We were lucky to catch up with Nachelle Mac recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nachelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
My journey into modeling and acting has been shaped by my faith every step of the way. As a young girl, I participated in a church fashion show that I recall enjoying, but as a teenager, I became more cautious. I turned down opportunities that seemed to promise fame, like when talent scouts who approached me during a stage play and an offer to be on a CD cover, because I wasn’t comfortable with the attention or the image it might create.
In my twenties, after becoming filled with the Holy Spirit, I took a model training class. Shortly afterwards, I went to a casting call and was selected, but I was concerned it might compromise my relationship with God, so I turned it down. My faith has always been my priority, and over time, I realized that everything I do should honor God. That meant turning down offers that didn’t align with my values. While others may assume my success has come easily, it’s been built on hard work, sacrifices, and God’s grace. I have a deep respect for the responsibility that comes with using my gifts.
When I met Coach Stikks and joined Christian Modeling Association (CMA), I finally found a community of like-minded women who support each other’s journeys without compromising faith or integrity.
Nachelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Who I Am & My Journey into Modeling, Acting, and Entrepreneurship:
I’m a freelance model, motivational speaker, aspiring actress, and entrepreneur, but above all, I am a believer and follower of Christ. I am full of joy, love my peace, don’t mind sharing a good laugh and traveling is my passion!
My faith has always been the foundation of everything I do. I believe that God has gifted me with creativity and a love for unique storytelling, which led me to go into modeling and acting in the first place.
If not me then who, if not now then when? I didn’t set out to enter the industry to chase fame or validation. Instead, I felt called to use my gifts to glorify God and to inspire others through the art of storytelling—whether through fashion, acting, or entrepreneurship. The list is growing as we speak!
My journey into modeling and acting has been deeply shaped by my faith. In my twenties, after becoming filled with the Holy Spirit, I pursued model training. I turned down casting calls that were sketchy. I was consistent with prioritizing my relationship with God over questionable career opportunities.
Over time, I realized that my work must honor God, which led me to turn down several offers that didn’t align with my values. Despite what others may assume, my success has been the result of hard work and sacrifices, guided by God’s grace. I found a supportive community with Coach Stikks and Christian Model Association (CMA), where I can model without compromising my beliefs. Since joining, I’ve booked four runway shows, six photo shoots, a lead role in a play, five magazine feature requests, four magazine features, and several castings and I’m just getting started.
As an entrepreneur, my goal is to create businesses that reflect my faith and help others build self-confidence and live with purpose. I strive to create products and services that promote integrity, kindness, and excellence. In modeling, I offer services from editorial, fashion to commercial shoots, runway modeling always bringing authenticity and purpose to every project. As an actress, I choose roles that align with my values and inspire positive change. I’m looking forward to voiceover opportunities also. What sets me apart is my foundation in faith—I view my career not as a path to personal success but as a platform to serve others and be a light in the industry. I approach everything I do with humility, integrity, and a commitment to living authentically.
I’m most proud of being able to live out my faith while pursuing my passions. Building a community of like-minded individuals through social media, business ventures, and my creative work has been incredibly rewarding.
What I Want Potential Clients & Supporters to Know:
I want potential clients and collaborators to know that when they work with me, they’re not just getting someone who is professional and skilled at what I do; they’re getting someone who is committed to doing everything with integrity and with a heart to serve. My Belief shapes every aspect of my life, including my work. I’m passionate about creating positive, meaningful content, products, and collaborations that align with my values and that leave a lasting, positive impact on the world.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about me, it’s this: God has given me the tools to create, to inspire, and to serve others. Every opportunity I receive is an opportunity to share that light and to help others see their own worth and potential. My mission is always to glorify God, uplift others, and live out my faith in a way that speaks to my purpose, speaks for me when I’m long gone from this earth and speaks for my soul!
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
One thing some non-creatives might struggle to understand about the creative journey is the tension between vulnerability and confidence. As a creative, especially in fields like modeling and acting, you are constantly putting a piece of yourself out there. Whether it’s your image, your ideas, or your energy, you’re allowing others to see parts of you that are deeply personal. That can feel both empowering and a lot at the same time.
Some may see it as difficult—wondering how much of themselves they should share while staying true to their values and boundaries. There’s a misconception that being a creative means you’re always “in the flow” or “inspired”—but the truth is, creativity may be unpredictable at times, and can sometimes feel like you’re swimming against a current. There are moments when inspiration seems distant and if you’re not careful self-doubt creeps in, and it can feel like you’re not enough or not “doing it right.” Always nip these destructive thoughts in the bud as soon as possible. Always speak life to yourself, your craft and your future!
But here’s where the open-minded part comes in: creativity isn’t just about having grand, awe-inspiring moments. It’s also about the small, everyday acts of courage—like choosing to show up, try again, or express yourself authentically even when you’re unsure. For those who may be less creative initially, it might be hard to grasp, but every creative project, whether it’s a photoshoot, a performance, or an entrepreneurial venture, is a series of baby steps, small risks, and decisions that require you to be okay with imperfection.
Creativity isn’t always about having everything figured out—sometimes, it’s about embracing the unknown and being willing to learn if you stumble along the way. That’s something I’ve had to learn over time, especially as a Believer and creative, where my faith and creativity intersect. It’s not always easy, but it’s in those moments of vulnerability and risk that I feel the most alive and connected to my purpose.
While some non-creatives might not always understand the emotional rollercoaster that comes with pursuing a creative path, I think we all share the same basic human experience: the need to follow an inner unction and or fulfill our intended purpose. The journey may look different, but we all strive to express ourselves in some way—whether it’s through art, business, relationships, or service.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that success always looks a certain way—especially the idea that it’s a straight line, a clear path that leads directly from point A to point B. Growing up, I was taught to see success as something tangible and measurable: a job, a title, a specific achievement. But the backstory is a bit more complex.
I remember in my early twenties, I found myself chasing the traditional markers of success. I believed that if I just found the right position—something that looked impressive—everything would fall into place. But the more I chased that elusive “perfect career,” the more disconnected I felt from what truly mattered to me. I was so focused on the idea of success that I overlooked the importance of aligning my work with my passions, values, and purpose. It took time, but I realized that the perfect career isn’t about living according to society’s idea of success where they continually raise the bar before it’s ever reached and whether you receive accolades; it’s about finding meaningful work that connects with who you are and what you’re called to do.
I was so focused on what I thought success looked like that I missed out on the richness of the journey. I pushed myself harder and harder, only to feel exhausted, uninspired, and disconnected from the things that originally sparked my interest. I became so caught up in the “goal” that I started losing touch with the process.
The turning point came when I started to see success not as a destination, but as a series of small victories—like discovering new parts of myself, learning how to say no when I wasn’t aligned with something, or finally understanding the balance between ambition and peace. You grow when you can say no! Haha! It meant realizing that failure wasn’t something to avoid, but rather not taking a chance when I should as being a part of the process of growth.
I also had to unlearn much of the worldly and religious ways of thinking to adopt a Kingdom mindset which caused me to be different, rare and peculiar as the Word calls it. I’m confident in my unique abilities, I love and embrace who I am and who I’m becoming! As someone who loves creativity, I could feel the external pressures to fit into a certain mold in the entertainment industry. The truth is, I’ve never wanted to be like everyone else and risk losing my own unique voice. It helps to be more authentic in my work, which leads to more genuine opportunities.
So the lesson I had to unlearn was this: success is not a one-size-fits-all blueprint. It’s a unique journey that changes over time, shaped by who you become, not just by what you accomplish.
Now, I measure success by my growth, the impact I have on others, and how aligned I feel with my faith and my purpose. It’s less about the destination and more about the person I’m becoming along the way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nachelle.mac_model
- Facebook: Nachelle Mac
- Twitter: Nachelle Mac
- Youtube: Nachelle Mac
- Other: Tiktok: Nachelle Mac
Image Credits
Liyah La’Shawn
Darryl Roberts
Dezirae OzMarie