how actors “really” were, and how they treated her when they didn’t know she was the decision maker.. This just means to be the kind one in. this ego-centered business. Look, it is so easy to get full of yourself when you are being waited on hand and foot, being catered to, and being forced to think of yourself as the product. Allow space to check yourself and have people around you who are not just your hype team but your accountability team.
Network and Collaborate would be another skill that is worth honing in on. Build relationships with fellow performers and artists in your community. Networking can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship. Surrounding yourself with a supportive and creative community can inspire you and provide valuable connections. I have gotten many gigs in acting, singing, and photography from people just referring me, talking about my work and just having me skip the audition or interview process altogether.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Time management, Self-care, and knowing when to take a break are great tools I use when I am feeling overwhelmed.
Taking a break can sound very scary for an artist because you might have thoughts of the biz is going on without me, or I’m not going to be relevant when I come back, or just what if I lose interest in coming back but I think my mental health is worth more than any of those outcomes. When I found out I was pregnant as a first-time mom in the middle of the covid pandemic after having just moved and my mother passed two years before, I knew I needed to slow down for myself and my unborn child. At first, I was in my normal “try and do everything” mode and during postpartum I just said “no”. I booked out from my agent for a good 6-9 months which was scary but as soon as I did I felt so much relief. I could focus on health, finding out who this new person was, staring back at me in the mirror, this person who didn’t look for me felt the same after having an ever-changing experience of having a baby and becoming a mother. Dealing with becoming a mother without my mother who was so ready to be a grandmother. I eventually booked back in and am building back up from where I left off. I feel more confident than I ever did before and I am proud of myself for stepping away.
Self-care looks different for everyone. For me, it’s just finding what brings me joy and doing that on repeat throughout life. That might be going to see someone else in a show to get inspired, going on a short staycation, getting with the artist to create something that has nothing to do with needing to make money or other pressures, the spa, and other relaxing endeavors.
Since I do juggle a lot of different aspects within the artist space time management is my friend. I remember this time I was directing In The Heights at the University of California, Santa Cruz while also being in the middle of a professor internship in LA. I would literally hop on a flight to San Jose, drive up to the university on Wednesday have rehearsal with the cast, Thursday as well then have a morning technical meeting on Friday before driving back to the airport to be home from Saturday to Tuesday. If I didn’t manage my time that could have been a for real train wreck. I love the saying “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready” I tell a version of that to my students all the time. Be prepared, over prepare and when the opportunities come knocking you will soar and stand out from all the rest. So keeping an organized calendar, and prepping for the day and week for the run of the whole project was also helpful. Letting contacts both at the University and Internship in LA know ahead of time what was coming. Then showing up. Doing the work and performing my duties in both areas to the best of my ability and remember to eat and rest in between it all.
At the end of the day do what makes you happy, what brings you joy and have fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pico.link/niketacalameharris
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/niketacalame
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niketacalame
Image Credits
i have access to all pics posted. one is from getty images and one is clip from entertainment weekly of me,
