Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MaQuade’ “Angel” Allen . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

MaQuade’ “Angel”, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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.

2018 11th grade education! No money; just got released from jail to probation; my last mistake was my wake up call! I knew I had to make a change or the streets would take my life! I went back to my mom’s house in Oak Cliff Texas thinking I could start over there, but she wasn’t having that so I had to make it on my own. Took me a few days, giving plasma, labor ready, doing anything I could to make some money. I finally got enough to get my own apartment, but I knew that wasn’t enough. I wanted to go back to school but didn’t know how. I looked up a school that would help me get my ged and enrolled into NorthLake College GED program. Took me four long months but I passed the state test. I was excited; still broke but I figure it’s a step closer to my goal of getting out of Texas! It’s mid 2019 now and no jobs are looking for me, I thought my ged would allow me to get more jobs, maybe even better pay but that wasn’t the case either. Deep down I knew I wasn’t trying hard enough, I really didn’t want to work a boring job anymore, I was too creative to sit behind a desk all day restricted. Something in me clicked “do what needs to be done “! I started doing what I could to get money,  save up enough because I wanted to move to Atlanta. I heard from a few friends it was the new Hollywood! I thought that’s it!  that’s were I need to be. I didn’t know how, but I wanted it more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life! By Jan 2020, it was time, finally packing to get ready for the move to ATL! It was just my partner and I, or so I thought… my mom decided to want to move too, and then one day, before driving out there, my sister wants to come too. It was not a big deal to me,  we can all get a fresh start! Feb 14, 2020 we hit the road. We arrive in ATL a day later, one month before the pandemic hit… but that wasn’t going to stop me, I made two dreams come true so far, so I feel I can make the next one of becoming the world’s greatest actor, but only time will tell with the next one!

MaQuade’ “Angel”, 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?

Believing in yourself, even when no one else does is my motto! I knew noone was coming to save me; I had to save myself. I was born in the back of a pick up truck south of the Alamo! No father, no purpose, no direction.  I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I think that comes with the territory because without mistakes who would I be? I am a thespian; I love to tell stories, I love bringing insight to others. I overstand the importance of history and imagery. I overstand that stories need to be told! What sets me apart from others, I would say, is my strong wielded belief in myself and knowing that things eventually work out in my favor. I knew at a young age, I always wanted to be an actor and at that time, it seemed easy, but with so many scams and loopholes it became hard to find authentic ways into the industry without selling your soul. I learned to take my time and hone my emotions. After I had gotten my GED and moved to Atlanta, I knew acting was the only thing I wanted to do,  I just needed to figure out how. I started with TikTok, just making videos. I was getting comfortable in front of the camera and being myself. I was good at taking pictures and that helped my confidence a lot. I was scrolling through Instagram during the pandemic and Industry Thursdays; shut out to them! I had always gotten my work through them. I posted a post for a background extra for an upcoming movie, and to be honest, I didn’t think I was even going to get a second look because I didn’t know how the industry was taking non-binary Black people at the time, but I sent my photos and email in anyway. A few days later, the Director of Blacktors reached out to me and wanted me to be an extra in their movie, and at the same time I also applied to another movie with FOH production. They really gave me my first speaking role while I was living in a roach motel in Conyers Georgia! I was elated and scared at the same time. I didn’t know what I got myself into. I didn’t even know if I wanted to fully commit anymore. I had 1001 things go wrong in my personal life, but I didn’t let it stop me. When the day came for us to film, I sat in the car thinking; why did I do this? I’m a fraud; I’m an imposter playing dress up, about to be laughed at by all these people; it must’ve been a higher power watching over me or something that just told me to get out and try. And I did! I was nervous as hell walking into the studio. Everyone stares at you when you walk in. It was very intimidating, but on each and every set I have been in in Atlanta, I have felt nothing but love, openness and freedom, and they’ve always told me to do my thing; and that gave me the confidence to show the eff out. That was 3 years, 7 background roles, 2 music videos, 5 featured films, hosting a fashion show, modeling for high fashion events, giving an award to the powerful breast cancer survivors through “Sister Song” and now working on my own TV series later; and not to toot my own horn, but I’m going to toot it a little. I am also a very talented, visual effects makeup and special effects artist. I had the opportunity to work on an amazing set with an amazing Director, Dr. Omar Reid who allowed me to not only act in the film but also allowed me to be the head makeup artist; and if I do say so myself, I did a pretty darn good job at creating a wolf creature from scratch, doing make-up on the entire casting crew and also body painted myself into a demonic entity! The last 3 years have been a roller coaster, but what’s life without a little flow? I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. I’ve always wanted to be in a position to give back to my community while making others happy in the process. My life’s work will be dedicated to every LGBTQIA plus member and little black and brown boys across the world. I want them to know that whatever their heart desires, hold on to it, the dream can be a reality. I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has ever supported me, defended me or have had my back in any situation. I never forget a good deed and I always repay it back in kindness! I want fans and followers to stay tuned and check out my most recent movies. My Ex Is My Ex, How To Make A Werewolf, Ilijah, and my short film, WarrentonVille Horror! I have a TV series in development and I will be launching my very own podcast and make-up brand very soon. if you see me in the streets, don’t be afraid to chat up a conversation with me. I love networking and talking to people. I believe that networking is the most important thing in this industry; it’s all about who you know, who you meet and how you are perceived.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A time when I had to pivot, hmm, so this industry is full of alot of snakes and grimy people; and this actually happened to me quite recently. It’s 2023 and I’ve been grinding, working on films and doing what I have to do to get my name and myself out there. I received an email from a Casting company about an upcoming TV series. They would like me to audition, and knowing me, I was very excited. I responded immediately and got my audition the next day! I didn’t realize the audition was going to take place in Augusta, Georgia and I lived in Stone Mountain, but a little 2 hour drive wasn’t going to stop me from doing what I needed to do. So packed up my car and made my way to the audition and I landed it! They casted me as a character name Polo and I was ecstatic. So back to the basics, I continued working until it was time to go on set to film. Well, at this point, it’s been two months and I haven’t heard anything back from them, so I decided to send an email and let them know my schedule of the upcoming movie film that I was working on. I would need to work around their schedule. The casting director responded immediately and she wanted me to come in and film the same weekend;  I thought impossible, but this is what I signed up for so I did what I needed to do. I was told that I was going to be getting a lot of endorsements and benefits and would potentially need to move to Augusta. The details were very fuzzy, but I was waiting on them after three days and I was tired of paying for the hotel in Augusta and driving 40 minutes to set, so I thought, If I’m going to be on a TV series, this is going to be for longevity so I might as well find a place near the set. So I talked to a couple of people while on set networking and I found a home in Warrenton Georgia. That following Monday, I moved into the house and on Tuesday, the TV set wraps and it’s no more filming. I go to jail in Crawfordville, Ga for 4 days for speeding, then we go into the actor strike and I’m thinking they’re still going to pitch the show and I had high hopes that it was still going to work out. I have not heard from them since that day. I moved to Warrenton specifically for the filming of the TV series. I put all my money into moving here and now they just disappeared. No email, no text, no word, no nothing; this would be truly devastating, but again some divine entity must be watching out for me because I have met some amazing black men who are college graduates, business owners, directors, filmmakers, writers, famous actors and a phenomenal acting coach! And now my career is even better thanks to what I thought was going to be my downfall. I turned it around.. no, I adapted and not only survived, but thrived and now I’m in a better position than I was before, all because of networking!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, the goal is to live as authentic as possible and to show the world and people like me that yes we go through some of the toughest fights and yes we get knocked down, but you get up, dust yourself off and try again. Like the old saying goes, “find something you love and you feel like you never have to work again a day in your life”, I found it win or lose.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Datdamn_angel
• Facebook: Datdamnangel
• Linkedin: MaQuade Allen
• Youtube: Datdamn Angel
• Other: TikTok DatdamnAngel

Image Credits
Shoshawnna Photography Choice Skinner photography FOH production -Blaine Living Bubble media production- Dr Omar Reid Twilight ebb production- Major James Williams III Kali Kreations Photography- Kali Sanders