We recently connected with Jada Lanai and have shared our conversation below.

Jada, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Each craft had a different challenge that I had to understand. With acting, it was to be a little more free and not be incredibly serious that I miss the story or that I don’t connect with my character. I have to just breathe make it believable for myself and then it works out for the audience to believe the story and the arc that I’m (my character is) living in. With writing I had to learn to make sure my story is lining up correctly that my readers aren’t confused with what is happening or miss the story or poem completely because I didn’t match it well. Lastly with modeling I just needed to be more confident within myself being in front of the camera and I had to learn to not be awkward with myself. It is still all a learning process to this day, being more open and free with everything.

Jada, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Writer, Actress and Model. I starting creative writing at 7 and then I started writing poetry in high school and then I published my first book in 2021 titled “The Year of Me”. A year later I published another poem book about mental health titled “Happier: coming soon”. I started acting at 9 years old studying acting at my school, my first role as an actor was “Seussical” the musical at the age of 11 at my middle school. During my middle school years I did many more productions like “Matilda”, “Annie” and “Beauty and Beast”. Then at the age of 16, I booked my first professional theater role as Peaseblossom the fairy in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream at Val Kilmer’s Hel Mel Studios for 6 shows. With modeling I’ve always loved posing for the camera but my first modeling fashion show was for Nike x Shoe Palace x Runway 4 peace “Back to school fashion show” and then I modeled for the makeup brand Petite n Pretty, I have always loved the art of storytelling, it’s extremely exciting stepping into a different character, or writing/ creating your own story, then of course modeling for the camera!

To answer that question I really don’t know what sets me apart from others, I could say that I’m unique, I’m hardworking, my look is different, but if you was to ask other people that question they would say they same thing. So I guess I could say exactly that, I have determination, perseverance and I feel that I am extraordinary.
I am most proud of all of it honestly, this industry is extremely challenging so I am most proud that I’ve gotten this far and that I kept pushing and pursuing everything that my heart desires and I am looking forward to what is next.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I believe the most rewarding aspect is being a part of the making of. Creating something so pure and important to you, watching it grow from something that was in your mind that is now a reality is incredibly rewarding, because I think we all in the industry be so shocked when it blows up in such a positive way.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the crazy art of perfectionism, yep.. I thought everything I did as an entertainer/artist had to be perfect and I’m very meticulous with my craft and I’ve learned that it’s good to strive for perseverance and excellence but just don’t let it take over you where it’s now hurting your mental health or make you dislike your craft that you no longer have a passion for it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jada.lanai/?hl=en
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/jadalanai__/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JadaLanai
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Jada-Lanai/e/B09PXBZCZP/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

Image Credits
Shaveta Reid