We recently connected with Denise Yolén and have shared our conversation below.
Denise, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I believe the development of confidence and self esteem is an ongoing process. It constantly gets destroyed and rebuilt at different junctures in your life (like when you embark on something brand new.) When you get a vision for something that feels like freedom and light you must hold on to that feeling as you build and encounter inevitable challenges. I’ve always been lucky to have people in my life close to me that bear my reflection. People who just feel like home. It’s important for me to do things and be around people and in places that help me feel like myself. It’s important to understand the difference between being seen (like with real friends and family) and being watched (people scrolling on your social media) When you have people in your life that truly see you, and support you, you flourish; confidence builds. When you pay attention to who’s “watching” your sense of self can become distorted. I’ve always loved to see the light in people emerge, through conversation and laughter; a transference of joy from one spirit to another. Though performance is the medium through which I could channel that joy it all begins with a strong sense of self.
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?
It has been a truly eventful year! My first feature film, that I wrote and co-starred in, Sundays in July, has been in over 20 film festivals across North America, including Toronto Black Film Festival, and Vancouver International Black Film Festival in Canada. Last August we were super stoked to be featured in the inaugural Black Girls Rock film festival in DC. I met so many incredible filmmakers and I had the time of my life! I also had the opportunity to travel to New Orleans for the first time with my mother and sister for the Black Film Festival in New Orleans where I received an award for Best Actress. I was ecstatic to also win the award for Outstanding Actress in a Feature at the Micheaux film festival in Los Angeles. The film also took home the grand prize of Outstanding Feature Film that earned us a $60,000 grant from Panavision. Meeting and working with the people at Panavision has truly been a highlight of my year; this past fall the same team from Sundays in July wrapped the bulk of our principle photography on our second feature film to be announced later this year.
I am also excited to share that I had the opportunity to work on Brent Faiyaz’s album “Wasteland”, performing on two skits on the album “Egomaniac” and “Wake Up Call”. It was my first time working on an album and I was thrilled to lend my work in that capacity.
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?
Three qualities/skills that have been most impactful on my journey are:
A thirst for knowledge: During the Pandemic I took French lessons at UCLA extension. Dedicating myself to learning a new language has been one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done; it has infused my writing and led me to visit Paris for the first time in 2021. I saw how my mom worked hard learning a new language as an adult and the doors it opened for her and my hope is to do the same.
Learning to Listen: I believe this is a journey for everyone, and certainly an ongoing journey for me, but to have a working awareness of it is key. An actor is on deserted island in every sense of the word without it professionally.
Perseverance: There is no failure, only redirection for your betterment. The mistakes I’ve made have only led me to treasure troves of discovery and I wouldn’t forsake it for a minute. Don’t give up. Allow yourself to be led.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
For years I’ve had a focus on self improvement, and while I think its good to keep yourself in check, I have found it way more beneficial to focus on my strengths. Perhaps more importantly, my ability to have an impact or elicit change. Focusing on the area that needs improvement, in my experience, can lead to loathing and guilt, which is not very productive. Take personal health for instance, if I focus on why I’m so tired, I end up feeling more tired. If I focus on my ABILITY then I feel empowered to do something about it. Also let’s face it, as an artist there are a number of factors that may be out of your control, are you going to focus on that unknown variable and send yourself into a spiral? Or are you going to hi-light the areas in which you know you shine, not just for yourself, but for those around you as well?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deniseyolen.com
- Instagram: @deniseyolen
