We were lucky to catch up with Diamond Franklin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Diamond thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
In the fall of 2023, just shy of my 26th birthday, I found myself facing a major dilemma. For the greater part of that year I was employed at a major corporation and initially found the job to be a dream. Located in a skyscraper in the heart of Philadelphia, I reveled in the swanky surroundings, working at my fashionably decorated desk, and eating exquisite lunches prepared by world-renowned chefs among the clouds. Providing me with a decent and steady income, it was a far cry from my previous work, struggling as a Music and Vocal Instructor with extremely low pay and a lack of teacher appreciation being the norm. Though it had never been my aspiration to enter either of these fields, graduating college with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance just before the Covid-19 pandemic, and the subsequent shutdown of the Arts world, forced me to take on work outside of my industry.
When the pandemic ended I continued to teach despite its shortcomings because I was grateful for the opportunity and truly enjoyed sharing my passion for music with my students, but my desire to perform was even greater. As a vocalist and actress my goal had always been to perform full-time, yet the challenges of the entertainment industry were difficult to overcome. Still living at home with my family, I spent every penny of my teaching income to attend regional theater auditions and pay music producers to record my original music. Not only was I taken advantage of by some of these producers, I only landed a few roles which required weeks of rehearsals and performances with little to no compensation. I was 25 and exhausted with no steady income, car or apartment of my own and felt like a failure. Additionally, I was growing more disillusioned with my music education and teaching artist jobs, so I shifted gears and accepted the corporate position seeing it as the answer to my problems. For the first time since graduating college I felt truly independent and less of a failure. By my 26th birthday, however, I found my newest working environment to be incredibly toxic with no opportunity for advancement.
At an office party, I sang Opera for my co-workers who expressed how impressed they were with my singing and performing arts background. They questioned why I wasn’t performing full-time and I began to ask myself the same thing. It was a major dilemma. The corporate job wasn’t perfect, but it gave me financial stability and in time I could move into my own place and maybe even purchase a car. I could either continue in a field that took up all of my time and wasn’t my true passion, or risk it all, quit working and pursue the Entertainment Industry fully.
Ultimately, I decided to take the risk and perform full-time.
After experiencing a lack of inclusivity in theatre with few roles for women of color, I chose to focus on film and television. I auditioned for two independent films and was cast in both: a faith-based movie and a mystery-thriller, Group Therapy, in which I played Catherine Sullivan, a lead role! It’s been a full year since taking that risk and in that time I have performed onstage with Andrea Bocelli at Madison Square Garden and with The Philadelphia Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. I’ve also acted in four movies and two commercials, and even found myself chatting with Amy Schumer on set as an extra in a Netflix movie! At present, I’m in preparation for a few movie roles and just recently attended my first film premiere that earned me my first IMDb credit! In all, the risk taken was incredibly scary, but necessary because it led to much growth as an actress and singer. I am finally experiencing success within the Entertainment Industry and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am an actress and classically-trained vocalist with a background in Opera, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, and Musical Theatre. Performing since the age of four, I loved singing at various events, weddings, and in church, yet when asked what I wanted to do as a career, my answer was to study law and become a judge. That changed after I discovered the 1997 film, Selena, and learned more of the Tejano Queen’s story. Listening to Selena Quintanilla’s music and watching her stage performances with her mesmerizing fashions, I was inspired to become a professional singer and shared this with my family. They felt I needed more training, and at age eleven, completely immersed me in the Arts.
In addition to receiving dance, guitar and piano lessons, I began vocal training under jazz legend, Monette Sudler and took acting lessons with The Walnut Street Theatre’s Broadway Bound program. While studying at The Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, I participated in The Kimmel Center’s Showstoppers and Jazz Camp intensives, and became a member of the Philadelphia All-City Choir, singing backup in concert for Jon Bon Jovi. At Cairn University, I continued my studies and performed in various plays and musicals before earning a Bachelor of Music degree.
What has always set me apart from others in my industry has been my strong work ethic.
Though I’ve performed on stage practically my entire life, I’ve been considered to be somewhat of an underdog. Throughout my theater and music career I never had a lead role or was given the recognition I felt I deserved. Always prompt for rehearsals and respectful of instructors, directors, and mentors, I was passed over for major roles in favor of individuals who didn’t give the same. It has been an uphill battle just to be given certain opportunities, but with every rejection I have strived to continually improve myself and persevere through every difficulty. I am most proud of this persistence because it has led to my becoming a film and television actress, as well as a member of both The Philadelphia Chorale and The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Symphonic Choir. Additionally, I’ve shared the stage with Opera great, Andrea Bocelli, at many renowned concert halls and arenas which has been the pinnacle of my classical music career.
What I want potential fans and followers to know is that I’m relatable. It is my hope that they find inspiration from my story, and are motivated to never give up on their passions or let others discourage them from pursuing their goals.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In June of 2022, I decided to professionally record my first single, “Polarity”, a Pop/R&B song I wrote and co-composed with a fellow classmate in a songwriting course during my senior year of college. With the addition of my original lyrics, which tell the story of two different mindsets when opposites attract, I felt the song had potential beyond being a simple class assignment. All I needed was a professional ear to help me further develop the song and make any necessary tweaks. Having never worked with a music producer or recorded in a professional studio, I was entering unknown territory, but immediately went to work once I secured the sole rights to the instrumental track.
After extensive research, I came across a producer with an impressive resume, and after months of saving scheduled my first session with him. We discussed my vision for the piece, which I was assured would be honored, yet by our second session, “Polarity”, sounded like a completely different song. While respecting this producer as the “professional”, I still expressed that I wanted to bring my vision to life and fifteen minutes in, I was dismissed from his studio under the pretense that my work was, “beneath his standard”. Even worse, as I was leaving he added nastily, “Polarity will never be played on any type of radio”. This was a major blow to my confidence as a musician and songwriter, especially being my first attempt at sharing my original work with the world.
The next producer I worked with took advantage of me financially by insisting I needed multiple sessions and failing to work on the song during hours he was paid to. Like the first producer, he also altered the song feeling it wasn’t radio worthy, so I moved on to a third producer, who was often unprepared and delayed progress due to equipment and technical failures. In my experience working with multiple producers I learned that professionalism and work quality are rarely made a priority, even when an artist’s hard-earned money and time are at stake.
On January 9, 2023, “Polarity” was finally released on several streaming platforms. The song was a huge success and many listeners expressed disbelief at the song’s initial rejection. On January 13th, just 4 days after its release, “Polarity” was featured on the 106.5 FM, “What’s Hidden Radio Show”. According to the world, my song was radio worthy after all, and I even went on to work with an award-winning music producer on my first party song, “Boss Girl Energy”, which received airtime and was even more of a success! By allowing my confidence and dedication to outweigh others’ doubts, my efforts showed true resilience which led to incredible accomplishments.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
For many artists support begins in one’s inner circle and I feel such individuals can benefit from being less judgmental of creative work. From my own personal experience, I can attest my own friends and family have at times been sources of discouragement throughout my journey, referring to my endeavors as “pipe dreams” and viewing traditional 9 to 5’s as “real jobs”. Such negativity led me down paths I’d have otherwise avoided, if only I were encouraged to trust in my talents and abilities. Even criticism from industry professionals to creatives should be given constructively, promoting growth.
Additionally, society needs to advocate for more diversity within the Performing Arts and Entertainment Industry. As a woman of color, I recognize the need for greater representation. There have been some advancements, but many opportunities still do not exist for black and brown artists, and those who don’t fit the industry standard for overall physical appearance. In my field, I’ve encountered many instances in which my skills and abilities were overshadowed by my complexion or hair type. It is unfair for entertainers who work tirelessly to develop and advance their careers to constantly have their efforts disregarded because casting directors would rather assign roles only to those who fit a particular mold. The Entertainment Industry as a whole needs to be more reflective of the world we live in, which demands representation of all people, no matter the color, race, nationality, gender, orientation, or religion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.diamondfranklin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesingingdiamond/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diamond-princess-franklin-217245176/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesingingdiamond_
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesingingdiamond
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4xNSORD2IKiO0jSHXkWbgH?si=gb–V3vTTKqYIKdFGtu6_w
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/diamond-franklin/1645908446
Image Credits
Nicole Souza
Cleo Townsend
Rick Cothran