We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Antania Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Antania below.

Antania, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In 2018, I learned that one of my favorite films was going to Broadway. Pretty Woman is a timeless classic and I could watch it everyday for the rest of my life. To obtain a media pass for a Broadway show was certainly a goal as an entertainment blogger. To have different genres of art under my belt is what I knew would classify me as a multifaceted journalist. I wanted my hands in the entertainment industries. After about a week of negotiations with Marketing & PR to approve my credentials, though the conversations were promising, I was essentially denied the media pass. I knew I’d get to travel to New York with my notepad and join other writers on the opening night of Pretty Woman on Broadway! I looked at the denial email repeatedly as the feeling of doubt came over me. In a 24 hour state of melancholy, I reviewed every blog I’ve ever published. I edited posts I thought could’ve been the reason for my denial-I felt an incredible sense of failure.

I didn’t stop blogging. In fact, I welcomed the denials. I accepted the rejection of my media kit. For the next four years, I approached journalism in many different angles, listening to the feedback of my readers, and keeping the audience in mind. My love for the arts has to come from a less symbolic or scholarly position. Instead, I chose to express what and how this art made me feel-This approach was more relatable for the audience.

With consistency and a shitload of tears, I would see the benefits of my words truly turn into trust from the audience. This brought on more opportunities for me as a blogger.

Fast forward to 2023 and Instagram floods your TL with a sponsored announcement that Pretty Woman: The Musical was on tour and the Broadway show was coming to Dallas! The opportunity had presented itself again. I experienced many emotions as I looked at the post, but I quickly reached out to the theater to present my credentials. Another long week of negotiations had gone by, yet the opening night was quickly approaching. While on a Target run, I received an email from the theater that my credentials were approved and I would be joining other journalists during Press Night. Tears quietly and effortlessly fell as I was in the self-checkout line with my basket of miscellaneous items. This was the most exciting news I received all year. This was my reason to keep going and to never give up on my dream. At the end of the Pretty Woman movie, the narrator repeatedly asks, “What’s your dream?” Being included during Press Night for Pretty Woman on BROADWAY was a dream realized.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My passion for writing began when I was a child. Both my mom and grandmother were writers, so I pretty much developed this gift through them.  To be a writer, you have to have something to write about. For a long time, I didn’t have anything to write outside my full name, in cursive, on every line in my notebooks. I was told that, “The more you experience, the more you’ll write.” Writing is a personal journey. The more I learned who I was, the more I could express in the pages of my notebook.

My blog, Cocoa gaL was created out the things that interest me: Entertainment, travel, beauty, health, and fashion. These subjects would also share the interests of many others, creating a space for conversation is what I’m most proud of. I would want potential readers to understand the love I have for the things I writes about and to understand that my words come from a place of transparency, excitement, and passion. I feel as though blogs sometimes get a bad reputation when there’s a lot of hate or bashing in the conversation. Take a look at my blog, there isn’t a negative or hate-filled post, because that’s not who I am. I’d rather not muster any energy to publish a post filled with “shade” or hatred. My hope is to change the narrative and maintain beautiful words and experiences on my platform.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to create freely. There’s no template to creativity, the only rule is to be yourself. The only guideline you follow is the one within.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I’ve always wanted to be A&R for Capitol Records, but since my professional career has taken many, many different routes, my appreciation for emerging artists has never died. Nothing makes me happier than learning about up and coming artists. Understanding their story, their sound, and what they bring to the music scene has always been a goal. In many capacities, I feel as though I’ve reached it. The beauty of this journey is that there is no dead end. Art is constantly evolving.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cocoagal.com
• Instagram: AntaniaShanae
• Twitter: CocoaGalBlog
• Youtube: AntaniaShanae

Image Credits
Motus Red Photo Booths