Meet Charia Rose | Writer, filmmaker, and Mariah Carey enthusiast.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charia Rose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charia, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I was younger, I tried every possible sport and activity and none of them stuck. I remember that my gymnastics classes were the same time as my favorite TV show at the time, and my priority was watching the show. That was kind of the moment that it became clear that my passion for film and media was going to be path for me. It was truly the only thing in the world that made me happy and I was genuinely a great writer and performer. When I realized you could get PAID to be an artist, it was really over. The arts have always been the one thing that made me feel safe. It was the only true career option for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For me, writing has always been about safety. I started writing when I was 11 years old, and it felt like I was learning to walk or speak; it was something I had to do to survive. Now, I am not ashamed of where I came from–my entry to the world of writing was through fanfiction–but because of that I understand that I’m only writing for myself like, 40% of the time. I write so that other people can experience the things that I am feeling. To open their eyes to an experience they never imagined could exist. To give a megaphone to the voices that are often set on mute, no matter how badly they want to scream their truths at full volume.

I’m still working my way through this Hollywood shit. It isn’t easy when you come into an industry with no connections or guidance. I hustled my way through assistant gigs and freelance to get to where I am today (which is an eyelash away from getting paid to write, inshallah). In all honesty, it hasn’t been fun most of the time! But I know that my vision and gift of being a creative is bigger than my discomfort. The tea is, I’m too talented to not persevere and get paid to do it!

As a working class Midwestern born Black woman, I am always viewing the world through that lens. Blackness is such a vast and beautiful spectrum, and I live to create space for as many Black, brown, queer, and other underrepresented experiences to be seen. Mental health is also very important to me, because it is something that is integral to my day to day life. Black girls get depressed, have anxiety, and so much more, BUT they also smile, and laugh, and find joy in the mundane. Those are the stories that excite me. That is why I do what I do. If my inner child had seen some of these stories, her life would have been changed. I write so that no one ever feels like they are the only person like them in the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a Midwestern girl (Detroit-born honey!) so Los Angeles is still kind of new for me. But the moment my friend stepped off the plane I am letting them know that we are NOT going to HOLLYWOOD! The walk of fame is nasty and I refuse to let them touch that dirty ass ground.

On a serious note, if we were in a post-COVID world, we would do a cute little hike. Maybe Kenneth Hahn or a trail closer to Malibu. Maybe Griffith cause the girls love the Hollywood sign. In-n-Out for sure because there is no better time to bond with your bestie than waiting 30 minutes for a $4 hamburger. Tenants For the Trees in Los Feliz for drinks and dancing one night (I like places where I can wear a dress and Jordan’s and no one says anything about it.) Post and Beam for brunch and bottomless mimosas. More tacos (there is this birria truck in NOHO that is insanely good.)A rooftop somewhere that we can see the water. Worldwide Tacos in Leimert Park (again, waiting 3 hours for food is a great way to bond!) My top love languages are acts of service and quality time, so, honestly, anywhere I go with my bestie (the club, a restaurant, my couch), I’m going to be a very happy girl.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I was in college, I was worked in our Center for Inclusion and Social Change. Social justice education is so important to me and how I got to where I am today. My shoutout goes to all the folks that worked with me during that time in my life and pushed me to stay true to myself and know that the things that I am passionate about can be a catalyst for real change in the world. Seriously, working in this space shaped more of my creative voice than my actual film classes. My gifts as a writer and filmmaker are all tools that I can utilize to imagine and guide us towards a more equitable future. I wouldn’t have that understanding without all the amazing people in my life during that time. Unfortunately, that space was shut down by my university (another conversation for another day) so RIP to the place that shaped and molded me during my collegiate career.

Website: https://chariarose.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/charia

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chareeuh