We were lucky to catch up with Paige Annette recently and have shared our conversation below.

Paige , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Yes I am! I think every artists has had moments of thinking what if I quit? What if this wasn’t my life? What if I just choose to leave the industry and get a 9-5. Ive been there at at times it still pops in my head. But in the end the answer is I’ll never leave. I wouldn’t be happy with a 9-5. Being an artists, an actress a dancer is not easy. The world is changing we have been on strike fighting for our worth! And as the world changes adult responsibilities never stop. This I believe has been the biggest challenge yet. And the whole world is witnessing us go through it. But at the end of the day would you be happy without your craft? I know for a fact I wouldn’t. It’s part of me, my breath my purpose and my reason for being alive!

Paige , 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?

Hello everyone! My name is Paige Annette. I’m an actress, dancer and model. Haitian girl raised in Wisconsin and living in Los Angeles. Life has been a journey. As it usually is or we wouldn’t learn anything. I came from a dancer background crossing over into acting. The two professions are not the same. Yes both require training but the process is quite different. As a professional dancer you can show up to an audition, kill it and people start to learn your name! As an actress without the proper representation you won’t be able to get in the room for the audition let alone even know about it.
It took me years to find the acting coach for me! And she is my forever, the best the GOAT! Diana Castle at the Imagined Life Studio! My life changed forever the day I walked into those doors! And it’s been a blessing every step of the way!
One thing I want to give advice on is representation. Please remember that you are worth it. You will go through changes, different reps, different coaches, etc. And the right team will believe in you and work for you. Speak up be honest and stay focused.
It took me years to find out who I am as an actress and the stories I want to tell, the training I needed and my reps of course. I know that social media is a big thing but don’t stay on it all day. Instead, Study your craft, your purpose your passion. Ask yourself how important is it to you?
What am I most proud of? That I didn’t give up. That instead after being disappointed or hurt or hearing no I kept going. I learned more and I learned more about who I am. I am learning different dialects and the falling in love with knowing the stories I want to tell.
Keep good people around you. Trust me you will know who is for you and who genuinely is not.
We have gone through a pandemic and currently surviving a strike. I live m’y life by faith. Don’t waste any time In being quiet about the things you are passionate about. Take the risk and trust the process.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion I am hoping that as we are going through this strike that is gave society the real life story of our lives. We are not all celebrities and majority of us are just getting by. But again we do it because we love it it’s our passion. I think the perception that actors make a lot of money needs to be changed. We should but it doesn’t always happen that way. And we spend a lot of money on training, materials, headshots etc. We are all fighting for our worth and we can’t back down right now. This sets the bar for forever. But I hope as society is witnessing the sacrifices we as artists are making that they understand us a little bit more and that we are just like everyone else. Just a different profession and trying to make a living in doing what we love to do.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

As a little girl and even a teenager I hated reading. I didn’t like it. I was never interested. Ironic how as an adult I LOVE to read and it’s part of my job of course. I read any chance I can and my book collection continues to grow! A few of my favorite books that have changed my life forever are Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, The ground on which I stand by August Wilson, Mama Search for meaning by Viktor Frankl and The Art Spirit by Robert Henri. Trust me the list goes on and on! But all of these books have had a huge impact on my life and the storyteller that I am today.
Find out what speaks to your soul, what brings you joy and peace and you will never be swayed by any No or distraction. My coach always tells us use everyone NO as one step closer to your ultimate Yes. Changed my perception of everything. She’s right!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.IMDb.me/paigeannette
• Instagram: @onlyonepaige
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paigeannette.dance?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Twitter: @paigeannette

Image Credits
PH Studios Jason Harper Photography