We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Allaina Maria. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Allaina below.
Hi Allaina, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
My self-discipline comes from lived experience. It was forged in responsibility, sharpened by hardship, and sustained by purpose. Life taught me early that consistency is survival, follow-through is power, and excuses cost too much. I learned to show up, especially when it’s uncomfortable. Because growth doesn’t respond to convenience. My discipline is rooted in faith, reinforced by resilience, and guided by the understanding that what I build today determines the freedom I walk in tomorrow.
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 am a multi-hyphenate creative, screenwriter, actor, author, and singer-songwriter, working at the intersection of story, sound, and soul. I consider myself a 360 author, meaning I don’t stay in one lane. I write across multiple genres and formats, allowing each story to choose the form it needs to live in whether that’s film, music, or the written word.
To date, I’ve written six full-length screenplays, two of which are currently in pre-production, and I’ve served as Executive Producer on two films. My storytelling is rooted in emotional truth, layered characters, and bold themes that center lived experience, resilience, and transformation. My most notable screenplay titles include Mariah, Mariah II, and Fat Baby, each reflecting my commitment to stories that linger long after the credits roll.
Beyond film, my creative voice extends into music and literature. I’ve had the honor of singing lead on the album Songs of the Lord, a spiritually grounded project that reflects my faith and vocal artistry. In Spring 2026, I will release my first poetry book, a deeply personal body of work that captures reflection, healing, and power through language. That same year, I’m also preparing to release my EP/album titled 360, a project that sonically represents my journey full circle, unapologetic, and whole.
What excites me most about my work is freedom: the freedom to create without limitation, to tell stories that matter, and to build a brand that reflects authenticity, depth, and range. Everything I do is intentional, layered, and purpose driven. Whether on the page, on screen, or through music, my mission is simple to tell stories that move people and leave something lasting behind.
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?
Discipline is the foundation of everything. Talent opens the door, but discipline keeps you in the room. Learning to show up consistently, especially when motivation is low is what turns ideas into finished work. For those early in their journey, my advice is to build habits, not wait for inspiration. Write, rehearse, study, or create on a schedule. Treat your craft like a responsibility, not a hobby.
Range has been another defining strength. Allowing myself to work across multiple genres and mediums, film, music, poetry, performance, expanded both my creativity and my opportunities. It taught me adaptability and kept my voice from becoming boxed in. My advice here is to stay curious. Learn adjacent skills, explore different forms of storytelling, and don’t let fear of being “too much” stop you. Range is an asset when it’s grounded in purpose.
Finally, emotional truth has been the most powerful tool I’ve developed. Audiences connect to honesty, not perfection. The willingness to pull from real experiences, sit with discomfort, and write or perform from a place of authenticity is what gives the work weight. For those starting out, I encourage you to live fully and pay attention. Journal, reflect, observe people, and don’t rush past your own growth, your life is part of your training.
In short: build discipline, expand your range, and tell the truth. Everything else can be learned along the way.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
One book that played a powerful role in my development is Finding Me. It didn’t just inspire me creatively, it affirmed me personally.
What stayed with me most was Viola Davis’s radical honesty. She didn’t romanticize struggle or package pain to make it palatable. She told the truth about survival, identity, and what it costs to own your voice in a world that often tries to define it for you. That level of transparency reminded me that there is power in telling your story exactly as it is, not as others expect it to be.
A few nuggets of wisdom I carried with me from Finding Me:
Your past is not a liability, it’s a source. The very things you survive become the deepest wells you can draw from as an artist.
You don’t need permission to take up space. Authenticity is not something you earn; it’s something you claim.
Healing and success can coexist. You don’t have to be “fully healed” to be impactful you just have to be honest.
That book reinforced my belief that storytelling isn’t about perfection or polish it’s about truth, courage, and the willingness to be seen.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/allainamaria
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/allainamaria
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allaina-maria-b2224927a
Image Credits
Scott Thomas Photography
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