We recently connected with Danielle Gulley and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Danielle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Since I was a little girl I always gravitated towards the creative arts. I didn’t know how to break into the market but I knew I had a passion for it. After performing in a national touring stage play I knew what I wanted to do. Yet, I had no idea it would lead me where I am today, I have tried to walk away numerous times because a life of entertainment can be unpredictable however, when something is your calling it does just that, it calls you back.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was enthralled with the stage at a young age. Born into a family of musical gospel legends, music was in my blood. I began my journey by singing, writing, acting, and producing. I wasn’t a stranger to the stage, making my debut at the young age of three. Over a 30 year I have graced the stage with pageants, national theatrical performances, lead vocalist in concerts, background singing for Grammy Award winning Fred Hammond, and the list goes on.

I competed in the Miss America system for over 5 years winning nearly every talent competition and community service award. Pageantry was a great asset to me by preparing me for interviews, performing on a competition level, and being prepared at all times. After I completed my pageantry years I focused on singing, acting, and establishing my company, Perpetual Innovations Entertainment, LLC.

In 2006, I was offered a position as the female understudy for the National touring stage play Issues We All Got’em by Laterras R. Whitfield. In 2007, I wrote, directed, and produced my own stage play called Itching Ears AKA When All Hell Breaks Loose. My production traveled to over 4 states and reached over 10,000 people in a 2 year span. In 2008, I performed on Grammy Award winner Fred Hammond’s Warehouse Worship DVD. In 2010, I landed the leading lady role of Tammy in the hit gospel stage play called Heaven I Need a Hug by Kendrick D. Young. In 2011, I performed on Fred Hammond’s album God Love & Romance which went Platinum. In the third quarter of 2013 I received my first off Broadway credit, playing the lead role of Grace in the Off Broadway play Cain & Able directed by the king of dramedy, J.D. Lawrence. In the final quarter of 2013, I successfully completed a 20-city tour as the opening act for “Everybody Get Up” tour featuring Fred Hammond and United Tenors (Fred Hammond, Dave Hollister, Brian Courtney Wilson, and Eric Roberson). I completed my freshman album entitled “Soundtrack of Life: Act I” under her artist name DaniRob. In 2015 I wrote the Why Good Girls Become Bad Boys stage production, which has been featured in Texarkana, Texas, San Antonio, TX, and Washington, DC. In 2017 I wrote, “The King”, which took the audience on a journey infusing some of your favorite Christmas characters such as: Grinch, Scrooge, and Santa Clause. The King is one of the most innovative theatrical productions you will ever witness. The King has been featured in Washington D.C. and San Antonio, TX.

All of these endeavors have not been easy but exactly what I needed to continue building and stretching me as a creative. I love the people that I have encountered along my path and I look forward for what’s to come.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

All of my work is faith-based. I know this may not be a popular topic but for me it’s my mission to spread the gospel for the Kingdom in a creative way. As a believer we are to connect people to Christ and my small part in this equation is through the gifts and talents that God has given me. I want to continue to create an alternative for people that is wholesome, true, unfiltered, yet relevant to their lives.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Being a creative is almost always a faith move and the drive, is passion. Many people that are analytical have a hard time understanding someone that is motivated by their passion, even when they don’t see a way. Creatives are creative in the good and bad times and most of the times our creativity is heightened under pressure; This can be good and bad, that’s why it’s so important to keep people around that don’t understand because they will ask the hard logical questions when we are being driven by passion.

It’s so important to keep different points of view around to make us well-rounded individuals. Many creatives don’t care for administrative work but it’s essential for success. We all have our part to play, and we need the analytical person just like they need creatives. Our differences make us better.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.daniellegulley.com
• Instagram: lovedanirob
• Facebook: danielle Gulley
• Youtube: daniellegulleyrealtor