We were lucky to catch up with Nadia Butterfield recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nadia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?
I have been misunderstood from a very young age. My parents run their own business; a very successful law firm. I am so grateful for my parents because they gave me and my brother an amazing childhood. As the oldest, I was always taught to carry myself with poise and grace. In elementary school, people would call me “stuck up”, an “attention sponge” and snobby… without even getting to know me. It was only after a few encounters that their perspective of me changed completely. This became a pattern, from high school all the way up into adulthood.
When I was younger, I never understood why people judged me so harshly. Their opinions made me want to show them, “Hey! I’m not who you think I am! Just give me a shot!” Unfortunately, this turned me into a certified people pleaser. I began to put others needs before my own, just to prove myself. As I’ve grown older, I realized that no one’s opinion about me matters. AT ALL. Who cares what people think? I can’t control anyone else’s thoughts and actions but my own. Once I finally came to this conclusion, being myself became easier. I loved myself even more. I started putting myself out there more, like making my own YouTube channel and vlogging different life events. Or running for leadership roles at my alma mater.
For me, it is very important to listen, observe, and learn. This goes for anything in life, but in this instance, I am referring to PEOPLE. Never be quick to judge a person. What really matters is invisible to the eyes.
Nadia, 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?
I am Nadia LaDaven Butterfield, a 25 year old Clayton County (South Atlanta) native. Since a child, I have had a strong passion for the arts. I performed at every talent show, participated in every school play, and eventually joined my elementary school dance team. This is where my love for dance was born. I also loved the art of modeling and fashion, thanks to shows like “America’s Next Top Model”. My dream to become a model stemmed from those years as a tween.
Around age 13 or 14, I was contacted by the team at the John Casablancas Center in Dunwoody, GA. There, I began to take classes around the fundamentals of modeling and acting. I took it very seriously, and graduated from their program. By the time I was a freshmen in college, I was invited to attend the Dallas Model & Talent Expo. I competed in multiple competitions, like runway, cold read, and even monologue. By the end of the week, I won (amongst other things) Best Teen Monologue and Best Cold Read. I also had 13 callbacks from various agencies, fine arts schools, and talent managers. I was so proud of myself! I couldn’t believe I had done such a nerve wracking thing… and EXCELLED! Because I was only 18 and a freshmen with just one semester under my belt, my mom (as well as most of the agencies we spoke with) suggested that I finish out school and earn my degree. I was saddened, but there was still good news! I signed with management in my hometown. Sadly this was short-lived; they simply weren’t the right team for me.
Fast forward to May of 2019, and I graduated from my Alma Mater, THEE Tennessee State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I was on top of the world. That is until my life changed forever. In September of that same year, I was in tragic car accident. I fractured my neck, had a few broken bones and a concussion. While running tests at the hospital, the staff noticed something on my lung. They assumed it was dried blood from the collision. They wouldn’t be able to tell until I was healed from my initial injuries.
After a biopsy, it was confirmed that I had a carcinoid tumor on my lung the size of a quarter. It needed to be removed immediately. Because of the location of the tumor, there was 2-5% chance that my entire right lung would have to be removed.
I was in shock… but numb. I couldn’t believe this was my life. How could it be? I’m such an active, YOUNG person and I didn’t have any symptoms. I didn’t know what to expect. I simply prayed for the best, while expecting the worse. Every night leading up to the surgery, I would listen to health affirmations as I slept, to help reprogram my subconscious mind and prepare me for the beast I was about to face.
In July of 2020, I underwent a lobectomy. This means that I had 1/3 of my lung removed. Due to the pandemic, I was not allowed to have anyone with me before or after the procedure. I spent 3 days in ICU alone with a chest tube on my right side and continuous epidural to help with the unbearable pain. My surgeon told me that I will have pain and permanent numbness around the area of the surgery site. I deal with these aches and pains daily. About a month after the procedure, I went back for a follow up, where it was confirmed that I had Stage 2b Lung Cancer. Thankfully, I never had to endure chemotherapy. But it was recommended to come in for a CT Scan once a year for 5 years. Good news though — my next appointment is in July of this year, and because previous scans have been looking “beautiful” (per my surgeon) it may be my last!
In hindsight, I am thankful for the accident. It was a blessing in disguise. Had it never happened, I would’ve never known that I had a tumor inside of me, growing slowly. I am even more thankful because these life experiences made me realize that life is too short to put my dreams on the back burner. God gave me a wake up call. So since fully recovering, I went full throttle towards my goals. I started taking acting classes again and began collaborating with various photographers in Atlanta. In January of this year, I attended IMTA, a convention showcasing talent to over 200 agencies/managers. Similar to the expo I attended in 2015, I competed in multiple competitions and won various awards.
By the end of the strenuous and invigorating week, I received 19 callbacks.
I am proud to say that I am now a represented actress, with a manager and two commercial agents, representing me on both the East and West coasts.
Although I am still unsigned as a model, I won’t give up. It’s not a matter of if it will happen… but when. Until then, I will continue to master my craft and take every opportunity God continues to bless me with.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My main goal as a model is to represent for Black women that are not seen as the beauty standard. In recent years, the word inclusivity has been tossed around like a bean bag. In my opinion, I think we are a long ways from seeing true inclusivity, especially in the fashion industry. I want to prove to these agencies and designers that petite women (women who are 5’7 or shorter) can do more than commercial and print modeling. We deserve to be seen on the runway and in high fashion campaigns… and not just to meet a quota. I am also a woman with very visible scars, something you rarely see in magazines or commercials. I know the everyday woman faces insecurities like cellulite, stretch marks, and even scars. I want to represent for these women as well. I want to not only break into the industry, but BREAK the industry of its invisible, unspoken “rules”.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of a creative is relating to a large group of people through multiple mediums of expression. It warms my heart when someone shares with me how my story has touched and inspired them. That is why I am so passionate about what I do. I know that if I can pick myself up after everything that I have survived, I can speak life into those who need it so they can continue pushing forward, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/nadialadaven
Image Credits
IG: @complex.raw