Nzinga Imani is a multifaceted drive within the leisure business, seamlessly navigating the worlds of performing, modeling, singing, and entrepreneurship. In a current interview with The Curvy Fashionista, Imani supplied a glimpse into her present initiatives, her philosophy on profession diversification, and her passionate advocacy for plus dimension illustration, notably inside the plus dimension group.
You understand her as Angela, from BET+’s Zatima; nevertheless, Imani can be on the cusp of one other thrilling enterprise.
“I begin filming subsequent week for a brand new mission! It’s the second season, referred to as ‘I Bought a Story to Inform.’ It makes me consider Black Mirror, however of BET versus Netflix. I’m the lead of one of many episodes, and it’s a actually intense story. I’m actually excited,” she shared.
This upcoming position guarantees to be a difficult one, requiring her to painting a personality present process a major persona shift, permitting Imani to showcase her emotional vary as an actress. Past her tv work, Imani can be actively concerned in bringing different initiatives to fruition. Placing on her producer hat, she executive-produced and starred in an upcoming movie, Pal Zone.
“We’re nonetheless buying it round, however I’m hopeful that it’ll be picked up quickly,” she revealed.
Moreover, she is venturing into writing, growing a mission along with her youthful sister that explores the contrasting experiences of ladies within the business – Imani as a plus dimension particular person and her sister as an ordinary dimension mannequin. This mission goals to dismantle assumptions and spotlight the distinctive challenges confronted on either side of the dimensions spectrum.
By means of this mission, she is reminded that although her struggles as a plus dimension lady are legitimate, everybody has insecurities.
“As a plus-sized particular person, I can take a look at what another person is coping with and assume that they don’t have sure points, when on the opposite facet of the spectrum, there’s nonetheless loads of different issues that they must take care of,” Imani defined, emphasizing her dedication to telling significant tales that problem narratives and encourage deeper considering.
Embracing Various Paths: A Journey of Following Alternatives
Imani’s profession trajectory has been something however linear, and he or she embraces her multitude of abilities. She is actually a jack of all trades: Actress, singer, mannequin, make-up artist, producer, businesswoman, and a TCF-certified fashion icon! When requested how she determined to pursue so many alternative paths, she defined that she lets her creativity information her. She is pushed by the alternatives offered to her.
“For instance, I’ve been a singer my entire life, and that led me into performing and launched me to performing, however then performing launched me to make-up. However then on the finish of the day, after which make-up launched me to modeling, nevertheless it’s humorous how the modeling is what pushed my make-up to be a much bigger enterprise, which in flip pushed my performing to be a much bigger enterprise,” Imani defined.
This pure evolution highlights Imani’s adaptability and willingness to discover her numerous items and abilities. She sees her various expertise as interconnected belongings relatively than singular pursuits. She additionally means that others do the identical and be open to each alternative.
“There’s by no means been a time the place I’m identical to, ‘I gained’t try this or I gained’t do that.’ It’s simply sort of like, the place are you main me, Lord? I’ll observe you.”
This open-minded method has not solely broadened her horizons but additionally offered stability, permitting her to thrive in numerous areas when alternatives in a single area could also be much less ample. Not solely does it assist her care for herself, however she can be fulfilled.
“Do all of it and don’t be scared to do extra. Significantly in terms of the artwork business, you could have to have the ability to do multiple factor,” Imani acknowledged.
She acknowledges the outdated adage: “Jack of all trades is a grasp of none,” however counters that within the artistic area, versatility is usually important, particularly within the early levels of 1’s profession.
“Typically you must be that one-woman crew earlier than you could have a crew, earlier than you’ll be able to afford that crew, you must be expert sufficient to know and put issues collectively by yourself.”
Whereas advocating for a deal with main targets, Imani stresses the worth of exploring different crafts, as these experiences can usually enrich and inform one’s primary pursuits.
Championing Pure Hair and Plus Measurement Illustration
Along with being a complete boss, Nzinga Imani can be a vocal advocate for pure hair and plus dimension illustration within the media. The actress has develop into recognized for constant pure hairstyles in her on-screen roles. Whereas some could assume this can be a manufacturing alternative, Imani says she made the decision. Why? All of it boils right down to Black hair being stunning.
“I like the best way pure hair seems. It’s so stunning to me,” she acknowledged.
Past aesthetics, Imani emphasizes the significance of showcasing pure hairlines and various types to counter slender magnificence requirements.
“Additionally displaying women that you simply don’t must have a center half bust right down to be stunning. Come out with the curls. Even in the event you received slightly extension, even in the event you received a puff caught on, come out together with your look.”
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The choice to current pure hairstyles is extra meticulous choice that it might seem. As a plus dimension mannequin and actress, Imani is aware of the duty she carries.
“I do know that I’m representing a group — women, folks, grown girls from 70s all the best way to 10-year-olds come as much as me and thank me for simply representing for us.”
Whereas acknowledging the stress that comes with this position, particularly regarding fluctuating weight and public notion, Imani stays steadfast in her self-love and her message to others:
“You don’t must look one specific method…You’ll be able to have the apple physique, you’ll be able to nonetheless get the components, and you may nonetheless make an influence.”
Although the plus dimension business has made strides of progress, there are nonetheless some issues that concern Imani. As a mannequin, she acknowledges the disheartening pattern of straight-sized fashions padding their our bodies to imitate the our bodies of plus dimension girls. Plus dimension illustration is already arduous sufficient to come back by, and Imani is anxious we’re regressing.
“It’s heartbreaking to see, although we’ve come thus far, how a lot we’re slowly tiptoeing again,” she acknowledged. “We discover. and it’s not the identical as a result of whenever you make plus-size clothes, there’s a special understanding of how thick the straps will be, the place the again can dip, all sorts of issues as a result of we’re additionally contemplating undergarments and issues like that.”
Wanting in the direction of the way forward for plus dimension vogue in a society seemingly regressing in physique positivity, Imani stays optimistic, believing that “the pendulum at all times swings.” She emphasizes the continued presence and buying energy of plus dimension shoppers and predicts that manufacturers will ultimately acknowledge the financial crucial of catering to this demographic.
She additionally highlights the significance of group help for size-inclusive manufacturers which might be doing it proper, “We actually do have to come back collectively and elevate these manufacturers in order that the opposite manufacturers can see we’re lacking some main cash over right here.”
Imani’s dedication extends past her on-screen work and advocacy. She actively participates in initiatives like The Plus Strut Run/Stroll, an annual occasion in Atlanta celebrating plus dimension health and group.
“This yr, as a result of it’s yr 5, they’re doing a three-day weekend. It’s a very nice deal,” she defined.
Nzinga Imani is a dynamic and provoking determine who makes use of her platform to not solely entertain but additionally to advocate for better plus dimension illustration and inclusivity. Her insights into the leisure business and her passionate dedication to physique positivity make her an important voice in shaping a extra equitable and various future.
