Meet Vanessa Nottingham

We recently connected with Vanessa Nottingham and have shared our conversation below.

Vanessa, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by incredible people who showed me that life can be exciting and fulfilling if you spend it doing what you love. My work ethic comes from years of observing my family—my parents, brothers, and cousins—who have a passion for their jobs and work relentlessly because it brings them joy. It fills their cup, and it has been so beautiful to see.

Since I was three years old, I have been a performer. It’s what I know best, and I could never see myself doing anything else besides acting and making movies. I am a storyteller, after all, and because I have chosen to follow my passion, just like my family, work doesn’t always feel like work. It is something I need to do because it fills my cup. Giving up or slowing down isn’t in my vocabulary, not because I feel pressured to live up to a certain expectation, but because it’s truly what I want to be doing every single day of my life.

So, when the job or life gets hard, I know that I just need to keep moving forward because it will get better. I’ve seen it get better. I’ve seen it with my parents, my brothers, and my cousins. It always gets better, but you have to keep moving.

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?

At my core, I am a storyteller. But if we need to get specific, I wear many hats: actor, producer, director, and co-founder of Divergent House, a film studio dedicated to transforming the industry.

My journey in storytelling began as a child actor in South Florida, and since then, I’ve embraced every facet of the craft. Whether I’m in front of the camera, directing, writing scripts, producing, or editing, I’ve immersed myself in every aspect of filmmaking. I’ve done it all.

In late 2021, I took a leap and moved to Los Angeles, a decision that has been life-changing. The move allowed me to push the boundaries of my ambitions and dive deeper into my passion. There’s always been a relentless drive within me, a need to keep creating, even when the industry slows down. This drive led me to direct and produce my own films.

One of my proudest achievements is my feature film, “The Lemonade Files: An Untold Story of the Missing Shoes,” which I starred in, co-directed, and produced. It received the Best Comedy award at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. Another film I co-produced, “Dirty Towel,” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. These milestones have been surreal, and they fuel my passion even more.

Currently, I am heavily involved in the popular web series “Dhar Mann” and have several exciting projects in the pipeline that I can’t wait to share with the world.

Divergent House, the film studio I co-founded, is based in Los Angeles and is driven by a mission to amplify underrepresented voices. We are committed to inclusivity and creating a platform where every voice is heard and valued. Our goal is to celebrate diversity and pave the way for a more inclusive future in the film industry. Right now, we are working on an upcoming feature film that we are incredibly excited about.

I am enthusiastic about the beautiful and meaningful art I get to create this year and beyond. My aim is to take bold risks and make films that reflect my deep passion for this incredible art form.

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?

Three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are:

1. Perseverance
2. Adaptability
3. Continuous Learning

For those who are just starting their journey, my best advice is simple: take action. Begin now, and keep pushing forward. It won’t be easy but that’s what makes the film and entertainment industry so rare and special. It takes a certain type of person to be crazy enough to want to do it, and you might just be the perfect amount of crazy!

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

I owe my life to my parents—literally and figuratively. Not only did they give me life, but they also introduced me to the world of performing and have been my unwavering support system ever since.

From a young age, my parents enrolled me in a variety of classes—acting, dancing, singing, improv, you name it. They would drive me to auditions, wait patiently, and then take me to sets when I got the part. They helped me with my lines, and even now, despite living across the country, they’re always ready to assist me. They often remind me, “We’re just a Zoom call away.”

Their support goes beyond the logistical. The most impactful thing they have done for me is providing unwavering moral support. Never once did they let me doubt myself or my dreams of becoming an actor. Their faith in my abilities has been a constant source of strength. They always believed in my success, even when the road seemed uncertain.

Their belief in me, combined with their endless encouragement, has been the foundation of my journey. They taught me the importance of perseverance, the value of hard work, and the power of believing in oneself. Without their love and support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My parents have always been, and continue to be, my biggest cheerleaders.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vanessanottingham.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessanottingham/
• Other: https://www.divergenthouse.com

Image Credits

Miguel S Romero
RAZZ