Courtney Lyneé’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Courtney Lyneé shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Courtney, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. Integrity is a core part of how I move through the world. It’s not something I pick up situationally—it’s a foundation I stand on. I grew up in a family where it wasn’t just talked about; it was lived out every day. My parents consistently did their best to lead by example. I was taught that integrity is what makes you someone you can be proud of, and someone the Lord can be proud of too.
For me, you always win when integrity comes first. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype, or to look at what other people are doing and think, “well, they got away with it.” But at the end of the day, I ask myself—can I live with that? What does it say about me if money or an opportunity means more than how I show up as a person?
I’ve definitely been tested, and I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes and learned from them. But I make it a point to keep growing, to make better choices each day that line up with who I truly am at the core.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
So… I’m Courtney Lyneé — an actor, director, voiceover artist, singer, entrepreneur, and producer from Philly (GO BIRDS!). Acting is my first love. There’s just something about stepping into a story and bringing truth to a character that’s always felt like home to me.
I’m a proud graduate of the University of the Arts (RIP to my alma mater) ; that’s really where I learned how powerful storytelling can be. Over time, I’ve expanded my work into directing, producing, and voiceover work, using my voice to impact the world around me in creative and meaningful ways.
I’m also the creator of Affirm Me, an affirmation-based apparel line and lifestyle brand rooted in self-worth and intentional living. The message behind it is simple: wear what you want to see in yourself. “See It. Wear It. Believe It.”
Everything I do — whether it’s performing, directing, or building Affirm Me — comes from the same place: integrity, truth, and heart. I want people to feel seen, inspired, and reminded of their own power through my work.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My Aunt Rhonda — I have core memories of her going all the way back to when I was about four years old. She always spoke to me like I mattered — all of me. How I felt mattered. What I was going through mattered.
One of my core memories with her is the conversation we had when I was struggling with feeling left behind because my friends had gotten their periods and I hadn’t yet. Back then, some girls would be hype talking about becoming a woman once you got your period, not truly understanding what came with it (LOL). But Aunt Rhonda walked me through it and helped me see things differently. She reminded me of the value in my own journey, and taught me that my journey is mine and mine alone — through it all.
She passed away from cancer two weeks before my 30th birthday. Going through my 30s without her was hard, but it would’ve been so much harder without the lessons she left me with — and her voice in my head still reminding me, “You are a Queen.”
Rest in Power, Aunt Rhonda. I’m forever grateful.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Back in 2017, I walked away from a 15-year relationship and marriage. Going through a divorce forces you to stop hiding. The pain can be so heavy that keeping it buried only does more damage to your spirit. I left a part of me behind that day — but I also chose me. That was the first step in learning how to turn my pain into power.
Over the last eight years, I’ve gone through so many stages of slowly but surely opening up. I started realizing that my story — every part of it — is a piece of who I am. Accepting the changes that came with that unlocked parts of me I used to be afraid to show. It helped me let go of the fear of rejection and go after my dreams with full force.
Those years were some of the scariest of my life, but also the most rewarding. Once I stopped hiding my pain, I started to heal. I faced my childhood traumas. I learned to embrace my life — the good, the bad, and everything in between. Most importantly, I took responsibility for my life.
I learned that things don’t happen to me, they happen for me. I thank God for the pain because, through it all, it’s continued to build me. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t ever want to go through that again (LOL), but I’m so grateful for the lessons it taught me.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends aka “My Tribe” would say my character and being there matters the most. I don’t play about my character, and I don’t play about showing up for my tribe. Who I am and how I show up truly matter to me.
I take pride in being someone people can count on — not just when it’s convenient, but when it really counts. Loyalty, integrity, and honest interactions mean everything to me. I’ve learned that showing up isn’t just about being present; it’s about being intentional — listening, supporting, and creating a safe space for the people I care about.
At the end of the day, I want my friends, my family, and even those I work with to feel seen, respected, and valued. How you show up—not just for yourself, but for others—can have a real impact, even in the smallest ways.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
This question hit me like a ton of bricks because it instantly reminded me — I shouldn’t need this question to motivate me. Even with all of my growth and healing, I STILL second-guess myself sometimes. It can take me forever just to order from a menu, and I can talk myself out of an opportunity better than anyone I know.
I was that kid who picked answer B on a multiple-choice test, then went back and changed it right before turning it in. I didn’t trust myself — and truthfully, sometimes I still don’t. Growing up, I often felt silenced. I felt like my opinions were wrong, inappropriate, or simply didn’t matter for a lot of different reasons. That made me start trusting other people’s voices more than my own.
I’ve worked really hard to unlearn that — to not let it run my life — but it still creeps up from time to time. So Courtney, cut it out! LOL
Thank you for this question — it’s a reminder to keep doing the work, to keep choosing my voice, and to keep trusting myself, even when it’s hard.

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Image Credits
DeJaye King

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