Meet Nehemiah Brooks

We were lucky to catch up with Nehemiah Brooks recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nehemiah, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from many important influences in my life. First and foremost, my parents shaped how I view hard work and perseverance. My mom was a single mother raising three kids on her own, and when I was young, I didn’t fully understand how difficult that must have been. I still remember the long nights when she’d come home exhausted but never failed to make sure we were taken care of and had a good childhood. She managed to hold everything together while fighting her own battles—emotionally and personally—which showed me what true strength looks like.

My dad was also an incredibly hard worker. By the time I was in middle and high school, I could clearly see the dedication and discipline he lived by. Even when he was exhausted or had to be away from home, he always showed up and gave his best. The discipline and focus he instilled in me became a foundation for how I approach challenges today. My parents aren’t perfect, and I’ve witnessed some dark and difficult moments, but I’m deeply proud of them for always showing up and putting in the work no matter what.

Outside of my family, one of my biggest inspirations is Michael Jackson. His relentless dedication to his craft and pursuit of perfection had a huge influence on me as an artist. He always aimed to create something extraordinary and held himself to the highest standard possible. He seeked to innovate and achieve things that had never been done before. He studied the greats and constantly was training & practicing. That level of commitment taught me the importance of pushing beyond comfort to create meaningful, lasting work.

At the core of my work ethic is that same drive—to visualize what could be, to chase the life I know I can build, to leave a mark through my art, and to stay grounded in my belief in my potential and the purpose God gave me.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Hello! I’m Neo, and I’m a performer — I do it all: acting, singing, dancing, and writing. My main specialty is live stage theatre, especially musical theatre. I’ve always been a creative person; ever since I was a kid, I loved diving into art projects, making music, and even playing sports on the side. My uncle was a musician, and I remember being captivated by the sound of his saxophone. My brother followed in his footsteps, picking up a saxophone as well. I also remember when we were younger, my siblings and I together would dance all the time, sometimes we’d pretend to be the Jackson 5 haha.
I spent about eight years playing the trumpet, and now my main focus is on acting. My ultimate goal is to become a voice actor for some awesome animated shows or story-driven video games — though I’m always open to exploring different creative opportunities.
At heart, I’d describe myself as an artist. I have a deep love and appreciation for all forms of art — whether it’s performing on stage, modeling, drawing, or filming. Creating brings me immense joy and inspiration. I truly believe the arts are one of God’s greatest gifts.
What excites me & love the most about being a performer is the ability to connect with people — to bring joy, emotion, and inspiration through my work. I know firsthand how powerful art can be because of how deeply I’ve been moved by other performers & the magic I felt watching them in awe. My goal is to return that feeling — to make people feel seen, uplifted, and inspired through my art. Even just making something that gets someone through a dark or very challenging time in their life is something I dream for.
Ultimately, I hope to grow into an artist who leaves a meaningful mark on this world. I want to spread love, reflect God’s light, and use my gifts to help heal and inspire others. I’m constantly working on new projects and always open to collaboration, so I encourage everyone to follow my journey and stay tuned for what’s next @theofficial_neo

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?

1. Be a scientist.
What I mean by this comes from something Michael Jackson once talked about — the idea of dissecting your craft like it’s a science. In the world of art and performance, that means studying other artists with intention. Pay attention to their technique, how they carry themselves, the timing of their choices, the number of beats they take in a moment, and why those choices work. Always stay curious. Innovation comes from experimentation, and that’s what separates good artists from unforgettable ones. Following trends can take you somewhere, but creating or evolving a trend can take you everywhere. So take risks. Try new ideas. Get messy. Experiment. You’ll never discover what’s possible — or what’s inside you — if you don’t dive in fully.

2. Discipline.
Discipline is one of the biggest make-or-break qualities for performers and honestly for anyone in life. There’s a massive difference between the person who practices “when they feel like it” and the person who shows up consistently. Treat every rehearsal or practice session like it’s the real show. When you train at your highest level, the actual performance becomes second nature.
And if you’re like me — someone who didn’t grow up with a ton of formal classes or training — you have to understand that you might need to work twice as hard to stand out. That means showing up even when you’re tired, putting in the hours, knowing when to rest, and staying committed to the long-term vision. Discipline builds mastery, and mastery builds confidence.

3. Belief in yourself.
Your mindset is one of the most powerful tools you have. In this field, you’re going to hit roadblocks, face rejection, and have moments where you doubt your worth. That’s normal — but belief in yourself is what keeps you moving forward. No one can do that part for you.
If you walk into an audition thinking, “Everyone else is so talented; I’m not enough,” you’ve already lost before you start. Walk in knowing your worth. A rejection doesn’t mean you’re not good — it means it wasn’t your moment. Then you go back to the lab, train, and come back stronger.
For me, almost everything I know — acting, singing, dancing — has been self-taught.For acting, I took classes for a short time, and Trumpet I was in band, but everything else was practically done on my own. When I entered the world of theatre, I was competing with people who had been training for years before I even started. The only way I could rise to that challenge was by believing in my own ability to grow. I never put anyone on a pedestal. My mindset has always been, “I don’t care how trained or naturally gifted you are — in this moment, we are equals until the work proves otherwise.” A bonus piece advice would also be, learn to be a great collaborator and easy to work with. Trust me, many directors appreciate it and that reliability can really make or break getting into a production or not

Those three qualities — curiosity, discipline, and self-belief — are the foundation of my journey, and I believe they can take anyone a long way in theirs.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest obstacle I’m currently facing is learning how to truly love myself. It’s interesting because this challenge actually comes from my desire to be great and my belief in my own potential. I’m a perfectionist, and I constantly expect the highest level of excellence from myself. While that drive pushes me forward, it also makes me extremely hard on myself as a performer and as a person. That pressure can take a toll mentally, and at times I’ve chased this need to be “undeniable” because deep down, I didn’t always feel loved or wanted.
A lack of self-love has affected different areas of my life. It made me seek external approval too much, and it hit especially hard when I didn’t get it. In relationships, it sometimes left me overwhelmed and unsure of my own worth. It even contributed to developing a pornography addiction at a young age — something I’m still actively working through today.
For most of my life, I felt like I had to mask my pain and grow up faster than I should have. So practicing real self-love is still relatively new to me; I only began opening up about it three or four years ago. The first step in overcoming it was allowing myself to be vulnerable. Simply talking about my feelings — even when it was uncomfortable — helped me release emotions I had bottled up for years. Bottling things up only leads to more harm, and I had to learn that the hard way.
Another major part of my healing has been seeking God. I’ve found truth, stability, and peace in my relationship with Him. The more I grow in my understanding of His teachings and purpose, the more clarity and comfort I gain. When you seek God with a humble heart, He draws near to you — and that’s been life-changing for me.
Outside of my faith, I’m learning to speak to myself with kindness, to remember the people who genuinely appreciate me, to honor the love my parents have for me, and to take time for meditation and grounding myself. I’ve realized that self-love is one of the most important things a person can have. You can’t fully feel love from others until you learn to feel it within yourself.
The beautiful thing about self-love is that it’s fulfilling, steady, and impossible for anyone to take away from you. It becomes a foundation that supports you for life. I’m still on this journey, but I’m moving forward with hope — knowing there is clarity and healing on the other side, as long as I stay committed to the process. Once again, seek the lord our God with all your heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/official_neo
• Instagram: @theofficial_neo
• Facebook: Nehemiah Brooks
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theofficial_neo?si=jvICm8umZhA8MpGh

Image Credits

Tracy Robinson
Austin Eisenring
Ponty Edwards
Ethan Farley