Meet Lexia Perea

We were lucky to catch up with Lexia Perea recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lexia, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Everyone has a purpose. It’s theorized that some are simply born knowing, while others prophesies only a special group of individuals are divinely led. Playing devils advocate, I’d say these are the tales of souls yearning for a solution that’s clear. “If it was a snake it woulda bite you”, my mom would tell me when said “answer” was so obvious. The truth is people are afraid to ask themselves the real question(s) as to who they are.

The coin toss of destiny seems to be the game everybody is gambling on. Believing the results of their lack is due to external interference. Perhaps in a sense, but it’s important to see it as redirection not failure. It’s not the end of your story. Free-will is a huge component that’s been forgotten. Though the hero’s journey maybe shrouded it’s important to persevere, be open to discovering one’s authentic self.

People willingly accept the cards they’re dealt without even looking to see what they’ve been given. Whether your molded by lineage, culture or the circumstances of your environment, society has a way of trying to defining you for better or for worse. Most go along with the charade not solely because it’s less work, but they fear the shadowy parts of self. Ironically one’s purpose will be unveiled when we take the time to know thyself, specifically the skeletons in the closet. This is not always a rosy process nor is it linear.

Contrary to popular belief, nobody has one purpose. In life there is never one lesson to learn. One can have multiple realizations during different periods in life. Purpose aligns with one’s gifts as much as insecurities. It is the space you enter once you’ve overcome fear.

Self discovery is more than a path, or the road least traveled, it’s a voyage & patience a virtue. Throughout one’s character trek, justifications to the classic five W’s (who, what, when, where & why) come to be. The first step for me was solving the “who”. Names have meaning for a reason. They act as clue’s hidden in plain sight.

My mom made sure I knew the significance of my name growing up. I’ve heard the story about a million times of how she found it in an old baby-naming book, which till this day she still has. “You are the protector of children, it’s your name Lexia”, she’d remind me. I’d feel the pressure of it to when i’d have to explain to everyone why it was spelt with an “i” but pronounced as “Lexa” & be picked on due to their confusion. In turn I’d run from myself & create a new identity by going by my middle name instead.

When you hide from self you miss your blessings.

It wasn’t until the middle of my senior year when I had an “ah ha” moment. During these times questions begin as we are prepping to go out in to the world like the model citizens we were supposed to be. Weirdly enough my discomfort for my first name had shifted too distain for not knowing myself at all. After all Paris, my middle name, was not me but rather a persona to safeguard myself & appease others. I remember being in dance class & spontaneously declaring to be referred to as my REAL name, Lexia.

Of course, I got backlash from the people that knew me as Paris, but that version of me felt like a caricature. Perhaps it was my frontal lobe developing or the general character arch of adolescents, but I knew this change was for the better. I needed to remember what my name meant again.

A quick Google search will say: “a girl’s name with Greek origins, Lexia has the respectable meaning of ‘defender of men.’” Sheesh, that’s a level up & a lot more to uphold as a young black woman in America. Sometimes I’d wonder what made my parents agree on this superhero-esque name! Then I reflect on my life thus far. From overcoming bullies to moving across the country in pursuit of my dreams, at the root there’s strength in my name & I finally felt it!

It takes courage to stand tall & define yourself to your likeness/ truth instead of another’s fantasy or nightmare. Besides the origin of my name, as an artist I’ve come up with my own definition, one that justifies the “i”. I remember as a little girl when anybody would ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

My reply would be, “ An icon.”

Not a cellphone application but in the original sense legendary. Simple.

Where could I have heard that word as a child? I’m not sure, but it resonated. I claimed that’s what I was meant to be. A icon to me is someone who’s transcended beyond their potential, masters their gifts to share them with the world for the better. The “i’ in my name may be silent, but I have a voice which speaks volumes. Therefore, I had an answer to my “who am I” all along.

So today when people inevitably question why my name is spelt the way it is, I say the “i” in Lexia stands for icon. That won’t changed no matter who might judge the reply.

I began my voyage toward purpose once I came face to face with my shame. During my younger school years I wasn’t the strongest reader nor profound speaker. Once I delved into acting (shoutout to my bff Jasmine of twenty plus years for inviting me to an open class!) it forced me to push past my fears. Now I found a love for working in an industry which requires me to read beyond the lines, challenges my memory, & requires me to speak clearly before large audiences.

Another instance is an unfortunate canon event most young black girls go through. Decades of internalized hate, texturism & forced assimilation caused a lack of confidence toward my natural hair. I hadn’t learned yet to love my crown without trying to shape it to the world’s liking. Due to the stress of the pandemic I was undergoing major hair loss, in the clumps. I then had to take the time to actually learn about my strands & their needs. As a result, late nights experimenting in my mother’s kitchen transcended into a hair wellness brand known as Crown Kurls which is fueled by the fight for self love & acceptance.

It all starts with the five W’s. What triggers you; when & where did these insecurity develop? Who am I beyond these tribulations? The answer to those questions will be the key to your grand Why. Once you step beyond that threshold you’ll find purpose.

Yes, I am a daughter, sister, best friend, partner, artist & entrepreneur. Nonetheless, I will always be Lexia, with an “i”, first. Purposes lies in the fears you’re hiding from. Face yourself because you are the purpose.

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?

From an early age I was on a mission to change the world for the better. In addition to making strides within entertainment industry, I also considered myself a creative in all aspects life. In fact, one of my passions is natural haircare. From the instant I decided to go for the Big- chop, I felt a sense of cleansing and release from what society wanted me to be. I finally found a sense of self after years of damaging the very crown that made me unique. In time, with every curl and coil on my head, self-love also grew. I believe that every person, curly and coily, should feel this way. I seek to create a brand that not only exemplifies unity within the natural hair community but also promotes self-acceptance.

Within every curl & coil there is a story. I created this brand for not only my generation but for the next to feel free as well as represented. In addition, Crown Kurls hopes to inspire the elders who were taught to assimilate to now believe they’ve been beautiful all along. Crown Kurls is heavily based in community. That being said Crown Kurls is here to listen. We provide much needed representation. On our social media platforms we provide tutorials, live conversations & over all education on how to better one’s hair. This brand makes strides towards forging new, more expansive forms of beauty & uniqueness. All hair is good hair, so define beauty your way!

The mission for the brand Crown Kurls is to awaken others to the natural beauties that they are. I hope that my customers self love will grow one bottle at a time.

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?

At the age of twenty-four I espied the proper formula to success. I can already sense your excitement! The term, success, like liquid gold dripping from one’s tongue. However my definition may differ from yours. Success is not something you can measure in just the physical sense but in my opinion shows more psychologically.

Ironically everyone has their own phrasing, some overly philosophical & others grounded in material gains. Nonetheless, we take what resonates. To me success is not the trophy received at the end of the race but rather the strides made to get there. It’s the will power to keep going, despite the bumps in the road. After all, life would be boring without facing challenges.

Whether my method be specified as career ascendancy’s or overall life triumphs, three words hold the key to one’s abundance & prosperity. The truth has gotten lost in translation. Some gab about manifestation while others utilize the modern phrase “delulu is the solulu.” All accurate on the same line of thinking but not on the bullseye. I’ll keep my blueprint short & sweet, for the most part. The acronym I coined is “F.DD”.

Right now you’re probably like “girl I’ve read this far, what the heck does that mean?!”

Don’t worry it’s not all for naught, just a little suspense. Nevertheless I’ll break it down for you of course. The word that hits the nail on the head for “F” is faith. It is not enough to simply “believe in yourself”, you must have a sense of knowing. Belief is wavering but faith is everlasting.

One finds faith in self after evolving their will power into action. No, it’s not like blindly walking into the fire, there is a real sense of trust in self that is required. Like the Little Engine That Could, going from “I think I can” to ” I know I can” requires trust in self, recognizing what you are capable of & then going for it! The principles of faith require trust, belief & action.

Now what does the “D” stand for? Well it represents drive. Drive if fueled by our grand “why?” & passion within. It’s imperative to know how to tap into that inner fire, as some would say, in order to persevere in dark times. The answer to your “why am I doing this”, is what’s helping you see the light a the end of the tunnel. Sheer will power combined with personal drive are the building blocks which create motivation.

Lastly there’s the second letter “D” to address. This next word is founded on focus & patience. Do you have an educated guess? The word is discipline. I’ll confess, this is a heavy hitter for me. See, I am a creative at heart & at times my imagination is booming with so many ideas I get lost in an artistic whirlpool! I maintain a sense of groundedness through my discipline of choice, meditation.

Faith, drive & discipline are the three qualities to uphold in order to accomplish whatever you desire. “F.F.D” is my maxim.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

There are plenty of highs & lows in life, both having a certain thrill which is driven by purpose. As an artist & entrepreneur these are signs of progress because it’s movement. Yet it’s the space in between those point’s that truly tests our will to persevere. When life is just– “mundane”. What motivates us to consider this lull all worth while? After all, we haven’t failed by definition nor succeeded.

This past September I was fortunate enough to relocate back Surfside California. See I was motivated by the need to be front row at the premiere screening of my first ever short film, Recast! This was my first big project since graduation, fighting toe to toe for roles, to finally knock-out the job as a the leading lady. I had less than a month to find a place to hunker down in before leaving the Peach state, Atlanta. Day & night I scoured the internet for places, literally going to sleep & visualizing my new home. It was all I talked about as attending my premiere consumed the other half of my mind. I wasn’t going to miss that no way no how!

At the root, my drive to return was the calling to be on set once again. Before venturing beyond the pond, I fortunately found a flow in the fast pace environment that is the entertainment industry. However, an old word wiggled its way into my vocabulary as well, let see if you can catch it. I had gotten comfortable not only living in Georgia, where my haircare brand was taking off, but also with old routines, thinking I could pick up right where I left off in Hollywood. In this industry, no one should ever be too comfortable.

With the help of my family, I was able to snag a residency. Mind you, I was taking a real leap of faith since I hadn’t ever toured the residency at all! Soon, it was time to say Ciao to Hotlanta & hop on my plane too LAX. I recall off-boarding my flight & being taken aback by the lack of nostalgia. I mean sure, the airport hadn’t changed much but it wasn’t the decor I was focusing on, it was something else in the air. I thought that the smog lingering in the atmosphere would trigger my former flame but instead I felt out of place. What was going on?

After getting to my residency on the good ol’ Flyaway & making it to my new apartment, the bodily stress of lugging four suitcases up a staircase had tuckered me out. Nonetheless, in my mind it was time to hit the ground running. I gave no room to admire my dwelling, which was actually a pleasant living space. My plan, emphasis on my, was to fly in & move all my things into my apartment, all on the same day. Insane? Yes, but whatever drive I had left getting on that plane solidified that idea.

I was a bit rigid to say the least. Thus when I finally made it to my new space, I literally crashed out. Turns out I was sick & the whole “mind of matter” philosophy wouldn’t work much on me in this particular moment. Rigid was another term to watch-out for.

Once I recovered, things started moving along somewhat. After a month all my things, which pretty much took up the space of half a dorm room, were moved in. Considering it was my birth month, I thought the universe would give me some grace by putting plenty of gigs on my path for work. Well that month I only worked once & hadn’t sold any Crown Kurls products. I guess the universe was tuckered out too haha.

It was a shock to feel out of place in a city I thought I was on the right path to conquering. I mean, I’m an unsigned actor whose been able to work full-time in her art, booking at least three times a week & utilizing some of those funds to start up another passion project/business. On top of the ego-wrenching self critiques, I turned inward to look for my creative spark only to find it barely flickering. I was tired, but from what? Perhaps I had grown comfortable with the Italian siesta’s & southern joys in my time away from LA. This industry never stops moving.

The sole thing I looked forward to was seeing my work on screen. Truly that was the best birthday I could’ve gotten. Hard work does pay off, but I had forgotten that it also never stops. Post screening, I begun to wonder where my fire had gone. See, I didn’t feel empty, but I was surprisingly tired. From what? I wasn’t sure yet, nonetheless I needed to get back on the ball. People say it’s always good to have a plan, & that’s no strange task for a virgo such as myself. On the other hand shifting said plan can get tricky, especially if one isn’t open to adjustments.

When you reach one plateau there is always another. Our work is never finished! Sure I had marked one conquering flag atop my first mountain, but soon enough it was time for the next. We often get so focused on our present goal we forget it’s not the end all be all. In this industry there is much terrain to cover.

I begun to dig deep in myself once again. It was time to re-address my five W’s & level up my answers. For the duration of my “down time” I forged new routines, seeing what would work for me & what didn’t . Once October came, I was met with a new opportunity, shifting from being in front of the camera to gaining knowledge behind the scenes. I had gotten my first gig as a Set PA!

Even that was divine order. Who knew my only job working in September would led me to conversation with the dope Assistant Director. I guess my enthusiasm for the arts really showed. This new experience added fuel to my creative spark which I wasn’t expecting. Then in the mist of running around set as free- hands I had a realization. Internally I said to myself “girl we really like running around sets like a chicken with our head cutoff!”

In the month of spooky season I intended to use the magic in the air. I needed to alchemize my present frustrations & really think. For every casting notice there is always a full crew of at least 10 people. Those are opportunities! I figured since I really enjoyed being BTS why not continue dabbling. The entertainment industry is huge so why limit myself to one aspect of it.

Though the industry has seemingly slowed down its important to be expansive. Hollywood wasn’t going to remain as I once knew it to be so coming in with a rigid plan wasn’t going to help me reach any successes. Everything has its season. I needed to break-free from the illusion of comfortability I held as well. After doing that, I could welcome in a fresh season of endless possibilities. As of presently I’ve ignited a more roaring fervor & found my pace juggling multiple spheres.

I am an actor, crew member, business owner, writer, model & so much more that I have yet to discover; that is what I call a creativepreneur!

A new word to add to your artist cookie jar is expansive. That’s a major key to finding flow in life in general. Don’t limit yourself to one scope. Try not to mistake endings as “the end”, they are more than not new beginnings. Remember, we may have a plan, but be open, give room for the divine agenda & remain grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crownkurls.com
• Instagram: Lexiaperea & Crownkurls
• Linkedin: Lexiaperea
• Youtube: Lexiaperea
• Other: Follow along with me on this journey of the creativepreneur experience by connecting on Tiktok & Lemon8 @lexiaperea! I aspire to cultivate a real sense of community & build a network that provides tidbits/ inspiring insights for creative individuals seeking elevate in their art. On the other hand, if you’re a curl enthusiast like me, and hoping to find a brand that not only represents you but see’s the beauty of your authenticity be sure to join the royal family on Tiktok @crownkurls. There I share curl knowledge & relatable story times as coily cutie living day to day!

Image Credits

– aphotothatfitz
– Briannedudphotography
– Julia C. Griffin