INDUSTRY TALK: Q&A (CHRISTOPHER LEON)

Thanks for tuning in to this weeks #IndustryTalk interview! Today we are featuring a St Louis native rapper Christopher Leon (Formerly Young Leo)! This dude is dope, if you’re following his Instagram you’ll see he’s dropping multiple vids that showcase his talents as a young future rap star! At only 27 Christopher Leon has created quite the following ready to take La La Land by storm! Let’s see how he came to be, and what his deciding moment was that propelled his move to a city famous for creating stars & reflecting the broken dreams of many. 

R|A: Christopher Leon thank you for being apart of the #IndustryTalk blog! You’re very talented, and I’m sure LA, NYC, and maybe the ATL were places you thought about moving to in order to propel your career, why LA, and what was the deciding factor? That this is it moment? 

C|L: I appreciate the compliment! The easy answer as to why I came to LA instead of anywhere else was I had an opportunity and had to take advantage! It was a heat of the moment, ‘you only live once’ kind of decision. But honestly, I’ve always thought it would be amazing to live in California anyway. I didn’t know at the time that technically you can make it ANYWHERE nowadays. The internet made it so you don’t have to come to the high cost of living places such as this. But I truly love living here, so for me it worked out perfectly!

R|A: What’s the most terrible thing someone has said to you about your art, and how did that affect you?

C|L: I guess the worst thing someone has said to me was your standard no-name, anonymous commenter who posted under one of my videos saying something about how I’m the worst rapper to ever grace a microphone and how I should fuck my mother and die... I’m paraphrasing of course but seriously, who’s putting any real energy replying to people like that 😂.

I don’t pay any mind to comments unless there is some kind of constructive criticism. What I hate the MOST are ‘yes’ men. If I am asking for an opinion on a song and all I get is ‘yeah, that’s dope’ or ‘that’s fire!’, I’m a little turned off. Not all of my songs are good, and if I play you something I know is trash and all you have is a nonchalant head nod while staring at your phone, but you get hype once the song is over because you think that’s what I want... I won’t be inviting you to the next listening session :P

R|A: Who are 5 people that inspire you? Artist or otherwise? 

C|L: Childish Gambino, Joe Rogan, Mac Miller, GaryVee and the newest person to make the list is Russ.

I’m a huge fan of podcasts, and I have heard my fair share of episodes where Joe Rogan or GaryVee say something that sparks me to work. Gary will talk about a new strategy to ‘hack’ the market or connect with people. Joe will talk about the grind of forming a new stand up routine and how tough it is to get it started. It teaches me that everything you try to get good at is a grind.... so if you want to get good GET TO GRINDING!

When it comes to Gambino and Mac, I just love their styles. Neither of them were afraid to experiment and try something different than they’re used to. I always find inspiration in that.

When it comes to Russ, I just love the hustle and grind it took for him to get where he is. He’s famous for the ‘drop a song every week’ strategy and it’s a really great one. He seems to love the grind as much as I do and that always makes me want to keep working hard when I see it paying off for others.

R|A: You have this new IG comedy skit-show with your girlfriend, what was the creative concept behind the skits and have you always been a comedian?

C|L: Ironically enough the comedy thing was just a joke at first! We had a little idea for a video and people really seemed to like it so we continued doing it. The concepts are easy enough, anytime we have an idea or a ‘that would be funny’ thought we talk to each other about it and see if we could actually make it fun. It’s a challenge but a great way to stay creative when I’m in a musical slump.

I have always been one to crack jokes, mostly at someone’s expense, but I’ve always been more of a fan of the art than actually in it. I might give stand up a try one day 😎

R|A: What’s something most people do not know about you?

C|L: Even though I was born in St Louis, I spent most of my childhood growing up outside of it. I moved to Illinois at a young age and lived in a very small town called Jonesboro. Which was DIRECTLY next to a town called Anna.

Decades ago, someone historically put a sign up next to the ‘Welcome to Anna’ billboard that read ‘ANNA- Ain’t No Niggers Allowed’.

As you can imagine, being the only kid in school with a black father was not the best experience in my younger days. And being a REDHEAD on top of it?! Oh boy, I was ripe for the bullying.

R|A: If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and what would you ask them?

C|L: This may sound like a cop-out but I would want to have lunch with ANYONE who was already deceased. My questions would be simple. Is there an afterlife? If so, what is it like and is there any reason to fear death...

Hope I didn’t bum anyone out 🤣

R|A: How would you describe your music? Is it more commercial, raw, political, what does Young Leo rap about? 

C|L: All of my projects are about things I’m going through at the time.

My last project was called ‘26 In LA’ and it was about my first year here. The project I’m working on right now is all about my relationship with my girlfriend. I’m very excited to spill the tea. 😂

R|A: What great piece of advice have you gotten, that you would say has helped in your career development? 

C|L: YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN SCHEDULE! Stop comparing yourself to Drake; stop comparing yourself to your friend who got a deal before you did. None of that helps your situation and only creates mental fatigue. YOU will make it when YOU are meant to. The beauty of today is it’s easier to make it than ever before. You just have to be consistent and always growing. Once I stopped being impressed by people on social media I noticed my life became sooo much less stressful. I would advise the same for others.

R|A: What’s something a new rapper should have before walking into a record labels doors?

C|L: Have your dignity and values in hand. Understand one thing, by the time a record label wants you... you are in a position where you no longer need a record label.

“YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN SCHEDULE! Stop comparing yourself to Drake; stop comparing yourself to your friend who got a deal before you did.”

R|A: Lastly to make it fun, who are your top 4 female hip hop artist, and top 4 male hip hop artist past/present that you think changed the game?

C|L: Lauren Hill, Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj and Lizzo.

For the fellas I would say Slick Rick, Kanye West, Kid Cudi aaaaand weirdly enough maybe Young Thug.

INDUSTRY TALK: Q&A (JAYCE BARON)

If you're gay and black or simply live in LA then you either know or know of Jayce Baron. He's everyone's friend and inspiration. So after careful review and finding out who this guy is I decided he must be interviewed for #IndustryTalk. Not just because he's an author and I love to read, not just because he's a baptist preachers kid and I grew up in a baptist church, not because he has a degree in entertainment communication, and not because he's created a media network and I'm an actor. All of which are great but I was more enthralled with his philanthropy. I’ve learned that the character of any great artist can be measured by the friends they keep and how they give back.

 

R|A: Thanks for being apart of the #IndustryTalk family Jayce. You're a pretty well known LGBT Advocate here in Los Angeles. At what point in your life did you decide that this is what you wanted to do?

J|B: Ha! The funny thing is I still get a little weirded out when people call me an advocate because it was never really what I set out to accomplish, it just passionately happened. I started Kiss & Tell Networks after I saw the success of a live LGBTQ panel discussion I hosted and produced. After I saw the response I knew that this was my God given calling and I was going to do whatever it took to unify the community, but with my sense of style!

“...There is not really a road map on how to do this...”

R|A: What did you want to be growing up? I mean did you know you would be a writer, a social entrepreneur, and an LGBT advocate?

J|B: Absolutely NOT! Are you kidding me? I used to fail the spelling part of the SATs in elementary all the time! I do remember writing a lot of stories and organizing full blown productions with my younger siblings for my parents, but I just thought that was me being bossy living the definition of the older child syndrome. I went to college for Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations because I knew I loved to talk and loved a good party. I modeled for a bit as well. When I saw how superficial... what I was doing for a paycheck, was becoming, I knew I needed something with more weight and fulfillment. Everything I am today career-wise was unintentional and a direct result of simply doing what I love, learning from my mistakes, and the universe giving me everything I need to fulfill my duties on this earth.

R|A: I caught an episode or two of your Itunes podcast Kiss & Tell Radio, which was very eye opening with celebrity news, dating, and sex. When did you start your podcast and for those creatives who would love to do what you're doing how did you start podcasting?

J|B: Yes Shar and I love doing our show. We have two completely different personalities so listeners get a kick out of our dynamic. I started Kiss & Tell Radio because I wanted an easy way to produce content between live Kiss & Tell shows. It was a lot easier than I thought! I got a recorder from Amazon, my sister created the intro beat, and we literally just record the set list of topics. The tech stuff with the RSS feed and getting it on iTunes was all stuff I googled and figured out. It's almost been a year since the first show and we're launching the NYC hosts within weeks. Also, we just signed on with REVRY, an LGBT entertainment platform you can subscribe to on Apple TV, Ruko, etc. It's been an extremely fun process!

R|A: You’ve recently celebrated the release of your new book: Absolutely Me. Can you tell readers what your book is about?

J|B: Yes! My novel "Absolutely Me" is finally out! The book is about a young man name Eli who is going through all the motions of self discovery with his sexuality. It's cool because each chapter is a different guy he is dealing with. Whether it's some sneaky sex scandal, just fucking, seriously dating, or your typical "situationship", he's trying to find out what the hell being gay is. He realizes at the end that his sexuality has nothing to do with others, but all to do with himself. I hate to brag, but it's a good read! I'm really hard on myself, but I have to say I am very proud with this accomplishment and even more happy with the way people are responding.

R|A: I was reading a passage of your book which was very nostalgic for me. You described NYC so well you've had to live there? What was the inspiration behind Absolutely Me?

J|B: New York City will always have my heart. My mother was raised in Queens so I was always out there growing up. I ended up moving there permanently right after college and the experience blew my mind in so many unexpected ways. I told you I'm from California, so I never owned a pair of boots, shoveled snow... nothing. I was clueless and totally had to relearn how to live. I'm still out there once a month for meetings and I facilitate a youth workshop in Brooklyn. I'd say I'm bicoastal on a budget!

A lot of "Absolutely Me" is based on experience, shared stories, or situations any young person who is trying to figure out life goes though, especially if they identify as LGBTQ. There is not really a road map on how to do this and sexual fluidity is just now becoming socially accepted. I wanted people, whatever demographic, to relate, laugh, and learn. Those were my intensions.  

R|A: What advice can you give aspiring writers?

“ I wanted people, whatever demographic, to relate, laugh, and learn. Those were my intensions. ”

J|B: Like Nike's slogan... "Just do it." I was recently asked how I started writing my book and I literally just started writing a story and describing everything I felt during that time. I randomly found what I had written in my gmail inbox years later and decided it was the perfect time to finish and conclude the story. Same with my blog. The more you do it, the better you get. So start now! It will all eventually make sense. Hold yourself accountable meet your own deadlines and just put your heart into it.

R|A: I read that you're also a PK (Preacher's Kid). Baptist no-less, (I'm baptist...long story), what was your experience like growing up in a religious household? Personally I think we all get to a point where who we’re becoming conflicts with the principles we were brought up on.

J|B: One thing I am extremely grateful for is I was raised to know the difference between religion and my relationship with God. I was always raised in environments that got me a lot of attention and being in the first family was one of them. This made the church more human, which can be interpreted in many ways. For me, it was clear that people, whether in the first family or Peaches the stripper are humans and make mistakes. Because of that, I never really put leaders of any church on a pedestal much like fans do for their favorite music artist. When I went through my own personal journey of reconciling with my sexuality and knowing God loves me when maybe "religion" did not, it made all the difference. Jesus is and always will be the homie.

“Jesus is and always will be the homie.”

R|A: Tell readers more about your blog? What inspires you?

J|B: I just started writing about the lessons I was learning and idiot mistakes I made. I didn't even promote my blog at first... it was just for me. When I started showing my friends they got a kick out of it and encouraged me to share. Sometimes I'll wake up at 3:24am and words will just start pouring out. I just grab my phone and start writing and clean it up the next day.

R|A: What's next for Jayce?

J|B: Oh my goodness that is a loaded question with an even bigger answer. I'm always creating but I've learned to take things one step at a time. Well, 2016 is pretty much already planned out. Launching Kiss & Tell Live Las Vegas with Senator Kelvin and Woody Atkinson this summer. We have two more live shows around the country closing out the year. I have a couple outside writing opportunities. Several workshop and speaking engagements based around my book, "Absolutely Me". And lets just say if all goes according to plan I'll be completely off the grid for about a month filming. Stay tuned

“Launching Kiss & Tell Live Las Vegas with Senator Kelvin and Woody Atkinson this summer”

R|A: What most important piece of advice would you say have helped you in life?

J|B: My dad once told a 19 year old me while I was cussing out someone on the phone that, "You're only given a certain amount of energy per lifetime... use it wisely." He probably doesn't remember but the words have become a pivotal lead in the way I navigate through life. I'm so aware of how I spend my time and energy now. I'm very slow to anger and I am extremely mindful on keeping a balanced work and personal life.   

“You’re only given a certain amount of energy per lifetime... use it wisely.”

INDUSTRY TALK: Q&A (AMBER NICOLLE GILBERT)

This week's guest on the #IndustryTalk entertainment blog is none other than my girl- actress Amber Nicolle Gilbert. We met through previous actor and friend to the blog Dueal Andrews and I honestly must admit I admire this woman's hustle. Not only does she work, but she's constantly studying her craft and at the moment is learning stage combat. Let's sit down with Miss. Niccolle and find out what it's like being a black female actress in Hollywood and what we can expect from her in the future.

R|A: Thank you Amber for being apart of the #IndustryTalk blog family. So I guess my first question would be why acting and when did you know realize this was something you wanted to do?

A|N|G: At first playing basketball was my passion. I was very proficient in basketball as well as track and field. My dream was to play professionally for the WNBA. After high school, I ended up choosing another career to pursue which is acting. I feel that acting encompasses all aspects of humanity and that is something I want to be a part of.

R|A: You’ve recently just completed a short with friend to the blog Dueal Andrews titled Former Flames, what's the film about?

A|N|G: Former Flames is about two friends reminiscing on the good memories they had with each other in high school. Both friends end up having too much to drink and sleep together. This short was based off a true story that happened in my life. Dueal and I were high school sweethearts as well as good friends. I always wanted to collaborate with actor Dueal Andrews, so when given the opportunity, I took advantage.

R|A: Many times in this industry we befriend other entertainers and we want to create the art we want to see. What was it like working with your best friend, and what advice positive and negative would you say can arise from working with friends?

“The best advice I can give to aspiring entertainers is NOT TO GIVE UP and to keep striving towards your goal. ”

A|N|G: It was a great learning experience working with someone on a project from the ground up. It definitely teaches you your strength and weaknesses in the business. My advice is just to have fun and definitely keep a cocktail or two around (ha-ha). You want to make sure that you take everyone’s vision into consideration. COMMUNICATION IS KEY without that you wont have a successful joint venture.

R|A: Do you plan on releasing your project online, or submitting to any festivals?

A|N|G: Yes, I will be releasing the short on my website and submitting it to festivalsonce post production is finished. Former Flames will be released sometime in the summer.

R|A: You have a very impressive resume, what would you say was your most favorite role to play and why?

A|N|G: My favorite role would have to be playing a lawyer. At times, I get type cast due to my tattoos. I work really hard to be taken seriously as an actress and prove to people in the industry that I can play other roles besides the “the tough chick” or “the seductive girl”. It is a great feeling knowing that people see me for my acting ability, not just based off my exotic appearance. Don’t get me wrong, I love my tattoos and will never get rid of them (they are a part of me). Surprisingly I get more roles and auditions that requires me to be “the girl next door” or “the conservative role”.

“It takes determination to get to your destination.”

R|A: What advice can you give aspiring entertainers?

A|N|G: The best advice I can give to aspiring entertainers is NOT TO GIVE UP and to keep striving towards your goal. There may be times when it is rough, but you can’t let that affect you. Always follow your dreams and if this is something you want to do, don’t let ANYONE discourage you. It takes determination to get to your destination. Most importantly, it is very important to stay focused and to have positive people who are going to motivate you. I strongly encourage aspiring entertainers to get involved in social networking events (it is so important to network). The last advice I will give is to collaborate with other actors and start making independent projects. The industry has changed so much over the years, so it’s a lot of ways to get noticed these days.

R|A: I understand you're currently taking combat training… What made you want to learn that technique and how often are you in class learning?

A|N|G: I am currently studying a Filipino martial arts called Pekiti Tirsia Kali. Action is one of my favorite genres in TV and Film. I want to be prepared when auditioning for roles that require combat training. Actresses who have done a lot of action films such as Zoe Saldana and Angelina Jolie are my biggest inspirations. I will love to have an opportunity to work in an action film. Combat training is not as easy as people think, it takes a lot of self-discipline and dedication. There is a lot to learn such as how to properly use a weapon on set, even throwing a punch or kick. In order to keep my combat training skills sharp, I train three times a week.

R|A: How do you prepare for a role?

A|N|G: When preparing for a role, I like to first read the entire script. After reading the entire script, I began to break down the scenes and develop character choices. I forget about being “the actress” and really focus on becoming who the character is. I want to be able to have that connection to the character and be in the moment. I like to find elements of the character that I feel are different and similar to me.

R|A: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A|N|G: In five years, I see myself being on a series also in action movies. Outside from acting, I will like to get into more writing and producing of TV and Film, I also want to develop affordable acting programs for aspiring actors/actresses.

R|A: This industry is very discouraging. What would you say was the most discouraging thing someone has said to you in the industry and how did you overcome that?

“ I forget about being “the actress” and really focus on becoming who the character is.”

A|N|G: I haven’t really experienced someone specifically in the industry saying something negative to me. I will say that just being in the industry and dealing with the ups and downs can be very discouraging itself. Whenever I’m feeling discouraged, I remember my purpose and know that all of my hard work will eventually pay off.

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENS ME.

INDUSTRY TALK: Q&A (NATHAN HALE WILLIAMS)

“I had every intention of being a doctor. I was going to be a neurosurgeon, I was a bio-medical engineering major when I first went to school. ”

N|H|W: Okay that's actually two questions so let me answer the first one first. I actually went to law school to be a producer. I know that sounds random, I was… I had every intention of being a doctor. I was going to be a neurosurgeon, I was a bio-medical engineering major when I first went to school. And then I realized, I looked around and was like one of these kids is doing his own thing and I was like its me. And I secretly changed my major and my mom said I'm not saying you can't major in dance because I changed it to dance. But she said you shouldn't major in dance at the University of Illinois- like if you're going to be a dancer then you should go to a school for dance. Because you're going to be a dance teacher if you go study dance at the university of Illinois. In any event I ended up changing my major to communications with a minor focus on theater. We called it at University of Illinois- Oral Interpretation so I had intended on becoming a performer and going to Broadway and being on Broadway and all of that. But then I came out to LA my junior/senior year of college and it was the hardest summer I've ever had to endure my car got stolen (in 1996- I mentioned the LA riots and Rodney King era. Nathan laughs in agreement of the craziness.) I read this article by Debra Martin Chase, and in the article she talked about her job as a producer and I was like that's what I want to do. I want to create, I want to be in charge, I want to be the boss; because, I like steak better than I like pork n’ beans. She talked about in the article how much law school helped- she went to Harvard law school. And I came back after my car got stolen back to the University of Illinois & I told my mom “I'm gonna go to law school” and she was like where did that come from? I don't think I told her at that time that I was going to law school to become a producer or that I had read this article about Debra. Anyways I didn't study for the LSAT, I just took it, and I was like if it's meant to be then its meant to be, and if it's not then its not. I got accepted to some great schools and I chose George Washington University because it was the school that I felt was the closest to my personality. Even though I got into some schools that are considered quote un-quote better than that. And I loved it. I loved law school but I had no intention of practicing law but of becoming a producer. (A degree to practice law and never use it- I inquire) I use it everyday.

R|A: After 15 years in New York, what made you move to L.A. and how do you like it in comparison?

“ New York cut my teeth as a professional. It taught me how to hustle, it taught me how to never give up.”

N|H|W: So you know I love New York, New York is my favorite city in the world and it always will be. New York helped make me who I am today as a professional, Chicago helped make me who I am as a person and New York cut my teeth as a professional. It taught me how to hustle, it taught me how to never give up. But I'm in entertainment and the well of entertainment is only so deep. Like I had reached that level, I've done everything that I could do in New York and I really wanted to take my career to the next level and I knew that I had to do something drastic to shake it up. I actually decided to move to LA when I was here, I was having lunch with Jussie Smollet when he'd just gotten Empire it was April 28th, 2014 and him and my friend Jennia Fredrique (Noah’s Arc) who's an actress and filmmaker as well, was like you need to just move here. And it was the tail end of a really good trip and I said okay- I'm moving to LA. That's kind of how I am, and then I went back to New York and broke my leg, and God was like okay slow down little boy because I would have just picked up and moved here without a plan and you know trying to fly. I'm here for work… I'm here to work… I'm here because my job is here and the weather helps as well, that was following two brutal winters in New York City. I had a break down, I had a missing New York and family breakdown two weeks ago, but now I'm passed it. And I know that I am here for a reason. So I can't say that I'm loving it yet, but I'm definitely focused.

R|A: Tell readers about your new book “Ladies Who Lunch & Love”, what inspired you to write about these women and their gay best friend?

N|H|W: So Ladies Who Lunch & Love is a novelization of the Essence Magazine column that I wrote for four years where I gave love and relationship advice. But I didn't want to write a preachy you need to do this, you need to do that advice book. I wanted it to be fun and digestible. When people read it they don't even realize they're about to read a book about spirit and about relationships. But it's embedded in a fun you know kinda light story. And there are some really deep messages within the story embedded in it. What I love about the characters the most is that people can really read this book and even if you don't see yourself you know these people. I mean you know Krissy- you know that's your girl from around the way and she's smart as shit, you know what I mean. You know Vicky... you know these characters, and so yeah I wanted to write a relationship and spirit and advice book but not in the traditional sense.

R|A: You’ve conquered TV, film, and commercial. As far as producing are you working on any new media projects?

N|H|W: Yeah I have... (laughs) where do we begin? So I'm writing a movie with Jennifer Lewis called The Second Act I love her too, (she's everyone's aunt I exclaim) yes I met her on the set of Dirty Laundry now almost 10 years ago. And we just fell in love and connected ever since. We’re writing the movie together. She plays a character named Lydia Monroe. I have another short film that I am producing, directing, and writing called 90 days. We shoot in March and then I have a book coming out in February called The Girls Best Friend, which is a collection of my Essence Column with notes from my favorite women in the world- my mom, my aunt, and my best friends.

R|A: I remember seeing a reality show you starred in featured on Netflix: Boys Who Like Girls Who Like Boys. I was wondering if there are any more TV projects you will star in, or are you set on being behind the lens?

“I have people that still comes up to me till this day saying ‘seeing you on television as a black gay man who is proud who defied stereotypes, who was successful, encouraged me- inspired me, saved my life.’ ”

N|H|W: (Laughing) You know I forget that I do all this shit. Wow (as far as being behind the lens or in front of the camera?) I like both That was my second reality show. The first one was American Candidate and I was on with my then partner at the time Keith Boykin and that was a ball of fun because we were in a competition together. We won everything and my mom had knew we’d gotten kicked off the show- not kicked off but we lost we didn't win the whole thing because I called her when we didn't, and so she was watching because people would have parties to watch the show. “And she was like Nathan you lied to me, y'all won.” Because we literally won every challenge, every episode until we lost which was like the second to last episode. (What was the challenge??) We were in Philadelphia and we had to get people to sign up and do something or whatever and we lost by like two votes. Something stupid, but anyways- Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys was my second (reality) show Keith and I happen to be the first black gay couple on reality television. That was such a great experience but it was a competition it wasn't about our lives. Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys was a great experience too but it was not a great experience for my relationship with Crystal. It's why I tell people don't put a relationship on reality TV because one thing about reality television is it does not lie. It tells the truth, you know what I mean. The good thing about that show is that it was a positive show. And the take away for me, was aside from the personal side- I have people that still come up to me till this day saying "seeing you on television as a black gay man who is proud who defied stereotypes, who was successful, encouraged me- inspired me, saved my life." All of those different things. So it was worth it, there's nothing about it that I regret. It was who I am. That wasn't a fake reality it was a representation- I cried, now they got me crying on there like fifty million times and I'm not even a cryer, I have my moments but it was like damn he's crying every episode. My dad is such a sensitive subject for me and it was the first time that I was really outside of my family talking about that. So doing that show was great for me. It wasn't great for my relationship with Crystal who was my then business partner. But I wouldn't take any of it back because of the feedback I get from young people telling me that I inspired them.

Keith Boyking & Nathan Hale Williams

R|A: What piece of advice do you wish someone would have given you starting out in the industry?

N|H|W: (Pause) I have a lot of advice, I have a lot of great advice. Um… Don't rush it. You know what I mean? Like don't be so anxious and don't think that it all has to happen at once. Because that's not how you really cultivate a longstanding career. I was really really hard on myself when I was younger because I wanted it all now… I wanted to be a billionaire tomorrow. You have to cultivate this art, you have to cultivate that. You have to be ready for the opportunities so that when they come you can maximize them. All the opportunities I got maximized them but I really wanted them all at once. So take your time, learn your craft, perfect it, hone it… you know.

R|A: When dealing with actors/performers what do you find to be the biggest challenge? (Please inform the actors so we know what we can do to be of better service.)

N|H|W: Actors & Performers (both laughing). Creative people are creative, we’re creative for a reason and we’re emotional, we are sometimes not practical in the way we think. I think one of the good things about me being an attorney and a creator is that I kinda have both sides of the brain I have a lot of balance, so I'm able to understand that someone is having a moment. So that would be my biggest stretch with actors and performers, they are highly emotional people and they need that emotion. They need to be able to tap into that emotion to call it the craft.

“my biggest stretch with actors and performers, they are highly emotional people and they need that emotion. They need to be able to tap into that emotion to call it the craft.”

R|A: Have you met all of your career goals? I feel as though you have a million titles. How do you ignore the negativity of others.

N|H|W: Well I've simplified the commas to just saying I'm a storyteller, and I tell stories across various mediums so in terms of titles I'm probably not going to have anymore titles. Maybe talk show host… not maybe- talk show host definitely. In my brain I'm just getting started.

R|A: (I feel as though sometimes we get so caught up in chasing our dreams that we forget to enjoy the ride). When you’re not working what do you do to relax and let go?

N|H|W: Well I have a morning ritual. I start my day the same everyday. I say thank you God, and please use me in showing light, and using the power that you give me for good. Then I read a publication called The Daily Word and from The Daily Word I set my intentions, I have all of my affirmations for everyday of the year. Today my intention was “joy” and I was going to get joy from everything that I do. Then I read a publication called Our Daily Bread which is a little bit more scripture based. This year I just started doing the bible in a year thing. And I take time to set my intention for the day and remember that God has given me the power. To relax I watch TV. (What do you watch?) Oh my God, I watch scripted stuff, I watch trash TV. I've always loved TV as an art form. My joke is that I'm a couch potato without the couch potato body. TV for me is a release and an outlet. It's where I can escape and then I get ideas, I love the ballet, I love to go see dance, but that shits expensive so I don't get to go to that all of the time. But if I could I would go see someone dance every week. I spend a lot of time with my family and friends, I really love being around the people that I love. I'm a people person. I'm really actually shy you may not believe that. But around my family and my closest friends I get to be Nate. I don't have to be Nathan Hale Williams. We go out to eat, we drink, we laugh a lot. I like to laugh a lot. My editor says I have a nice snarky sense of humor. When you get to know me you realize there is no malice in it. I'm just talking shit because I come from a family where we just talk shit. But you do it from a place of love. When I go home for thanksgiving my Auntie Gale and I are Bid Wiz partners and no one plays with us now because we talk so much crap at the table. We slam the cards down “take that” and no one will play with us now because we are very sore winners.

R|A: Question for the mother: As a parent how do you parent an artist, how do you support an artistic child being that we are so all over the place, we can be a headache?

Mother N|H|W: He wasn't a headache with me because I know that God gives us a gift and he has a plan for each one of us and we have to follow it. As a parent I know that it is my job to guide the child through reaching the gift in a very positive way. And what Nathan said about his being shy and not accepting rejection well, when he was starting out as a youngster trying to act- I paid for acting/drama lessons, my father paid for modeling lessons. I took him to auditions, and I sat with him when he got the auditions but then he started to grow and he's larger than the other guys his age and he stopped getting the auditions based on that. Because he was so tall they thought he was an older kid. I told him I can't do this… I can't watch your heart break because then my heart breaks and he was upset with me. But I was not a stage mother and I wasn't going to drive him crazy, and I pretty much told him if this is God's plan for you it'll happen, but it's not going to happen right now. I want you to grow up and have a good childhood, and if it happens at the right time you'll have my 100% support and I think that that's what's happened because I was getting ready to retire when I got a call and he said “I'm going to quit practicing law, and I'm going into entertainment.” I was like okay, and he'll tell you that I've been very supportive with that. (Nathan- my grandfather was like “you gone quit that good job, how much money do you make again?”- he had me laughing with the voice impression he did) So it just depends on whether or not you feel your child is yours to make them do what you want them to do, or you realize that they are a gift to you from God which is what Nathan's name mean. It means “A Gift From God.” So I knew he was mine, but he was my gift to kind of guide but not to keep. And so my job was to help him fulfill God's dream for him. Not my dreams.

“I pretty much told him if this is God’s plan for you it’ll happen, but it’s not going to happen right now. I want you to grow up and have a good childhood, and if it happens at the right time you’ll have my 100% support...”

(Really made me emotional, to have the love and support from family, especially your parents because it's difficult for young artist. So readers hopefully you can get your parents to remember you are a gift and in order to share your gift the people surrounding you should also see you as such.)