We were lucky to catch up with LaYauna Bonds recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi LaYauna , thanks for joining us today. 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?

Acting. Wow, what a journey! It’s funny, I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, but I didn’t even realize it at the time. Growing up, my parents were super loving but also pretty strict. We weren’t glued to screens like kids are now—no tablets or endless TV shows. There were three of us, and we shared one TV in one room. But here’s the kicker: we couldn’t even turn it on until 6 p.m. And before that, it was all about homework, reading, creative writing, and math—literally from the age of 4!

So, with whatever time we had as we were all involved in extracurriculars, we had to get creative. My siblings and I would finish up our work and then ask, “What now?” That’s when we’d come up with our own little skits. We had this massive camcorder, and we didn’t even bother with scripts. We’d just talk through an idea, press record, and boom— a production! Those were some of the most fun and imaginative times as a kid.

Looking back, it’s clear that acting has always been a part of me. It’s like breathing at this point. We had this freedom to be creative, and now that I’m older, stepping into the technical side of acting just feels like another layer of understanding myself. Every time I dive into a character, it’s like discovering a new piece of who I am and what I am capable of. So, now learning new techniques and trying to connect emotionally with the characters and the script gets me so excited.

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?

Alright, so a little (but kind of a lot) about me. I’m creative at heart with a ton of passions. I work in marketing for a nonprofit called INROADS, where we help students gain exposure and opportunities in career development and internships. It’s such fulfilling work because I get to help young people build their future, which feels like a full-circle moment for me.

On the personal side, I’m a voice actor, content creator, and actress—pretty much a digital creator all around. I love storytelling and sharing my experiences in ways that uplift and inspire my audience, whether through acting, creating hair and lifestyle content, or just sharing positive energy.

Honestly, what I’m most proud of is *me*. It feels like, in today’s world, figuring out who you are and what you love can be so challenging. It’s almost like society tells you that you have to pick *one* thing and stick to it. But I believe we’re all blessed with so many talents, and we shouldn’t feel boxed in by anyone’s expectations. I’m proud that I’ve embraced all of my interests and that I’m doing what makes me happy.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the people around me—my friends, my social media fam, everyone who pours positive energy into my life. That support keeps me grounded, and it’s such a blessing to be able to share my creativity and watch it inspire others. That’s really all I want: for people to see me and feel uplifted, to feel like they’ve just taken a breath of fresh air. If I can inspire someone to tap into their own creativity or try something new, then I feel like I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

This is a great question! As an actress, I’ve found that the landscape is always changing, so the resources I rely on now might not be the same ones I needed when I first started. But one resource that has remained a constant for me is Backstage. It’s been such a reliable platform, and I’ve had a lot of opportunities just from setting up my profile and fully filling out the details. Even though I have agents in both Texas and LA, I highly recommend Backstage for anyone starting out or looking for consistent work. I’ve booked several gigs, including voiceover work, through that platform.

Now, if you’re in the acting world, you’ll often hear about the “ABC’s” of casting: Actors Access, Backstage, and Casting Networks. Most of my agency work comes from submissions through Actors Access and Casting Networks, but I still use Backstage to hustle on my own. A key thing I wish I knew earlier is that *you don’t need an agent to start*. Of course, agents can be amazing—they’re like a coach who sees your talent and connects you to opportunities—but the grind is yours. Professional training should always come first because there’s always room to grow as an artist. And then, just start. Don’t wait for an agent to open doors for you; you can create your own opportunities.

As a content creator, one resource I wish I knew about earlier is ambassador programs. Depending on the kind of content you create, there are communities and brand partnerships that can be incredible to be a part of. For example, I’ve been involved in a few hair ambassador programs, and it’s so inspiring to connect with people who are doing what I love and being apart of that type of community. You get to learn from each other, build new skills, and grow as a creator.

Sometimes brands will reach out, but don’t be afraid to take the first step. Follow the brands you admire, engage with their content, and when you have something to show—whether it’s consistency in your posts or a portfolio of work—don’t hesitate to pitch yourself. Tag the brands, use hashtags and be authentic because brands love personality. The best part? You don’t have to try too hard to be “marketable”—just be you, and that’s more than enough.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

What’s driving my creative journey? Honestly, I think it all comes back to my roots—specifically, my grandmother, “Mama C.” She was such a powerful inspiration in my life. Even though she passed away in 2011, her legacy lives on because one of the things she always said was: “Do all you can while you can.” That’s stayed with me. Mama C wanted nothing more than for us to be successful and, most importantly, happy. Her words fuel my purpose and remind me that the goals I have are within reach.

I feel driven by the idea that I can be a light for others—someone who radiates positivity and inspiration. My creative work, whether it’s acting or content creation, is about showing people that it’s okay to embrace who they are. That’s a big reason why I focus so much on my natural hair on social media. My hair isn’t just an expression of my identity—it’s a celebration of it. I want others, especially creatives and young kids who look like me, to know they can do *anything* they set their mind to.

For me, it’s all about representation and letting people see themselves reflected in the spaces they dream of. Whether it’s through acting, voice work, or sharing my personal journey, I want to show that success, joy, and fulfillment are possible—just by being unapologetically yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yaunabana.com/portfolio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaunabana
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/yaunabana
• Other: Acting Portfolio/Website: www.backstage.com/tal/layauna-bonds