Meet Marquise Jenkins

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marquise Jenkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Marquise with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Personally I get my work ethnic from my anxiety. Yes, I know it sounds crazy but I overthink a lot. And with overthinking. I always question myself how would I feel if I never tried or if I half-assed my way through life. So in other words maybe a fear of regret. I never want to look back and feel as if I didn’t do all I could do

My anxiety taught me discipline, my discipline taught me confidence, and now confidence just fuels everything else.

That’s where the work ethic comes from, from turning what I used to see as my weakness into my super power.

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?

Everybody knows me mostly as an actor right now, but what most people don’t realize is that music was one of my first passions. I started off writing my own lyrics to popular melodies as a kid. I still remember in 2nd grade, I wrote a poem that caught my teacher’s attention and she told me I had something special, and that really planted a seed in me. Since then, I’ve been sharpening my craft quietly, waiting for the right time to share it with the world. And I mean, I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, talent and hustle is something we almost always have!

Funny thing is, everybody think i’m this partying outgoing guy and I was actually a pretty shy kid. My mom once took me to a modeling audition in the mall, and I got so nervous I ran off stage. Fast forward to now, I’ve built my confidence and I shine in front of the camera. That’s been a big part of my story: taking fear, anxiety, and doubt, and turning it into fuel. Even some of my most passionate music comes from things that were meant to break me , I turn shame, doubt, and heckling into power. It’s like alchemy, I turn every weakness into something that makes me stand taller

I recorded some of my first demos on an old Obama phone; one of those free government phones kids used to clown you for having. But that’s where I learned to create something out of nothing. I don’t really brag about what I do; I’ve always been that sometimes quiet person in the room who can be overlooked or doubted. But that’s what makes what I do hit even harder, I’m like that unsuspecting star people don’t see coming.

I think I’ve always just had that natural drive to figure it out and make things right, no matter what. My mom tells this story about when I was a baby. She said I used to fidget with my car seat buckles, trying to figure out how to connect them. I’d keep trying and trying until one day, I finally got it. My grandma tells another one about how my twin brother used to throw her shoes all over the place, and I’d go behind him putting them all back in order. That same energy shows up in my work now.

Acting was always something I wanted to do. I used to hear the Disney Channel casting calls on the radio on the way to school and imagine myself there. After COVID hit during my freshman year of college, I took a break from school and decided to go all in on acting. I started with background work, then moved on to entire commercial campaigns, iconic appearances in music videos (Blac Youngsta, Jah Vinci, Maxo Kream), and eventually, bigger roles. One of my most meaningful moments so far was getting a standing ovation from Lauryn McClain and the entire room during our table read for the upcoming film Byron, which is currently in talks for a theatrical release, my first ever! That moment told me that even without traditional training, I have the skill and I belong in this craft.

I’ve come a long way and I’m still unsigned, which I think says a lot about what drive can do. You don’t need a middleman or someone holding your hand to make things happen. You just have to be hungry and consistent. I come from a small family (just my mom, my siblings, and me) and I’ve had to learn to self-motivate because I don’t get a lot of financial or emotional support. Thought my family is proud of me, very few people tell me “good job,” so I push forward because I want to, not for the applause.

Now, sometimes it’s literally work and bills versus my dreams, and finding the balance can be a real chore. A lot of people in my family had to give up on their dreams because of responsibilities, and I refuse to let that be my story.

Right now, I’m starring as Lil J Rock in The Last Words Series, available on Apple TV, Tubi, and other streaming platforms. I’ll also be reprising my role as “Sammy” in the Mama & Kenn series (the popular mom and daughter TikTok duo) which is set to release on AspireTV in 2026. I play “Jacob” in Sydney Gates (Who also plays my wife Jailee) web-series Unconditional currently in pre-production. And I’m especially excited about my upcoming project University Classified, where I’ll be playing one of the leads Ryland, a rapper navigating his faith and relationship with God. We just began production, and it’s set for a streaming release soon.
I’m a little quirky and unconventional, but I’m very grounded. My work (whether it’s acting, music, or writing ) always comes from a real place. You can keep up with everything I’ve got going on at @worldwidequis on Instagram.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back I’d say being:

1. Resourcefulness
I’ve had to be resourceful from day one. I recorded my first demos on an Obama phone, one of those free government phones people used to clown you for having. But that’s where I learned how to make something out of nothing. I didn’t have access to big studios or industry connections, but I had drive. Even now, I’m still an unsigned actor, and that’s something I’m proud of because it proves you don’t need a middleman to create real momentum. If you move like you belong, doors start opening for you. My advice? Start where you are with what you have. It’s not about perfect conditions, it’s about being consistent in whatever way that looks for you. Nobody’s coming to save you, start where you are with what you have!

2. Alchemy:

One thing I’ve learned about myself is that I know how to turn pain into power. A lot of my best art comes from moments that were meant to break me; whether that’s doubt, shame, or being underestimated. I’ve had to learn how to take those feelings and flip them into motivation. I like to call it emotional alchemy: turning everything that’s supposed to hold me back into something that lifts me higher. So when people tell me “no,” it doesn’t discourage me, it just adds more fire. If you can learn to do that, to take what’s meant to humble you and let it sharpen you instead, you’ll never lose.

3. Embracing Duality
Our personas aren’t just black and white. Something I had to learn was to stop hiding parts of myself. The more I leaned into my full self (the cool, the weird, the pretty, the real) the more everything started clicking. The more magnetic I became. You can’t lead with half of who you are and expect full results. We may feel like we have to hide what makes us stick out, but a lot of times that’s what puts us in a lane of our own. That’s what turns something from “anybody could do it like this” to “nobody could do it like you.” Whether you’re in the office, on stage, or on the field, your quirks are strengths too. That’s something I want others to know: your authenticity is your advantage. Operate from a place of wholeness.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I’m overwhelmed, I pause and breathe. I think when we’re under pressure, our first instinct is to rush, to move faster, do more, or fix it immediately. But that’s usually when we make things worse. It’s kind of like when you’re cold and your body starts to tense up and shiver, you think you’re helping yourself, but you’re actually locking up your blood flow and making yourself colder.
It’s the same with pressure. When you tighten up, your thoughts can’t flow. So I remind myself to breathe, relax, and take it one step at a time. Even if all I can handle is the next minute, that’s fine. I tell myself I’m going to the best I can with what I got! (Mariah Carey voice lol). When you slow down, you make clearer moves and avoid unnecessary mistakes. It’s really mind over matter, control your pace, and you control the moment.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

WeFamAtl

Imdb.com

Missionsales

Blac Youngsta – Money Music Video

317Shots

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