Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyndell “izzy” Campbell
Hi Lyndell “Izzy”, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Well, let’s see how I got started is pretty crazy in my opinion because I never really expected to be in the entertainment industry. But I believe it was 2013 or 2014 when I had the opportunity to play Harpo in a theater production or stageplay called The Color Purple in Indianapolis, Which is infamously known or connected to Oprah Winfrey or in our community we are very familiar with the movie adaptation. So to me, it’s been a little crazy because again when you take someone who grew up in the projects also lives on government assistance, and had to teach himself how to speak with “good diction” there are things that are part of your upbringing or beginning that you don’t realize will also serve as an anchor for why you must keep going.
So when the opportunity came to be a part of this theater production, I actually turned it down three times because my focus was on music as a singer, songwriter and vocalist in which I had performed for years throughout a city that is like home to me called Indianapolis Indiana. So this opportunity in all honesty and realness, it was a challenge that I was not familiar with as well as not prepared for. And to keep it 100 it made me uncomfortable, and as many of us know that in order to grow, we have to be positioned uncomfortably no matter what stage of life we are in lol . So this opportunity which at the time I didn’t realize would later serve as a doorway or Gateway to more opportunities within the film ministry and entertainment world so when I got a chance to for all intense purposes, start in the background of a very new but soon to be hit show called Empire It honestly blew my mind.
So in short, even though at times I can be long-winded me getting the opportunity to play Harpo, which I actually turned down three times because I didn’t feel I was deserving ready or even remotely prepared to become an actor. My discomfort with the role later, educated me on what is possible, even when you think you aren’t truly ready for something that is bigger than you. I learned more by saying less while being a part of that show which I’ll always be thankful for.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Lol, has it been a smooth road? Hell naw it ain’t been no smooth road but at the same time my mama ain’t raise no garden tool. I have faced being divorced twice before the age of 3. Faced car repossessions, I’ve lost jobs left and right I’ve lost motorcycles. I’ve lost apartments townhomes you name it but what I’ve never lost was ME in the process of anything that I faced, which I think is very critical in the making of who you are becoming, and who you are meant to become.
Oddly enough, I’ve done with Steve Harvey and Tyler Perry have done in which they both had to sleep in their cars without a clue if they were gonna make it or not. I’ve had to eat tortilla chips and salsa, which I hate salsa btw but I ate it for breakfast, lunch and dinner and kept a smile on my face because I had something in me bigger than circumstances. So to answer your question? It’s been real smooth lol. If it gets any smoother than what it has been, hell everybody I come into contact with once I do make it. I’m gonna treat them the way Shaq treats people! I’m buying everybody a minivan, a brand new wig. I’m kissing white babies. I’m signing old ladies diapers whatever you can imagine I’m going to happily do because at the end of the day it’s a privilege and it’s a blessing to be in a position where you can make someone’s day through the art we get to make. Especially if you make it through multiple levels of adversity, hurdles, life and events that are out of your control and you still end up succeeding?! So yes, a smooth road if that’s what you wanna call it I guess I’ve been on that. But I’ve been walking, barefoot hitchhiking, in rain, sleet, snow all types of storms whether they were spiritual, emotional, financial physical psychological all that good stuff. Yeah I’m still here. Glory to God with a capital G!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I do and what I’m known for? I’m known for being able to sing naturally make people laugh uncontrollably as well as capture moments (via camera) or events and times that are everlasting so if you roll all of that up, I guess you can say I’m a jack of all trades, but if you know me, like actually know me I am known for being someone who can show up when needed and help out without looking for anything in return. So in essence I’m a caregiver and help mate who just so happens to be in the entertainment industry.
What I’m most proud of so far is not only being able to do what I love in which everything I named? I love that I am able to show my 93-year-old grandmother that everything that she’s prayed for on my behalf. That I probably have no clue about because she talks to God like that’s her husband, which means that’s her business and not mine. But I can show her and have shown her the little bit of my accomplishments which if you knew, my grandmother is all good with what makes you happy! But it doesn’t compare to every time that I see her she can’t help but ask If I’ve found a wife yet. Haha
So on one hand, I’ve done some pretty bad ass things in my opinion, but on the other hand if you ask Anna, no middle name Mathis I ain’t done nothin until I found a wife. lol.
What sets me apart from others is, even if I don’t have the status or celebrity recognition? I guess you could say no matter how this goes. I’m at peace within myself because you don’t have to be famous to serve those who you are capable of serving so what makes me different is just that, I can serve with or without the spotlight and still know who I am and know WHO’s I am at the end of the day.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Podcasts: Jay Shetty Mental Health
Coffee Break Spanish
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Me: Izzy