We recently connected with Thai Edwards and have shared our conversation below.

Thai, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Most of what I’ve learned came from experience. Being on set. Making mistakes. Getting back up and doing it better. I studied film, yes, but the real learning happened in the real world. Late nights. Tough calls. Working with people from all walks of life and figuring out how to bring a vision to life. Every project taught me something new. I would’ve asked more questions and asked them sooner. I used to think I had to have all the answers. But real growth came when I started leaning on others, listening more, and being open to learning from everyone whether they had a big title or not. I also wish I understood the business earlier because in this industry, talent alone isn’t enough.

The ability to tell a story and tell it well. Whether it’s through film, a podcast, or a conversation, story connects people. Also, communication. Being able to lead, listen, and adjust when needed. And perseverance. This field will test you. You’ve got to be resilient and resourceful. Access was a big one. I didn’t have a long list of mentors or a silver spoon. I had to grind and find my own way. Sometimes the biggest challenge was just staying motivated when doors kept closing. But I kept pushing. Every obstacle became fuel. And now, I use what I’ve learned to help open doors for the next person.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Thai “The Thaiga” Edwards. I’m an award-winning actor, writer, producer, and creative force behind the screen and the mic. I got into this industry not through a lucky break, but through sheer will, grit, and the fire that comes from growing up with something to prove, not to the world, but to myself.
My work lives at the intersection of truth and storytelling. Whether I’m playing a role on screen, writing a script, directing behind the camera, or hosting one of my podcasts like “Straight With No Chaser” or “In The Red Room”, my mission is the same: tell stories that matter. Stories that are unfiltered. Human. Real. I create art that evokes a feeling, art that lingers with you after the credits roll or the episode ends.

I run Iconic Film Group, an independent production company that develops and produces original films, documentaries, and podcasts. We take stories from concept to completion with a level of craftsmanship that honors the art and the audience. I also produce branded content, help others tell their stories through media, and coach talent who are trying to find or refine their voice. What sets me apart is that nothing I do is performative. I don’t just act, I embody. I don’t just produce, I elevate. I don’t create for clout, I create from the soul. Every frame, every word, every beat is rooted in authenticity. I’m not chasing trends, I’m building a legacy.

I’m most proud of The Ice Cream Stop, a short film I Co-wrote, starred in, and executive-produced, which was inspired by real events and went on to win multiple film festival awards, including a NAACP Image Award Nomination, Silver Telly, and HAPA Award for Best Actor. That piece wasn’t just a film; it was a statement, my love letter to those whose voices have been silenced. Ultimately, I want people to understand that my brand and this movement are about resilience. It’s about using pain as fuel and turning struggle into art. If you follow my work, expect the truth served straight, no chaser.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Another defining moment in my journey was when I decided to walk at graduation.

I just finished Film School. To most people, it’s just a ceremony. But for me, it was much deeper than that. I almost didn’t go. My head wasn’t in it. Life had been heavy, and I didn’t feel like pretending to be happy when I wasn’t. I wasn’t interested in smiling for the camera when behind the scenes, I was still wrestling with grief, stress, and everything I’d been carrying for years. But I chose to show up, not for the pageantry, but for the symbolism. I didn’t walk the stage in elementary or high school because life at home was about survival, not celebration. So this moment? This was me reclaiming something. It was a full-circle reminder that I didn’t just survive, I arrived. I walked for the version of me that didn’t get to before. I walked for the kid who grew up in chaos but still made the honor roll. I walked for every person who’s ever had to smile through struggle. That walk wasn’t about pretending everything was okay; it was about showing that I’m still standing because of everything I’ve been through.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was this idea that being strong meant being silent.

Growing up in Chicago, especially as a Black man, you’re taught to hold it in. Don’t cry. Don’t complain. Don’t show weakness. I carried that with me for years, through trauma, through loss, through career moves that nearly broke me. I thought if I just kept pushing, kept grinding, kept wearing the armor, I’d be okay.
But that mindset damn near killed me. It wasn’t until I lost one of my mentors and started truly dealing with grief that I realized silence wasn’t strength—it was suppression. I had to unlearn the idea that vulnerability made me weak. Opening up would make me look weak. Truth is, real strength? It’s in the release. It’s in being able to say, “I’m not okay,” and still show up. Now, I don’t just allow myself to feel; I’m using those feelings. I pour them into my writing, my acting, my podcast. I speak on the pain so someone else knows they’re not alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thaiedwards.com
• Instagram: officialthaiedwards
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thai.Edwards.2011
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thaiedwards
• Twitter: @thaiedwards
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicfilmgroup
• Other: The multiple award-winning The ICE CREAM STOP can be found on Tubi www.tubi.com.

Image Credits

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