We were lucky to catch up with Angelique Bates recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Angelique, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

This is a tricky question. Normally I would say I would never have chosen to be in the industry if I knew even 1% of what I know now about it. But then with that knowing I also know everything happens for a reason and we are all on a path to do good and advance to our higher self. And we are in control of our destiny. There are lessons that are supposed to be learned and a lot of us fail to learn those lessons. So, until we do we have to keep on repeating cycles until the lesson is learned and then progress. A lot of us lose track and venture off. There are a lot of lives I have touched and changed because of me being in the industry and experiencing the things I have. So, I would neither wish to have started/rush my career sooner or later. I started it when I was destined to start it. Lack of patience, discernment, and faith is what destroys a lot of people’s lives.

Angelique, 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 am best remembered for being an original cast member of the iconic 90’s children’s sketch comedy “All That” on Nickelodeon and “Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show” on Comedy Central. I have been in the industry since I was 9 months old. I produced, wrote, and directed 3 television shows too.

I wear a lot of hats. Some of those hats will surprise many. I am also a Spiritual Life Coach and Ordained Minister.

I am a Domestic Violence, Rape, & Attempted Suicide Survivor and Advocate as well. I speak to the youth and adults in schools, group homes, shelters, etc. as well.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society can wake up and stop being brainwashed by media. I use to say society was turning into robots but with the level robots have advanced that would be an insult respectfully. Society needs to start supporting more likeminded and independent artists and/or brands. There are a lot of creatives and brands that are for a positive change. But when you have so much negativity being given front row and center attention it puts a lot of people in a predicament of pushing that narrative to support themselves and their families. For those that aren’t pushing agendas they have to push way harder to be seen and to survive. Overseas there are countries that don’t even allow the platforms we are subjected to here and for those that do have certain platforms, their algorithms are way different and more educational and positive.

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 is “Fake it until you make it.” That is the most toxic lesson ever taught. That is why there is much stress, depression, and lack of self-love in the world today. What that saying means is pretty much be fake and hide your true self to make it and live up to others’ expectations of you. Because nobody cares what you are going through so keep all of your trauma to yourself and figure it out on your own. And make sure you do all of that with a smile on your face.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AngeliqueBates.com
• Instagram: @AngeliqueBates
• Facebook: @OfficialAngeliqueBates
• Twitter: @AngeliqueBates
• Youtube: @AngeliqueBates

Image Credits
Robin Emtage Photos (Yellow Jacket), The Motionn Picture (Black Dress), Steven Simione (Red Tutu Dress), Albert L. Ortega (Burgundy Sequin Dress)