We caught up with the brilliant and insightful NeNe (Nae) Izima a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
NeNe (Nae) , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
To be honest, in my earlier years I never had “main character energy” I was bullied growing up and I always struggled with gender identity or being gay.
At one point in my life, I stopped listening to other people’s negative comments about me, including my own. If something is negative and not building me up, whether it be a person or statement then I don’t need to give that any energy. So I started getting into positive self-talk and setting goals for myself that helped me challenge an insecurity of mine.
For example I used to get teased about my how big forhead is and it really became a reason why I wore hats and styled my hair a certain way when it was longer. One day I was like .. I’m going to go a week without wearing a hat or hmm I’m going to cut my hair shorter or keep it out of my face, talk to myself about things I like with my face.
Eventually, I loved my look honestly. I adapt the same method when I have to perform on stage and do comedy, if I’m nervous to do a set, I challenge myself to do what needs to be done despite the nervousness I have.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started doing comedy after a personal tragedy happened to me. Humor dug me out of a huge hole of despair and loss in my life at a time, and honestly saved my life when I contemplated my own self -worth.
Making myself laugh and making other people laugh around me truly brings me real joy. Laughter is always great to hear and seeing people smile is top tier. My jokes center around my pain, relatable anguish that others may be going through, motherhood and navigating through that as single parent and as a black gay parent. I riff on my marriage and everyday life in general honestly.
When I’m acting I add my unique perspective of life into whatever character is given to me. The character may be unknown but there is a piece of me somewhere in there.
At this current time in my life any project of mine are TBD, I’m enjoying my family and new marriage at this time.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Networking, persistence and confidence were three key elements that helped me navigate my journey in my dreams and even in my career.
When I’m not doing anything in the entertainment environment, I am a social worker by degree and still help at risk and underserved youth. Those three skill-sets still come into play when I am being advocate.
Very early on to develop on those particular skills, for me to get to know the community I’m apart of, first hand knowledge of whatever I am trying to do is key. Also getting to know people in my field and ask questions and go to events. Being active and seen!
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
The challenge I’m always facing is being my biggest critic and to continue to overcome those negative thoughts I have to actively remind myself of what I am capable of and speak aloud of the accomplishments have done in my life.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
@kirchhkreative (instagram handle for comedy venue shot of me in purple shirt)
