We were lucky to catch up with Desteny Tolbert recently and have shared our conversation below.

Desteny, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

Honestly, I think everyone who realizes their potential and starts discovering their purpose as an artist looks back and thinks, “Wow, I could’ve been doing so much of this sooner if I had been in the right mindset and focused.” But that’s part of the journey. Everyone finds their artistic path in their own time…mine happened between 19 and 21.

I started after facing a lot of struggles with family, friends, work, and school. My mental health was a wreck. I had expressed myself through acting and performance when I was younger, but I buried that part of me because of pain, trauma, disappointment, and betrayal. I found my light again in college when I felt the urge to create but didn’t know how or what to create. I started online as an editor, then transitioned back into my love for performance art and content creation.

I do sometimes wonder about starting earlier, but honestly, I don’t think it would have made much of a difference. I believe everything happens for a reason. Starting at 19 felt right because sometimes, to create meaningful art, you have to live through experiences that shape the stories you tell.

Desteny, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Desteny Tolbert, an actress, content creator, and video editor. I started in editing, working with creators to bring their visions to life, before rediscovering my love for acting and performance art. Now, I balance both, telling stories on screen while helping others shape theirs behind the scenes.

What sets me apart is my ability to connect deeply with characters and audiences, bringing authenticity to every role and project. I’m most proud of how far I’ve come…booking lead roles, building a creative career, and continuously growing. I want people to know that my work is rooted in passion, storytelling, and the belief that art has the power to inspire and connect us all.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best way to support artists is to simply listen and be present. We just want the chance to be heard and understood. By listening and engaging with our work, you show us that we’re seen, and that our experiences and expressions can help others feel less alone in this chaotic world.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to empower young girls, especially those with autism or ADHD, to realize they’re not alone and that what they might see as a “disability” is actually a superpower. People may doubt, misunderstand, or judge you, but your strength lies in being exactly who you are. I use my voice through acting, content creation, and soon, directing films to show girls everywhere that they have a voice, and we WILL be heard.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://m.imdb.com/pt/name/nm15967254/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisdesteny?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Twitter: https://x.com/destenycalls?s=21
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@destenycalls?_t=ZT-8urVHOslavb&_r=1

Image Credits

Behind The Scenes Photo’s:
Two Minutes To Midnight

Photographer: Nikola Tenzera