Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Woodlene Alexis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Woodlene , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I chose to leave behind the noise, restrictions, and survival mode of living in New York City during the pandemic. At the time, I was searching for inner peace amidst external chaos. Like many, I experienced life changes during the global shift of COVID-19. I sought out an environment that naturally fostered tranquility. As an actor, model, and voiceover artist, recording quality work requires a supportive setting. Moving to the suburbs of Miami allowed me to create the peaceful space I needed while focusing on personal growth.

I began attending meditation workshops under the warm sun and salt water air. In one exercise, we visualized our higher selves—the person we aspire to be. My imagination led me to an unfamiliar mountain where I envisioned a calm, balanced, and peaceful version of myself. She had a shaved head and wore a monk-like outfit, a surprising image since I’ve never been a Buddhist. The exercise was transformative, showing me the state of consciousness I wanted to embody. This realization inspired me to pause my career, focus inward, and heal wounds.

Throughout this process, I reflected on my experiences, choices, and challenges. Inner work required consistency, and I was proud of my progress. Shaving my head became a symbolic fresh start—a blank canvas, free from wigs and extensions. I embraced my authentic self, imperfections and all. With this fresh perspective, I was ready to thrive again in New York City. Just as I gained momentum, unexpected challenges arose threatening to deter me from my path.
Such is life.

Several months later an opportunity appeared at the right time. I collaborated with my dear friend Kareem Quow on a project titled, “The Eternal Test” in Femme Rebel Magazine. Inspired by a Buddhist tale, the photoshoot explored the story of Mara, a demon who tried to lure The Buddha away from enlightenment. Mara symbolizes the inner struggles we all face—temptation, fear, self-doubt, guilt, shame, representing negative forces that disrupt growth. The concept resonated deeply with my own journey, as I too was navigating troubled waters.

The project arrived at a pivotal moment when I was tempted to revert to old patterns and negative self-talk. It became an opportunity to reaffirm my path, focusing on growth and resilience. Life’s ups and downs are inevitable, but awareness of our state of consciousness allows us to make better choices. I’ve learned to respond with intention, rejecting negativity and visualizing my goals. The photoshoot mirrored the mountain visualization from the previous year, reminding me that what we seek is also seeking us. It affirmed that the serene, unfazed version of myself has always been there waiting to emerge.

Amid the struggles of life—falling, failing, and learning—there is beauty in the journey of awakening and stepping into the I Am.

Woodlene , 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?

My name is Woodlene Alexis. I am Haitian-American, born and raised in Stamford, CT. My name, Woodlene, has a unique origin. My family lived on Hollywood Court, and my father wanted to name me Udline. Indifferent to the choice, my mother combined “wood” from Hollywood with “line” (pronounced ligne in French) from Udline, resulting in Woodlene with an Americanized spelling. Looking back, perhaps I was destined for the entertainment industry, though I didn’t explore this path until adulthood, after pursuing degrees and careers outside of the arts.

I never envisioned myself as a performer, but I’ve always had an active imagination—my closest companion. Acting and writing became outlets for my creativity, offering excitement, challenges, and joy. During life’s darkest moments, the healing power of the arts called to me, helping me grow and understand myself and others. This journey has deepened my appreciation for psychology and human behavior.

Through the years, acting has revealed my strengths, areas for growth, and business skills, mirroring life’s ups and downs. I find joy in collaborating with others, crafting reality through scenes that reflect life’s choices and reactions. Always evolving, I cherish lessons like those from New York City renowned acting coach Anthony Abeson, who taught that becoming personal makes us universal. I gravitate toward projects that inspire, connecting with their transformative power.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Life often calls for us to pivot when plans don’t work out as expected. I remember ringing in 2020 with hopes for a new decade and “20/20 vision,” only to face the unimaginable. The challenges that followed enabled us to gain clarity about what truly matters.

Artists and entrepreneurs are no strangers to reassessing and adapting. The pandemic marked a significant shift, reminding us that change is the only constant. For me, it meant relocating to seek a better quality of life. When I returned to NYC ready to dive back into work, the industry had slowed, compounded by the writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023. During this downtime, I explored new opportunities—assisting entrepreneurs in sales, manufacturing, and publishing. These ventures helped me develop valuable, transferable skills. I also enjoyed domestic travel and worked on personal projects, finding growth in unexpected places.

As we enter 2025, the entertainment industry is still navigating post-pandemic and post-strike transformations. These past five years have been a time of heavy introspection and evolution, both personally and professionally. Pivoting remains essential as we embrace change and prepare for what’s next. I learn from the lifestyles of my fully-committed artist friends and how they always find a way.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Alone, but Not Lonely

Humans naturally crave social connection and a sense of belonging. Yet, being alone is often misunderstood as loneliness or seen as a social deficit.

In addition to my work in the entertainment industry, I am a brand ambassador for various companies. My lifestyle is highly energetic and fast-paced—I’m always on the move, whether walking briskly, cycling, swimming in the ocean, or working out at the gym. I thrive in physical activity and vibrant social environments, including large gatherings and special events. However, this constant motion often leaves me drained, making my quiet moments to recharge even more meaningful.

I’ve discovered that everything begins with our inner state. Solitude brings me peace, joy, and clarity. It’s where I receive revelations, pray, process emotions, and connect with my imagination. In these moments, I commune with The Creator and find serenity in the divinity within. The stillness I embraced during the 2020 lockdown revealed the beauty of solitude. Since then, I’ve made intentional changes to my lifestyle to preserve that sense of inner peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.woodlene.com
• Instagram: @woodlene
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodlene
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6227039/

Image Credits

Kareem Quow Photography