Today we’d like to introduce you to Deja A. Ross

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I like to think that I’ve been acting since the time I could walk and talk. I would perform skits for my family and run around the house doing impressions of characters I’ve seen on TV. Eventually, my mom would enroll me in performance arts classes, and I would go on to pursue it in high school and college. I really grinded it out to figure out a way to get in front of an audience. I did wardrobe and worked as a PA. My first time on a professional TV set in front of a camera was as an extra, and then as a stand-in for Taraji P. Henson for the TV show Empire before eventually landing my first speaking role on Chicago Fire.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

It has not been a smooth road, the exact opposite actually, haha. It’s been filled with many twists, turns, ups, and downs. As we know, this industry is highly competitive, and you hear a thousand nos before you hear a yes. That can affect your self-esteem, so there have been many days where I’ve spent wondering if I was good enough. Also, it can get really expensive due to constantly needing to have updated headshots, wardrobe, and attending events. As actors, we make so many sacrifices to pursue this career, and that can pertain to not having a consistent 9-to-5 to pay the bills. On the contrary, navigating these obstacles has made me better in my spiritual and financial practices. Oftentimes, I meditate and have deep prayers before stepping foot in front of a camera or on a stage, and I have created systems for myself to keep up with my finances as a result of any fluxes in income.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I am an actress, writer, producer, and storyteller. I wouldn’t say I have a specialization, as I don’t like to limit myself. I like to just call myself an artist, but the first creative endeavors I pursued were as an actress, and from there I realized that I just liked to tell stories, and all the other creative aspirations steamrolled from there. I am most proud of my commitment. Despite what life has thrown at me, I refuse to let it stop me from fulfilling my dreams.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?

Pursuing this career has been a giant risk since having consistent work isn’t guaranteed, but the reward far outweighs the risks. Not just in a monetary sense but in a spiritual, ethereal way. It is truly a gift to see the impact your art is able to make on people when they leave a theater or a film. As performers, we aren’t doing rocket science or performing surgery, but we get to tap into the things that aren’t seen, the things that are deep inside all of us. We can have the influence to provoke thoughts, emotions, and opinions. That in itself is a gift. Also, growth doesn’t come from staying within your comfort zone; go for the risky thing, and you’ll either win or learn. Either way, you’ll be glad you went for it rather than holding onto regrets.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dejaaross.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dejaaross/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dejaaross

Image Credits

Colin Pieters
Chris Robinson