We recently connected with Maiya Palmer and have shared our conversation below.

Maiya, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I always thought that I wanted to be an actress or something close to it when I was a little girl. I recall watching movies, mimicking lines and reciting them as if I’ve waited for that exact moment my entire life. Or my entire everyday 7 year old life. I was a dreamer and my dreams went far. Fast forward, I began working in TV production, the news sector to be specific. I would always become infatuated with the talent on the show and their stories on how they became artists, that I wondered if that world had room for me. Well, one day, a film writer came as a guest on the show by the name of David E. Talbert. I felt it in my spirit to ask him what it took to become an actress and I’m glad I did too. He invited me to an actors workshop and the rest is history! I’ve since studied Meisner at William Esper studio in Manhattan and Playhouse West in Los Ángeles. Knowing what I know now, I would’ve encouraged myself to “go for it” a LOT more. I would instill more confidence and less fear. Fear is man made. My authenticity towards the craft as well as myself was most essential. If I didn’t bring my wholeness to the table, I half assed the process. That goes for art AND life. What stood in my way of learning more? I’ve got to give it back to fear. It had me in a chokehold to the point of turning down opportunities that could have catapulted my career. Well, never again.

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?

Maiya Palmer is an all around creative who puts her all into everything she does. Maiya has developed skills as an actress by studying the Meisner technique at William Esper studio in Manhattan, NY and Playhouse West in Los Ángeles, CA. She’s since appeared on networks such as AMC and TV One. Outside of acting, she’s a producer and editor as she creates content via YouTube (MaiohMaiya). What sets Maiya apart from the rest is her authenticity and ability to be “raw.” Her approach is very loving, yet demanding of respect. She is most proud of her self growth throughout the entire process of becoming a creative. As all artists know, it’s no easy road to follow. She’s remained consistent and steadfast into what God has for her and is excited for what’s to come.

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

Just before the pandemic I attended William Esper studio. I stayed with family (2 hours away from the conservatory) and traveled weekly to attend school. I took a commuter train to Philadelphia from South Jersey and a bus from Philadelphia to New York purposely because it was save me money that I didn’t have. The megabus was $5 each way at the time that I rode it. I worked at a basketball gym making $11/hour and only working about 4/5 hours per day. I couldn’t afford to eat most days. I happened to take out a personal loan to pay for school and I focused on paying my tithes and my loan off biweekly. Life was hard and I felt every morsel of it. But God! My bestfriend invited me to fast with him and his church. At the time, I couldn’t afford to eat, it didn’t bother me. I fasted for 21 days, became closer to God, got better at self growth and became a better actress. When the pandemic happened, everything shut down and I was left with my debts. I prayed and prayed and later received back pay from the payments received due to COVID 19 and paid off all loans! God is good!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think one of the most rewarding things about being a creative is the impact that you create based on you just being you. Along your journey, you’ve decided to accept that you’re just different from everybody else and that’s okay. You step into your power, reveal your light. Next thing you know, you’re carrying multiple people on your shoulders. It’s like a super power and we all have the key to this influence. The question is, how will you use it?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maiyapalmer.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/MaiohMaiya
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/MaiohMaiya

Image Credits
Maiya Palmer, Jamaal Murray