We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Teyonna Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Teyonna below.

Teyonna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I have the unique perspective to know for sure that I am happier as an artist.

I had a 9 to 5 job for a year and a half in the corporate world. I actually worked at One World Trade Center. I definitely got that job because I had the experience of wondering what would it be like if I just had a regular job. What would life look like if I knew for sure I had my Saturdays and my Sundays off just like everyone else? What would my life look like if when I woke up every morning, I knew exactly what I was going to be doing everyday for the foreseeable future?

These are all the thoughts that went through my mind when I was making the decision to get a regular job. Long story short -I got the job. I did the job well for a while and then I realized that
was not the life that I wanted for myself.

I definitely had to go through that experience to know that the artistic path is the path that I need to be on.

It’s been a year since I left that “regular job” and I’ve never been more sure that I’m on the right path than right now.

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?

I am an actor. Over the last year, I’ve also been a commercial model.

Like most kids, I started acting in high school theater. The first role that I ever played was the Lion in the Wizard of Oz except it wasn’t the Wizard of Oz. It was called Oz: The Great and Powerful.

After that, I majored a musical theater at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. There, I learned from amazing professors and learned so many things that made me a more well rounded artist.

After college, I headed to Sacramento, California, where I worked as an acting intern at the B Street Theatre. That whole experience thrusted me into the professional world of regional theater. I learned exactly what it took to keep a regional theater going and what it was like to have a dedicated group of patrons who really supported theatre. It was there that I got my equity card after performing in one of their main stage shows!

Towards the end of 2019 with equity card in hand, I moved to New York City to pursue my career in theater. The pandemic had other plans of course! During the pandemic, I spent most of my time training. I would take so many virtual dance classes at Steps on Broadway. I would research agents that I wanted to be signed with. I recorded endless self tapes. I did everything I could to really keep that artistic muscle working.

It was in 2022 when I started feeling that maybe I should have a regular job. Covid heavily impacted the Theatre world. Things just weren’t opening up as quickly as I hoped. Yet, I would open TikTok and see these people making six figures working from home not really doing anything. I figured “Hey, I want to work from home and not do anything and makes six figures.” So, I got the regular job and thought it would be great, but it really wasn’t. It was really bad.

After I left that job. I was really open to anything that satisfied my artistic side. I started applying to any acting roles I could find on stage or on screen. But I also started applying to modeling jobs as well – something that I’d never done.

The first job I booked after leaving my “regular” job was a modeling job with Apple. I took it as a sign that maybe I was on the right path. After that, I started booking modeling jobs left and right working with amazing brands! As if I needed more confirmation that I was on the right path – within my first 6 months of modeling, I was on a Times Square billboard modeling for Elemis Skincare. That was a pivotal moment in my career because it was undeniable. I had accomplished something that I genuinely was so proud of!

Since then, I’ve worked with incredible brands like: Bulleit Whiskey, Doritos, Tabasco, Starbucks, Hanes, White Claw, Pizza Hut, and Charlotte Tilbury to name a few.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I think pivoting into the modeling world has been the decision that has paid off the most!
I was only able to pursue modeling because I didn’t have a job and I was forced to be more open.

It was something that had always been in the back of my mind, but I never pursued it because it didn’t seem like it was possible.

I feel so much more confident now because I’ve been successful at this thing that I always thought impossible.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Lovely question! We all have different things that we can offer the world. We have different strengths and weaknesses, and I think that’s great. As a society, we need to not shame people for choosing careers that they deem frivolous or unimportant. Many artistic careers get lumped into that category.

If you want to support artists, I think first start by respecting them and the career they’ve chosen that impacts and helps the community as a whole.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://teyonna.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theteyonna/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teyonna-j-90754b97?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theteyonna?si=1-y3P9upJAVT4vFI