We recently connected with Essence Wallace – Odomes and have shared our conversation below.

Essence , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I’ve been very intentional over the last decade about making sure my work is meaningful. To date, the projects that carry the deepest significance for me are The Superstar Blueprint, Love Never Fails, and The Chosen Studios.

The Superstar Blueprint is meaningful because it marks the first time I fully embraced using my gifts and talents for the Kingdom of God. For years, I felt pressured to shape my work around culture’s expectations, but the podcast and community represent a personal awakening—realizing that the creativity God placed in me was never meant for validation; it was meant for kingdom impact. Through this platform, we’re redefining what it truly means to be a “superstar” according to Daniel 12:3, helping creatives step into their calling, and using media as a tool to lead others toward Christ. It’s the most aligned I’ve ever felt with God’s will for my life.

Love Never Fails is meaningful in a different, deeply personal way. It represents my own journey of pursuing stardom and coming into the revelation that love—expressed through obedience to God—is the true blueprint for manifesting the dreams He placed inside me. This project taught me some of my hardest but most transformative lessons and revealed the difference between chasing opportunities in my own strength and stepping into purpose through submission, faith, and alignment. Love Never Fails isn’t just a title; it’s my testimony—and the best is yet to come.

Finally, The Chosen Studios carries the weight of legacy. My husband and I built it to give creatives—especially those from our hometown (shoutout to Jucity!)—the opportunities and access we never had. It’s a place where storytellers can create, grow, and shine on their own terms. For us, it’s more than a studio—it’s ministry, mentorship, and community woven together.

Together, The Superstar Blueprint, Love Never Fails, and The Chosen Studios reflect the fullness of my purpose: walking boldly in my calling, telling the truth of my journey, and helping others discover, develop, and activate theirs.

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’m Essence Wallace-Odomes, also known as Essence the Superstar—a powerhouse actress, producer, and kingdom influencer dedicated to using my gifts to influence culture through faith and creativity. I stepped into the entertainment and media world out of a passion for acting, but over time, God revealed that my creativity wasn’t just talent—it was assignment. That revelation changed everything about how I move, create, and lead. Today, I am redefining what it truly means to be a “superstar.” For me, being a superstar is not about Hollywood fame; it’s about faithfully living your calling, impacting culture for the Kingdom of God, and helping others shine brightly through love and faith.

My journey began in Jackson, Mississippi, where my passion for acting was ignited. That passion carried me from theatre and drama studies at Spelman College to UCLA, where I earned my degree in Acting for Film & Television. A near-fatal accident dramatically redirected my path and ultimately pushed me into my purpose—birthing my mission to use entertainment and media as a tool for kingdom influence.

In 2014, I launched what is now The Chosen Studios, Jackson’s first film studio, which I co-own with my husband. We create faith-driven media, partner with major studios, and provide underserved creatives—especially those from my hometown—with the rentals, opportunities, training, and access I never had. From film and television production to workshops and workforce development, our studio is both a creative hub and a ministry.

I’m also the co-host of The Superstar Blueprint, a podcast that navigates faith through the mountains of entertainment and media—igniting inspiration, provoking change, and cancelling compromise. We lead creative women on a clarion call to uncover the blueprint of becoming an entertainment and media “superstar,” while discussing topics that enlighten, inform, and shift minds toward fulfilling their God-ordained purpose, unapologetically. We redefine “superstar” according to Daniel 12:3 and use storytelling, biblical principles, and personal experience to equip creatives to walk boldly in their calling.

What sets me apart is my unwavering dedication to faith and intentionality. I don’t just entertain—I teach kingdom principles, lead with love, and help creatives see that their gifts are for God’s glory and for their generation’s impact. I’m most proud of creating platforms, opportunities, and pathways that allow others to tell their stories on their own terms.

If there’s one thing I want readers, clients, and supporters to know, it’s this:

My work is not about celebrity—it’s about being obedient to my kingdom assignment. Everything I create is rooted in purpose, aligned with obedience, and designed to empower others to shine as the stars God called them to be.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience, for me, has always been rooted in my relationship with God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. My journey has never been smooth, and I’ve faced moments that tested everything I thought I knew about faith and perseverance.

One of the most defining lessons came from a project very close to my heart: Love Never Fails. I poured everything into it, only to see it collapse financially, leaving my husband and me over $250,000 in debt. At first, I blamed others, but I eventually had to face the truth—I had ignored the Spirit’s guidance and agreed to terms that didn’t truly serve the vision God had given me.

Through that experience, I learned something invaluable: true love is obedience. Leaning into God’s wisdom instead of my own ideas taught me that every setback carries a seed of growth. Love Never Fails isn’t just a project—it’s my story. God showed me that resilience isn’t about avoiding mistakes—it’s about staying faithful, learning, and letting love guide your decisions. His love never fails, and when we obey Him despite how we feel, we find the strength to rise stronger every time. Now that I’ve embraced this lesson, I’m starting fresh—giving Love Never Fails everything I’ve got. Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come!

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

For creatives, one of the most important lessons is shifting from a mindset of lack to one of abundance. We don’t have to compete or perform to be seen—there’s room for everyone when we seek God’s kingdom first, as Matthew 6:33 reminds us. Society often mirrors what we put out, so supporting ourselves and valuing our gifts is key.

For society, creatives need the space to figure out their own paths, and our role in society shouldn’t be downplayed just because our careers don’t look like the typical 9-to-5. Genesis 1 shows us that God is creative—and He created us in His image—so supporting artists and creatives before they “arrive” is essential. As 1 Corinthians 12 and 13 teach, every part of the body has a role, and love guides how we honor one another’s work. When we embrace this perspective, we stop trying to fit into or control someone else’s path and instead contribute our God-given gifts to the world with confidence and unity

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.essencethesuperstar.com
• Instagram: @essencethesuperstar
• Facebook: @essencethesuperstar
• Youtube: @essencethesuperstar
• Other: TikTok: @essencethesuperstar

Image Credits

LeftHandFilm Co.
RariFilmz
Justin Hardiman
Felix Estevez